Star Trek 2017 TV Series - Bryan Fuller & Nicholas Meyer

Star Trek 2017 TV Series - Bryan Fuller & Nicholas Meyer

I'm starting to get excited again at the prospect of the new series. At first announcement it was purely the anticipation of possibilities, but with the caveat that a prominent member of the Abrams films was in charge, it was a bit of a blow to hopes that the original universe, its history and characters would be respected and expanded upon. While we still don't know if it will be 'Prime,' Abramsverse, or some third strand (things could get really confusing, and we don't need that), maybe a combination of time- and universe-hopping that would be completely different to everything that's gone before, hopes have been restored somewhat by recent pronouncements that Bryan Fuller, Trek expert and former 'DS9' and 'Voyager' writer has been made the show-runner. In itself that wasn't enough to get me posting my thoughts, but while that wasn't the most unexpected development (since he was one of the names in the hat that have been kicking around with ideas for a new series, or the avowed wish to get involved, for a few years), another addition to the producing and writing staff has been a total out-of-the-blue shock: Nicholas Meyer!

The man on the street won't know the name, but they'll have felt the impact since he was responsible (not single-handedly, but in large part), of keeping Trek profitable thanks to the small budget and big success of 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,' then again with 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,' and 'Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,' three of the most critically and popularly acclaimed of all current twelve films in existence (soon to be thirteen when 'Star Trek Beyond' is released this year). It's crazy, it's mad, and it's happening, and unless there's a case of creative differences, we could be seeing Meyer's name on a TV episode of Trek next year! This isn't the first time his name has been bandied about - he may have been in the running at one time to direct what became 'Generations,' perhaps 'Nemesis,' and even projects beyond that, though those were all rumour: this is fact. It seems ridiculous to be living in a world where such things are possible, but it's not April, so it isn't an April Fool. Where do I stand on all this? I'm broadly in favour, although my favourite of 'The Original Series' Trek films are actually not the 'expected' ones - I like 'Star Trek V: The Final Frontier' for its character work, 'Star Trek III: The Search For Spock' for its wonder, and yes, 'VI' for its intrigue, though in general I prefer the 24th Century Treks, both the films and TV. I can see what he did to improve the formula after a slow start with 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture,' which I admire, is impressive, but is also not that thrilling. He added a dash of colour, verve and reality to the characters that had existed in 'TOS,' but had been drained away for the first feature film.

On the other hand I do feel some concern. Because Meyer notoriously didn't care too much for the canon, changing a lot of things that had existed for Trek's entirety, making it much more militaristic, adding anachronisms such as Kirk's reading glasses. But the ageing of the characters also added so much to the flavour of the film, and is something Trek needs in order to appeal to a wide age group, something that all the series' had, bar 'Enterprise' which stripped things back to basics and became a much-simplified entry in the ongoing lore. The canon and the history is very important to those of us who have followed every series and film, and I for one hope that such things are not ignored (or bypassed as was done with the Abrams films), but incorporated and built upon. That's where Fuller could be an asset as he's on record as nominating 'DS9' his favourite series, which also happens to be mine. The fact that he wrote for both that and my other favourite, 'Voyager,' could bode well that the style and content of those two pinnacles of Trek entertainment might be adhered to. But again, there are reservations as he's said he wants to go back to a colourful, more 'TOS' type of series which could also mean more simplistic planet of the week exploration. This may be in the spirit of how the concept was originally conceived, but I prefer more depth, exploring select cultures and expanding upon what has been already laid down. The new premise sounds like it may ditch past races and characters, which while creatively easier for new writers, wouldn't be as satisfying for me.

Yet Fuller has written some great episodes of Trek, both his 'DS9' stories are particular favourites of mine ('The Darkness and The Light' and 'Empok Nor'), emphasising the eeriness and danger in the shadows, the lack of control characters experience and the way they react to such situations, which would appear to be at odds with the bright, sunny outlook I get the impression is what they want for this new series. It's also unfortunate that he rose to his most prominent position during the latter years of 'Voyager,' which I think of as the declining years after the boom of the mid-nineties, when the series was not reaching its full potential, happy to trundle along as it had before, rather than taking the reins as 'DS9' went off the air. Even so, I count 'The Raven,' 'Mortal Coil,' 'Bride of Chaotica!,' 'Course: Oblivion,' 'Juggernaut,' 'Relativity,' 'Fury,' and 'Flesh and Blood' as some of the top episodes from their respective seasons, so his style of writing must appeal to my tastes. But again, Trek in those days was in control of those above, so how much was his own voice, and how much were the constraints placed upon him responsible for the quality of the output, and would having free rein to create whatever he wanted actually undermine his creativity rather than support it? It's a difficult question to answer and one that is impossible to know until we experience the new series.

On the whole my hope for the new series has risen a good few notches, and I like the idea that someone from the nineties TV shows that I like best, someone from the successful eighties (and early nineties), film series, and someone from the contemporary film series (but not so much!), have come together to craft the sixth 'Star Trek' TV series, because it shows that those in control of the money, unlike Paramount with the new films, are showing a shrewd understanding of those concerned about the small print, who've followed the various productions over the years and want creatives that have a history with the franchise, not completely new unknowns that just want their vision turned into reality with the Trek name slapped on top (à la Abramsverse). Either that or they're throwing whatever popular names they can think of at a wall and hoping something will stick! But I prefer to take the more optimistic view (as the Trek universe tends to do), that this will be a good thing, and that Meyer's character skill and life experience will temper Fuller's knowledge of wider Trek and ambition to return to its roots. Still, for me, the most important questions are yet to be answered: the time period and the universe it will be set in, as the history and chronology are very important to me (I don't have 'The Star Trek Chronology' book sitting on my shelf for nothing!), and while it wouldn't end all possibility of the new series fitting into the rest of the canon, it would be a sour note to begin proceedings. But so far, so tentatively good.

One last thing: Meyer has mentioned that his own 'Star Trek VI' is "…a real sort of taking off point, or touchstone for how I guess he’s thinking about the direction of the new show." This makes me wonder in exactly what way?
- It could be a direct continuation following on from the events of that film (unlikely),
- He may be referring to the style of political intrigue at the heart of it (very likely),
- Or it could be that the situation of a once great enemy of the Federation experiences a major crippling event that forces them to seek peace with their longtime enemy (possible…). My hope is in option three, as this could mean that the events of 'Star Trek XI' will be addressed. Ever since that film threw in the comment about Romulus being destroyed I was intensely frustrated, thinking we'd never get to see the fallout of such a major shift in the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant. Could it be that this is the central idea that will form the backdrop? Think about it: they have Alex Kurtzman who cowrote that apocalyptic change into the Prime universe, and when Meyer talks of 'VI' being an influence it could well be in the same vein as Praxis' destruction, and what would be a better way to please longterm viewers and new film followers alike than to explore an event that both camps have a common interest in? On the other hand it could be about a completely new race with the same kind of situation, but I'd be very interested to see the buildup and aftermath to Romulus' annihilation.

Anticipation Rating: ****