Somewhat surprised at the absence of one of the great tie-in novel series of all time: the Battletech books. VERY symbiotic, and canon to both the RPG and the computer games.
@Daveinva: Oh, also, another -tech: the Robotech novels, in particular the "Jack McKinney" ones.
For some stupid reason, they were always very divisive among the fans, but I thought they were excellent, especially once they got to the Sentinels books (which were MUCH better IMO than Carl Macek's goofy story-sketch he had for that ill-fated series).
Having both Shatner and Nimoy would have been too much. I think they had to make a choice and they chose correctly. Spock was connected to the plot and Nero's needlessly complicated revenge, Kirk was not. The Shatner monologue would have seemed tacked on, especially the way it was written as a holographic projection. Spock Prime traveled back in time by accident, why would he have such a trinket with him?
At the same time, maybe they should have had Shatner record the scene so they could have cut down on some of the grousing from his corner. At least he could say that yes they filmed a scene with him but cut it for time.
@Hunter2458: I actually read the scene on TrekMovie.com which has more of it, including the description of Shatner-Kirk's words being delivered by a holographic Kirk emitted by a holo-emitter. [trekmovie.com]
@Demonbird: Ummm... they have killed original cast already.
Still, other than the whole Killiks/Joiner debacle (those were painful to read), I've rather enjoyed the extension of the franchise in a logical path that the novels have taken since Zahn's original trilogy.
The focus is getting more and more onto the next generation of characters, including Ben Skywlaker and Jaina Solo, plus a number of other characters introduced into the mix from various sources: Corran & Mirax Horn and their kids, Jag Fel, Chief of State Daala, etc
@Burke:
I've enjoyed them too, but there is definitely a lot that could be done if a newgroup was allowed to take a swing at the franchise.
Also, Chewbacca was ultimately expendable, and is the only one to die out of all the books.
Currently, Luke, Leia, and Han still have a very big role in the stories being told, despite their age, and if that's what people want, elt them do a reboot.
@Demonbird: A reboot is highly unlikely. People have talked about this before and the general consensus has been against a reboot. People have spent too much time and money on the current universe that starting it all over would just make people very angry. Plus Del Rey doesn't seem to be thinking in that direction at all so it's not likely to happen.
I would however like the focus to shift away from the movie characters. Del Rey keeps using the argument of '60 is the new 40' but that's just lazy IMO. However we are getting more standalones focusing on minor characters, like the upcoming novel Crosscurrent which takes place shortly after Legacy of the Force and focuses on Jaden Korr, a video game character and Jedi Knight of the younger generation.
@Xicer:
I have no idea what Del Ray is going to do after they advance the story another 10-15 years. Besides having at least two massive galactic conflicts during that time.
We cut to Spock Prime who is having a mochachino in the spacedock STARBUCKS. He is suddenly overcome by a feeling that his old friend has returned. He watches the Enterprise roar out of spacedock.
I know how sad we all are that Tennant will be no longer with us, but I'm a little confused about the big deal that the death of the Doctor plays in the Doctor's mind. Am I missing something from the can0n where regeneration makes you a different person entirely, not just the exact same consciousness in a different body?
Mebbe someone could point me towards the wiki item that would explain why those in the universe of the Doctor would find the death so horrible when it simply is just an admitted re-start in a better car?
@Lassus: As I see it, a lot of the portents point not to the Doctor regenerating, but outright dying.
"Your Song is ending." As in you
"the Doctor" are done for, not just this incarnation, but you as a whole. From that view point, its definatly dire news to be feared.
@ShadRS: Sadly, that point has never been made clear. I believe it's implied, but it's never made distinct whether the Doctor is afraid for his life, or that he'd grown particularly attached to this body and feels he has so much more to do before trading it in.
Admittedly, he'll be on his 11th of 13 bodies, and with no Timelords around, the chances of him getting a new regeneration cycle are extremely slim. He's been blowing through them pretty quickly of late, and barely pushing 1000, while most Timelords his age are only on their 3rd or 4th (assuming the 1st Doctor regenerated of natural causes). That's the equivalent of one of us being told we're going to die at 30.
