In the day since part 1 of our interview with Alec Peters was posted, the Star Trek Axanar Kickstarter gathered another $150,000 (helped by a social media plug from Star Trek’s George Takei). The project has now raised over $560K, with more coming in by Sunday’s deadline. See below for part 2 of our interview where we talk more about the story and the future of Axanar.
[UPDATE: Axanar Kickstarer campaign ended Sunday with $638,471]
Alec Peters On Taking Star Trek To War With ‘Axanar’
Yesterday in part 1 of our interview with Alec Peters, the star and producer of Star Trek Axanar talked about the fundraising effort, schedule, designs, hiring of professionals and experienced actors and more. Today we get into the story and the fit into Star Trek.
TrekMovie: Let’s talk about the story of "Axanar." The film is set 21 years before the original Star Trek, but "Prelude" did show a glimpse of the USS Enterprise. Will it play a role?
Alec Peters: Yes, but a very minor one. We tell that story in "Prelude" where there is this arms race and the Constitution class was the Federation’s answer to that arms race.
TrekMovie: The original series portrays the USS Enterprise and the other Constitution class ships as ships of exploration. Are you retconning them into weapons of war? And do you feel like you are treading into pushing canon there?
Alec Peters: Not so much. There is nothing to say those ships for military purposed before they were ships of exploration. They are just really powerful ships. It is not necessarily that they were built for war, but they were certainly built during a war.
The USS Enterprise under construction in "Prelude to Axanar"
TrekMovie: How would you describe what kind of film this is? Would you describe it as a war movie? Action movie? What is Axanar?
Alec Peters: I think it action-adventure. But it is a Star Trek story. I have said at times it is a war story set in the Star Trek universe, but then what is a war story? War stories are drama. War stories are about people. Sometimes you have war movies like Midway or The Longest Day, which is a procedural. Here is what happened at these battles. But the greatest war stories are about people. Saving Private Ryan is about a bunch of people.
TrekMovie: Are those the movies that are influencing you and [director] Chris Gossett when making Axanar?
Alec Peters: There are a bunch of movies. Certainly Midway has influenced us about how it tells the story of a grand scope. Even though that is a procedural about how the battle unfolded, the people are what make it fascinating. Saving Private Ryan is another. David Gerrold has referenced Run Silent, Run Deep and The Enemy Below, which are great submarine war movies. But it isn’t about explosions and starship battles, it is about people. How do people react to war is an amazing thing sometimes.
TrekMovie: Are there specific Star Trek films or episodes that capture the type of film or the tone you are trying to set?
Alec Peters: Films? I don’t think so. It is hard to say any specific episodes are influencing us except that we are huge Star Trek fans. So of course "Balance of Terror" is an important episode. But we are not copying anything, we are treading new ground.
TrekMovie: But Star Trek films have a certain tone – there are certain threads that run throughout them. They are in a way their own sub-genre. Do you feel like this film would fit with the pantheon of twelve Star Trek films or are you going for something different?
Alec Peters: I think we are going for something different. We haven’t seen the Federation at war. What is that like. We set that up in "Prelude." I think you could see where we are coming from about the Federation at war. Some fanboys will say "Star Trek is not supposed to be about war." Well, no. Star Trek is about many things and Star Trek is about how we have evolved as a people 200 years from now is one of them. In Ramirez’s speech in "Prelude" he talks about not losing the dream of the Federation when fighting the Klingons, and I think that tells you everything about Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future.
Tony Todd as Adm. Ramirez in "Prelude to Axanar"
TrekMovie: But is there a concern about sticking with that vision? Gene Roddenberry himself balked at some of the militaristic elements of the Nick Meyer Star Trek films.
Alec Peters: Ironically, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is considered the best Star Trek movie and it is also potentially the most militaristic…The idea is man is perfecting himself and we are becoming better and we are focusing on working together to better the entire galaxy. That is what Star Trek is about. If Gene didn’t like the militarization, OK. But if there is a war going on, what are you going to do? We address that head on. We address what does the Federation do when forced into war. You can say all you want about how that is not what Gene wants, but Gene talked about the Romulan War. So it is not that he is against war. He is trying to picture a future where people are better than they are now. So the answer is how we approach war. It is not a question of whether or not there is war, there will always be war for the rest of eternity. The question is, how do we as enlightened people deal with it, and that is what Ramirez was saying [in "Prelude"]. We
need to our values as the Federation and win this war the right way and extend that value system to our enemy.
