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Star Trek at a Crossroads?
The announcement that Strange New Worlds (SNW) will conclude with a shortened fifth season may mark a significant turning point for the Star Trek franchise. With no series on the horizon besides Starfleet Academy (SFA), and with Alex Kurtzman's contract apparently ending soon, it looks like the "Kurtzman era" will draw to a close. This development coincides with the impending Paramount–Skydance merger, raising questions about the future direction of the franchise.
The decision to end SNW with just six episodes in its final season is officially framed as a creative choice, being "just as we envisioned it" according to Kurtzman, Goldsman and Myers. It may also be done to be able to film the two last seasons back to back. However, the timing invites speculation. The Paramount–Skydance merger is expected to bring a renewed focus on profitability and brand consolidation. In this context, Star Trek, as a franchise with high production costs and a historically niche audience, may be seen as a less attractive investment unless it can demonstrate broader commercial appeal.
Skydance's track record suggests a preference for theatrical releases. It is plausible that the company may shift Trek's focus back toward feature films. In the worst case, it may lead to a departure from television. Another factor may be the potential conflict of interest between Skydance and Secret Hideout. If the new parent company seeks to streamline creative control, Kurtzman's strong role could be seen as an obstacle rather than an asset. His contract, signed in 2021 and reportedly running for five years, likely expires in 2026 - aligning with the end of SNW.
The Kurtzman era has been marked by an ambitious expansion of the Star Trek Universe, but also by creative inconsistency that sometimes descended into chaos. Discovery was divisive from the outset in 2017, with its serialized format, heavy-handed stories and extensive rewriting of the canon that alienated many long-time fans like me. While the show found a loyal audience, it never achieved the broad consensus enjoyed by earlier series. Picard fared a bit better but took until its third and last season to win over the fans eventually.
Strange New Worlds was widely praised for its return to episodic storytelling and its more optimistic tone. However, it inherited the burden of being a partial reboot from Discovery. It also suffers from self-indulgent nostalgia and sometimes prioritizes spectacle or self-referential humor over substance. With Picard, Discovery, Lower Decks and Prodigy concluded (and Section 31 reduced to a streaming movie that has to be labeled an utter failure), Starfleet Academy remains the only production that could survive after 2026. We don't know anything about the format and tone yet. In the best case, SFA, which inherits the 32nd century setting from Discovery, will have something of the lightheartedness and playfulness of SNW. But I can't imagine it as the new flagship series of the franchise. In the worst case, it may be the swan song of Trek on TV, also because Skydance may rule that the recipe is exhausted after almost ten years.
So will Star Trek's future be on the big screen?
At this point, I have stopped paying attention to "Star Trek movie announcements". From the much-hyped Tarantino project to the February 2022 reveal of a new Chris Pine film and the April 2024 announcement of an "origin story" set decades before the 2009 reboot, each was stopped or has quietly faded into development limbo. I will reserve my excitement and my commentary until anything actually starts filming. It is possible that Skydance will revive one or both of the latter two projects. But I somehow doubt that a return to the Abramsverse is a good idea. Star Trek on television, and in the Prime Universe, is so much more relevant and sustainable. Even some questionable decisions of the Kurtzman era don't change my opinion that the franchise should focus on the small screen. Feature films can offer opportunities but shouldn't be treated as the franchise's centerpiece or as vehicles for reinvention. These goals were missed already in 2009, if we are honest.
I love Skydance's Mission Impossible series and "Top Gun: Maverick". But I doubt they can be a model for Star Trek feature films, just as a Trek movie franchise will realistically never be able to compete with Disney's Star Wars or Marvel.
Star Trek has always thrived on television. The episodic format allows for moral exploration, character development and thematic depth - qualities that are difficult to sustain in a loose series of films. Television also permits a more intimate engagement with the loyal core audience. Maybe there is a chance for Star Trek: Legacy, the series proposed by Terry Matalas, to be finally produced after Kurtzman's possible departure?
