Redshirts Always Die
Fansided

3 reasons to unify the Star Trek film and television series

By Chad Porto

Kino. Star Trek - Der Film, 1970er, 1970s, Film, Science Fiction, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek - Der Film, 1970er, 1970s, Film, Science Fiction, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, DeForest Kelly, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy Capt. Kirk (William Shatner,m) und 'Pille' Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelly,l) sorgen sich um den Vulkanier Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy)., 1978. (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)
Kino. Star Trek - Der Film, 1970er, 1970s, Film, Science Fiction, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek - Der Film, 1970er, 1970s, Film, Science Fiction, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, DeForest Kelly, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy Capt. Kirk (William Shatner,m) und 'Pille' Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelly,l) sorgen sich um den Vulkanier Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy)., 1978. (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
GLENDALE, CA – APRIL 15: Actors Malcolm McDowell and Michael Dorn attend the Malcolm McDowell Series Of Q&A Screenings for “Star Trek: Generations” Presented by Prospect House Entertainment moderated by Michael Dorn at The Alex Theater on April 15, 2014 in Glendale, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, CA – APRIL 15: Actors Malcolm McDowell and Michael Dorn attend the Malcolm McDowell Series Of Q&A Screenings for “Star Trek: Generations” Presented by Prospect House Entertainment moderated by Michael Dorn at The Alex Theater on April 15, 2014 in Glendale, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) /

It worked in the ’90s

Now, this isn’t a great one-to-one comparison, as it’s fair to say that television and fictional media in the 1990s didn’t have nearly as many competitors as there are today. If you wanted to watch an entire series when Star Trek: The Next Generation was on, you would have to a box set of VHS’s that would run you about $100, if not more. You could always go to your local Blockbuster but, eh. Not for television shows.

There was only one science fiction network on and they played mostly B-movies and shows, and Star Trek didn’t have to contend with those Star Wars dorks for well over a decade. There was no need to try to be like that other franchise because they weren’t around anymore. There was only one king of sci-fi and that was Trek.

In 2020, admittedly different situations. That doesn’t mean it can’t work again. Star Trek fans loved the interwoven connectivity of the universe. The films, the series, the books. Trek fans wanted to get their hands on anything and everything. Yes, there are more Star Trek series airing now than at any time in the ’90s and yes, there are far more science fiction properties to explore beyond just Star Trek.

That doesn’t mean the concept of blending the films and television series can’t work again.

Home/Star Trek