TrekMovie: There are a couple of elements that are constants through Star Trek that differentiate it. One is the hope and optimistic future, and the other is a bit of humor mixed in with the drama. Do you feel that Axanar will continue that tradition?
Alec Peters: Absolutely, that is part of Star Trek.
TrekMovie: A lot of what you are talking about sounds like some of the elements of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which a lot of fans (myself included) really liked, but some didn’t like the darker themes and war elements. Do you feel that Axanar will especially appeal to DS9 fans? And might it also run into some of the same critiques?
Alec Peters: I am not sure it will especially appeal to Deep Space Nine fans, because I am not sure that all DS9 fans like it because it was about war. It is my favorite Star Trek outside of TOS because of Sisko, he is my favorite captain. It will be similar to Deep Space Nine in that it is set up against the backdrop of a war. It is not about whether it is war story or not. It is about everything. It is about how you communicate what the story is about. I think I think there are a lot of TOS fans who will love Axanar as well and from the other shows too. I think we will have our fanbase and it will be because of the characters we write.
Inverness V after Klingon attack from "Prelude to Axanar"
TrekMovie: So after you release Axanar, have you put any thought into what is next for yourself and the team?
Alec Peters: Honestly, I can’t tell you. I don’t know. I know that we want to use this as a resume piece to show the work we can do…We want everyone to see it. We have shown that we can make something impressive on a really tiny budget and I think that is a commodity that people in Hollywood are interested in
TrekMovie: Is the goal to try to get an officially licensed Star Trek production made or to move on to other low budget sci-fi films.
Alec Peters: All of the above.
TrekMovie: Has there been any interaction with CBS?
Alec Peters: No, but I am told they are very aware of us.
TrekMovie: Would it be fair to say that the relationship with CBS for these types of productions is sort of a "don’t ask, don’t tell" kind of thing? They aren’t involved, but they don’t stop you either.
Alec Peters: Exactly. They just want us to behave and not rock the boat…So we don’t charge for anything or make any money. There are certain requirements as to how big "Star Trek" is within the logo – like Star Trek can’t be bigger than "Axanar." We respect their IP. There is boilerplate that is supposed to on the website at the bottom. You do things like that, and we try to minimize the use of actual Star Trek IP in "Axanar." We aren’t using the chevron logo uniforms for example. More and more we will just be using the branding "Axanar," because people know what that is now.
TrekMovie: When you look at how LucasFilm – and now Disney – have embraced fan films – even doing official awards – would you like to see CBS get more involved like that or do you prefer the hands off approach?
Alec Peters: No, I would like to see them actively involved. That would be a dream come true.
The Klingons are coming in Star Trek Axanar
For more on Star Trek Axanar, visit the official site. And there is still time to make a donation at the Axanar Kickstarter page.
Very cool fan effort. Good for them!
Backed! Thanks to you all, for the Amazing effort to put together, a really Cinematic – Fan Experience! It’s True, with these kind of fans Star Trek WILL NEVER DIE!
I agree with those who say that Axanar is definitive proof that the Prime Universe can be made accessible to modern audiences. Almost half a century has passed since TOS first hit the screen. Modern audiences have watched repeats of television shows of all kinds for the last five decades and their tastes have changed. Good storytelling has kept certain shows, like TOS and its progeny, fresh for new generations, but, at least at first, stylistic appearances are what draw new audiences to new iterations.
Someone in the thread for Part I of this interview mentioned the modern BSG series in connection with Richard Hatch. The modern BSG is completely different in style from the old Battlestar Galactica, even though both were about the same universe. The producers of the new BSG did an excellent job modernizing everything about that franchise for the reboot. This sensibility is what I see behind Axanar in all its respects. You can see it in the cinema verite’ approach for the Prelude. Yet the grandeur of space travel has not been sacrificed. The sense of awe that greets depictions of outer space is preserved — a positive thing.
