Updates

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December

New Poll with an old question: Which is the best Star Trek?

Here is my review of the third Short Treks episode, "The Brightest Star". The setting for the origin story about Saru is very clichéd, but I like how the spirit of Star Trek is palpable in this short episode.

In an all-new article, we have a look at The Evolution of the Starfleet Medical Emblem with all shape and color variations that ever appeared. Research: Jörg Hillebrand, illustrations: Brad Wilder.

 

November

We just couldn't resist taking on the second alien logo that comes in countless variations. Here is our exhaustive article on The Evolution of the Romulan Emblem that covers all Romulan logos that could ever be seen and for which Jörg created as many as 30 highly detailed illustrations.

Here is my review of the second Short Treks episode, "Calypso". It is quite a departure from the narrative of Discovery. But it demonstrates how good science fiction works, or could work in the context of the series too.

Jörg and I just wanted to update our article on Forgotten Alien Emblems (which we did). But we noticed that there is no investigation of the numerous variations of the familiar Klingon emblem at EAS, and that no one else ever cared for it in detail. So here is our all-new article on The Evolution of the Klingon Emblem, with as many as 134 pictures and illustrations. See dozens of variations and discover which of them are customary and which are rather unusual.

Several updates to the Discovery ships and their sizes, especially the Klingon ones. I have also compiled a size chart for the Klingon ships of Discovery.

 

October

A new article by Tadeo D'Oria investigates the changes to Enterprise-E bridge from "Star Trek: First Contact" to "Star Trek: Insurrection" and "Star Trek Nemesis": The Evolution of the Enterprise-E Bridge.

CBS has announced a new animated series called Star Trek: Lower Decks. The series will follow the adventures of "the support crew serving on one of Starfleet's least-important ships" and will run for at least two seasons. Read the complete news and my comment.

I have added still more re-used props, especially containers. The appearances of the U.S. Navy sonobuoy containers are so numerous that I moved them to a new article: Re-Uses of Sonobuoy Containers.

A new story in the series The Cause by Travis Anderson: Freedom. One year after the arrests made by the Federation-Cardassian Counterterrorism Task Force, Ro and her cell decide to deal with matters while they can. And a second threat arises to face the entire DMZ.

More news about Discovery's season 2 and the Picard series comes from New York Comic Con. Read the news round-up of the past week and my comments on Klingon hair and aspect ratios.

A new trailer for Discovery's season 2 shows Rebecca Romijn as Pike's "Number One" and Ethan Peck as Spock for the first time. We can also see Klingons with hair and a familiar Klingon K't'inga cruiser. Read the complete news and my comment.

CBS and Netflix should know that for the underprivileged world it is very easy to view Short Treks, although we are not supposed to. Anyway, here is my review of the first episode, "Runaway". I will use "DST" as acronym for Short Treks.

 

September

Worldwide fans looking forward to the release of the first Short Treks mini episode on October 4th will likely wait in vain. Right now, it looks like the series will air exclusively on CBS All Access in the USA. Read the news and my comment.

I have added still more re-used props. Have a look at the miscellaneous equipment (now including medical furniture) and the medical instruments. Occasional updates can be found on other pages too.

Another round of updates in the re-used props section. This time dozens of new entries were added to the pages about engineering tools, stationary consoles and mobile computers.

Two more updated Voyager season 4 reviews, of "Demon" and "One".

More supplements to the re-used props section. This time the focus is on furniture and decoration. But several other articles have been updated too.

The official Star Trek site lists the air dates and the synopses of the four Short Treks mini episodes. Read my comment on this new series format.

I have added dozens of re-used props and sets to various articles, many of which Jörg already spotted and sent me more than ten years ago. The most additions can be found on the page about Re-Used Props - Beam Weapons.

Daniel Tessier reviews Fear Itself by James Swallow, Book #3 of the Star Trek: Discovery series.

Here is a new novel in the Tales of the SID series by Travis Anderson: Revelations concludes the ten-part story arc. The mystery behind presidential scandals and seemingly random Starfleet policies is finally explained. One thing is certain, the Federation, Starfleet, and the SID will never be the same. But will the galaxy be the better for it?

 

August

A new article by Tadeo D'Oria investigates the history and the look of the USS Odyssey bridge from DS9: "The Jem'Hadar". The set was visible in the episode for less than a minute, but a partial reconstruction was possible. See Reconstruction of the Odyssey Bridge, an article that concludes with a somewhat speculative full 3D model of the set.

A new article by Finntrekkie looks at The Proliferation of Dark, Gloomy and Empty Ships in Star Trek. It lists variations of the trope and includes a gallery with examples.

An EAE Award goes to The Star Trek Design Project. Congratulations!

New Klingons yet again? With hair? Make-up designer Glenn Hetrick surprised the fans at STLV. Read the whole news and my commentary.

Surgical Incision is a new story by Travis Anderson. In his growing bid for power within the ranks of the Maquis, Michael Eddington leads specially chosen Maquis cells to the Starfleet Ship Depot in Sector 04 where decommissioned starships and shuttles from the 22nd and 23rd centuries float, seemingly lost and without purpose. The goal is to mount an overwhelming attack against Gul Maret's headquarters in the Dorvan Sector.

Patrick Stewart to return to Star Trek in a new series. Is this the series we have been hoping for? Or just another attempt to link the reboot with canon? Read my comment.

 

July

I have added a couple of items to the Present-Day Devices as Props. Thanks to Steve Aichele for the hint about the plastic drums!

Some site maintenance was necessary, including an update of the Links.

Lots of news about Discovery's second season: production delay, "Short Treks" episodes, canon, casting, and more. Read my thoughts about the latest developments in the blog.

