Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Your thoughts and views on this episode, widely regarded as the best episode of the original series.....
Review The City on the Edge of Forever (1966)
- Thread starter Doctor Omega
- Start date
Your thoughts and views on this episode, widely regarded as the best episode of the original series.....
chainsaw_metal1
Member: Rank 8
I still love this episode, even if Harlan Ellison disowned it (I have yet to read his original script/story, but eventually will). It's interesting reading the history behind this episode, and the resulting feud between Ellison and Roddenberry. Ellison is a brash ass, and thinks extremely highly of himself, and with every right, as he is a very talented writer. And his attitude and work ethic certainly couldn't have helped matters. Plus, Roddenberry had the weight of keeping the show afloat and trying to get episodes done in a timely matter. Ellison is a little like Poe in that respect, in that he can be his own worst enemy.
As for the episode as it stands, it's wonderful. The emotion felt at the end when they have to allow Keeler to be killed in order for the Axis to be defeated in World War II is devastating. It presents one of those moral dilemmas that only great sci-fi drama can give you.
As for the episode as it stands, it's wonderful. The emotion felt at the end when they have to allow Keeler to be killed in order for the Axis to be defeated in World War II is devastating. It presents one of those moral dilemmas that only great sci-fi drama can give you.
alpha128
Member: Rank 3
It is the best Star Trek episode IMO.
I know that Harlan Ellison originally wrote the episode so that Spock was the one who killed Edith. For Spock killing Edith would be a no brainer with no lasting repercussions. But to have Kirk do it is IMO a more dramatic ending. Because for Kirk, it's a tough call. It's one thing to know intellectually that this woman must die, but to actually kill the woman you love is another thing entirely. When they return through the portal, you get the sense that even though he did the right thing, Kirk's decision is going to haunt him for the rest of his life.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Harlan's original has now been adapted into a beautifully painted graphic novel....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Trek-...swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1490538663&sr=8-1
Some people are loving this vindication of Harlan's vision - while others are saying that, well, actually, the television version was the best one after all!
Nice to see the original out there in a visual format at last though....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Trek-...swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1490538663&sr=8-1
Some people are loving this vindication of Harlan's vision - while others are saying that, well, actually, the television version was the best one after all!
Nice to see the original out there in a visual format at last though....
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
Strange how the quality that Gene Roddenberry gave to his original Trek series has been missing from most of the later series and especially Enterprise and Discovery!
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
I think that they simply had better writers then, such as Harlan Ellison, Richard Matheson, Robert Bloch, Dorothy Fontana etc. And, while I would contend that Rodenberry himself was one of the weakest Trek writers, nobody can take away the fact that he alone conjured the core concept of Star Trek up. Gene Coon gave us the Klingons, Dorothy filled in the blanks of Vulcan culture, but without Rodenberry there would be no Trek at all. And I doubt if he would be very impressed at all in the corrupted vision of Discovery.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
Discovery is becoming quite lethal each and every week to be honest! I can't see it being given a second series to be honest (or at least I hope not)
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
It is apparently all but confirmed, sadly. A testament, not to the quality of DISCOVERY, but of the strength of the STAR TREK label. I think that a third season, on the other hand, would be miraculous!
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
Is that really true, Doctor? The fact that these 'writers' have a series dedicated to a war that never happened in the original series is quite disturbing to me!
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Yeah, this was quite recent.....
‘Star Trek: Discovery’: Alex Kurtzman on Finishing Strong and Plans for Season 2
Star Trek: Discovery is a critical success for CBS and has managed to double subscriptions to the network’s streaming service, All Access. With all of the success, it’s only a matter of time before the show gets an order for a second season.
At New York Comic Con, producer and co-creator Alex Kurtzman told Polygon that CBS was enamored with the show and pleased with its success. As for when fans can expect to hear about the show being renewed for a second season, Kurtzman teased it was imminent.
“Conversations are going very well,” Kurtzman said. “We’re more than hopeful that they’ll be ordering a second season very soon.”
