Jonathan Frakes is as tied to Star Trek as anyone can be. From playing William Riker on The Next Generation to directing many TV and streaming episodes, plus First Contact (1996) and Insurrection (1998), Frakes understands how the franchise has evolved over the years.
Frakes opened up about how much making Star Trek has changed over the years and how it is "a different beast today." Frakes said (per TrekMovie.com): “So some people who either didn’t like or didn’t approve or didn’t support the latest endeavors, for whatever reason. Perhaps it’s the changing of the guard at Paramount+ and CBS [Studios]. Perhaps it’s indecision."
Frakes continued by saying:
"Perhaps it’s the amount of money it costs to make how beautiful the show is; the level of the production has become this sort of 'shoot to thrill' cinematic phenomenon that when we did the show back in the ’80s, we counted on storytelling and acting and the occasional camera move [laughs]. It’s a different beast now, and that beast is very expensive, and as we know, it’s called showbusiness.”
Frakes is dead right about how television has changed dramatically in just the last decade. In TNG’s time, linear ratings were all that mattered, even in syndication. In today’s streaming world, that’s not as important as it’s more about viewing numbers.
That said, it’s also a period when corporations run things more, and Frakes is not so subtly hinting that studios are more interested in flash and special effects than in a well-written show. It’s the old argument about how fans may prefer a 22-episode season that looks okay over a 10-episode season with movie-level production values.
More importantly, there are those at Paramount Skydance and CBS Studios who don’t seem to have much faith in Star Trek as they once did. It’s even sadder given this year marks the 60th anniversary of the franchise, a milestone that should be celebrated and instead the property is arguably on the downside. One can sense Frakes is outright frustrated at the situation.
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