One of the qualities that separates Trek from many other series is what has been referred to as the “heightened” of its drama, an almost operatic manner of direction and acting. Think of Picard’s speech in ST:FC in the conference room wherein he smashes the display case of all the Enterprises. ST:FC was quite operatic and, in some cases, even speechy, and it was quite effective because of it. Yet there were the quick cuts, the relatively realistic depictions of necessarily violence. ST:FC was highly impressive with respect to its blending of classical dramatic tropes with special effects and modern pacing, and the box office results showed it. (In this connection, perhaps this successful synthesis is not quite there in the Abrams movies; this is worth a thought or two.)
The people behind Axanar seem to be serious people with backgrounds that allow deep thinking behind the way the movie should look, in the sense alluded to above. I think that the results show it — financially and optically. More than anything else, this fact gives me hope that a new CBS production will occur sooner rather than later because there are both audiences and producers who are will see to it that it succeeds.
^^ “heightened” quality of its drama
^^who will see to it
(Corrections)
Thank God Roddenberry didn’t cast himself as Captain Kirk.
Proud to be a Backer. I just watched it tick over $600,000! Thank you Alec Peters and the amazing actors and crew who are helping you realize your vision and for sharing it with Trek fandom. Of course thanks as well to all the Trek fans who dug deep these final days to fund the making of this movie. Well done!
“Some fanboys will say “Star Trek is not supposed to be about war.” Well, no. Star Trek is about many things and Star Trek is about how we have evolved as a people 200 years from now is one of them. In Ramirez’s speech in “Prelude” he talks about not losing the dream of the Federation when fighting the Klingons, and I think that tells you everything about Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future.”
Well said Alec, I couldn’t agree more. Star Trek is about many things. Simple and true.
Same could be said about the NuTrek movies. Although we want a peaceful future, there will always be those who try to undermine it. The real meat of it is how we react and deal with those situations, how we as people react and behave in war or peace, and how it changes. Its about the people. So I can understand in NuTrek how those violent situations some fans hate have moulded the crew and can sometimes be a necessary story element.
Thanks guys! Appreciate all the positive feedback. We are just like you guys and we want the same thing, great Trek.
Alec
Saw the Prelude. Its Breathtaking!! Soval’s eyebrows are a bit off though…J/K;)
Hmm. I can certainly respect the idea of doing a film whose subject concerns how an enlightened civilization tries to retain its values while being pushed into war. (DS9 tried, but barely scratched the surface.). I was hugely impressed by PRELUDE, and have every intention of supporting this project. Still, I find Alec Peters’ blithe assertion, so representative of our time, that “there will always be war for the rest of eternity” pretty disheartening. In the Trek universe it’s readily apparent that while there is the occasional conflict with other species, humanity had, at long last, at least managed to make peace with itself. This is the dream that has kept StarTrek as a going concern, through all of those mediocre scripts, changes in technology and the way stories are told, for the past half-century. But it will never happen so long as most people assume that it can’t. I don’t know that Mr. Peters has thought this through–and perhaps he should, before AXANAR gets anywhere near a camera.
Well, maybe they can get the war over and done with quickly and move on to doing Star Trek.
What’s the latest on Renegades? Any plans for a Renegades interview, Anthony?
WOW! Thank you, Alec and Anthony! =D
THIS is the kind of “TrekMovie” that I want to see!!
CBS: PLEASE give this crew a budget! We want REAL Star Trek!! =D
…maybe just a “movie of the week”? AXANAR II?
I am so look forward to Axanar! Thanks to all involved. I have missed seeing Star Trek. Glad to see that I am not alone in that.
War is a form of conflict… conflict = good drama…
I am looking forward to some great dramatic (operatic?) conflict with the Klingon Empire… =)
…and Captain Garth and Star Fleet fighting the good fight! =D
First fan production I have watched or been interested in, none of the others thus far have interested this lifelong fan, perhaps due to low budget production values and TOS-era camp etc etc – this is the first one that can be taken seriously.
I hope at some point after Axanar the fans can fund some TNG era shows! That would be awesome and more and more fans will become interested as I have.
Prelude To Axanar is without a doubt the greatest ‘fan-production’ I’ve ever seen… I am so looking foreward to the full film… I love the lighting, the music, the acting… I think you did a great job Alec as an actor! And the visuals… I mean, wow… Tobias is a genius… And I love how this integrated ENT, NuTrek and TOS soooooo well..!