@bluehinter: Well, now THIS makes sense. I had a vague idea regarding a limit to the regenerations (Although, the cycle can be renewed? Heh. I can't wait for THAT episode.) but I didn't really remember it exactly. This was really all I needed. One less life is one less life.
@bluehinter: yes, but there are hints that the 13 bodies are surpassable (supposedly the master found some way to do it), I am sure that unless popularity wains that they will work with that concept
@modernboy: There is some speculation (based on the length of the script, as well as the shooting of additional material originally cut for time) that the first episode may now be 60 minutes rather than the usual 45.
I certainly hope this is the case, since Tennant got 60 minutes for his first story, and they've got twice as much set up and explaining to do with Smith. (plus it leaves more time to balance post-regeneration wackiness with an actual plot)
By the end of the movie, I had more or less accepted the new people, so to be suddenly reminded of the original crew and continuity by a Shatner voice-over would have been jarring.
Now, having the crew assembly in the space dock with the Enterprise in the background--I would have like that better than the auditorium scene they actually had.
@cletar: Agreed. This would have been fan service, nothing more - would have felt jarring.
But I didn't like Nemoy's voice over at the end of the film either. It was time to hear Pine/Kirk say the words. I guess it was a passing of the torch from one series cast to the next.
Geesh, we've now had three passing of the torch moments in Star Trek films.
Star Trek VI - at the end Kirk corrects himself by saying, "...where no man, where no one has gone before" [a nice subtle, non-in-your-face passing of the torch to the next generation series].
Star Trek Generations - Well, the previous passing of the torch was too subtle. Let's be sure the audience gets it [rolls eyes].
Star Trek (2009) - Nimoy says the famous "Space, the final frontier" bit instead of Pine/Kirk to be sure original fans are happy.
@cletar: Yea, I think the iTunes extras has it (I don't have the DVD). Either that or it was on one of those behind the scenes videos that have floated around online just before the DVD release.
...I thought Pine's delivery was a bit flat. LOL, Shatner's from the original series sounds like he was so jazzed to say it. I think Pine could deliver something with the same amount of enthusiasm/energy (maybe they need to give him a few Red Bulls™ first).
The problem is that that watching the new movie, you realize that there's no way that new Kirk will grow up to be like old Kirk. I'm not sure what old Kirk's early career was like, but I don't think it involved breaking all the rules and still getting handed the keys to the newest ship in the fleet.
If the other cameo was Sarek, well, he was in the movie! He's Spock's dad, of course, so a younger, not very memorable version of him appears.
I really like that scene, but ending on the TOS theme was possibly all the tribute the film needed to go out on. The "torch passing" sequence would've been too much for a movie that seemed keen to stand on its own feet.
11/24/09
11/24/09
For some stupid reason, they were always very divisive among the fans, but I thought they were excellent, especially once they got to the Sentinels books (which were MUCH better IMO than Carl Macek's goofy story-sketch he had for that ill-fated series).
11/24/09
11/24/09
Best Regards,
Isaac Asimov
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
At the same time, maybe they should have had Shatner record the scene so they could have cut down on some of the grousing from his corner. At least he could say that yes they filmed a scene with him but cut it for time.
11/24/09
11/24/09
#calendar
11/24/09
#tips
11/24/09
The novels anymore are just
"What can we take away from the main cast, without killing any original cast, to create more drama?"
11/24/09
Still, other than the whole Killiks/Joiner debacle (those were painful to read), I've rather enjoyed the extension of the franchise in a logical path that the novels have taken since Zahn's original trilogy.
The focus is getting more and more onto the next generation of characters, including Ben Skywlaker and Jaina Solo, plus a number of other characters introduced into the mix from various sources: Corran & Mirax Horn and their kids, Jag Fel, Chief of State Daala, etc
11/24/09
I've enjoyed them too, but there is definitely a lot that could be done if a newgroup was allowed to take a swing at the franchise.
