Page 290 • TrekCore.com

Frakes on STAR TREK 3: “Nothing I Would Like Better”

TrekCore Staff

-

December 12, 2014

Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Jonathan Frakes has become one of the franchise’s most prolific alumni directors, along with Roxann Dawson, LeVar Burton, and Robbie McNeill — but it’s the actor’s experience directing Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection that’s catapulted him into this week’s Star Trek 3 conversation after the announcement that Roberto Orci is no longer set to direct the upcoming film.

I’d like to thank @EditDroid77 for firing up #BringInRiker Let’s make it so…..

— Jonathan Frakes (@jonathansfrakes) December 12, 2014

A Twitter campaign to bring Frakes into the Trek 3 director’s chair — #BringInRiker — has caught fire this week among Trek fandom, and even the actor best known as Will Riker has something to say about it.

Bring in Riker! I’m all over it! I already contacted J.J. [Abrams]; I’ve got my agent trying to stir the pot at Paramount. I would love that job!

Unabashedly, I would be great at that job, and I’d love to do it. We’ll see. I’m trying to keep a lid on how excited I am about the possibility, knowing it’s such a long shot…

…but there’s nothing I’d like better.

Listen to Frakes’ whole conversation with Seattle reporter Charlie Harger here:

Source: Komo News Radio

REVIEW: The Original Series — “Foul Deeds Will Rise”

Dan Gunther

-

December 11, 2014

3

REVIEW: The Original Series — “Foul Deeds Will Rise”

2288. The U.S.S Enterprise-A is on a vital peacekeeping mission in a remote solar system beyond the boundaries of the Federation, where two warring planets—Pavak and Oyolo—are attempting to end years of bitter conflict.

Crucial peace talks are being conducted aboard the Enterprise, even as Starfleet weapons inspectors oversee the disarmament process. Losses and atrocities on both sides have left plenty of hard feelings behind, so Captain James T. Kirk has his work cut out for him, even as he unexpectedly runs into a disturbing figure from his past: Lenore Karidian.

Twenty years ago, the deadly daughter of Kodos the Executioner tried to kill Kirk, but she has since been declared sane and rehabilitated. Kirk wants to give her the benefit of the doubt and a second chance at life, but when a mysterious assassination threatens the already fragile peace process, all clues point toward Lenore–and the future of two worlds hangs in the balance.

Order Foul Deeds Will Rise:

Can a murderer be rehabilitated? To what extent do past actions have an impact on future behavior? Or, more specifically, what impact do those actions have on the perceptions of others when it comes to behavior?

These questions and more are examined in Greg Cox’s new Original Series adventure Foul Deeds Will Rise.

Lenore Karidian, the daughter of the infamous Kodos the Executioner, is working as a Federation aid worker on the devastated world of Oyolo in the midst of peace talks between that planet and neighboring Pavak. Captain Kirk invites Lenore aboard the Enterprise in an attempt to put past demons to rest, but when the Pavakian representative is discovered to have been killed, Lenore becomes a prime suspect.

Given her past murders of seven innocent people, as well as her attempted murders of Lt. Kevin Riley and Captain Kirk himself, it is somewhat understandable that she becomes a target of inquiry.

This is the one area in which the logic of the novel kind of falls apart for me. I have a hard time accepting that Captain Kirk would so quickly invite Karidian aboard. While hindsight is 20/20, and there is no way Kirk would have known that the murders would happen, I still believe that allowing Lenore aboard the Enterprise was very irresponsible. Perhaps I’m simply not as “good” or forgiving as Captain Kirk.

Even if Lenore is not responsible for the murders, her mere presence serves as a distraction in the investigation, diverting attention away from other possible suspects. I found myself agreeing with Kevin Riley, now a Federation ambassador: allowing Lenore Karidian aboard the Enterprise while the sensitive negotiations were taking place was a mistake.

This minor nitpick aside, Foul Deeds Will Rise was very enjoyable on several levels. Whereas most Original Series novels are set during the classic five-year mission, this one is set two decades later, in the period between Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Greg Cox, the ever-impressive font of Trek continuity knowledge, continues his tradition of making numerous small references to events in the lives of the Enterprise crew.

Setting the story during this period serves to widen the pool from which his references can be drawn. Additionally, setting the novel in this period lends a feeling of freshness to the story. Not many stories use this time period, and a change from the norm is always welcome.

Greg Cox uses a number of literary devices to very good effect in his novels, including a very apparent Chekhov’s gun, which in this case, turns out to be Chekov’s sneeze! Watch for Pavel Chekov’s allergic reaction to be a seemingly minor inconvenience that turns out to have a much larger impact on the plot!

Speaking of Chekov, it was a lot of fun to see him in his role as chief of security in this novel. Although he supposedly had this role in the films, we never really got a chance to see him shine in the job. The closest we got was Star Trek VI, in which he investigates the assassination of Klingon Chancellor Gorkon. However, the entire crew was involved in that investigation.