What I wish fo more than anything regarding this production, is that CBS will somehow acknowledge this, and picks it up as an official ST production… Then it can be regarded as canon, and that would just make my day!
just this minute finished watching prelude and i got to say im impressed. not a huge fan fiction fan but with the current drought of trek on tv im more than looking forward to Axanar and renegades (any news on that?) heres hoping cbs or whoever finally realise that New trek needs to be on air again, not just NuTrek.
strange but cool to see tony todd and jg NOT playing klingons too!
I backed “Prelude to Axanar” and after seeing the finished product I didn’t hesitate to back the feature film. I’m pretty sure that I’d back whatever Alec Peters puts on Kickstarter if I find the subject matter interesting. Well done to everyone who worked on Prelude and I look forward to “Star Trek Axanar”!
This sounds terrible! This move to make Star Trek like Star Wars, or other “action” Sc-FI rather than the exploration of different ideas through the medium of sci-fi would leave Gene rolling in his grave.
War movies, of any type, have been done to death, you all just want a plot device to make really cool explosions, drama and action, but are not clever enough to find a more interesting plot device to do so.
Please don’t put the name “Star Trek” on this POS.
I find it fascinating that people still need to sandbag NuTrek in order to praise fan productions like P2A. How about simply praising P2A w/o referring to NuTrek, and critique Peters and company’s work on its own merits? I swear, there are WAY too many “brats” within the ‘Trek fan base…
“I find it fascinating that people still need to sandbag NuTrek in order to praise fan productions like P2A. How about simply praising P2A w/o referring to NuTrek, and critique Peters and company’s work on its own merits?”
Not trying to speak for them or anything, but I gather the Axanar people feel the same way, if for no other reason that there are some people out there they’d just as soon not offend. Take heed, AXANAR supporters.
As far as the war question is concerned, it’s not surprising that movies are made concerning it, because it is out of war that peace comes. Star Trek, the series, was significantly about war and in fact made references from which the premise of Axanar arises. Unless one assumes that a literal paradise has been created, there will always be an element of conflict, and war is the ultimate conflict from a visual standpoint.
This is not to say that there aren’t psychological thrillers that are equally compelling, or that the search for truth cannot be one rendered peacefully. The truth is that it is extremely difficult to render spectacle on a space-spectacular scale that attracts attention without recourse to war themes.
Perhaps this is an artifact of our modern culture which, after all, has suffered much war. Peace and love valuable in the world today because it is so rare. At the same time, motion pictures as a medium would be hard-pressed to turn pacifist themes into visual spectaculars. Other than romantic comedies, dramatic thrillers (including, for example, “Gravity”), or niche indie productions about relatively obscure subjects, what successful movie has recently presented science fiction subjects in a completely peaceful setting? “2001: A Space Odyssey” is a rarity, and it was released in 1968. Even then it was seen as ponderous, obscure, and, to some, very boring, although it is much admired today.
As an aside, and since the late Robin Williams has much been in the news (and greatly missed), the movie “What Dreams May Come” is an example of a fantasy that contains no themes of war, but such fantasy has little bearing on the universe of Star Trek.
It would be very difficult to generate the kind of buzz Axanar has if not for an appeal to visual effects as well as the excitement of war. It may be too much to expect for any production to make the leap toward a Odysseyland except in the rarest of cases.
^^ The truth is that it is extremely difficult to render interesting stories on a space-spectacular scale that attracts attention without recourse to war themes.
^^ Peace and love are valuable in the world today because they are so rare.
(Corrections / revisions.)
Having said what I did, there is something to be said for exploring all kinds of stories. This is where TOS, as a television production, excelled. One week it could be a “submarine chase”-style psychological thriller about the previously unseen Romulans. Another it week it could be a time-travel story. Yet another it could be about a dying ship’s doctor and an ancient spaceship in the form of an asteroid. The plot complexity of these stories is particularly impressive for the fact that all of these them had to be told within the space of 50 minutes.
If Axanar is to hold the attention of more sophisticated viewers, then, yes, the war theme may not suffice, other than an overall arc among more involving plotlines. Star Trek is built for good stories, after all, and not just good wars.
