Picking up a loose thread from the Next Generation, Discovery turned a one off story about a quickly forgotten galactic revelation into a full season of expanding the lore and mystery of the Progenitors. It’s not for the first time either. Spock’s plan for unifying Romulus and Vulcan started in the 24th century and had been realised by the time Burnham landed in the 32nd.
It’s not just Discovery pulling at the tapestry. Picard showed us what happened to the disconnected Borg Hugh, Lower Decks revealed Academy dropout Nick Locarno as a season baddie. Even Prodigy picked up on Janeway’s career following her cameo as an Admiral on the big screen. The trend continued in recent years with Picard mining the Next Generations past, answering questions fans had long pondered from the fate of Ro Laren to what happened to the other Soong type androids.
The method of using the past to build the future worlds seems to be in style. But with so much ground covered, what other loose ends can be pulled?
A Continuing Conspiracy
In the early days of the Next Generation the command structure was wiped out after some creepy alien bugs planted themselves in the head of Starfleets finest in a bid to take over the fleet and be generally evil! When you think about it, Starfleet Security really need to get some extra training because it took Picard and Riker running around blasting alien heads off before anyone noticed….
It’s common knowledge by now that Conspiracy ended with a signal to bring reinforcements afor a second go. And nothing happened because creative ideas changed. Biological assimilation was replaced with technological and the Borg were brought in instead. But what about that bug alien signal? Sure, it might be a bit quick to try that story again. Out of Picard’s three seasons, two of them involved a conspiracy within Starfleet. Doing it again might be a little bit much, especially after Discovery landed on a feeling of hope.
Yet, if we’re mining for mysteries to solve, it might be time to find out if someone did answer that signal….
Beyond The Barrier
Not visible from afar, yet very visible in close range with a hefty effects budget, is a barrier surrounding the galaxy. Filled with weirdness that makes it hard to travel through without spending even more of your effects budget, the barrier made it’s debut in the original series before being revisited in Discovery when the crew reached out to mysterious Species 10C. Even in the 32nd century though, the barrier felt like a limit to exploration…
For all the exploration in the Star Trek Universe, in real terms the reach the Federation had was still very small and our galaxy is only a tiny dot in the wider universe and no matter what era, the same people around bringing he same conflicts. The idea of breaking the barrier has only seemed to be broached behind the scenes, whether it was a pitch of a lost starship or the idea that the 26th century Enterpise J could survive the journey, but the risks seem to hold Star Trek into avoiding he same exploration as other franchises such as Stargate in expanding beyond the limitation. It might not technically be a loose end, but breaking the barrier to race to another galaxy is one idea the franchise could boldly go next.
Commander Sela & Tasha Yar
Thanks to timey wimey shenanigans, an alternate version of Tasha Yar ended up on the Enterprise-C during a battle with the Romulans. In the regular timeline, that Tasha was captured, birthed Sela. Sela became a massive antagonist to Captain Picard and the Enterprise. Then she just dissapeared. Unlike the Duras sisters, who kept popping up until they popped their cloggs, Sela’s story just came to a stand still.
Considering everything that happened in the years following, from the Romulans and the Dominion to the entire Senate being executed in Nemesis, it always seemed mystifying that such an intriguing possibility was left behind. Sure,. Star Trek Online told a story of what Sela could have become. But with all the references and returns in recent years, there’s still a huge possibility to have Sela return one day…
The Jurati
Technically this has had a season to itself. Picard’s second season was pretty much an origin story for a new type of Borg. Once Assimilated by the Bnorg Queen from another dimension, Agnes Jurati managed to counter that assimilation and assimilate the Queen right back. It wasn’t entirely forgotten. Shaw mentioned it in Picard’s third season, hand waving Jurati as not the real Borg, but it’s such a huge thread to leave wide open. The turn of the century has peaceful Borg!
Of course, there’s no show set in that time period right now and it’s uncertain if there ever will be. Despite the fan campaign for a Legacy show to continue the adventures, Terry Matalas has moved on to pastures new and executive overlord of all Trek Alex Kurtzman has said it’s not even his call if Paramount wants to greenlight or not. Will we ever see how the Jurati fit in as the Federations protectors?
The Sisko
It’s been twenty five years since Benjamin Sisko made his promise to Kassidy Yates. Just like Arnie, he said he’d be back. Well Ben, we’re waiting!