Here is the Discovery Federation fleet chart, with the sizes mostly based on the Official Starships Collection.

Two more updated Voyager season 4 reviews, of "Unforgettable" and "Living Witness".

 

June

I have also compiled a small gallery of Star Trek Discovery Sets and Props.

Here is a gallery of Star Trek Discovery Characters, consisting mostly of high-resolution publicity photos.

Just four days after Discovery executive producers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts were fired, CBS announces that Alex Kurtzman has signed a five-year extension of his contract, with the goal to develop more Star Trek TV productions for CBS. Read my thoughts on the recent developments.

Daniel Tessier reviews two more novels, Drastic Measures by Dayton Ward and The Face of the Unknown by Christopher L. Bennett.

New Poll: What are your wishes for Discovery's season 2?

I conclude the starship database updates with the Discovery Mirror Universe Ship Classes. As always, supplements or corrections are welcome.

 

May

Further catching up with Discovery: Here are the Discovery Klingon Ship Classes with all Klingon starships and shuttles that have appeared so far (and with the usual caveats). The class information, including the names, is taken from the Official Starships Collection and may still be subject to change. Special thanks to Dávid Metlesits for preparing the side views!

I have revised and extended the reviews of the two Voyager episodes "Vis à Vis" and "The Omega Directive".

It has taken me quite a while, but here is the database of Discovery Federation Ship Classes with all Federation starships, shuttles, stations, satellites and probes that have appeared so far. I am grateful for any supplements or corrections!

Here are my impressions of Destination Star Trek 2018 in Dortmund, a convention that we attended last weekend. The event was a lot of fun and featured an impressive array of guest stars, including William Shatner.

 

April

Here is my expanded review of the Voyager season 4 double episode "The Killing Game I/II".

I have posted a season 2 news round-up and a comment on the rumor that Discovery's version of the USS Enterprise was legally required to be "25% different", a rumor that was very quickly refuted by CBS but has some aftereffects.

Read my updated reviews of the Voyager season 4 episodes "Prey" and "Retrospect".

 

March

It's time to continue my Voyager rewatch. Here are the updated reviews of the season 4 episodes "Message in a Bottle" and "Hunters".

Here are my considerations about Time Travel in Star Trek: Discovery (DIS) (covering the so far two episodes that featured a time travel).

And while I was at it, I also added a small article on Time Travel in Star Trek: The Animated Series (TAS).

The Starfleet Museum is available in print now. Dan Carlson has created a richly illustrated book of 286 pages with the starship designs by Masao Okazaki and their histories. This fan work is made available at no profit, for the cost of printing.

Star Trek has a legacy of more than 50 years. The franchise is famed for the iconic looks of its characters, species, sets, props and starships. They so far contributed greatly to the continuity of Star Trek. It appears that this has changed with the Abramsverse and ultimately with Discovery. My new article illustrates The Visual Continuity of Star Trek with many examples and pictures.

Five new designs in the Journal of Applied Treknology. Cordial thanks to all contributors!

 

February

Still more new pictures in the Galleries, such as HD screen caps of planets from Star Trek Enterprise. I have also added some more ship diagrams from the Official Starships Collection, for instance of the Borg Queen's ship.

Update of the Links page.

Here is my review of the Discovery season finale "Will You Take My Hand?". As the war comes to an end, the series prepares to start over again without some of its used up characters. But hopefully with more of the old Star Trek spirit that barely survived 15 episodes of Discovery.

New Poll: Rate "Will You Take My Hand?".

My review of Discovery's penultimate season 1 episode "The War Without, The War Within" is ready. The story is about various character reunions and about a daring plan, but the latter more on a side note.

New Poll: Rate "The War Without, The War Within".

 

January

I have added some 200 HD screen caps from Star Trek Enterprise to various Galleries, such as of Other Federation Members. Please follow the signs to see what's new.

I have finished my review of the Discovery episode "What's Past Is Prologue". The Discovery's excursion to the Mirror Universe is finally over, but now the crew has a new big problem on their hands.

New Poll: Rate "What's Past Is Prologue".

Here is my review of "Vaulting Ambition". The series tries to push the boundaries with this extremely grim episode that has little to do with Star Trek and will leave the fan base divided.

New Poll: Rate "Vaulting Ambition".

Ex Astris Scientia celebrates 20 years online. The site was first uploaded on January 21, 1998. See the reconstruction of the site as it looked 20 years ago. Since then, EAS has been a continually updated and further developed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all contributors for creating great content. Many thanks also to the visitors, who provide valuable feedback and suggestions. Here's to the next 20 years!

Read my review of this week's Star Trek Discovery episode, "The Wolf Inside". The ship is still in the Mirror Universe, and the story still doesn't work for me.

New Poll: Rate "The Wolf Inside".

Here is my review of the latest Star Trek Discovery episode, "Despite Yourself". The story answers some of the lingering questions, but is neither very surprising nor very plausible.

New Poll: Rate "Despite Yourself".

I have added almost 200 HD screen caps from Star Trek Enterprise to the Starship Gallery, such as of the Other Aliens of the 22nd Century. Not all of them look as great as they could because the visual effects were generally produced at a lower resolution and only upscaled for the Blu-ray release. Still, most caps are better than anything available so far.

Happy New Year 2018! There are several updates in the Starship Gallery and the other Galleries. I have added dozens of new high-res publicity photos and screen caps. Also, many of the old scans from the Star Trek Fact Files or Star Trek: The Magazine have been reworked. Note this is a work in progress. Please follow the signs to see what's new.

 

Go to Past Updates 2017