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Brent Spiner Confirmed for Three-Ep Stint, Plus UPN Angling for Shatner Services

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By Steve Krutzler / 13:53, 19 July 2004 / Enterprise

Following last week's report that STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION star Brent Spiner ('Data') would guest star on ENTERPRISE this season, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed the news this morning.

Spiner will play the great-great-grandfather of 'Dr. Noonien Soong', the creator of Spiner's android alter-ego Data. Spiner himself played Soong in TNG's episode "Brothers," which also featured the actor as Data's evil twin 'Lore'. TV Guide this morning adds that Spiner's appearance will span episodes four through six of ENTERPRISE's fourth season. The premiere "Storm Front, Pt. 1" is currently in production here in Los Angeles.

Another report last week revealed that the storyline will involve Spiner's character's ironic opposition to the development of artifical intelligence. This according to VOYAGER actor Robert Picardo, who told fans in a chat last week that he had pitched the same idea for an ancestor of 'Dr. Lewis Zimmerman', the holographic scientist that created 'The Doctor.'

In other ENTERPRISE news, TV Guide also reports that UPN is in talks with ABC to secure William Shatner for a potential guest appearance on the series this fall. Numerous reports have swirled that Shatner himself has suggested a storyline and both Rick Berman and Brannon Braga say they welcome the opportunity. No information is yet known about whether Shatner would play 'James T. Kirk', the captain's ancestor, or some other character. ABC, which holds Shatner under contract for his new series BOSTON LEGAL, tells the mag, however, that UPN has yet to make any official offer.

For the Spiner report visit this page. Find more about Shatner's possible appearance here.



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More seeming "originality"? | Report this post to moderator
By: spacebeluga (Odo's file, contact) @ 01:44:30 on Jul 20, 2004

Quote:
Another report last week revealed that the storyline will involve Spiner's character's ironic opposition to the development of artifical intelligence.

Well now I'm more interested than I was before. However I have a feeling that this is going to once again be B&B pretending to do something original, but in fact just doing something plain stupid. In other words, it's likely that the fact that Soong's ancestor is against AI will make no sense, and instead be a cheap attempt at something "new." So while I am very curious to see what B&B will do (especially since they have three episodes), I have a feeling it will be "new" and "interesting" and "different" just like T'Pol and ENT's portrayal of Vulcans are. *shudders*

--------

Kor: You of the Federation, you are much like us.



Kirk: We're nothing like you. We're a democratic body.



Kor: Come now Captain, I'm not referring to minor ideological differences. I mean that we are similar as a species. Here we are on a planet of sheep, two tigers, predators, hunters... killers. And it is precisely that which makes us great. And there is a universe to be taken.



--Commander Kor of the Klingon Empire, on the United States of America


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Spiner report link | Report this post to moderator
By: TRexx (Odo's file, contact) @ 23:08:43 on Jul 19, 2004

Quote from Steve Krutzler:
For the Spiner report visit this page.


That link just points back at this webpage. The Spiner report is here.


--------------
NX-01 Model Kit
Image


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Startrek.com now confirming... | Report this post to moderator
By: Jadzia-Dax (Odo's file, contact) @ 21:34:37 on Jul 19, 2004

Startrek.com confirmation of Spiner

--------

"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998


----


Outer Space. The last frontier.


These are the trips of the Star Trek Enterprise.


Its 5-year plan...


Calls for us to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations.


To boldly fly where no man has gone in space.




Patrick Stewart on SNL 2/5/94


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RE: Startrek.com now confirming... by Scorned @ 22:49:22 on Jul 19
    RE: Startrek.com now confirming... by Jadzia-Dax @ 05:57:13 on Jul 20
       RE: Startrek.com now confirming... by jstewart_2k3 @ 05:05:46 on Jul 21
          RE: Startrek.com now confirming... by Jadzia-Dax @ 05:56:34 on Jul 21
             RE: Startrek.com now confirming... by rumandchocolate @ 12:57:03 on Jul 21
             RE: Startrek.com now confirming... by Scorned @ 09:59:22 on Jul 21

Brent wants back in......hmmmm | Report this post to moderator
By: Scorned (Odo's file, contact) @ 21:30:40 on Jul 19, 2004

After all those years of pissing and moaning about not wanting to play Data and wanting to have Data killed in the last movie. Now he wants to do more Trek? Brent finally realized "who" was paying the bills. Since Nemesis, Brent has done a "whole lot of nothing".