Trek has claimed to return to its roots time and again - through prequels, reboots and token nostalgia. But the real roots of Star Trek aren't in reinventing the past - they're in boldly going forward. I hope there will be a new flagship series again - one that embraces the canon and that returns to the visual and thematic language of 24th century Trek. One that is set in the near future, the 25th century, for that matter. I want graceful starships, a good blend of old and new friends and foes, space oddities, ethical dilemmas and a vision of the future.
We do not really know what is going on behind the scenes. It will take time for us to find out what the upcoming merger means for the direction that Star Trek is going. It remains to be seen whether Kurtzman will still be at the helm if or when something new is on the horizon.
Addendum: In June 2025, Akiva Goldsman hinted at a TOS reboot after the end of SNW: "And we have those sets..." I didn't give it much credence at first. But thinking about it again, it would be the crowning moment for Goldsman, who strives to improve on his childhood memories of Kirk and Spock as by his repeated affirmations. Let's just hope that Skydance or whoever is in charge don't greenlight a vanity project that undermines the foundation of the franchise.
Bernd Schneider

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28 Jul 2025
I know I'm on the fringe with this opinion, but the dialogue from Star Trek has been consistent with the notion that removing the nacelles (in the eps mentioned above) make complete sense because of the original intent being that the nacelles contained the equivalent of the m/arcs in them. They were supposed to be the big dangerous massive energy creating "power pods" per various concept sketches AND per the dialogue of the episodes.
I actually did key word searches for every episode, that involved words like nacelles, power, matter, anti-matter. Things of that nature. And it was clear to me that the nacelles were the engines. And aside from internal batteries and back up power systems, engineering was the power distribution centre. Not the place the power was created.
Taking into consideration the dilitihium housing in Engineering, I figured that was similar to a traditional m/arc in that the power from the nacelles, would be routed to that housing specifically so it could take that immense raw energy and distribute it to it's various needed sources like PHASERS, PHOTORPS, life support, impulse, et c.
Long story short, jettisoning the nacelles would turn the ship into nothing more than a very slow life boat.
It all makes so much more sense. Especially when we get to TMP. The same principal could be applied.
But that's all been retconned away (somewhat unofficially for 1701) since everything post TNG. Not that it's a bad thing. I just don't really have any issue with Constitution Classes (and perhaps others), have a different power layout.
Heck, if you think that perhaps post Enterprise, Starfleet tech jumped leaps and bounds with the connie design. NEW immense power sources were so dangerous, that putting them in the nacelles made sense. And thus was born the new class of incredibly powerful Constitution Class.
Oh well. It doesn't really matter. It's just something I've always had fun with thinking about.
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28 Jul 2025
Well, that is true- it seems that it was more spite for Korby than any connection with Spock, Spock just happens to be a coincidental bystander.
Then again, maybe returning to the homeworld of his species mortal origins is Trelane's equivalent of 'being sent to his room' after the events of Squire of Gothos; maybe he's even been there for a while, and just hitched a ride- with his expanding, now-machineless powers- when Korby showed up. (Or, could be he went there- as some sort of locus of power left in the wake of his race ascending to pure energy beings- to train up and strengthen his powers in the first place, and elected to test them out when Korby showed up and got his attention...)
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26 Jul 2025
We did see Q after he "died" in Picard S2 come for Picard son and say his race isn't bound to the same flow like a time lord is also we know Q can shape shift at will so Tralane might be Q2 "playing with the 23 century enterprise crews in reverse running from his parents the reason why the mom sphere is missing fits with the voyager episode Q2 where Q said the lady Q ditched him and he had to settle for annoying small pastel equines who got him stoned twice and he dated a yellow one, it could be Squire then mom rage quits then this episode the single dad Q comes and takes him away and decides the only force in the universe that can set his son straight that's available is Janeway his God mother because the Sisko is with his mom and he's scared of Sisko and Fluttershy. Twilight Sparkle reminds him of Picard "get the buck out of my village"
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26 Jul 2025
Yup, if Trelane lives "outside" our time-space bubble, brane, whatever, then there would be no interference. But still... It seems Korby visited Trelane's homeworld. If it is Gothos, then maybe there would Trelanes of different ages living there at the same time, quite a complication. The main problem, the way I see it, is that TOS and SNW Trelane versions are quite mean and vengeful. So, if he's coming back to "play" with Spok, I think his actions would be much nastier than helping him to marry a steaming hot human female...