Unfortunately I cannot remember where I read it or who said it, but all this reminds me of the statement: “It is easier to fight over a philosophy than it is to live by that philosophy”.
I guess this is why we have so much conflict/war for real (check out the Middle East of late) or have movies made about fictional wars etc…The real challenge is being to write a fictional story that holds people’s attention with its story, characters and visuals that has little in the way of conflict and violence. I guess the same goes with how we live and behave…
@22 (Hat Rick): I think that too many people have been colored by war IRL, in that war is the result of a misunderstanding between two parties. My problem with this sort of thinking is that one side presumes that the other side wants peace to begin with, ignoring the other side’s agenda via transference (i.e. “you are at war because of what I did”). Clearly, the Four Year War was about the Klingons desire to expand its territory and influence, regardless of what the Federation’s agenda entails. This conflict is about how the Federation won that war without sacrificing its core principles. Better yet, it proved to the Klingons that it would just as easily fight for its principles as the Klingons would fight for theirs. How the war ends would set the relationship between the Federation and Klingons for the next hundred years, which would lead into the Federation-Klingon Alliance during the TNG era. But first, the Federation has to earn the respect of the Klingons, and that means conflict. In fact, I would not be surprised if this was what GR had in mind as a parallel to the relationship between the West and the Soviet Union, with the Klingons being the stand in for the Russians during the Cold War.
^^ Having said that, I agree with Keachick. It would be nice to have a high quality ST fan production that isn’t about “conflict with other”, but rather, a production that is nothing more than a good ol’ fashion adventure featuring some mystery (something like the TOS episode “That Which Survives”, which has plenty of themes besides having some “conflict”). Thankfully, P2, Continues and other similar productions are getting to that level of quality like P2A.
“In fact, I would not be surprised if this was what GR had in mind as a parallel to the relationship between the West and the Soviet Union, with the Klingons being the stand in for the Russians.”
That would be a very compelling argument, were it not for the fact that it’s patently not true. Just wondering: did you manage to miss the final ten minutes of the original Klingon episode “Errand of Mercy,” in which the story’s theme is revealed as being decidedly anti-war? Or that the rest of the Klingon shows boiled down to pretty much the same observation: Earthmen and Klingons must not fight, as the resulting war would be devastating and counterproductive to both societies. Now, that’s a long way from Trek taking an actual pacifist stance–it’s way too much a creature of its genre and era to even consider going there–but it’s at least equally distant from the show endorsing U.S. policy towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
@Keachick, 24, and @dswynne, 25, 26 —
Yes, part of the true promise of good science fiction is how we can improve humanity through overcoming adversity. Science fiction is inherently about the present as extrapolated toward possible futures — utopian, dystopian, or something in between. The roots of science fiction can be seen to extend back to antiquity, but most agree that it shares an interest in the future, or an altered past or present, as seen through the lens of what is presently believed to be reasonably possible. Fantasy breaks the limits of scientific reason and may literally be said to be limited only by the imagination. Trek’s aspiration is to ground the future, or the altered past or present, more solidly in what is known to be a potential admitted by scientific or quasi-scientific reasoning, although significant exceptions do occur (near-omnipotent beings such as Q approach the province of fantasy).
This is important, because it touches upon a present-day reality and recent history riven by monumental battles made possible by machines designed through the instruments of science. Mechanized terror took the form of the machine gun and the tank in World War I; science gave us the penicillin, yes, but also mustard gas. Science created in man the ability to annihilate entire cities through the power of nuclear fission and fusion. Science itself became science-fictional in its power and scope. In generations torn and terrorized by hot and cold wars conduced by scientific knowledge and uncertainty, smaller-scale stories lose their brilliance in a genre that claims “science” as part of its name.
Too much, science has become identified with war, and large-scale war at that.
It is a challenge, therefore, to harness the peaceful aims of endeavor in this conceptual environment. Even the ethereal aims of Clarke’s “2001” gave way to the much more war-centric environment of “2010,” although one can argue that “2010,” though immersed in the Cold War, deftly avoided the violence of war in a spirit fully consistent with a peaceable intent.