For Brent I having this message..."Young fool...only now, at the end, do you understand"


Bring back Kirk!


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RE: Brent wants back in......hmmmm by Krazy Joe @ 11:24:05 on Jul 20
    RE: Brent wants back in......hmmmm by Jadzia-Dax @ 13:50:14 on Jul 20
RE: Brent wants back in......hmmmm by spacebeluga @ 01:37:42 on Jul 20
    RE: Brent wants back in......hmmmm by Scorned @ 02:09:48 on Jul 20
RE: Brent wants back in......hmmmm by El4short @ 23:49:38 on Jul 19
RE: Brent wants back in......hmmmm by Jadzia-Dax @ 21:36:20 on Jul 19

Returning Characters | Report this post to moderator
By: Lt. Odo (Odo's file, contact) @ 20:51:59 on Jul 19, 2004

Ok, maybe bringing back old characters is a cheap way to increase ratings and draw attention, but who doesn't like to see the old favorites? Let them do it and cross your fingers that it succeeds. Trek is tired and needs to rejuvenate. But bringing back Kirk as Kirk is awesome, and I think everyone(most?) will like to see him back. If they are going to bring back more than a couple "older" characters, they should include Capt. Sisko as well. The whole nexus/wormhole business would be a great way to have these characters interact with the enterprise crew. Thinking of possibilities now...... :)


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RE: Returning Characters by Krazy Joe @ 11:33:55 on Jul 20

Kirk should return | Report this post to moderator
By: Gallifrey1983 (Odo's file, contact) @ 18:52:47 on Jul 19, 2004

It would be great to see Shatner come back as Kirk. It is science fiction, the nexus and temporal cold war and a number of other ideas could work to make it "plausible" within the context of the show.

We are getting one great-great grandfather already with Spiner, I think Shatner should be James T. Kirk. It would get the most hype and highest ratings of any Trek event in recent memory, and spill over into book and dvd sales across the catalogue.


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re: Shatner on Enterprise | Report this post to moderator
By: SirTrekker (Odo's file, contact) @ 18:46:10 on Jul 19, 2004

I'd be very excited to have William Shatner appear on Enterprise, but my excitement will turn to complete and utter disappointment if he returns as James T. Kirk. The very idea of Kirk appearing in Archer's time would require a plot device so contrived that it would never, EVER be accepted for any other character on Enterprise. The naysayers would shoot it down like a duck during hunting season if it involved any other character, current or brand-new. The fact that people would turn a blind eye to the continuity issues Kirk's appearance in Archer's time would create, while they'll raise issue about the Borg and the Xindi, not to mention Archer's involvement in the formation of the Federation, astounds me.

Considering the comments I've read about TNG's "Relics" and how it supposedly mishandled the character of Montgomery Scott in what should've been his triumphant return to the TREK universe, I cannot understand how people can be okay with Berman and Braga handling a episode with Shatner as Kirk. If you really think that William Shatner will have complete control over that episode, you're fooling yourselves. In the end, it'll be done THEIR way, not his, because they still run the show. That's not the way I want it, of course, but that's the way it'll be.

William Shatner should play another character, perhaps a Starfleet official or military officer very much like Kirk that becomes involved in a mission that Archer and his crew must undertake. He can still be the hero, like Kirk is to all of us, and at the same time, preserve the continuity we're all so adamant about in every other circumstance.

I know I'm fighting a losing battle arguing for the "no Kirk on Enterprise" position, but I refuse to surrender. Kirk on Enterprise is a cheap ratings scheme that does not mean any long-term improvements for Enterprise. It's a one-time deal that will only bring a brief moment of excitement and MAYBE a slight boost in ratings, then we'll be back to the same-ol', same-ol'.