In Foul Deeds Will Rise, we get a more detailed look at how Chekov has really grown into his role as security chief.

BREAKING: Roberto Orci Out as STAR TREK 3 Director

TrekCore Staff

-

December 5, 2014

95

Deadline Hollywood and The Hollywood Reporter are reporting today that reboot writer Roberto Orci will no longer be directing 2016’s Star Trek 3, a position for which he nabbed back in May.

Deadline’s Mike Fleming, Jr. reports:

Roberto Orci is beaming off the bridge of the Starship Enterprise on ‘Star Trek 3.’ Rampant rumors are swirling and I’ve confirmed there is fire behind the smoke that he won’t be directing.

I even hear that Edgar Wright and others are on a short list to take the job. Orci stays on the project as producer.

This is a major development for a film set to begin filming in the coming spring — and possibly a major setback, as Paramount is pushing to have the film ready for the Star Trek franchise’s fiftieth anniversary in 2016.

TrekCore has heard rumors for some time that the Trek 3 pre-production machine has been having some issues, with reports that the film’s art department was put on hiatus in late October, a shutdown confirmed by Badass Digest’s Devin Faraci today:

[Sources] tell me that the script Orci was working on saw the Enterprise, the Vulcans and a new alien race competing to get a time travel device. The Vulcans want to go back and stop the destruction of their planet, and the time travel schtick is what would allow Chris Pine and William Shatner to share the screen. Is that still going to be the plot of the movie – a MacGuffin that could wipe out the previous two films?

I’ve been in touch with some folks and it seems like the script was one of the problem factors. Paramount shut the production down last month, sending home all the design people while they battled over the direction of the screenplay.

* * *

10:15PM EST update:

I’m hearing the TREK 3 script is dumped, which I’m assuming means McKay and Payne are out as well. Best of luck to those guys, if so.

— Devin Faraci (@devincf) December 6, 2014

Source: Deadline Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter, Badass Digest

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Soundtrack Collection Out Now

TrekCore Staff

-

December 2, 2014

21

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE Soundtrack Collection Out Now

As we reported last week, La-La Land Records’ new Star Trek: Enterprise soundtrack collection has now become available for purchase for a price of $59.99 — this four-disc set contains hours of content, early buyers will receive their collections autographed by composers Dennis McCarthy, John Frizzell, Brian Tyler, and David Bell at no extra cost.

Buy the Enterprise collection directly from La-La Land Records’ website here.

In addition, it seems that 2015 will be a big year for Trek soundtracks, as we’ve learned from multiple sources that La-La Land has three more major releases in the pipeline.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Collection – Volume 2 is due for next year, a long-awaited follow-up to their 2011 TNG release.

Star Trek: Voyager Collection is also in the works for 2015, expanding La-La Land’s Trek offerings into the Delta Quadrant.

Star Trek: Enterprise Collection – Volume 2 is expected around this time next winter and offer more music from the 22nd Century.

We have no confirmed dates or release schedules for these next soundtrack collections, but we’ll surely bring you the most up-to-date information available as soon as we have it.

In the meantime, head over to La-La Land’s Enterprise page and listen to some of their track samples — and place your order today!

We Could Have Been Great Together: Kate Pulaski

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Rob Heyman

-

December 1, 2014

38

We Could Have Been Great Together: Kate Pulaski

by Rob Heyman for TrekCore.com

Star Trek: The Next Generation saw a number of significant changes between its first and second seasons, none more glaring than the replacement of Beverly Crusher with Kate Pulaski as chief medical officer aboard the Enterprise.

At Diana Muldaur’s request, the actress was never elevated above a ‘special guest appearance’ title for the second season opening credits, implying a kind of temporary or experimental status as a cast member. When the third season debuted, the medical reigns had been handed back to Gates McFadden, who was asked to return to the series, and Pulaski was never heard from again (outside of a few brief references in “Who Watches the Watchers,” “Ship in a Bottle,” and “Endgame,” the Voyager series finale).

While it’s hard to imagine The Next Generation without Doctor Crusher, looking back at the second season, it’s just as hard not to entertain the possibility that Pulaski’s character could have really succeeded for the series.

Despite some obvious and none-too-subtle character nods to Doctor McCoy, Pulaski displayed a certain resolve and wisdom that could have opened the door for some interesting relationships with the other crew members. Whatever the definitive reason for Pulaski’s replacement – be it lack of chemistry, creative differences, or Muldaur’s dissatisfaction with the show — there’s enough in the second season to point to a character with tremendous development potential.

Pulaski biggest opportunity for growth, had she stayed with the series for the third season and beyond, likely would have come with Troi, and maybe even Riker. Troi was set up from the start as someone who would be her closest friend, but that bond was never fully realized despite some promising starts in “The Child” and “The Icarus Factor,” in particular.