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26 Jul 2025
Added a few lines about Q and Trelane (anything more would be mere speculation and a waste of time).
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26 Jul 2025
I don't think we necessarily have to count Trelane as a 'change'- only if this takes place for him chronologically before Gothos as it does for the Enterprise crew.
But, admittedly, yeah, the Gorn are a debacle. Especially the nonsensical shift from strong and slow to fast and agile.
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26 Jul 2025
Well, it doesn't seem like their memory is erased, since everyone is talking about it afterwards.
Also, it can't really reframe Squire of Gothos because there is too much Trelane doesn't know there that he does know here. That's why I would reframe this is a time travel episode- at least from Trelane's POV. Perhaps in Squire of Gothos, he is 6000, or somesuch; now he's 8020, and traveled back to poke around his species' old homeworld when he spots and dislikes Korby, etc. (Him being older in his own personal timeline would also explain why he no longer needs technology to help him accomplish his feats).
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26 Jul 2025
I don't think tying it to the Temporal Cold War works well, especially after the Gorn and Trelane changes. Someone would have to go back in time to the Gorn homeworld and completely change the evolutionary history of the species if not of the whole planet. Even if we assume TOS Gorns were fungoid and presume TOS Gorns also "always were supposed to look like that", its a shift from a slow moving creature to a fast, agile one. Also, somehow temporal agents would have to somehow have changed the timing and circunstances of first contact with the Q/Trelanoids. Quite unlikely, I think, based on what I can remember from ENT.
So, its a Star Trek reimagination. I can think of it as a new universe if I want to keep the whole ST series/movies package as "real".
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26 Jul 2025
I hope the cookies are good... See, regardless if I consider SNW a reimagination/reboot/multiverse/timeline/whatever, the main factors causing my grumpyness are the rip-offs and the uninteresing plots. The lack of creativity quite often makes me fell like watching AI-generated content. Yes, DISC was much worse (my opinion), but I don't see this as being a redeeming factor...
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26 Jul 2025
The medical officer mentioned that the field was also running through space time so the Discovery S1 BOP might just be a House verient built by cult and was out of fashion post war. The show runner answer was trolling the Fandom. One ship becomes a barge we last saw in the Klingon under world.

