# Is it time to let Star Trek die? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 18, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620 "2005-02-18T00:00:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/21 "2005-02-18T10:07:15Z")
> [@](#): > > What sci-fi franchise has been more mass-produced than Star Trek? More mass-produced? I thought they only had ten or so different episodes, and just super-imposed different actors’ faces onto old footage. I could have SWORN I had seen all of Voyager’s Holodeck episodes on DS9 and TNG… ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/22 "2005-02-18T10:56:49Z")
> [@HPL](#): > > When the Battlestar Galatica series started, I gave up on Enterprise altogether. Now that we’re mentioning BSG… The original was pretty good when I saw it first (in the 80s in the UK). The sequel series was nowhere near as good, especially when I was older and more critical. But then the new BSG has me hooked again. There’s no reason why this can’t happen with Trek, just give it some time for the sour taste to fade, I’m sure after the glut of the last few years noone would complain if even a decade passed before something hit the big or small screen again 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/23 "2005-02-18T12:56:35Z")
“We’re dead, Jim!” ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/24 "2005-02-18T14:06:00Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > They should do a series in which it’s like Star Trek vs. Batman. That would be awesome. “Prepared” Batman vs. “torn-shirt” Kirk! Yes! As for the OP, I’m with the others that say “give it a rest”, at least for a while. _Enterprise_ showed a little bit of promise, but I gave that up when it became just a cookie-cutter sci-fi show every week. We got along OK for years until TNG came about; it’s not like we have to keep the show going because of its legacy or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/25 "2005-02-18T14:37:13Z")
She’s dead Jim. After Bermgaga are escorted off the lot, it will come back. If James Bond films can survive the end of the Cold War, Star Trek should be able to thrive. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/26 "2005-02-18T14:50:33Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > If James Bond films can survive the end of the Cold War, Star Trek should be able to thrive. Ooofft! As a Bond fan, I have to say that’s a pretty poor comparison. Bond “survived” the Cold War by milking its past conventions for all they were worth. Heck, the last film wasn’t even a story in its own right; it was just a bunch of wink-nods to previous films, a sort of “best-of”. I wish they’d let Bond die. I was kind of hoping someone would make a _Saint_ film, but maybe it’s a good thing they didn’t. They’d probably have someone totally inappropriate, like (to pick a completely random actor) Val Kilmer, as Simon Templar. Phew! I’m glad that never happened. Stranger Damnit Jim, I’m a doctor, not a screenwriter! ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/27 "2005-02-18T14:53:11Z")
It needs a good decade then, because hollywood can’t let anything that used to be popular rest long, it will be revamped and renewed. They need a rest, need to get fresh ideas and perspective. Let’s face it Trek never really dies. How long did so many of us live with just reruns of the original 79 episodes and a handful of the (awful) animated series as the only Trek in town? It survived and grew before the first film was made. It will continue to thrive where it survives best, with the fan clubs and the conventions. On TV and in the theatres… they need a good sleep. It has been a long run and now its tired. By they way Original series fans… you can join our weekly discussions of the old series (going one a week in air date order). ---
**Author:** ![TommyTutone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/28 "2005-02-18T15:30:05Z")
I was a huge fan of TOS as well as TNG (heck, I have a ST:TNG pinball machine!), but I am also of the belief the series should die. The Enterprise idea was woefully squandered, and there is/has been much better, grittier sci-fi on television between Firefly, Babylon 5, and currently, Battlestar Galactica (I am LOVING this one). ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/29 "2005-02-18T16:28:08Z")
