Panelists debate future of ‘Star Trek’
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Angels Flight, the newsletter of the USS Angeles, with one update since its original publication. Region 4 welcomes submissions from all chapters. To submit stories and high-resolution photos, email them to Chief of Communications Dave Mason at davemason1701@gmail.com.
By Commodore Dave Mason
LOS ANGELES — It’s time for “Star Trek” to put aside its history and truly focus on new adventures.
That’s what panelists suggested during a “Trek into Madness” panel at Gallifrey One in 35 Millimetre, the “Doctor Who” convention that took place Feb. 1-3 at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport.
USS Angeles members Joe Queen, Cassie Queen, Kristine Cherry, Dennis Cherry and I listened to the “Doctor Who” convention panel evaluate the latest adventures in “Star Trek,” including the recent “Section 31” movie that disappointed many fans.
But the panel also focused on the reboots of the franchise and the fact that familiar “Star Trek” characters such as Christopher Pike, James Kirk, Spock, Uhura and Scotty have now been played by three different actors each.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which has the latest incarnations of the classic characters, shouldn’t limit itself to stories that set up the established timeline, panelist Larry Nemecek said.
With five years between the “Strange New Worlds” series and the original “Star Trek” series, there are new stories to be told, Nemecek, a journalist covering “Star Trek” and a longtime USS Angeles honor member, told the audience at Marriott Los Angeles Airport. “There’s plenty of elbow room.”
Nemecek asked if it were really necessary to reprise characters such as Scotty a third time.
Panelist Robert Napton went a step further.
“I wish ‘Strange New Worlds’ had unbound itself from the classic series and said this is another J.J.-verse,” Napton said, referring to the alternate universe created by producer-director J.J. Abrams and his writers for his 2009 “Star Trek” movie.
Panelist Olivia Youngers said she would prefer “Star Trek” stay in the 25th century and proceed with plans for a “Legacy” spinoff from “Star Trek: Picard.” But she admitted her reasons are partly selfish.
Youngers portrayed Ensign Riggs on the USS Titan during the third and final season of “Picard.” She would like to reprise her character on “Legacy.”
“Aren’t you dead?” panel moderator James Kerwin asked Youngers.
She explained she learned her character wasn’t killed, but simply knocked unconscious by the rogue Founders who boarded the Titan.
Paramount, meanwhile, hasn’t said whether it will proceed with a “Legacy” spinoff, which would bring back Jeri Ryan as now Capt. Seven of Nine on the new USS Enterprise-G. But at a convention in March in Burbank, Gates McFadden, who reprised her role as Dr. Beverly Crusher on “Picard,” said she doesn’t believe “Legacy” will happen. Stories on the Women in Sci Fi convention will appear soon on region4.org and ussangeles.org. (Each website will have a different story.)
Panelists at the “Doctor Who” convention discussed Paramount’s habit of letting shows run five seasons at 10 episodes a season, then canceling them regardless of popularity. They debated whether good shows shouldn’t be allowed to last longer or whether it was better to simply let new ideas thrive. They added they were puzzled about the fate of two animated series. “Star Trek: Lower Decks” on Paramount+ was canceled, and a third season wasn’t announced for another popular series, “Star Trek: Prodigy,” on Netflix.
“Animation is cheaper, isn’t it?” Youngers asked. (Most industry observers agree it is.)
Next up for the “Star Trek” universe are the 32nd-century “Academy” series and the third season of “Strange New Worlds.”
The much anticipated “Section 31” fell flat with fans, although Nemecek noted it was enjoyed by those who watched it strictly to see Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh reprise her role of Phillipa Georgiou.
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James Kerwin, moderator of a “Star Trek” panel at Gallifrey One, talks to a fan after the discussion. Left of Kerwin are USS Angeles honorary member Larry Nemecek and “Star Trek: Picard” actress Olivia Youngers. (Photos by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)
USS Angele members Cassie and Joe Queen attend their first Gallifrey One convention in Los Angeles. Cassie is dressed as companion Rose Tyler at the “Doctor Who” convention.