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Another article by Jörg, improved and updated: Observations in TNG: "The Nth Degree".26 Jul 2025
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This week's SNW episode "Shuttle to Kenfori" is all about different kinds of monsters, most of which fail to convince me.24 Jul 2025
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Continuing the gallery expansion with some 50 photos of Starfleet Communicators and Computers and of Alien Communicators and Computers. Follow the "update" tags on the gallery index page for other recent updates.21 Jul 2025
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Another major gallery update: 120 photos of Starfleet Weapons and of Alien Weapons.20 Jul 2025
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Read my review of "Wedding Bell Blues", which in my view is the worst episode of the series so far, for its treatment of Spock among other reasons.18 Jul 2025
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Strange New Worlds is back after almost two years. Here is my review of the season premiere "Hegemony II", which concludes the first part with its cliffhanger.17 Jul 2025
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Next round of gallery updates: well over 100 photos of 22nd & 23rd Century Starfleet Uniforms and 24th Century Starfleet Uniforms.14 Jul 2025
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I will gradually supplement the Galleries with prop photos from auctions and with publicity photos of sets. For now, see new pictures of USS Titan interiors and of Château Picard (sets and decoration). There are also some smaller updates, such as new side views, especially of DIS future ships (special thanks to Moreorlesser), the ENT crew biographies and a write-up about "the only ship in range".13 Jul 2025
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Two more improved old articles: Observations in TNG: "The Measure of a Man" and Observations in TNG: "The Dauphin".07 Jul 2025
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Here are my Voyager season 6 retro reviews of "Pathfinder" and "Fair Haven".04 Jul 2025
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Here is an editorial on the future of Star Trek in light of the end of SNW and the Paramount-Skydance merger, and on the direction the franchise should and should not take in my view.26 Jun 2025
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Eaglemoss published a series of well-researched and nicely illustrated Shipyards books until the bankruptcy in 2022. I compiled a list of errors initially for myself, which I'm going to share now: Errata of the Eaglemoss Shipyards Books.24 Jun 2025
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Two more old articles by Jörg improved and updated: Observations in TNG: "Unnatural Selection" and Observations in TNG: "A Matter of Honor".20 Jun 2025
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Here is a new ranking, of my 10 Favorite Alien Ship Designs.15 Jun 2025
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Strange New Worlds will end after its fifth season, consisting of only six episodes. Although I usually don't extrapolate but strictly base my assessment on canon evidence, it is just too tempting to speculate how the direct prequel to TOS will end in a few years. Also read further news and thoughts on the upcoming season 3.12 Jun 2025
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Numerous improvements and some new findings in the two old articles Observations in TNG: "The Schizoid Man" and Observations in TNG: "Loud as a Whisper".08 Jun 2025

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20 May 2025
Model by
JLStudio
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11 May 2025
The Arrow class Runabout "Spirit of Proxima" escorted by two Kestrel class fighter. (Alternate view of this image: Escorting the Arrow)
In 2379, a medium-sized dispute broke out between the Kromsapiods and the Talarians over two planets in the Goliana system. The Talarians wanted to found a new colony there, unaware that the two planets serve as traditional hunting grounds for the Kromsapiods. Starfleet agreed to serve as a neutral mediator for the two parties, but due to the repeated outbreaks of violence on both sides, they wanted to play it safe and sent a small fighter escort with the diplomatic ship.
Rendered in 3ds Max 10
No Post Work
Arrow Class Runabout Designed by Malcolm Lu (Galen) and Andrew Gillespie (Kaden)
Kestrel class Fighter model parts (Typ 2 Shuttlecraft & Peregrine fighter) by David Metlesits
Similar Star Trek artworks:
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06 May 2025
Someone once asked me to make a display looking like someone from TNG or beyond was researching older starship designs. This is what I came up with
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This was done for a good friend StarfleetShipyards . He suggested I do something in the TAS Klingon Uniform style for the Dahar Masters, and also in hair styles that reflected by Worf's hair styles throughout his tenure in Trek.18 Nov 2021

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29 Jul 2025
Inhaltswarnung:#StarTrekSNW "Shuttle to Kenfori" spoilers
The fact that Klingons don't take prisoners, as stated by Ortegas at the end of #StarTrekSNW's "Shuttle to Kenfori"⬆️, was originally established by Captain Kirk in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"⬇️. Speaking of that: #StarTrekKHAN will be released on #StarTrekDay! :-)
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29 Jul 2025
Inhaltswarnung:#StarTrekSNW Hegemony II and "Wedding Bell Blues" spoilers
Here are some of the shots not seen clearly in #StarTrekSNW's "Hegemony II" or "Wedding Bell Blues", as they only appear very briefly or upside down in the episodes. There's Trelane as the Vulcan bartender and Andorian wedding planner, the bouquet in bloom and the partially devoured Gorn victim.
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29 Jul 2025
Inhaltswarnung:#StarTrekSNW "Shuttle to Kenfori" spoilers
Captain Pike's and Dr. M'Benga's mask and gloves in #StarTrekSNW's "Shuttle to Kenfori"⬆️ feature the same pattern also seen on the environmental suit worn by Spock later in the episode ↙️. The pattern is the same as on the environmental suits in #StarTrekTOS' "The Naked Time"↘️.
