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How to Reboot Star Trek for Modern TV

Alex Knapp
This article is more than 9 years old.

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And I think with Star Trek, it’s easy enough to solve: have each season revolve around a long-arc mission and all of the things that happen along the way, some of which will be serious, some of which will be goofy, all of which will offer opportunities for different tones and different points — in other words, make the show like Buffy. But I actually wonder if the Very Serious Point bit, the optimism about a progressive, secular, interconnected vision of the future might actually be the bigger challenge for networks that are either skittish about politics or committed to a gritty, pessimistic take on them. I would love to see a network show (as opposed to a cable network like Showtime or SyFy) have a major character on a show who is a rehabilitated extremist.

Last night, I snarked at both of them that their ideal Star Trek series has already been created: it was called Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which for my money is easily the best of the Trek series. It's the only Trek that, I think, grappled seriously with the cultural conflicts endemic in a star spanning, inclusive Federation. One of its major themes was the conflict between idealism and pragmatism; between extremism and simple defense of values. Through its story arcs, it explored the implications of genetic engineering, religion, the morality of war, terrorism, security, the conflicts between capitalism and classical liberal values, and much more than that.

It's the most ambitious of the Trek series by far, and while there were some very bad episodes, it wasn't because of a lack of trying. Now, I'll admit that Next Generation had more great episodes than DS9, but the quality of DS9 was consistently higher. And in my opinion, there is no finer episode of science fiction television that the DS9 episode "In the Pale Moonlight."

But I know what you're thinking. "Snark is cheap, Knapp! The question is, what would you do to put Star Trek back on the air?"

That's a fair question. And here's my response: give me total creative control and a decent budget, and I won't put one Star Trek series on the air. I'll put three on the air. Three smaller series - 32 episodes total, per season, for all three. The point of each series is to explore different issues of the Federation and universe it inhabits, while at the same time getting back to both classic science fiction and morality plays. Here they are:

Star Trek: To Boldly Go (12 episodes per season)

This is the "flagship" series. To Boldly Go centers around the new captain of the starship Enterprise, following Captain Picard's promotion to Admiral. This is the "old school" Trek show - the Enterprise is out there seeking new life and new civilizations, boldly going where no one has gone before. It will be mostly episodic, but will take on the aspect of modern episodic dramas in the sense that major changes will stick rather than having a return to the status quo. The 12 episodes however, mean that To Boldly Go can be more focused. And I'd revive the tradition established in the original series of having great science fiction writers stepping in to pen the episodes. Dream writers for season one include: John Scalzi, Wil Wheaton, Elizabeth Moon, Charles Stross, Cory Doctorow, Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, Jo Walton, Ursula LeGuin, and others. Throw some ideas in the comments.

Star Trek: Office of the President (10 episodes per season)

It will take no time flat for this show to be nicknamed "West Wing: The Next Generation" - but that's okay. That's the vibe I want. One thing that I loved about the Deep Space Nine was the little big of a glance we got into the workings of the Federation government. I think the time is ripe to do more. How does one government manage the affairs of over 150 member worlds? What kinds of economic challenges arise in an era where money is obsolete because scarcity is obsolete? How are cultural conflicts and civil liberties issues resolved? Does the Federation have political parties? I think that there's a real potential to tell some interesting stories that have never really been told on TV in a science fiction context. And the beauty of it is that this show can be cheap. Just a strong core cast and some sets. There'll be very little need for too many special effects. But that focus on character can lead to strong, relevant stories.

Star Trek: Section 31 (10 episodes per season)

This one is my baby. If only one series happened, this would be the one I'd choose to do. Deep Space Nine introduced the Star Trek universe to Section 31 - a clandestine, quasi-official intelligence operation that does the "dirty work" of the Federation. Officially, Starfleet opposes the organization. Unofficially, Starfleet officials have cooperated with it in order to "do what needs done." This is a concept ripe for concise, focused series. Here's my pitch for it -

Wu Zhuangzi is the most promising Starfleet cadet in ages. At the top of his senior class in all areas, Zhuangzi is set to not only be the youngest person to ever graduate from Starfleet Academy, it's widely believed that he will also beat James T. Kirk's record of being the youngest Captain to command a starship. So it's a shock when, at a crucial moment during his final exam at the Academy - a training cruise on a starship - he disobeys the order of his commander to follow his conscience. He's summarily dismissed from the Academy. Six months later, drinking alone at a bar, Zhuangzi is recruited by a member of Section 31, who thinks he has great potential to be successful. Zhuangzi is then placed into his first mission, where he succeeds with flying colors. This success cements his membership in the organization.

And then, at the end of our first story arc, he contacts Starfleet Intelligence, letting them know that he's successfully infiltrated Section 31. What follows is a series full of intrigue and ethical dilemmas as Zhuangzi works to destroy Section 31 from the inside. All the while, his conviction is challenged as he's surrounded by earnest people who genuinely believe they're doing what's best for the Federation, even as they're committing crimes and atrocities.

Crossing Over

The great thing about having three series set up this way is that there's a potential for cross over, but there doesn't have to be any true intersection. For example, the President may face a diplomatic crisis caused by the crew of the Enterprise in the course of one of its missions. The Enterprise might have to deal with the consequences of a Section 31 mission that Zhuangzi thwarted. Or Zhuangzi may learn that a member of the President's staff has been passing information to members of Section 31. There's a great potential to tell stories from different angles without necessarily having the actors in the same room.

So that's how I'd reboot Star Trek - using modern story conventions and three different angles to explore different aspects of living in the future and contemporary ethical dilemmas. How would you do it?