Hmm… **kingpengvin** you’ve just given me an idea… What about a new Animated Star Trek? This time with a budget. Get Bruce Timm and Paul Dini if you can. Make it serious and adult with good writing, but you can have all the special effects you want, and use any crew, without worrying about age. I’d like to see more adventures set just prior to ST6:TUC, with Kirk and Sulu commanding their own ships. Get the original actors where possible to do voices, but fill in with sound-alikes for anyone not available or dead. Oh and don’t let Berman and Braga touch it, of course. Well it’s an idea, anyway… As for me, I’m sad to see Ent go, because it was improving by leaps and bounds. But letting the fields lie fallow for a a decade or so would be better than rushing out a new piece of junk to replace it. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/30 "2005-02-18T17:19:31Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Hmm… **kingpengvin** Animated Star Trek? Make it serious and adult The terms are mutually exclusive. ^ :dubious: ^ ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/31 "2005-02-18T17:40:44Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > The terms are mutually exclusive. > ^ :dubious: ^ I think he means “adult” as in “not a kiddie show.” The original animated series was very much a Saturday morning cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/32 "2005-02-18T20:32:37Z")
> [@av8rmike](#): > > “Prepared” Batman vs. “torn-shirt” Kirk! Yes! To be accurate, it’s “ripped-shirt Kirk”. From another thread I can’t be bothered to find right now; has a much more pleasing sound in my mind. I love ripped-shirt Kirk. Bwaauu-bwaaa-bwaaa-bwaaaaaaaaa. Bwaauu-bwaaa-bwaaa-bwaaaa. Duh-duhn-duhn-duh! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/33 "2005-02-18T20:56:51Z")
How about an animated series with the characters from TOS except darker and edgier and each with his or her own crimefighting super power? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/34 "2005-02-18T21:11:13Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > If James Bond films can survive the end of the Cold War, Star Trek should be able to thrive. Bond is formulaic, boring, and irrelevant. And I’m pretty sure the last few movies have lost money. It appeals to a niche, I’d say, and that’s it. That’s where Trek is at, too. Trek needs a break, in my opinion. (If you ask me, they both do.) I thought that was true after _Voyager_, which I never liked, and the poor reception to the last couple of movies. I got the impression that was going to happen, but it didn’t. So I’m saying it should now. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/35 "2005-02-18T22:18:23Z")
> [@av8rmike](#): > > “Prepared” Batman vs. “torn-shirt” Kirk! Yes! Couldn’t be worse than Superman vs. Muhammad Ali [http://www.techknight.com/gallery/ali?page=1](http://www.techknight.com/gallery/ali?page=1) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/36 "2005-02-18T22:23:51Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Bond is formulaic, boring, and irrelevant. And I’m pretty sure the last few movies have lost money. Not to hijack too much, but up until the last one, Bond films were showing ticket sales and revenue records. Apperantly people like cookie-cutter plots, patchwork villians, and improbable gadgets. I have to agree with your first statement, **Marley23**. Of course, my favorite Bond movies have been the lowest grossing ones, but I don’t think any of them have ever lost money, not even the execrable _License To Kill_. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/37 "2005-02-18T22:36:06Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > How about an animated series with the characters from TOS except darker and edgier and each with his or her own crimefighting super power? Heh 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/38 "2005-02-18T22:37:54Z")
Re Bond profitability, the producers have set up so many promotional deals to brand the spy gadgets with recognizable logos that the last few movies have been in the black before they even opened. Box office was just gravy. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/39 "2005-02-18T22:54:47Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Not to hijack too much, but up until the last one, Bond films were showing ticket sales and revenue records. Apperantly people like cookie-cutter plots, patchwork villians, and improbable gadgets. I guess that shouldn’t be news. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2005, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620/40 "2005-02-19T02:53:52Z")
COULD “Star Trek” be revived by good writers? Sure. But the problem is, if I were a TV or movie producer, I’m not sure I’d bother looking for (or listening to) people talented enough to do so. In the past, the one thing “Star Trek” definitely had going for it was a large, extremely loyal group of fans who’d tune in to ANY television series with “Star Trek” in the title, and could be counted on to come out to see ANY movie with the “Star Trek” label. In other words, even if a “Star Trek” movie were terrible (as several were), it would earn back its production costs in the opening weekend. Oh, it might drop off the face of the Earth in a few weeks, but it would definitely OPEN like gangbusters. Today, that’s not true. A new “Star Trek” movie can’t automatically command a big crowd even on opening night. And that means a studio has no more incentive to bankroll a “Star Trek” film than it would any other proposed sci-fi picture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-let-star-trek-die/290620.md?page=3)