“It’s one thing to speak of a utopia. To be able to see it in action, to see us aspiring to it, we haven’t reached this perfection yet, but we’re trying and I think it’s going to be really compelling because you’re seeing us try and fail and try again.”
Sonequa Martin-Green
Kicking off a celebration of all things Trek, the highly anticipated Star Trek Las Vegas began with a press conference and panels featuring the cast and producers of the upcoming Stat Trek Discovery where they spoke frankly about what to expect in tone, story and what it brings to the wider Star Trek Universe.
When discussing Discovery, the look of the show was obviously a big talking point as they aim to modernise the 1960’s look on a 21st century big budget.
“It didn’t throw me when I saw The Motion Picture and it looked different than the TV show. It didn’t throw me that Wrath of Khan looked different than The Motion Picture.” He told the press audience, emphasising Trek;s constantly evolving style, “I just liked what they were doing creatively and I understood the story that they were telling and especially the themes.”
But the idea of staying within ‘canon’ was still strong, “I think sometimes it gets in the way.” He added, “I think of what Bruce Tim said once about making the Justice League cartoon. He came up with a pitch where they break the Green Lantern ring. Everyone said ‘You can’t do that, it is indestructible.’ He said ‘I think we can, it will be good for the story.’… Sometime you need to know when to break the ring, and sometimes you need to know when you don’t. Luckily we have a lot of people in the room who will tell you when to break the ring when not to.”
Kristen Beyer, another of Discovery’s writers best known for her contributions to the novel-verse of Star Trek, agreed with his stance, but Akiva Goldsman, known for scribing I Robot’s film adaption amongst other achievements assured that it didn’t mean they were violating the rules of what came before.
“It turns out there are a bunch of ways in being inductive and creative.” Goldsman assured when speaking of Star Trek’s history, “It is the difference between making it up and adapting. And by choosing a period of time that is within canon it turns storytelling into adaptations.”
Despite being firm in the timeline it’s set in, as well as the universe, Goldsman once again asserted where Discovery belonged in the modern Star Trek tapestry. “I can only say this, we are not in the Kelvin timeline.” He firmly assured, “We are in The Original Series timeline. So we resonate with those stories. We are the precursor. We are ten years before so we are telling those sorts of stories.”
Despite this Goldsman and the other producers said that while they are in the original timeline and within that era, they are very effect heavy and intent on presenting what Star Trek can be in the modern age. “You can’t point the camera without pointing at a green screen. It’s big! So in that way we are like the movies.”
Throughout the marathon of opening Discovery panels, the team gave insight into some of the characters within the show, hinting that Anthony Rapp’s Lt Stamets will have some traditional genius syndrome with an exterior image that pushes people away from him, and that alongside Wilson Cruz they’re having fun exploring ways to explore the full colours of the character.
Stamet’s will be an integral part to the plot, with Rapp recently suggesting that his role of an astromycologist isn’t a gimmick and is connected to the overall arc of the series. And it sounds like a good thing he’s the specialist as Sullivan praised his natural skill in adopting Treknobabble!
Doug Jones also received praise by producers for his portrayal of Saru on set. “Saru makes you laugh and he makes you cry in the same episode. I think that is a really, really important aspect of Star Trek.”
It was revealed at SDCC that Saru was a Kelpian; a species bred for hunting much like Tosk in an early episode of Deep Space Nine and would provide the traditional outsider perspective to the cast. Something that Jones was praised for when Sullivan added, “Doug is certainly a worthy torchbearer from Spock to Data.”
Akiva Goldsman put emphasis on the characters, telling the press that the show would be largely character driven and that the title wasn’t an accident; the show will focus on discovering them and who they are under the pressures of Starfleet.
“It’s very different from other Star Trek shows; there’s a lot more emotional and personal interaction than plot,” Jason Isaacs said throughout the press panels. “There’s a layered story that you aren’t used to in Star Trek. This is a complicated guy.”
Trekmovie was in attendance and caught more on the characters in a quick interview with Wilson Cruz and Sam Vartholomeos. While they couldn’t share much, Cruz spoke briefly on his character, Dr Culber, having a “heart of gold” while Vartholomeos’ Ensign Connor was a by the book officer who finds it a struggle when others don’t follow his patriotic view of the Federation; an intriguing element as he’ll be sharing the screen with Shazad Latif’s conflicted Lt Ash Tyler, who was revealed recently to have a unique viewpoint as a released prisoner of war.
One of the main concerns amongst fans has been the concept of the show and what exactly it will focus on with the heavy Klingon emphasis, especially with it following the footsteps of Deep Space nine in it’s serialisation. Is is another war story?
“What I am most proud of that we are dealing with this version of Star Trek and it a serialized show so we can really explore it, it is about what is going on in the world right now.” Co-executive producer Ted Sullivan said of the show which has become a passion project for him. Speaking of the connection to our world, he added “We have been at war for over fifteen years and that changes you and it challenges you to be your best version of yourself and sometimes you are not always so how do you find your way back from back. To me that is a very important use of what Star Trek can be.”