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29 Jul 2025
Inhaltswarnung:#StarTrekSNW "Hegemony II" and "Wedding Bell Blues" spoilers
This blinking display, made up of colourful horizontal and vertical lines (here in #StarTrekSNW's "Hegemony II"⬆️), is based on one of the M-5 multitronic unit displays from #StarTrekTOS' "The Ultimate Computer"⬇️. Surely an older duotronic/multitronic model by Dr. Daystrom! :-) 2/2
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29 Jul 2025
Inhaltswarnung:#StarTrekSNW "Hegemony II" and "Wedding Bell Blues" spoilers
Here's a cool detail in the new science laboratory set in season 3 of #StarTrekSNW ("Hegemony II"⬆️, "Wedding Bell Blues"⬇️) that I only noticed yesterday: Look at the upper display between the two large wall interfaces, above the rows of vertical white light-lines. Seems familiar? 🧵 1/2
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29 Jul 2025
I just wanted to say: Thank you for being nice and kind and open-minded and understanding and curious and willing to stay positive (or neutral!). This really helps! Live Long and Prosper! 🖖
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28 Jul 2025
I found a cool new detail in a #StarTrekSNW season 3 episode, making me rewatch a #StarTrekTOS episode, I noticed a tiny but explanatory blooper (ready room) in a #StarTrekTNG episode, I found something new to love in the #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy trailer. All today. I ❤️ #StarTrek!
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28 Jul 2025
Inhaltswarnung:#StarTrekStarfleetAcademy trailer spoilers
I think my favourite shot in the #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy trailer is this one. Of course because it features Tig Notaro but also because I love the Starfleet Academy campus set. It seems to be massive and alive - like the Promenade on #StarTrekDS9. I also love the colours! Very much like a school/university should be and thus very different from the almost clinical and very functional Starfleet/Federation Headquarters set on #StarTrekDiscovery. 👌
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28 Jul 2025
I find it cool that the standby logo is still a thing in the 23rd century, at least on one part of the contraption that Scotty built in #StarTrekSNW's "Hegemony II". :-)
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28 Jul 2025
Here are the warp streaks, seen through the ready room window in the original ⬅️ and remastered ➡️ versions of #StarTrekTNG's "The Most Toys". Late season 3 of the show really had many warp streak ready room window FX shots, shots like that became much less common in later seasons.

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Update: Observations in TNG: "The Nth Degree" - Another article by Jörg, improved and updated: Observations in TNG: "The Nth Degree". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "The Nth Degree"26 Jul 2025
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Review of SNW: "Shuttle to Kenfori" - This week's SNW episode "Shuttle to Kenfori" is all about different kinds of monsters, most of which fail to convince me. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode guide and reviews24 Jul 2025
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New Communicator and Computer Pictures - Continuing the gallery expansion with some 50 photos of Starfleet Communicators and Computers and of Alien Communicators and Computers. Follow the "update" tags on the gallery index page for other recent updates. Gallery of Starfleet communicators, tricorders and other computer equipment21 Jul 2025
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New Weapons Pictures - Another major gallery update: 120 photos of Starfleet Weapons and of Alien Weapons. Gallery of various Starfleet weapons (side arms and other)20 Jul 2025
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Review of SNW: "Wedding Bell Blues" - Read my review of "Wedding Bell Blues", which in my view is the worst episode of the series so far, for its treatment of Spock among other reasons. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode guide and reviews18 Jul 2025
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Review of SNW: "Hegemony II" - Strange New Worlds is back after almost two years. Here is my review of the season premiere "Hegemony II", which concludes the first part with its cliffhanger. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode guide and reviews17 Jul 2025
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New Uniform Pictures - Next round of gallery updates: well over 100 photos of 22nd & 23rd Century Starfleet Uniforms and 24th Century Starfleet Uniforms. Gallery of 22nd & 23rd century Starfleet uniforms14 Jul 2025