As reviled as it is as an episode, owing largely to its soap opera melodrama, “The Icarus Factor” is one of the few episodes that truly tries to weave her character into the tapestry of the other crewmembers’ lives – and it works. It may seem a bit corny that Pulaski was once romantically involved with Riker’s father, but Muldaur sells it, and the scene where she tells Riker to get over his anger for his father is a wonderfully layered moment setting the stage for an interesting parent-child dynamic with Riker.

You saw some of that when she confronts Wesley on learning to take charge in “Pen Pals.” I can only imagine the ball-busting she would have given Riker over his fears in assuming command in “The Best of Both Worlds.” Instead, that ball-busting was left, somewhat jarringly, to Guinan.

Both Troi and Riker have complicated relationships with their parents. It would have been interesting to see how Pulaski and Lwaxana Troi would have played off each, especially once Troi and Pulaski became a lot closer and Troi embraced her as a surrogate mother. When you consider this, it almost makes sense now that “The Child” was made the debut episode for Season Two – it gives us a necessary medical story to introduce Pulaski and to sow the seeds of her connection with Troi.

The biggest problem with Pulaski was the decision to pit her against Picard, and to a lesser extent Data. Had Data been portrayed as colder and more Spock-like, I could buy her ongoing distrust of him as a lifeless machine (and fulfilling yet another intended McCoy trait). Fortunately, Pulaski did warm to Data over the course of the season, but had she not, fans would have completely turned on her because… well… we liked Data, and so did the rest of the crew.

The conflict between Crusher and Picard worked better because there was romantic subtext to it. There was a glaring lack of chemistry between Pulaski and Picard (and it would seem, Stewart and Muldaur) that made the conflict feel forced. I always had a soft spot for “Time Squared.” It is a weird and creepy episode. It works almost in spite of itself. However, the conflict between Pulaski and Picard is so cringe-inducing it even alienates Troi at one point. It is at this point that you know Pulaski’s days are indeed numbered as a regular character.

Two of Pulaski’s best episodes are “Elementary Dear Data” and “Up the Long Ladder.” “Elementary” is a stand-out in its own right, and a lot of the credit for its success goes to director Rob Bowman. I love how he introduces Pulaski in this episode as an eavesdropper in Ten Forward. We don’t really know Pulaski up to this point, but in this one scene he tells us she’s smart, fun, and even a little sneaky.

“Up the Long Ladder” shows us she’s also a bit of risk-taker when she decides to partake in a dangerous Klingon tea ceremony with Worf. This sets up a rather unlikely camaraderie with Worf, which could have been one of The Next Generation’s more interesting dynamics as the series progressed.

So what would have The Next Generation been like had Pulaski stayed aboard third season and beyond? As a serious character well-tenured into her responsibilities, it’s likely we would have gotten some truly compelling medical episodes. I never felt Crusher was given enough to do. She’s clearly a smart woman and has saved the ship from several crises. But she was never given a really meaty medical story to sink her teeth into.

What’s more, Wil Wheaton’s decision to leave the series fourth season sidelined a big opportunity to broaden Crusher role as a single parent. This, along with the producers’ decision to minimize family drama post-fourth season in favor of more sci-fi fare, found Crusher with less to do save the ongoing and tiresome will-they-or-won’t-they unresolved romantic teasing with Picard.

Fans seem to be pretty divided on Pulaski as a character. It was easy to hate her because she came across too stuffy and parental, and her initial distrust of Data was something many of us just couldn’t swallow.

That said, she also has her share of fans, many of whom probably see, as I do, a character who had growth potential and whose service aboard the Enterprise came to an end far too soon.

TNG Season 7 and ALL GOOD THINGS Blu-ray Trailers

TrekCore Staff

-

November 29, 2014

22

TNG Season 7 and ALL GOOD THINGS Blu-ray Trailers

After nearly three years, we’re just a few days away from the release of the final season of Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-ray, along with “All Good Things,” the timeless series finale!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp6L-1TrQUg

Download: 480p (36 MB) • 720p (92 MB) • 1080p (226 MB)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRbXqqyRmGY

Download: 480p (32 MB) • 720p (85 MB) • 1080p (212 MB)

We hope to have our full reviews available in the next week or so — we are still waiting for our review copies of the Blu-ray sets to arrive — but in the meantime, we wanted to satisfy some of your TNG cravings in the meantime with the much-demanded downloads of the season trailers, and some of the best featured upgrades from the old standard definition masters!

“Descent, Part I”

Beverly Crusher leads the Enterprise into the corona of a distant star in “Descent, Part II,” and the murky view the starship is cleared up by a massive degree in the revitalized Blu-ray edition. The warp nacelles, deflector dish, and other shipboard lighting effects shine much more brightly in high definition!

“Attached”

Picard and Crusher’s escape from a deadly fireball in “Attached” sees some notable changes from the DVD release. While the fiery element has been recreated from scratch using new digital elements, the live-action footage of Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden seems to be a completely different take from the original version used in the broadcast master!