“Part of what we’ve tried to do is speak to how those philosophical precepts came to be,” Akiva Goldsman added, speaking to TV Guide,. “We’re trying to figure out who we are as a federation and who we are as a peoples in a set of adversity. It is a goal of the show to arrive at the central principles that are endemic to Star Trek.”
Executive producer and showrunner Aaron Harberts chipped in, adding that Discovery is set at a dark place in the Federations history, but he along with star of the show Sonedua Martin Green were keen to point out that it;s not doom and gloom; that the show’s utopian vision wasn’t being cast aside, but showing how the characters change and evolve as they strive for that perfection and for peace through understanding their enemies.
“I think the defining characteristic of Mr. Roddenberry’s universe is optimism,” Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman explained. “We talk about that all the time. We are working with Roddenberry’s son to make sure that legacy, it’s not a small thing we’ve inherited, it’s a huge thing.”
Star Trek Discovery launches 24th September on CBS All Access in the US and Netflix here in the UK from September 25th. We’ll have more highlights from Star Trek Las Vegas including members-only content. Make sure you don’t miss a thing and sign up to Starfleet Command today – membership is free!
About the author
Away Team, Assemble! The USS Tesla Set To Beam Down to Epic Comic Con!
Returning to Glasgow this September, the Tesla Crew are once again in action at Fan Frontiers Epic Comic Con in the SEC Hosted by Fan Frontiers, Epic Comic Con has been one of the core places to meet the crew of the Tesla since it’s origins as Acme Comic Con and has become a firm part of the diverse and welcoming fan centric communities hosting everything from Rebel Legions to Ghostbusters! Taking their regular spot once again the Tesla crew will have Star Trek props and collectables on display as the team get ready to share the wonders of the final frontier! With possibly the biggest and most intriguing line ups to date, Epic will be hosting some surprises including Lord of the Rings' hobbit Duo Billy Boyd & Dominic Monaghan, What We Do in the Shadows Star Kayvan Novak, […]
60 Year Mission Celebrations!
This month Star Trek celebrates 60 years since the continuing mission launched and this year we've decided.... one Star Trek Day isn't enough. We're having a whole month of celebration! With plans including virtual meets, Europa chats, competitions and more, we're inviting the whole fleet to jump on board, get involved and join the fun of celebrating sixty years othe final frontier! Virtual Meet Sunday September 6th 8pm Starbase Europa 60 YEAR MISSION Meet the Fleet in Celebration with an evening of catching up, sharing stories, maybe a few bad jokes and general shenanigans! As we open a month of celebrating one of sci fi's most enduring franchises, grab a drink, pull up a chair and have a few laughs to begin the month! Discussion Sunday September 6th All Day Starbase Europa STAR TREK DAY 2026 From dusk 'till dawn, […]
A Fistful of Undercover Operations
Occasionally when exploring the wonders of deep space, our heroes of Trek have been summoned to - or by sheer accident - become another person to fulfil their mission. Whether it's O'Brien mixing with gangsters or Picard becoming a mercenary, Star Trek's filled with episodes where our favourite explorers have to become someone else to save the day.... FACE OF THE ENEMY The Next Generation Season 6 Waking up on the Warbird Khazara, Deanna Troi finds herself in a bit of a pickle. Kidnapped and surgically altered to take the place of a Tal Shiar Commander she finds herself led by her handler, N'Vek, to lead a secret mission after the Commander had been killed. Out of her comfort zone, Troi has to convince the crew she's the real deal despite the ships skipper knowing something's not quite right.... In […]
Warped: ‘Off Hour’, Strange New Worlds S4E06
Towards the end of a long and tiring shift, the command team are more than ready to hand over to the night shift. But no one makes it far from their station as at the moment of handover, the Enterprise gets pulled into a warp slipstream that knocks out the ship and traps them in an escalating and catastrophic acceleration taking the ship well beyond its limts. Writers: Bill Wikoff Director: Dan Liu Strange New Worlds is an interesting creative, narratively speaking. When they swing for the fences in their creative mission, it's very hit or miss. But when they keep things simple and focused on character work, they really shine. And this weeks was one that kept it simple with a tried and tested format that always works nicely; have the ship suffer a critical accident, cut everything […]
It’s Not Easy Being Green Blooded: ‘Level Five Transporter Accident’, Strange New Worlds S4E05
Spock's going through a bit of a personal crisis and Scotty's become madly competitive with an old Academy rival. These two separate threads collide in the weirdest way when Spock finds himself as the only person who can control the ship as Scotty's transporter antics turn everyone into puppets... Writers: Henry Alonso Myers & Dana HorganDirector: Jordan Canning Spock's not quite feeling himself and he hasn't quite been himself since the Griffin Incident. And things are getting worse. Leaning heavily towards logic over his exploration of his human side, and in the wake of La'an deciding their relationship had reached it's 'natural conclusion', he's spiraling. Well, as much as a Vulcan would allow themselves to. Desperately trying to balance himself, he's leaning into logic and reaching out to his scorned ex-fiancee for help in re-establishing his Vulcan side.While thats happening, Scotty's on a […]
1701 Shades of Grey: ‘A Case of Chiaroscuro’, Strange New Worlds S4E04
It's been a stressful few months for the Enterprise crew and they want, well, demand, shore leave. Choosing a tech-free planet with natural psychedelics in the atmosphere, the command crew take a shuttle down, take in all the wonders the world provides. And then it all goes a bit wonky... Writers: Skylar Ojeda & Dana Horgan Director: Meera Menon Aside from orbiting a star who's radiation gives an altered perspective of light, Mat'aar XII is a world occupied by Klingon overlords. Having taken control of the population, and implemented strict monitoring and restrictions on movement, the Klingon's rule with fear, torture and by creating division. Like any good occupiers, they've given cushy jobs to some locals including their top Lieutenant, Navatte, a local who proudly wears her silver Klingon armband and interrogates anyone who oppose the Empire. Or so […]
Related
Across The Universe And Back To Strange New Worlds!
