A fascinating look back at the potential ‘Star Trek’ sequel TV show includes some incredible imaginings of what the new USS ‘Enterprise’ may have looked like.
The existence of Star Trek: Phase II—the plans for a Star Trek continuation series in the mid-1970s that eventually gave way to Star Trek: The Motion Picture—has been known for a very long time at this point. We’ve seen concept art, we’ve seen story ideas, and we’ve seen it for long enough to see how those nuggets have gone on to influence the Star Trek that we would go on to get for another 50 years. And yet, there’s still plenty to enjoy in this new documentary about the bumpy road Star Trek almost made on the journey home back to our screens.
I found it interesting that Takei credits the franchise’s popularity with it being originally a low-rated show. Since it was low rated, it was cheap for networks to syndicate, so it was run frequently which built up the fan base.
This is a great little documentary, thanks for sharing!
It’s very well done. Lot of insights into what happened in the 12 years before the movie. The way they treated Roddenberry … arg.
From the information I’ve seen of it, I think I would have liked Phase II better than the movies they did instead. That being said, the movies probably brought the franchise to a lot of people it may not have reached with another show. So TNG and the later shows may have been a lot lower budget or maybe not made all.
I loved movies 2/4/6, was not a fan of 1/3/5.
I personally like 1/2/4! I guess the best way to put it is that none of the Trek movies, even my favorites, have really stuck with me like my favorite episodes have.
So glad they pivoted to making a movie instead. The budget was much larger and the art direction immensely helped the franchise going forward. Phase II sets and costumes looked like a cheap cosplay remake of TOS.
Yet the movies only got successful once they got a lot of the TV guys back for set design, wardrobe and makeup for the second movie.