There could be a number of reasons for why this shot has been changed — the original film stock may have been damaged or lost sometime in the last two decades, or it may have been deemed unusable for some other technical reason. As there is no dialogue in this brief footage, it’s a fairly unnoticeable change.

This isn’t the first time a minor substitution has been made in non-speaking footage; another example can be seen in the first Borg visit to Engineering back in Season Two’s “Q Who.”

“Sub Rosa”

The massive storm in Caldos II’s upper atmosphere has been wonderfully rebuilt by Max Gabl and the rest of the CBS Digital team for “Sub Rosa.” One thing of note is that the storm is now spinning clockwise, the opposite of the original version which spun slowly counter-clockwise on DVD.

“Masks”

The ancient D’Arsay archive and surrounding icy comment was one of the earliest all-CGI effects used in Star Trek‘s television production, and the original elements created by Santa Barbara Studios has been faithfully duplicated by CBS Digital for “Masks.” The icy surface melts away with ease on Blu-ray!

“Eye of the Beholder”

Not only has the violent energy of the warp plasma stream been recreated for “Eye of the Beholder,” but CBS Digital has also rebuilt the original digital ceiling of the nacelle control room as well!

This subtle piece of computer-generated set extension is nearly invisible, even in the DVD release, but if you count the number of support struts in the upper section of the room in the above screenshots, the difference becomes clear.

“Emergence”

In an effort to save the ship from a newly-created life form in “Emergence,” the Enterprise fires an energy beam into the MacPherson Nebula — but it appears that the Enterprise itself is now a digital element!

The recreated starship has been showcased in a number of episodes since CBS Digital perfected the model for Season Five, and it seems that it’s been needed once again for this shot.

“All Good Things…”

The surface of primordial Earth has been restored to glory in the newly-composited “All Good Things,” showcasing the fiery lava against the now-visible ocean waves in the distant background.

Of course, the massive anti-time anomaly is the star of this shot, a wonderful combination of practical elements and digital wizardry which gives the object an added aura of wonder.

“All Good Things…”

The ancient volcano eruption has also been given a digital boost for Blu-ray, with a completely recreated eruption that takes the whole shot to the next level. This now feels like a truly dangerous event, rather than a tepid rupture in the distance.

“All Good Things…”

Beverly Picard’s Olympic-class USS Pasteur makes the leap to high definition, bringing out details in the much-loved medial ship that were never visible on DVD, like the tiny medical caduceus symbol on the aft hull hidden in standard-definition fuzz. The small starship’s final battle with the Klingons is a definite improvement in the rejuvenated footage!

[td_smart_list_end]

* * *

In case you missed it, be sure to check out our video comparison of the TNG S7 trailer, showcasing these upgrades in action!

With prices as low as we expect them to get before the holiday season, now is the time to lock in your orders for Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Seven and “All Good Things” on Blu-ray — or if you have been waiting to pick up all seven seasons at once, preorder the region-free Blu-ray box set from the UK using our links below!

	Order Star Trek: TNG Season 7 on Blu-ray!		Order TNG's "All Good Things..." on Blu-ray!

Order Star Trek: The Next Generation
“Full Journey” Complete Series
Region-Free Blu-ray Box Set!

ENTERPRISE Soundtrack Collection Coming Next Week

TrekCore Staff

-

November 28, 2014

23

ENTERPRISE Soundtrack Collection Coming Next Week

Following last year’s fantastic Star Trek: Deep Space Nine collection, La-La Land has announced a new Star Trek: Enterprise soundtrack collection going on sale December 2!

La-La Land’s release, announced on their Facebook page reads as follows:

La-La Land Records and CBS proudly present the original television soundtrack to STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, starring Scott Bakula, John Billingsley and Jolene Blalock. This stunning 4-CD collection showcases the powerful work of the notably talented composers who kept this prequel STAR TREK series at warp speed for four exciting seasons.

The music expertly runs the gambit from the bold and thrilling to the thoughtful and emotional – it’s essential science fiction music that touches the heart while it opens the mind. Disc One features the music of Dennis McCarthy, Disc Two showcases Jay Chattaway’s work, while Disc Three’s “Veterans and New Recruits” highlights a variety of composers as does Disc Four’s “Fan Favorites,” which includes music from such episodes as In A Mirror, Darkly, Parts I and II and “Regeneration” among others.

Produced by Ford A. Thaxton, James Nelson, Mark Banning and Lukas Kendall and mastered by James Nelson, this special release of 3000 Units includes a 36-Page Booklet featuring in-depth notes by writer Jeff Bond, with new comments from McCarthy, Chattaway and others.

The first 200 customers who purchase the cd directly through the La-La Land Records website will receive an autographed tray card signed by composers Dennis McCarthy, David Bell and John Frizzell at no extra charge. Quantities are limited and you are NOT guaranteed a signed copy.

Check out the track listing La-La Land has provided and see if your favorite episodes are represented!