I think it is understandable that the producers of Axanar went for the the ethos of war given the circumstances of our current civilization. But I also agree that stories that tell of valor and nobility without the need for violence and bloodshed are equally, if not more, valuable, precisely because they are so rare.
Let’s hope Axanar succeeds where no other fan production has before, so that these other stories, too, may seen the light of day.
@28–
Nice post. Just FYI the Cold War tensions were largely absent from Clarke’s novel of “2010,” but were added to the film version to lend some frisson to HAL’s reboot and the reappearance of the Star Child and so forth. It all worked okay, for a Peter Hyams joint.
War is certainly amongst the more dramatic preoccupations of humankind, however destructive; by making it the subject of their film the producers of AXANAR have taken a shortcut to some potentially great drama, if nothing else. It may even be that they have something new and original to say about war that has so far eluded Trek, or even American pop culture in general. Now that would be just awesome.
Any chance of an interview with Tobias Richter? His work is just gorgeous and amazing!
J-R!
@27 (Michael Hall): I said IF this was what GR had in mind, in relations to Battle of Axanar. Clearly, the relationship between Federation and the Klingons was GR’s take on the Cold War, and that the Organians stood for nuclear deterrence that kept the West and the Soviets in a state of peace, which, like with the Federation and the Klingons, the West and the Soviets learned to establish a relationship. You pointing out that “Errand of Mercy” as an anti-war message does not negate what I have stated, since that episode only emphasizes my overall point: the Klingons being forced to respect the Federation on its own terms, whether by outside forces or by conflict.
First thing you learn about Star Trek when you watch it straight through is the crapton of wars they have come through to reach enlightenment. I think a war is to life what a reboot is to a computer, it can rid both of some form of problem that is causing both to ‘run’ poorly.
That being said I would hope there is never a war ever again as that means we all get on well with each other at last :P
People state how Star Trek is a wonderful view of our future but forget to mention that Trek canon requires a third world war as a catalyst to get there!
Star Trek is more than just exploration now, there is a 50 year universe of explored worlds ripe for picking. If that means a war then so be it. New worlds are still out there but we can explore them tomorrow, today a war must be won :P
How many wars & conflicts are referenced in Star Trek? I don’t know but I bet someone has counted them. I think there are a lot!
Also toward the end of Voy/Ent people tired of constant aliens of the week never to be seen again; a consequence of exploring new worlds. This led to the Xindi arc and Season 4 of ent instead. Can’t please everyone.
I would love a made for TV Trek Movie (or trilogy) in the Prime Universe. I can remember loving those Incredible Hulk TV movies. Those don’t hold up as well with all the superhero clutter on the big screen, but this same approach can work for Trek. Here’s hoping CBS looks beyond the Abrams-Verse and sees the buzz that projects like Axanar and ST:Continues are generating.
Star Trek is not about war but discovery, it was never about cool battles and starships. This is. The over riding theme of Balance of terror was the line ‘in another universe, I could have called you friend’. The futility and fallacy of war was something Roddenberry was at pains to point out.
To boldly go where no man has gone before, to seek out strange, new worlds and new civilisations. An exploration of space with an inward reflection on what it means to be human. That’s what I’d like to see.
35. Admiral Stedman – August 25, 2014
Hear, hear.
“@27 (Michael Hall): I said IF this was what GR had in mind, in relations to Battle of Axanar. Clearly, the relationship between Federation and the Klingons was GR’s take on the Cold War, and that the Organians stood for nuclear deterrence that kept the West and the Soviets in a state of peace, which, like with the Federation and the Klingons, the West and the Soviets learned to establish a relationship. “
Really!? A powerful third party announces its intention to make both sides play nice or be sent to bed without any supper, and your take-away from that is that it was the moral and functional equivalent of MAD? Peace Through Strength? For real?
I think that rumbling beneath our feet is Gene Coon spinning in his grave at warp speed. Just wondering: do you recall all those episodes where Kirk speaks ruefully of how humanity almost destroyed itself in an insane nuclear arms race?
“People state how Star Trek is a wonderful view of our future but forget to mention that Trek canon requires a third world war as a catalyst to get there!”
I don’t forget it at all. But was the event of WW3 really a catalyst in that sense, or was it more a question of humanity deciding that it finally had a bellyful of being stupid?