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New Pictures and Other Updates - I will gradually supplement the Galleries with prop photos from auctions and with publicity photos of sets. For now, see new pictures of USS Titan interiors and of Château Picard (sets and decoration). There are also some smaller updates, such as new side views, especially of DIS future ships (special thanks to Moreorlesser), the ENT crew biographies and a write-up about "the only ship in range". Gallery of interiors of the Enterprise-E, Defiant, Voyager, NX-01, Titan-A and more13 Jul 2025
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Some background decoration in TOS is unusually detailed. The pictured one (screen caps and reconstruction in Ticonderoga, NY) is particularly interesting (suggested by Andrew Gilbertson). It probably isn't a heavy component although it looks like one (maybe aluminum?). It also seems to be one piece, not a pipe and a flange cobbled together. Any ideas what this could have been?13 Jul 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "The Measure of a Man" and "The Dauphin" - Two more improved old articles: Observations in TNG: "The Measure of a Man" and Observations in TNG: "The Dauphin". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "The Measure of a Man"07 Jul 2025
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Updated Reviews: VOY: "Pathfinder" and "Fair Haven" - Here are my Voyager season 6 retro reviews of "Pathfinder" and "Fair Haven". Star Trek Voyager (VOY) season 6 episode guide and reviews04 Jul 2025
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Editorial: Star Trek at a Crossroads? - Here is an editorial on the future of Star Trek in light of the end of SNW and the Paramount-Skydance merger, and on the direction the franchise should and should not take in my view. The latest posts and comments on EAS and its social media pages26 Jun 2025
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New Article: Errata of the Eaglemoss Shipyards Books - Eaglemoss published a series of well-researched and nicely illustrated Shipyards books until the bankruptcy in 2022. I compiled a list of errors initially for myself, which I'm going to share now: Errata of the Eaglemoss Shipyards Books. List of errors in the Eaglemoss Shipyards book series, published between 2018 and 202224 Jun 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "Unnatural Selection" and "A Matter of Honor" - Two more old articles by Jörg improved and updated: Observations in TNG: "Unnatural Selection" and Observations in TNG: "A Matter of Honor". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "Unnatural Selection"20 Jun 2025
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New Ranking: 10 Favorite Alien Ship Designs - Here is a new ranking, of my 10 Favorite Alien Ship Designs. The ten best Alien ship designs according to yours truly15 Jun 2025
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SNW to End After Season 5 - Strange New Worlds will end after its fifth season, consisting of only six episodes. Although I usually don't extrapolate but strictly base my assessment on canon evidence, it is just too tempting to speculate how the direct prequel to TOS will end in a few years. Also read further news and thoughts on the upcoming season 3. The latest news and comments on ongoing Star Trek productions12 Jun 2025
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This trailer is pleasant watching. It is fun, without it appearing as campy as in the teaser released in April, which focused too much on the weird aspects of the season. I like how the new trailer emphasizes friendship and draws an optimistic picture of the future. There are still many basic elements of the series that I disapprove of, such as the total reboot of the Gorn and of some characters, and other deliberate continuity errors. There are some story stunts I will likely hate, such as the cringey "Four-and-a-Half Vulcans". But overall, SNW may be as close as possible to the Star Trek I love as a contemporary live-action series can be. One series. Infinite Adventures.The new season of Star Trek: Strange New worlds premieres July 17 with two episodes. New episodes will be available to stream...08 Jun 2025
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Update: Observations in TNG: "The Schizoid Man" and "Loud as a Whisper" - Numerous improvements and some new findings in the two old articles Observations in TNG: "The Schizoid Man" and Observations in TNG: "Loud as a Whisper". Observations about sets, props and visual effects in TNG: "The Schizoid Man"08 Jun 2025
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