DISC ONE: Music by Dennis McCarthy
* Music by Dennis McCarthy & Kevin Kiner

1. Where My Heart Will Take Me (Main Title, Season One) (1:25)
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Russell Watson

Shockwave, Part I #026
2. Disaster (0:56)
3. Eulogy (1:43)
4. Daniels Arrives (3:02)
5. Hide and Seek (3:34)
6. No Return (3:41)
Recorded May 15, 2002 / Original Airdate: May 22, 2002

Shockwave, Part II #028
7. A Refresher (1:43)
8. Playing Possum (2:16)
9. The Captain (2:25)
10. Onward (0:23)
Recorded September 10, 2002 / Original Airdate: September 18, 2002

The Expanse #052
11. Florida Attack (0:47)
12. On the Team (2:12)
13. Now There Is One / Loop-de-Loop (5:02)
Recorded May 14, 2003 / Original Airdate: May 21, 2003

Impulse #057
14. Blocked Exit (2:57)
15. Paranoia (2:02)
Recorded October 1, 2003 / Original Airdate: October 8, 2003

Twilight #060
16. Armageddon (1:40)
17. Rip Van Winkle / Angst (2:05)
18. Showdown / Back to the Past (6:59)
Recorded October 1, 2003 / Original Airdate: October 8, 2003

Carpenter Street #063
19. Street Walkin’ (3:05)
Recorded November 19, 2003 / Original Airdate: November 26, 2003

Kir’Shara* #085
20. Kir’Shara Activated (3:29)
Recorded November 23, 2004 / Original Airdate: December 3, 2004

Countdown* #075
21. Re–Cap Enterprise 075 (1:32)
22. Ready to Fire (3:27)
23. Countdown Begins (1:10)
24. Hays Departs (1:34)
Recorded May 3, 2004 / Original Airdate: May 19, 2004

Storm Front, Part II* #078
25. Recap–Enterprise 078 (1:10)
26. Fight to the Death (3:06)
27. Stukas Coming / The Vortex (3:11)
28. Timeline Restored (1:19)
29. Home at Last (1:39)
Recorded September 23, 2004 / Original Airdate: October 15, 2004

30. Where My Heart Will Take Me (End Credits Instrumental) (1:03)

Total Time – Disc One: 70:52

DISC TWO: Music by Jay Chattaway

1. Where My Heart Will Take Me (Main Title, Season Three) (1:22)
Written by Diane Warren, performed by Russell Watson

Civilization #009
2. Old City (2:34)
3. Entering the Reactor / Reactor Surprise (3:13)
4. Memorable (0:29)
Recorded November 6, 2001 / Original Airdate: November 14, 2001

The Catwalk #038
5. Taking Back Enterprise / Capitan a Capitan / Core Is Down (7:43)
Recorded December 11, 2002 / Original Airdate: December 18, 2002

North Star #061
6. Hangin’ Offense (1:01)
7. Gunfight / Final Fight (4:17)
8. New School (0:59)
Recorded November 5, 2003 / Original Airdate: November 11, 2003

Zero Hour #076
9. Sphere Builder On Board / Andorian Offensive / Sphere / Final Showdown (12:03)
10. My Captain (2:29)
Recorded May 13, 2004 / Original Airdate: May 26, 2004

Storm Front, Part I #077
11. Daniels’ Goodbye (2:50)
Recorded September 16, 2004 / Original Airdate: October 8, 2004

Awakening #084
12. Meet Surak (1:37)
13. Archer Remembers Cave / Vulcans On the Attack / Kir’shara (7:03)
Recorded November 17–18, 2004 / Original Airdate: November 26, 2004

Bound #093
14. Slave Girl Dance (2:07)
15. Kelby Under the Spell (1:20)
16. Captain Romantic / Disoriented Captain (4:00)
17. Harrad-Sar Attacks / Trip Foils Slave Girls (5:27)
Recorded March 15–16, 2005 / Original Airdate: April 15, 2005

Terra Prime #097
18. Five Seconds to Impact (2:02)
19. Her Name Is Elizabeth (1:19)
20. Archer’s Speech (1:49)
21. Grieving (2:22)
Recorded April 22, 2005 / Original Airdate: May 13, 2005

BONUS TRACK
The Catwalk #038
22. Into the Sunset (0:32)
Recorded December 11, 2002 / Original Airdate: December 18, 2002

23. Where My Heart Will Take Me (End Credits Instrumental) (0:49)

Total Time – Disc Two: 70:59

DISC THREE: Veterans and New Recruits

1. Archer’s Theme (Unused Main Title) (1:24) (Dennis McCarthy)

Horizon #046 (Mark McKenzie)
2. Travis in Sweet Spot / Change of Course (1:37)
3. Up Your Alley (4:18)
4. Star Map (1:16)
5. We’re Under Attack (1:50)
6. Band of Brothers (3:33)
7. Never Better Sir (1:23)
Recorded April 2, 2003 / Original Airdate: April 16, 2003