Prelude to Axanar is the best new Trek I’ve seen in a decade.
All Excellent but..i would really like to put Some Greek Subs to Show Prelude around!
Backed. Can’t wait till next year!
I am very excited about Axanar and have contributed my money. Star Trek should not shy away from war or conflict, but if it is going to go that route then it has to part of a good story that shows the effect of the conflict on the people in the story.
Let’s not be in denial, while Starfleet’s mandate is to explore and reach-out representing the Federation, it is also charged with protecting the Federation. While Roddenberry’s ideals of a utopian society where war, poverty, and other negative aspects of society are eliminated, he also demonstrated that this ideal was not a galaxy-wide philosophy by all the many lifeforms to be encountered. Starfleet is organized as a military organization. When I see contemporary instances of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps conducting humanitarian aid missions to nations suffering from natural disaster I am compelled to think of Starfleet.
As for Mr. Peter’s comment that” We haven’t seen the Federation at war”, I beg to differ, the Dominion War story arc depicted in Deep Space Nine resulted in may excellent stories that were thought-provoking and about the effects of war and conflict on the characters. I do believe Mr. Peters has a good perspective about Star Trek and what makes a good story. He and his cast & crew certainly have my confidence.
I am more excited about the prospects of good Trek from this production than I am about the next NuTrek movie. I wish they best as they pursue their efforts to bring all of us more Star Trek.
There shouldn’t be war in Star Trek, that for another star based franchise! ;)
@Michael Hall, 29 —
Thanks for your compliment and insights. Much appreciated.
Incredible….truly….
Did anyone catch this from David Gerrold on the topic of war in Star Trek?:
” Axanar is a war story, so some people are saying that Axanar does not live up to Gene Roddenberry’s vision of Star Trek.
Well, no.
There is only one LOGICAL reason why the Federation is SO committed to peace — they know the cost of war.”
Read the whole thing here: https://www.facebook.com/david.gerrold/posts/10203619060929442
For this to remain in fans minds as Trek in the long term, I think it has to dive into the world of SF, and have reflective exploration and evolution.
Star Wars has its you-are-here-during-the-building-of-legend theme, X Files its compelling mystery, BSG the question of how automata and organic life can find a way forward. None could be what they are without their core theme.
Trek has a certain light of awakened individuals seeking out engaging, and evolving from the possibilities of existence as arising from the surprises which can be generated in SF.
I think that if the formula is missing, one can make a solid case that war is in the Trek story line, and stories about bands of warriors and personal change are valid drama, but still end up not making Trek. I am looking forward to seeing the story.
@44 Hat Rick–
Not at all. You’ve been on fire with your recent posts. Keep it going!
@45 dayxday–
Thanks for posting that link. I worked with David Gerrold a few years back, and it wasn’t an entirely happy experience. But he’s probably made more of an effort to codify what worked and what didn’t about TOS than anyone else, and his comments about Axanar’s themes, and how they fit with Roddenberry’s vision, are spot-on.
45. dayxday – August 25, 2014
47. Michael Hall – August 25, 2014
Ditto.
Anyone who’s having a hard time reconciling the war setting of Axanar with it being potentially good Trek should read David Gerrold’s summation: https://www.facebook.com/david.gerrold/posts/10203619060929442
The original Enterprise, NCC 1701 and sans that JJ Abrams’ obomination, is a ship of exploration. Yes, it is armed, but not as an answer to some antiquated arms’ war. Its mission was to explore space–the final frontier–and to seek out new life and new civilizations. It was chartered to boldly go where no man has gone before (“man meaning any human being, as there were clearly female crew members on the original Enterprise).
Please leave the original Star Trek alone, it’s done just fine by itself. Thanks.
Prelude was unbelievable!!
Thank you!!!!!
I could easily watch an entire Trek series in this “History Channel” format. it works brilliantly!
Everything fits canon perfectly.
The post-war “feel” of the Original series gets a nice boost of continuity from having the Constitution class represent an arms race.
Just absolute perfection from opening frame to last.
Although I am disappointed to hear the creators find inspiration in Saving Private Ryan. it is one of the worst, most cliche ridden pieces of crap i have sat through.