Star Trek: Discovery premiered on Oct. 24 and, despite the show being on All Access, CBS is happy with audience turnout for the series. CBS previously confirmed there has been a 200 percent year-over-year growth for All Access. Mobile downloads of the app have doubled as well, according to a report from Variety.
Not everyone is happy about Discovery being exclusive to All Access, though. Producer Heather Kadin told Polygon that she understands the frustration people are dealing with over having to sign up for All Access in order to watch the show.
“I totally get why people are upset,” Kadin said. “I grew up middle class and my parents are confused that they have to pay to watch our show. But there is something amazing about being able to launch a new network and become a place that people may find stories they wouldn’t be able to find on traditional network.”
One of the biggest questions going forward in Star Trek: Discovery is whether other characters from The Original Series, who may be around in the timeline but aren’t on the show, will ever actually make an appearance or be mentioned. Producer Akiva Goldsman confirmed during a press conference that Spock — or any of the original cast — will never be mentioned or included on the show. Even though Sarek, Spock’s father, plays an important role in Discovery, his iconic Vulcan son will be kept separate.
‘Star Trek: Discovery’: Alex Kurtzman on Finishing Strong and Plans for Season 2
Star Trek: Discovery is a critical success for CBS and has managed to double subscriptions to the network’s streaming service, All Access. With all of the success, it’s only a matter of time before the show gets an order for a second season.
At New York Comic Con, producer and co-creator Alex Kurtzman told Polygon that CBS was enamored with the show and pleased with its success. As for when fans can expect to hear about the show being renewed for a second season, Kurtzman teased it was imminent.
“Conversations are going very well,” Kurtzman said. “We’re more than hopeful that they’ll be ordering a second season very soon.”
Star Trek: Discovery premiered on Oct. 24 and, despite the show being on All Access, CBS is happy with audience turnout for the series. CBS previously confirmed there has been a 200 percent year-over-year growth for All Access. Mobile downloads of the app have doubled as well, according to a report from Variety.
Not everyone is happy about Discovery being exclusive to All Access, though. Producer Heather Kadin told Polygon that she understands the frustration people are dealing with over having to sign up for All Access in order to watch the show.
“I totally get why people are upset,” Kadin said. “I grew up middle class and my parents are confused that they have to pay to watch our show. But there is something amazing about being able to launch a new network and become a place that people may find stories they wouldn’t be able to find on traditional network.”
One of the biggest questions going forward in Star Trek: Discovery is whether other characters from The Original Series, who may be around in the timeline but aren’t on the show, will ever actually make an appearance or be mentioned. Producer Akiva Goldsman confirmed during a press conference that Spock — or any of the original cast — will never be mentioned or included on the show. Even though Sarek, Spock’s father, plays an important role in Discovery, his iconic Vulcan son will be kept separate.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
And I agree, JB, I do not think a season long war arc is not in keeping with the optimistic vision of the Rodenberry Trek.
Why do they not just go off and be another science fiction series altogether? How insulting to qppropriate the TREK label just to guarantee success.
Why do they not just go off and be another science fiction series altogether? How insulting to qppropriate the TREK label just to guarantee success.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
Agreed! Roddenberry saw the show as an optimistic look at the future of humanity in space not this cobblers with man on the brink of destroying himself and the entire Federation! (or should that be The United Earth Space Probe Agency at this time?)
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Yes, the makers of this thing are either clueless or know that they are crapping on the whole original vision and just don't care.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
They sure don't care! Star Trek:Continues is a good way to continue the adventures of The Enterprise even if it's not canon. The special effects are superior to the remastered look on CBS Action and definitely Discovery!
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Agreed. But sadly, of course, Paramount have stopped STAR TREK CONTINUES in it's tracks with their outrageous guidelines of a while back.......
CBS and Paramount Pictures are big believers in reasonable fan fiction and fan creativity, and, in particular, want amateur fan filmmakers to showcase their passion for Star Trek. Therefore, CBS and Paramount Pictures will not object to, or take legal action against, Star Trek fan productions that are non-professional and amateur and meet the following guidelines.