It would take a miracle of storytelling to change my opinion on this, and since I know Berman and Braga will be involved in this episode, I can remain comfortable in my point of view.


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re: Shatner on Enterprise by MarkMat @ 09:12:20 on Jul 20
    re: Shatner on Enterprise by Jadzia-Dax @ 10:19:26 on Jul 20
re: Shatner on Enterprise by StillKirok @ 05:52:55 on Jul 20
    re: Shatner on Enterprise by SirTrekker @ 12:46:17 on Jul 20
       re: Shatner on Enterprise by Gallifrey1983 @ 20:22:01 on Jul 20
       re: Shatner on Enterprise by StillKirok @ 18:29:25 on Jul 20
Rationalization makes trek all better... by Cylykon @ 01:53:44 on Jul 20

Kirk | Report this post to moderator
By: Orion Pimpdaddy (Odo's file, contact) @ 16:09:02 on Jul 19, 2004

Bringing back characters from Trek's golden past is just a cover for the uninspired writing that Enterprise has. The show needs original ideas. The fact that Spiner is returning is a sign that the show is close to its end.

I love Shatner and Spiner, but I do not have an overwhelming need to see them on the show. Trek has already overdone the concept of bringing past stars back through time travel, resurrurections, cameos, clones, and anomolies. I would like to see the producers concentrate on improving the quality and originality of the writing, instead.

If anyone questions my claim that the writing is bad, try watching an episode of DS9 and then an episode of Enterprise. You'll see the difference.


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RE: Kirk by rumandchocolate @ 19:27:46 on Jul 19
    RE: Kirk by Jadzia-Dax @ 20:17:11 on Jul 19
       RE: Kirk by rumandchocolate @ 20:46:03 on Jul 19
          RE: Kirk by Jadzia-Dax @ 21:11:48 on Jul 19
             RE: Kirk by rumandchocolate @ 14:48:45 on Jul 20
                RE: Kirk by Jadzia-Dax @ 18:16:19 on Jul 20
                   RE: Kirk by rumandchocolate @ 21:36:01 on Jul 20

Well... | Report this post to moderator
By: Jadzia-Dax (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:32:40 on Jul 19, 2004

Let the games begin. ;-)

--------

"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998


----


Outer Space. The last frontier.


These are the trips of the Star Trek Enterprise.


Its 5-year plan...


Calls for us to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations.


To boldly fly where no man has gone in space.




Patrick Stewart on SNL 2/5/94


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Kirk and only Kirk | Report this post to moderator
By: El4short (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 14:30:37 on Jul 19, 2004

If Shatner doesn't come back as Kirk, it's a cheat. Plain and simple. Use the Nexus as the vehicle that brings him back, acknowledge his age, and give us one last episode with Star Trek's hero. This could be a moving and inspiring episode, and you can't deny the mass-audience appeal of Kirk's return. Spiner is essentially doing Data's grandad, which I think will be cool, but that's enough coincidental ancestors for a season.

Honestly, I don't think Kirk should come back as an action hero role, but rather spotlight his experience and charisma as a leader (and as a great character). I really think an episode where Kirk mentors Archer about the risks and joys of the captain's chair would be awesome. Let's give James Tiberius one last dignified appearance where he can be the hero again. I hope it happens!

Elrond L.

...who really loves the new Shatner-Nimoy Priceline ads. :)


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hmm.. I like it. | Report this post to moderator
By: StarFleet Captain (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 14:14:56 on Jul 19, 2004

Season four just keep getting more and more exciting!!! Please let Shatner play Kirk himself and NOT some other character... Please.

--------

"I can't be President. I mean, I've abused cocaine and I've been arrested. Besides, its completely stupid to believe somebody can be President just because his father was."
--Charlie Sheen (Saturday Night Live 2000)


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RE: hmm.. I like it. by StillKirok @ 18:13:42 on Jul 19
    RE: hmm.. I like it. by Aragorn II @ 19:43:25 on Jul 19
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