Terra Nova #006 (David Bell)
8. Phaser Cuts Log (1:48)
Recorded October 16, 2001 / Original Airdate: October 24, 2001

Dear Doctor #013 (David Bell)
9. Doc’s First Installment / Phlox Needs a Friend (3:46)
Recorded October 16, 2001 / Original Airdate: October 24, 2001

The Andorian Incident #007 (Paul Baillargeon)
10. Sanctuary Interrupted (0:47)
11. Sensor Array (2:32)
Recorded October 23, 2001 / Original Airdate: October 31, 2001

Vox Sola #022 (Paul Baillargeon)
12. Force Field Ready / Take Me Home / Crew Released / Home of the Tendril (3:28)
Recorded April 17, 2002 / Original Airdate: May 1, 2002

First Flight #050 (Paul Baillargeon)
13. Prototype Crash (3:34)
14. See You Out There (1:41)
Recorded May 1, 2003 / Original Airdate: May 14, 2003

Proving Ground #065 (John Frizzell)
15. Recap (1:32)
16. Turning the Tables (4:12)
Recorded January 13, 2004 / Original Airdate: January 21, 2004

Silent Enemy #012 (Velton Ray Bunch)
17. First Encounter (2:03)
18. Taking Risks / Showdown (4:44)
19. Pineapple Cake (0:59)
Recorded December 11, 2001 / Original Airdate: January 16, 2002

Desert Crossing #024 (Velton Ray Bunch)
20. Warm Welcome (1:14)
21. Geskana Match / Archer Goes for Goal (2:52)
22. Trip’s Menu (1:23)
23. The Rescue (3:00)
24. Not Why We’re Here (0:59)
Recorded April 30, 2002 / Original Airdate: May 8, 2002

Similitude #062 (Velton Ray Bunch)
25. In Memoriam (0:43)
26. Warp Drive Test (3:08)
27. You Owe Me One (3:51)
Recorded November 12, 2003 / Original Airdate: November 19, 2003

The Augments #082 (Velton Ray Bunch)
28. Recap / Teaser–Enterprise 082 (1:51)
29. Pathogen Bomb (3:27)
30. Goodbye Doc (0:39)
Recorded November 4, 2004 / Original Airdate: November 12, 2004

31. Archer’s Theme (End Credits) (0:39) (Dennis McCarthy)

Total Time – Disc Three: 79:09

DISC FOUR: Fan Favorites

In a Mirror, Darkly, Parts I and II #094 (Dennis McCarthy & Kevin Kiner)
1. First Contact Revisited (1:49) (Jerry Goldsmith, Dennis McCarthy & Kevin Kiner)
2. Mirror Main Title From Enterprise (1:21)
3. Mutiny (3:53)
4. Dangerous Seduction (2:43)
5. Counter Attack (2:31)
6. Boarding the Defiant (2:23)
7. Tholian Web (2:08)
8. Abandon Enterprise (1:59)
9. Recap–Enterprise 095 (1:00)
10. Defiant Trapped / Defiant Fights Back (2:49)
11. T’Pol Interrogation (1:31)
12. Booby Trap (2:26)
13. Gorn to Die (2:53)
14. Defiant to the Rescue (2:14)
15. T’Pol Busted (2:05)
16. Phlox Sabotage (1:55)
17. Avenger Attacks (2:02)
18. Empress Hoshi (1:16)
Recorded March 30, 2005 / Original Airdates: April 22 and 29, 2005

Regeneration #049 (Brian Tyler)
19. Borg Crash Site / Borg Awakening (3:13)
20. Archer Tells Plan / Distress Call / Phlox Attacked (3:10)
21. Hive Mind / Borg Hunt / Dead in the Water (6:43)
22. Borg Attack / Borg Attack 2 (7:23)
23. Message in a Bottle / Postponed (0:58)
Recorded April 22, 2003 / Original Airdate: May 7, 2003

These Are The Voyages #098 (Dennis McCarthy & Kevin Kiner)
24. Freeze Program / Enterprise D (0:59)
25. Narrow Escape (1:24)
26. Under Attack / Trip Hurt (4:28)
27. Trip’s Possessions / It Was Worthwhile (1:46)
28. Heroic / Trek Theme Montage (2:11) (Jerry Goldsmith, Alexander Courage & Gene Roddenberry, Dennis McCarthy & Kevin Kiner)
Recorded April 29, 2005 / Original Airdate: May 13, 2005

29. Archer’s Theme (End Credits) (Dennis McCarthy) / Paramount Studios Logo (0:51) (Lalo Schifrin)

Total Time – Disc Four: 76:51

There is no official page for this release at La-La Land’s main website at this time, but we’ll be sure to share a link for direct purchases as soon as it’s available next Tuesday.

Deep Blu-ray Discounts on TNG and ENT Blu-rays

TrekCore Staff

-

November 23, 2014

5

Deep Blu-ray Discounts on TNG and ENT Blu-rays

THESE SALES ARE NOW OVER.