Time has certainly flown by as Strange New Worlds penultimate season is just days away. Things have been a little guarded since the show was announced to be ending with a shortened 5th season, but it gave the production plenty of warning to wrap things up and bring an end to the original Captain and his crew! With some cast announcements for Season 5 seeing new additions including Thomas Jane as Leonard McCoy, as well as knowing it'll a shorter season to bring the show to a close, the fourth instalment feels a little bittersweet. But from recent hype from Paramount, we might just be in for a fun time. Season 4 Episode Titles Ahead of the series launch, the Star Trek social media team have been hard at work with some teases including short clips of each of the […]
Across The Universe…. into the Holodeck…?
As the Star Trek Online world is celebrating it's annual Summer event on Risa, the wider gaming world is adding some new dimensions to the gamers of the fandom as we see even more games announced within the Star Trek Universe following some already surprise additions in the past year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YK_Fw4_kLk OUTPOSTS UNKNOWN Set in the 23rd Century era of Strange New Worlds, Outposts Unknown comes from Magic Fuel Games, made up of former developers of various simulations including The Sims and Sim City and delivers exactly what you'd expect from them! The player takes command of the USS Resonant as the core of a new outpost building game where you lead a crew across a newly found system and build your perfect colonies with a mysterious force building up in the background... Sim City meets Strange New Worlds is […]
Starfleet Academy to end with with Season 2
Announced first by Variety, it's been announced that Starfleet Academy will end with Season 2. Having just launches in January with the first season finale receiving positive reactions, and it's second season now in post-production following the completion of filming, the announcement comes at an unsurprising time with Paramount undergoing new ownership under Skydance and more business shenanigans with further consolidation in the works with plans to absorb Warner Brothers into the mix. Set in the 32nd century and using Discovery's season 3 'Burn' storyline as a reset point, Starfleet Academy was focused on new original characters who had signed up to be the new stewards of Starfleet's future to rebuild the strength and vision of the Federation. Opening strong, Academy improved throughout it's first season and used it's setting to help strengthen the hopeful vision of the future and […]
New Cast Welcomes Aboard for Season 5 of Strange New Worlds
As the media hype is starting to ramp up for Academy's debut, Strange New Worlds is adding the finishing touches and along with cast such as Anson Mount saying goodbye to their Enterprise, we have some new names announced to have joined for the final season. Acting as a prequel to the original series, Strange New Worlds has helped to expand legacy characters having brought over Ethan Peck's younger and less refined version of Spock, the first career steps of Nyota Uhura, a completely revamped Christine Chapel and smaller parts – such as Dr M'BEnga, Samuel Kirk and T'Pring among others – being revived for the new era. Since then we've also spent some time with a young Jim Kirk, even seeing his first time in command last season, and Scotty's joined the lower decks of Engineering. As the show […]
Across The Universe This November!
As the year comes to an end, the new cycles are spinning up as Star Trek looks ahead towards new frontiers... UNDER CONSTRUCTION.... AGAIN... It's safe to say the biggest news of December had all eyes back on the film side of the Star Trek franchise again as Paramount seems to have found a new plan to revive Trek on the big screen. Which, sure, comes with a lot of scepticism. We've already had the Tarantino plan, the Kelvin revival announcement, the Hawley film that went into pre production before another announcement and probably more that we've forgotten about. But this one comes from the all new Paramount under Skydance, so lets be cautiously hopeful! According to Deadline the new pitch is coming from Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley who will write and direct a completely new take on […]
Revisiting the Past and Rebuilding The Future: Across the Universe this August
As Strange New Worlds races through it's third season, Star Trek looks ahead to new frontiers with it's home studio under new management and new games on the horizon. Meanwhile a little drop of Trek history gets a huge expansion. New Owners, New Changes The biggest news for the month came not just across the Star Trek Universe, but the media industry as after a long tussle with some odd political turns, Paramount is finally under new ownership. Merging with the media giant Skydance, the new Paramount means many things. For tus, it basically just means we might have some movement on Trek news going forward after a massive pause in business operations while all the legalities were ironed out. A new Paramount means a new executive line up under the command of Skydance boss David Ellison who is not […]
