From TrekToday:

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Paramount Approves Series V Concept
Christian (April 4, 2000 - 10:48 PMGMT )

I just received a most fascinating report concerning the fifth Star Trek series, including the news everyone has probably been waiting for - apparently, Paramount TV Chairman Kerry McCluggage has finally approved Rick Berman's and Brannon Braga's Series V premise. This comes after several months of work that had already been invested in developing an acceptable Series V premise for the studio -- which had included the rumoured rejections of earlier versions of the now-confirmed and other premises, and focus group sessions that had tested three possible series concepts - a rumor that was confirmed today by Brannon Braga.

The premise that has been reportedly approved by McCluggage bears a strong similarity to the one that has been in the news ever since November, namely the 'Birth of the Federation' premise - with one important twist. Apparently, the villain of the series is someone from the 29th Century, who travels back in time to prevent the Federation from being born in the first place. The reason for this 'First Contact meets Future's End' twist is presumably to address the complaint that the 'Birth of the Federation' premise lacks enough suspense, because it obviously has a pre-established outcome.

According to the reports we received, the studio is still looking at a Fall 2001 premiere, meaning Series V would launch directly after Voyager's departure from the small screen.

As usual, though I have every confidence in these reports, treat them as you would any other rumour. This certainly hasn't been officially confirmed by Paramount yet.

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And, to add to the above, from Sci-Fi-Wire:

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Star Trek: Voyager executive producer Brannon Braga confirmed for SCI FI Wire that Paramount has indeed been testing concepts for a new Trek series to replace Voyager. That would appear to contradict statements by Braga's partner Rick Berman to Fandom.com that there's only one concept under consideration by the studio.

"There has been some testing," Braga told SCI FI Wire. "Obviously, that's true. I honestly can't say a lot about it simply because I have nothing to do with it. This is something that Paramount is doing. The testing of concepts, particularly on something that's a franchise, so to speak, I understand is fairly normal procedure. They are testing various things, and I didn't have anything to do with it, and I have yet to hear about any results from it. It's real peripheral to me."

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Well, Um... uh... Well....

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The above post was mulled-over, composed, and posted during time Tom would have better spent on his plethora of homework and homework-related exercises. Now don't you feel special?

[This message has been edited by The_Tom (edited April 04, 2000).]

I wouldn't have minded a "Birth of the Federation" idea, but the 29th Century villian just ruins it. I can just imagine how each episode will end:

"I'll get you next time, Captain So-And-So! Next time!"

"MEOW!"

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"Time is but a window. Death is but a door. I'll be back."

- Vigo the Carpathian, Ghostbusters II.

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Klingons never do anything small, eh Worf? -Commander Riker,
Star Trek: Insurrection

http://www.huntel.net/massa/StarTrek/index.html

Perhaps some might think that there is a difference when the whole future of Earth, the PD and Root Beer is at stake each week, instead of just the ship. But I doubt the difference is a major one in the end.

And in any case, the main villain will probably only appear in about every twentieth episode, just like Voyager misses going home by that much only two times each season, not every second episode as we originally feared. Most of the show will rotate around general Trek things, and explore alternate premises, just like Voyager does.

This premise gets my tentative okay. It's better than spinning something off an established character - no Trek character is really worth that currently, not Sulu, not Picard, not Spock. And it's a departure from what has been done before. Of course the writing and acting will not change, but there was never hope of that and never will be. What is important is that the premise is formally a fresh one.

Timo Saloniemi

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"Nobody knows this, but I'm scared all the time... of what I might do, if I ever let go." -- Michael Garibaldi

1. I don't think there should be a new Trek series for a few years

2. I think Branon Braga should concentrate on Voyager.

3. I don't think that BB and RB can cope with such a series if they can't address simple continuity on Voyager or scoff at the fans when they complain about the continuity problem

4. It ties in the 29th century again - probably the only original Voyager idea - and its going to be clone for a new series...

5. They'll ruin what has already gone before - I can't seem them keeping to the TOS style... or one 100 years earlier...

6. There is TOO MUCH Trek... please how many of you can - and presumably all of you that are here are FANS, can say they have watched EVERY single episode of Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: DS9 and Star Trek: Voyager (plus the Nine movies and the Animated series) TWICE.

I haven't even seen all of TOS or TAS once.

I definately haven't seen all of TNG twice

I DEFINATELY haven't seen all of DS9 twice (even though its my fave.)

I haven't seen all of Voyager - of course because were six months behind here - even still I can't remember some of the episodes clearly... the middle of Season 3 and Season 4 is murky. and Season 4 and 5 are my fave seasons.

Speaking as someone who has a copy of virtually every Trek book in existence... there's no such thing as too much. (Well, okay, some of the earlier "Mary Sue" novels.)

Too much comes when I can no longer afford it. And if it comes to that... I'll give up one of my other vices, like nudie movies.

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"Nobody knows this, but I'm scared all the time... of what I might do, if I ever let go." -- Michael Garibaldi

Every time they went back to TOS / preTOS, except the Tribbles-on-DS9 ep, they screwed up something. The worst one is "11:59": e-mail, fancy 90's style people, internet, no wars.

What will happen with the entire Dominon Wars story? They have to rebuild the UFP. I really hoped for a series set in the beta quadrant

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"When You're Up to Your Ass in Alligators, Today Is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life."
-- Management slogan, Ridcully-style (Terry Pratchett, The Last Continent, Discworld)
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Prakesh's Star Trek Site

Uhh... I'm confused. What was wrong with them predicting the U.S. not being in any major, major wars on December 31, 2000?

I don't mind this idea, though. I mean, the Kazon were supposed to be Voyager's enemy, right?

First of all, it's an even bet that at least one AQ/BQ power involved in the Dominion War wouldn't be able to keep up with the demands that were placed upon it by extended conflict. The Romulan Empire, being the most insular of the three, is most likely. Given that it has already shown signs of potential instability (the "Reunification Movement"), has unknown adversaries on its other side or some other past conflict ("matters of greater urgency caused our absence," -- TNG The Neutral Zone), and has obvious problems in its power structure (the Tal Shiar, the mass of ambitious Senators in conflict), it would not be unexpected for the Roms to suffer some fatal (to the Empire) calamity.

Given that so little is known about the area inside and beyond Romulan space, this opens up a realm of areas and potential adversaries that could pose a 'clear and present danger' to the rest of the Federation. Upstart species that were once servitor races, or who had been conquered by the romulans, could suddenly appear on the stage, perhaps even using Romulan technology/ships. Previously unknown Empires that were on the far side of Romulan space could arrive, expanding into disrupted Romulan territory.

There could also be various Romulan factions vying for the remnants of power, some of whom could be cast members on board the ship.
Speaking of cast, a sort of joint mission, with cast representatives of former enemies, could help. throw in a Klingon, a Ferengi, a Cardassian or two...

And there's always the Borg... if Voyager hasn't ruined them completely by then.

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"Nobody knows this, but I'm scared all the time... of what I might do, if I ever let go." -- Michael Garibaldi