Amazon US and Amazon UK have deep discounts on Trek Blu-ray sets, with ridiculously low prices! We don’t know how long these deals will last, so order now and keep TrekCore ad-free!

These sets are all region-free and can be imported to the US or other regions with no issues.

TNG S1: http://amzn.to/1HCnocO
TNG S2: http://amzn.to/1uVxvCR
TNG S3: http://amzn.to/1xlL78T
TNG S4: http://amzn.to/1yGPm0J
TNG S5: http://amzn.to/1xlLfoG
TNG S6: http://amzn.to/1FfIUBL

ENT S1 (UK): http://amzn.to/10HnG9T
ENT S3 (UK): http://amzn.to/1aGRy0c

Trek Comics Review #38: ‘The Q Gambit’ (Part 4)

TrekCore Staff

-

November 20, 2014

2

Trek Comics Review #38: ‘The Q Gambit’ (Part 4)

Our Trek Comics editor Patrick Hayes is back with a review of this month’s issue of IDW Publishing’s Star Trek comic series: the fourth chapter of “The Q Gambit,” an ongoing six-part saga.

A solid pair of covers is introduced by Tony Shasteen on the regular version, featuring Odo in the foreground wearing a blue jacket. Behind him is the Zoe Saldana version of Lt. Uhura, and to her left, wearing command gold, is Q, looking as if he’s about to start laughing.

The background of clouds reveals an immense Gul Dukat, holding something Bajoran that doesn’t look like an orb. Tearing across the sky is a Klingon Bird of Prey flanked by two Jem’Hadar fighters. This is a good mash-up of images that will have the most casual viewer stop in their tracks, realizing something is not quite right. Grade: A.

The photo cover features a Season One photo of Rene Auberjonois as Odo. It’s a great picture and illustrates how important he is to this installment of “The Q Gambit.” Grade: A+.

This was an outstanding chapter from writer Mike Johnson. On Bajor, 100 years in the recent films’ future, Kira Nerys reveals a Bajoran tablet to Quark, McCoy, and Spock. It contains the spirits of a Pah-Wraith and a Prophet, which is the last of its kind. By freeing the Prophet, the Free Federation believes it can use it to turn the tide against the Dominion forces trying to take over the galaxy.

Ben Sisko was supposed to help deliver it to a hidden planet to safely open it, but he’s in San Francisco with Odo, Kirk, Uhura, and Scotty, looking down the barrels of several changelings’ guns after witnessing the death of Worf. The Dominion forces want to kill Odo first for betraying his own species when a sudden hum begins to sound.

This was a lot of fun. The pacing is extremely quick, going back and forth between both groups, including a great intrusion by Q into the story to remind Kirk that his choices will have massive repercussions. In addition to seeing all the classic Trek characters intermingle is Johnson’s ability to have every page end on a little cliffhanger to compel the reader to quickly get to the next page to see how the problem is addressed.

For example, Page 1 ends with Kira revealing the end game in getting the tablet, Page 2 has her inviting McCoy and Spock to join the rebellion, Page 3 has the San Francisco setting introduced with our heroes under the gun, and 4 has a changeling about to shoot Odo. This is the mark of a good comic book writer that can weave his story in this fashion, and it’s consistent on every page.

Dialogue also comes so smoothly out of each character; it’s impossible not to read this book without hearing it spoken by the actors who portrayed the characters. The most impressive was Gul Dukat. I am a fan of the relish with which Marc Alaimo has his character speak on Deep Space 9. Pages 19 – 22 were my favorites because I could hear his feigned sincerity dripping off every panel. Also a highlight was Quark’s dialogue, ’cause a Ferengi’s got to do what a Ferengi’s got to do.

There are also some outstanding lines in this book. They included Page 7, panels three and four; the top of 12, the bottom of 17; and Page 22. I was also very pleased to see that there are some humorous lines in this book without coming off as forced: Page 2, panel three; Page 9, panel four; and Page 16, panel three. Grade: A+.

Illustrations and colors are gorgeously created by Tony Shasteen. Some are photo references and other are new.

For the later, take a gander at that beautiful Bajoran tablet on Page 1. It looks photorealistic, but I don’t recall seeing one like this before. Another nice original is the setting of San Francisco, where the action takes place within a Klingon temple. This setting owes a lot to Mayan design, but looks great. I loved seeing this structure against the skyline of the city of the future. It looked really cool as our heroes left it.

Looking tremendous are the likenesses of the characters. The emotion that Shasteen can bring to his artwork is fantastic. Particular highlights include Kira (Pages 1, 2, 11, 13, 20, and 21), Odo (3, 5, and 8), Scotty (5, 6, 9, and 15), Quark (11 and 12), and the spoiler-free woman at the bottom of 14. However, being an absolute fan of Dukat, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the joy that the bottom of Page 20 gave me. That look and pose is iconic Dukat, as is his closing appearance on the final page.