Deep Space Nine was a show that had a complete ending. As every character either said their goodbyes or began a new chapter of their life, Kassidy and Jake were left waiting for Sisko to return after he left the corporeal world to join the Prophets. Sisko’s arc was mostly complete. He went from a depressed and bitter widower to rekindling his life on DS9, becoming a religious icon, war hero and remarried. There’s even another Sisko on the way who’s be well into being an adult by now guided by his mother and much older brother.
But there’s still a lot of stories to tell. The Prophets have always protected Bajor and whether by threat or by unity, the Emissary will always have a reason to return. Especially after so much turmoil in the Federation which would have reached DS9 and Bajor.
Sadly, it’s unlikely we’d ever see this happen. Avery Brooks has long retired form acting and stopped even doing fan conventions as he didn’t like retreading old ground so often. Which is fair. But if Patrick Stewart can end Picard in his 80’s, and William Shatner willing to return (with the aid of CGI!) to end his voice to Kirk once more, we can still hold on to the slightest bit of hope that The Sisko will return….
About the author
[Retro Review] Space Seed
By chance, the Enterprise comes across an ancient Earth ship drifting through space. On board they find a whole bunch of people held in suspended animation, wake up the leader of the gang and accidentally unleash one of the most iconic villains of the franchise. Being coy with his identity at first, ship historian Marla McGivers becomes fascinated with a glimpse at the past while Kirk and the rest of the non-historians figure out that he just happens to be one of the most notorious war lords in Earths history... Star Trek, Season 1 , Episode 22 For all the action and adventure of deep space and the idea of using alien make up to mask more down to earth stories, Space Seed gives the first real glimpse of Star Trek's history. Khan is a relic of Earth from long […]
Resistance Is Optional: Choose Your Adventure!
Our trials of bringing the fleet together have been hit and miss with scheduling and dates being a bit slim. So we're opening the floor to the fleet to pick the next date and theme! You can make your selection below on what works best for you ahead of our next fleet event! The final outcome will be shared at Europa on Facebook and in Fleet Alert in the Officers Hub as soon as we have a comfortable number of notes. For more information or to get direct updates on non-Discord online events, you can the subscribe to Twitch channel, visit twitch.tv/sfcq2. Google Meets events are hosted by our google account - you can add sfcquad2@gmail.com to your whitelist to ensure direct notification. Info and invite confirmations may also come from jt@sfcq2.com directly.
Sixty Year Mission…
It's been a really weird year already for the world of Star Trek fans. We started 2026 with a new venture into a strange new future with Starfleet Academy. Then just as the show had won people over, we found out it's the latest in a long list of recent productions to get a cancellation order, is a bit of a weird way to start the 60th anniversary of a legendary franchise. The past few years we've kind of spoiled. Growing up it was exciting to have Deep Space Nine run alongside the Next Generation. In modern times we had multiple shows going at once with Discovery's launch spawning a new world of story telling from revisiting Picard in his post-Starfleet years, to animated comedy with Lower Decks, to finally telling the story of Captain Pike and even a peek […]
[Retro Review] Let This Be Your Last Battlefield
Often shown in highlight reels and quoted in discussions about Star Trek's more forward thinking messages, Let This Be Your Last Battlefield is at it's simplest, a story of the ridiculousness of segregation. En route to a vital mission of mercy, Kirk and his crew end up in the middle of a political minefield. Interrupted in the mission by a stolen Federation shuttle carrying an injured alien, Lokai from the planet Cheron, they're soon further interrupted by Commissioner Bele, an official representing Cheron who announces Lokai as a political traitor and demanding custody. One asylum request later, Kirk's stuck between the two trying to find the right course of action knowing he has orders to follow beyond the situation. The separation between Belle and Lokai is a simple context. And also a strangely charged one looking at it from a […]
[Treknology] The Holodeck
An immersive experience in itself, the Holodeck is one of the many creature comforts that help bring comfort and entertainment within the life of a starship years from home that not only acts in creating a live action gaming environment, but as a useful tool for educational simulations, experiments and the occasional Hirogen nightmare! The holodeck is a complex device. Essentially a simulated environment generator, the holodeck is usually a vast room that used a combination of forcefields, matter replication and visually manipulative holographic systems to create an immersive environment that one or multiple people can use to not only see and hear, but physically interact with. Able to replicate anything from historical settings to an entirely original landscape, the holodeck ios Knightmare in ultra high resolution without a headset or guide, but a physical interaction with a created world […]
A Fistful of Sisko