Guidelines for Avoiding Objections:
CBS and Paramount Pictures are big believers in reasonable fan fiction and fan creativity, and, in particular, want amateur fan filmmakers to showcase their passion for Star Trek. Therefore, CBS and Paramount Pictures will not object to, or take legal action against, Star Trek fan productions that are non-professional and amateur and meet the following guidelines.
Guidelines for Avoiding Objections:
- The fan production must be less than 15 minutes for a single self-contained story, or no more than 2 segments, episodes or parts, not to exceed 30 minutes total, with no additional seasons, episodes, parts, sequels or remakes.
- The title of the fan production or any parts cannot include the name “Star Trek.” However, the title must contain a subtitle with the phrase: “A STAR TREK FAN PRODUCTION” in plain typeface. The fan production cannot use the term “official” in either its title or subtitle or in any marketing, promotions or social media for the fan production.
- The content in the fan production must be original, not reproductions, recreations or clips from any Star Trek production. If non-Star Trek third party content is used, all necessary permissions for any third party content should be obtained in writing.
- If the fan production uses commercially-available Star Trek uniforms, accessories, toys and props, these items must be official merchandise and not bootleg items or imitations of such commercially available products.
- The fan production must be a real “fan” production, i.e., creators, actors and all other participants must be amateurs, cannot be compensated for their services, and cannot be currently or previously employed on any Star Trek series, films, production of DVDs or with any of CBS or Paramount Pictures’ licensees.
- The fan production must be non-commercial:
- CBS and Paramount Pictures do not object to limited fundraising for the creation of a fan production, whether 1 or 2 segments and consistent with these guidelines, so long as the total amount does not exceed $50,000, including all platform fees, and when the $50,000 goal is reached, all fundraising must cease.
- The fan production must only be exhibited or distributed on a no-charge basis and/or shared via streaming services without generating revenue.
- The fan production cannot be distributed in a physical format such as DVD or Blu-ray.
- The fan production cannot be used to derive advertising revenue including, but not limited to, through for example, the use of pre or post-roll advertising, click-through advertising banners, that is associated with the fan production.
- No unlicensed Star Trek-related or fan production-related merchandise or services can be offered for sale or given away as premiums, perks or rewards or in connection with the fan production fundraising.
- The fan production cannot derive revenue by selling or licensing fan-created production sets, props or costumes.
- CBS and Paramount Pictures do not object to limited fundraising for the creation of a fan production, whether 1 or 2 segments and consistent with these guidelines, so long as the total amount does not exceed $50,000, including all platform fees, and when the $50,000 goal is reached, all fundraising must cease.
- The fan production must be family friendly and suitable for public presentation. Videos must not include profanity, nudity, obscenity, pornography, depictions of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or any harmful or illegal activity, or any material that is offensive, fraudulent, defamatory, libelous, disparaging, sexually explicit, threatening, hateful, or any other inappropriate content. The content of the fan production cannot violate any individual’s right of privacy.
- The fan production must display the following disclaimer in the on-screen credits of the fan productions and on any marketing material including the fan production website or page hosting the fan production:
“Star Trek and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and is a non-commercial fan-made film intended for recreational use. No commercial exhibition or distribution is permitted. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.”
- Creators of fan productions must not seek to register their works, nor any elements of the works, under copyright or trademark law.
- Fan productions cannot create or imply any association or endorsement by CBS or Paramount Pictures.
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
Have they stopped them? I heard they had stopped Axanar but not Continues as it seems to still turn up on YouTube from time to time, Doctor!
JB
JB
johnnybear
Member: Rank 6
Seems very harsh of CBS and Paramount or is it that these guys can make better Star Trek than they can?
JB
JB
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Yes, what has happened is that they had already filmed two or three more when the guidelines came out, so once those are edited and released, that has to be it.
So yes, 11 episodes in all....
Yes, just found this......