The coloring is also extremely well done with original crew’s colors glaringly standing out against the colors of this dark future. It’s impossible not to fixate on Kirk, Scotty, or Uhura’s bright, optimistic uniforms. The book’s final page features beautifully contrasting colors that will have a definite effect on next month’s penultimate chapter. Grade: A+.

Once again at the helm is Neil Uyetake creating scene setting and dialogue (the same font), sound effects, and yells. The sound that begins on Page 4 and culminates on 6 was great. It’s given the size and shape it deserves. Grade: A+.

Bottom line:
Every element of The Q Gambit: Part 4 is fantastic. This is a must own story that has series colliding in every possible way to create an original, action packed tale while remaining true to what’s gone before on earlier shows.

It doesn’t get better than this. Grade: A+.

– Reviewed by Comics Editor Patrick Hayes

Order Star Trek #38:
The Q Gambit, Part 4

Trek Comics Review: ‘City on the Edge of Forever’ #5

TrekCore Staff

-

November 20, 2014

6

Trek Comics Review: ‘City on the Edge of Forever’ #5

Our Trek Comics editor Patrick Hayes has his review of IDW Publishing’s final City on the Edge of Forever comic adaptation, based on writer Harlan Ellison’s original teleplay.

A great pair of images closes out this series.

The regular cover is by Juan Ortiz. It’s similar to the image he made a few years ago: a profile of Edith Keeler and some stylish loops to show her hair, but actually comprise a star field complete with Enterprise. One change in this illustration is the addition of Kirk’s silhouette where her chin meets her neck. A fantastic image that looks like a book cover from the 1960s. Grade: A+.

The subscription cover by Paul Shipper is also a knockout, featuring Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Rand, and McCoy. The likenesses are great and the top has a terrific Enterprise. Like Ortiz’s work, this would be sensational as a print or on a tee shirt. Grade: A+.

Working from the original teleplay by Harlan Ellison, Scott & David Tipton close out this series handsomely. Every fan knows how this story ends, but few know the road it takes in getting there. The story opens on a street corner with a legless veteran of Verdun selling pencils and apples. Kirk approaches him and asks to buy some information about someone on the streets.

The veteran is suspicious of Kirk, but money greases the wheels. Dinner at Edith’s doesn’t go well because Jim tells her he may be leaving. Just as Kirk confesses his loves a knock at the door ends their moment. The next four pages are pretty intense with a surprise on 7 that made me gasp. I couldn’t believe the Tiptons were allowed to have “that” happen! Kirk’s final line on Page 9 was so sad.

When the climax occurs it’s as gripping as the one shown on television, yet the transition back to the correct time is very different. The dialogue on Page 15 is brutal in regards to one individual’s fate, with the sixth panel being heartbreaking. A solid stunner occurs on 16, with 17 revealing the ultimate damnation for a character–sick and cool simultaneously.

The final three pages are the story’s coda. This is a much more satisfying ending than the television episode had time to give. Kirk’s commentary on mankind as a race is brilliant. He speaks words one would wish all leaders would say. Spock gets the final words of the series. They are not as long as Kirk’s but they are just as profound and as strong as his captain’s, and they will haunt him, and readers, forever. Brilliant. Grade: A+.

This is the series that J.K. Woodward was born to illustrate. His love of this story and these characters shines on every page he’s painted. The new character of his story, “the little man without legs,” was instantly identifiable — it’s Harlan Ellison! Who else could play this character? The expressions Woodward gives him are great.

I was momentarily worried that the artist was stalking the writer to get such emotional references. Exceptional images of this character can be found on Pages 2, 3, 6, and 19. Kirk and Spock also look tremendously drawn by Woodward. Kirk’s highlights are Pages 2 – 4, 10 – 15, and 18 – 20, and Spock’s are 9, 13, 15, and 18 – 20. Edith is a heartbreaker throughout, but especially on Pages 4, 5, and 11 – 13.

As happy as I was too see such an excellent job done on the characters, I was ecstatic to see such a superb job done on the settings. Often forgotten in comic storytelling, Woodward has enormous talent in rendering the past. Outstanding settings occur on pages 2, 3 ( I would love to see more of that final panel), 4 (Edith’s apartment is so detailed), 6 (a great back alley for the homeless), and 11 and 12’s terrific street. Woodward is also successful with the future, such as Page 14 (Beautiful!), 17, and that final shot on 20.

I can only hope that Woodward can find another Star Trek project he cares as much about. For him not to return to these characters would be a crime. Grade: A+.

Dialogue, the Guardian dialogue, and sounds are provided by Neil Uyetake. Where I once felt the Guardians’ speech to be one of ancient wisdom, their font becomes quiet terrifying on Page 17. Grade: A+.

Bottom line:
You can’t call yourself a real Star Trek fan without experiencing this work. Chapter Five, and the entire City adaptation, earns my highest possible recommendation. Grade: A+.

Order Harlan Ellison’s
City on the Edge of Forever #5