In the past few years, Star Trek has made several nods to it's past. But while The NExt Generation and Voyager had their continuations, Deep Space Nine continued to 'black sheep' of the family with it's history and name drops being few and far between. Until Academy when we had an entire episode based around the legend of Starfleet's most complex captains. Starting his show as a widower and single parent, Benjamin Sisko started his time in Star Trek as a reluctant hero turned religious icon who's become a prime figure in Bajoran history, the Federation-Dominion war and much more. If you missed his series, first of.... why?! And also, if you want a quick intro - here's our Sisko top five to see what the fuss is all about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzBkvzPoofQ IN THE PALE MOONLIGHT Season 6, Episode 13 Lets […]
Related
A Fistful of Justice
Although it's one of the worlds most legendary science fiction shows, Star Trek has always dabbled with format and genre's, all dressed up behind deep space adventures. Whether using the holodeck for a touch of fantasy, or diving into the horrors of war through Deep Space Nine's run, the variety of story telling never seems to fit one mould. But out of all the different tales told in the wonderful world of Starfleet, one that always promises to deliver is the court room drama. This month we're diving into the most captivating of Star Trek's courtroom drama's with a Fistful of Justice! AD ASTRA PER ASPERA Strange New Worlds, Season 2 One of the most modern examples of Strar Trek's court room drama saw Pike's own Number One, Una-Chin Reilly, under court martial for a serious breach of Starfleet regulation […]
A Fistful of Sisko
In the past few years, Star Trek has made several nods to it's past. But while The NExt Generation and Voyager had their continuations, Deep Space Nine continued to 'black sheep' of the family with it's history and name drops being few and far between. Until Academy when we had an entire episode based around the legend of Starfleet's most complex captains. Starting his show as a widower and single parent, Benjamin Sisko started his time in Star Trek as a reluctant hero turned religious icon who's become a prime figure in Bajoran history, the Federation-Dominion war and much more. If you missed his series, first of.... why?! And also, if you want a quick intro - here's our Sisko top five to see what the fuss is all about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzBkvzPoofQ IN THE PALE MOONLIGHT Season 6, Episode 13 Lets […]
A Fistful of Honour Beyond Bloodshed
Feared throughout the galaxy due to being fearless warriors who thrive on battle and bloodshed, the Klingon's are one of Star Trek's most iconic races and yet, with all their history, perhaps the most misunderstood. Starting off in the original series as authoritarian and distrustful antagonist, they were written as a parallel to Russia with the Klingon Empire in a cold war with the Federation following a long conflict. The Klingons would have a bit of reinvention in the movies thanks to higher budgets giving the producers a chance for a more alien look, while their culture and history would get a little more depth on The Next Generation thanks to the inclusion of Worf, the first Klingon member of Starfleet. But Worf's views on the Klingon culture weren't quite spot on. From a noble house, Worf was displaced and […]
A Fistful of Familiar Surroundings
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. President Forward During the Next Generation multiple set pieces were re-used and recycled from the set pieces built for the film franchise. From the obvious re-use of internal corridors, to smaller pieces such as Dr Crushers office being McCoy's, it's hard for a keen eye to ignore how much the productions shared between them. But as The Next Generation became the dominant forcer with ongoing production and full standing sets, eventually the turn tabled and by the final original cast instalment, it was the TNG stages that became the obvious redress solution. The most jarring of the films set re-uses was the office of the president. As Kirk and McCoy were charged with assassination, a political poop show begins and the Federation […]
A Fistful of New Beginnings
The coming of a new year always comes with a feeling of new beginnings. Whether it's hearing the bells at midnight or planning a list of new years resolutions to forget about by February, the changing of numbers and another year ahead can bring us a sense of starting over. To commemorate another year passing, and the beginning of a new Star Trek milestone, we're kicking off with our usual list looking at five times Star Trek itself was able to give itself a fresh start. GROWING THE BEARD Between the first and second seasons of The Next Generation, things changed. A lot. A lot of the Next Generation was just carrying over from the abandoned Phase II and Roddenberry's constant rewrites led to a very inconsistent start for the show. By the second season things has calmed down a […]
A Fistful of Forgotten Technology
Travelling the stars is a lot more fun when you have engineers who can turn rocks into replicators and scientists who come up with some crazy ideas on a whim and bring some brand new tech into creation to solve this weeks problem. But sometimes you have to wonder what happens to the inventions that didn't last the week.... Borg Again Once upon a time, Neelix died. Then Seven came along, casually unstuffed some Borg probes in him and suddenly he's back to life again. Mortal Coil is an episode that focuses on Neelix's belief and psychological after effects of being dead, even if just briefly, only to experience nothing but his revival. It's a common story throughout all genre's of TV. It's just this time there were nanoprobes to speed up the 'coming back to life' part. Seven's nanoprobes […]