Also, Chewbacca was ultimately expendable, and is the only one to die out of all the books.
Currently, Luke, Leia, and Han still have a very big role in the stories being told, despite their age, and if that's what people want, elt them do a reboot.
Hell, even Boba Fett still gets notice.
#speakup
11/24/09
I would however like the focus to shift away from the movie characters. Del Rey keeps using the argument of '60 is the new 40' but that's just lazy IMO. However we are getting more standalones focusing on minor characters, like the upcoming novel Crosscurrent which takes place shortly after Legacy of the Force and focuses on Jaden Korr, a video game character and Jedi Knight of the younger generation.
11/24/09
I have no idea what Del Ray is going to do after they advance the story another 10-15 years. Besides having at least two massive galactic conflicts during that time.
#speakup
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
FEDERATION COMMANDANT
Who are you?
SHATNER
It's me! Kirk. Give me the keys. We're going to the second to star to the right and straight on till morning.
FEDERATION COMMANDANT
You're not Kirk.
Shatner headbutts Tyler Perry.
SHATNER
I don't believe in the no-win scenario.
We cut to Chris Pine gagged and bound in a Starfleet bathroom making muffled noises. We again hear SABOTAGE and cut to the Enterprise warping away.
11/24/09
SPOCK PRIME
Close enough.
11/24/09
SPOCK PRIME turns around, and we see his face. He has a goatee.
SPOCK PRIME laughs. Fade out.
11/24/09
Seriously, someone get these guys on the writing crew for the sequel.
11/24/09
Mebbe someone could point me towards the wiki item that would explain why those in the universe of the Doctor would find the death so horrible when it simply is just an admitted re-start in a better car?
11/24/09
"Your Song is ending." As in you
"the Doctor" are done for, not just this incarnation, but you as a whole. From that view point, its definatly dire news to be feared.
11/24/09
Admittedly, he'll be on his 11th of 13 bodies, and with no Timelords around, the chances of him getting a new regeneration cycle are extremely slim. He's been blowing through them pretty quickly of late, and barely pushing 1000, while most Timelords his age are only on their 3rd or 4th (assuming the 1st Doctor regenerated of natural causes). That's the equivalent of one of us being told we're going to die at 30.
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
I'll add that I want that tie.
11/24/09
I certainly hope this is the case, since Tennant got 60 minutes for his first story, and they've got twice as much set up and explaining to do with Smith. (plus it leaves more time to balance post-regeneration wackiness with an actual plot)
11/24/09
Now, having the crew assembly in the space dock with the Enterprise in the background--I would have like that better than the auditorium scene they actually had.
11/24/09
But I didn't like Nemoy's voice over at the end of the film either. It was time to hear Pine/Kirk say the words. I guess it was a passing of the torch from one series cast to the next.
Geesh, we've now had three passing of the torch moments in Star Trek films.
Star Trek VI - at the end Kirk corrects himself by saying, "...where no man, where no one has gone before" [a nice subtle, non-in-your-face passing of the torch to the next generation series].
Star Trek Generations - Well, the previous passing of the torch was too subtle. Let's be sure the audience gets it [rolls eyes].
Star Trek (2009) - Nimoy says the famous "Space, the final frontier" bit instead of Pine/Kirk to be sure original fans are happy.
11/24/09
11/24/09
...I thought Pine's delivery was a bit flat. LOL, Shatner's from the original series sounds like he was so jazzed to say it. I think Pine could deliver something with the same amount of enthusiasm/energy (maybe they need to give him a few Red Bulls™ first).
Hopefully in the next film we'll get that. :)
11/24/09
07:20 AM
07:49 AM
11/24/09
11/24/09
I really like that scene, but ending on the TOS theme was possibly all the tribute the film needed to go out on. The "torch passing" sequence would've been too much for a movie that seemed keen to stand on its own feet.