It’s a bittersweet time for followers of the groundbreaking fan series STAR TREK CONTINUES. The “sweet” part is that we will be served with FOUR new full-length episodes from this production team in the matter of just SEVEN months! We’ve already seen the first of these four episodes, the ambitious and poetic “Still Treads the Shadow,” released at the beginning of April.
The “bitter” lies in the fact that this is it for STC…the end of this amazing fan series. Although they were originally planning to make 13 episodes—and instead they will now only be doing 11—the fact is that they always intended for the series to have a completion point. Some fans have been asking them to continue (no pun intended) and not shut down, but the end story has been written and filmed and soon will be released. The Georgia studio sits quiet and unused (or so I’ve been told).
Show-runner VIC MIGNOGNA himself said in interviews that, at his current age (he turns 55 in August), he wouldn’t be able to play a 35-year-old Jim Kirk for much longer. So yes, folks, this is the inevitable end of the line for STC…with a return of the U.S.S. Enterprise from its historic 5-year mission.
And here’s the schedule for release dates. The episodes will premiere at three different cons during three weekends and then be posted online a day or so later:
Episode IX, “What Ships are For” will premiere at Florida Supercon in Ft. Lauderdale the weekend of July 27-30.
Episode X, “To Boldly Go (Part One)” will premiere at Salt Lake City Comic Con the weekend of September 21-23.
Episode XI, “To Boldly Go (Part Two)” will premiere at New York City Comicon the weekend of October 5-8.
So the gap between episodes VIII and XI will end up being about three and a half months. Then the gap between XI and X will be less than two months. And finally, fans won’t have to wait more than two weeks for the second half of the final two-parter. That’s quite a feast!
Although few details of the series finale have been released, we do know that the ninth episode, “What Ships are For,” was written by Kipleigh Brown, who plays Lt. Smith on the fan series. There will also be at least three professional actor guest stars in that episode: Elizabeth Maxwell, Lex Lang, and Sandy Fox.
For a closer look at this fan series from its beginnings in 2012, check out this three-part history of Star Trek Continues.
So yes, 11 episodes in all....
Yes, just found this......
It’s a bittersweet time for followers of the groundbreaking fan series STAR TREK CONTINUES. The “sweet” part is that we will be served with FOUR new full-length episodes from this production team in the matter of just SEVEN months! We’ve already seen the first of these four episodes, the ambitious and poetic “Still Treads the Shadow,” released at the beginning of April.
The “bitter” lies in the fact that this is it for STC…the end of this amazing fan series. Although they were originally planning to make 13 episodes—and instead they will now only be doing 11—the fact is that they always intended for the series to have a completion point. Some fans have been asking them to continue (no pun intended) and not shut down, but the end story has been written and filmed and soon will be released. The Georgia studio sits quiet and unused (or so I’ve been told).
Show-runner VIC MIGNOGNA himself said in interviews that, at his current age (he turns 55 in August), he wouldn’t be able to play a 35-year-old Jim Kirk for much longer. So yes, folks, this is the inevitable end of the line for STC…with a return of the U.S.S. Enterprise from its historic 5-year mission.
And here’s the schedule for release dates. The episodes will premiere at three different cons during three weekends and then be posted online a day or so later:
Episode IX, “What Ships are For” will premiere at Florida Supercon in Ft. Lauderdale the weekend of July 27-30.
Episode X, “To Boldly Go (Part One)” will premiere at Salt Lake City Comic Con the weekend of September 21-23.
Episode XI, “To Boldly Go (Part Two)” will premiere at New York City Comicon the weekend of October 5-8.
So the gap between episodes VIII and XI will end up being about three and a half months. Then the gap between XI and X will be less than two months. And finally, fans won’t have to wait more than two weeks for the second half of the final two-parter. That’s quite a feast!
Although few details of the series finale have been released, we do know that the ninth episode, “What Ships are For,” was written by Kipleigh Brown, who plays Lt. Smith on the fan series. There will also be at least three professional actor guest stars in that episode: Elizabeth Maxwell, Lex Lang, and Sandy Fox.
For a closer look at this fan series from its beginnings in 2012, check out this three-part history of Star Trek Continues.