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By: zak (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:25:49 on Dec 07, 2004

So, tell me Roddenberry's great vision was for the Excelsior to rise up when things seemed to need some sort of perk (even if they didn't)

I find this story and the ongoing EXCELSIOR issue just silly. Maybe a TV movie if they ever decide to do those, but then if they did, there'd be lots that would be ahead... like a DS9 story or who knows what before the EXCELSIOR. C'mon George.

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RE: Looking backwards? | Report this post to moderator
By: Bean (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 17:46:49 on Dec 06, 2004

As I eluded to above, Takei seeme to be deluded about his importance and popularity within the Trek franchise. Sure, Sulu was a decent character, and the movies wouldn't have been the same without him. And it was even kind of cool to see him get a command of his own in TUC, but really, his character was as disposable as Welsey Crusher or Tasha Yar. That's what he doesn't realize. He thinks there are legions of fans that tuned in to see HIM every week.

Add ti that the fact that he really hasn't had a major career outside of Star Trek, and you have a man who is trying desperatley o prove to himself that he was as popular as he thought.

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L:et's think that through | Report this post to moderator
By: luckybucky (Odo's file, contact) @ 17:44:56 on Dec 06, 2004

1) Stories with Captain Sulu would themselves be prequels, since the series had advanced to the 24th Century by the time STVI came along.

2) STVI can also be said to be a departure from Roddenberry's vision as it was produced largely without him and released after his death without him seeing a final cut of the film.

3) ENTERPRISE is FAR closer to Roddenberry's vision than DS9, which is still my favorite of the series. Adhering to the creator's intent is one thing; growing beyond it whil eremaining true to its spirit is the task at hand.

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• RE: L:et's think that through | Report this post to moderator
  By: GrapesOfWrathOfKhan! (Odo's file, contact) @ 23:56:58 on Dec 06, 2004

  2) Roddenberry saw the final cut of ST6 three days before he died, according to the ST6SE dvd special features.

  
  

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Would welcome Sulu | Report this post to moderator
By: CahnMan (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 15:57:29 on Dec 06, 2004

Several points:

1. Yes, an Excelsior series would be a "look back" as someone else noted, as is Enterprise. However, I think Takei is looking at it as adventures continuing forward from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, as opposed to what Enterprise has done which is go all the way back to Starfleet's beginnings. Mind you, if (and a huge "if" at that) the powers that be producing a Takei - Excelsior show were to do so faithfully, I'd like to think there would be less chance to mess up continuity on such a show than one that's gone as far back as Enterprise. I like Enterprise well enough, but we all know what a headache that show's been on so-called Star Trek canon.

2. I don't believe this is sour grapes on Takei's part at all. I say that as someone who's both read his website entries here and there and actually corresponded with the man via e-mail on occasion. I think Takei's simply passionate about the TOS (movie) era of Star Trek. He's passionate about the character of Sulu. He's passionate about Roddenberry's vision of Star Trek and the positive future it represented. AND I think he's passionate about the fan base. I completely agree with his disenchantment over Paramount's handling of things regarding soliciting fans' input and then completely ignoring it. I was part of that, and I know I didn't like it very much.

3. Finally, just as Berman & Co. saw a chance for storytelling at Starfleet's beginnings, there are plenty of stories (some of which have been told in book form, etc.) from in between ST:VI and after the "current" timeline of Star Trek: Nemesis. There are stories from all over the Star Trek timeline that haven't been told that would make good series, movies -- what have you. An Excelsior series or movie might be no less a good story -- and possibly better -- than anything that's been told on Enterprise so far.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell the Takei-bashers that perhaps they should think about digging a little deeper with the man before getting on his case. While he may have played Sulu and have a vested interest in playing him again, I believe Takei just really cares that Star Trek fans -- even casual ones -- get what they've really asked for: Quality stories about a positive future where humans and other races work together, with technology as an aid, to make the galaxy an even more wondrous place to live.

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FIVE SULU AUDIOS? | Report this post to moderator
By: Nicholas Roche (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 12:35:01 on Dec 06, 2004 | (1)

I only knew about three of them: TRANSFORMATIONS,CACOPHONY and ENVOY. And I don't think his autobiography TO THE STARS qualifies as an "audio adventure". So what are the other two? Have they seen release in the US?

_NJR_ Wanting to be thorough...

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• RE: FIVE SULU AUDIOS? | Report this post to moderator
  By: BWilliams (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 16:16:40 on Dec 06, 2004

  Transformations, Cacophany, and Envoy were the only three Captain Sulu audio novel adventures that were produced from Simon & Schuster Audio. So it may have been a slip of the tongue what Takei said.

  
  

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New life forms | Report this post to moderator
By: Reklaw (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:18:35 on Dec 06, 2004

And why can't you introduce new life forms in a series that goes back in time? Sounds like sour grapes to me.

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A little off topic perhaps ... | Report this post to moderator
By: timmer33 (Odo's file, contact) @ 08:40:40 on Dec 06, 2004

... but it amazes me that there is such animosity toward Shatner from the rest of the original cast. Kirk was the star of the show - not Uhura, Sulu, Chekhov or Scotty. As someone posted below, "sour grapes" sounds like an accurate description to describe the situation. Who is the most popular and successful of all the original cast? Shatner.

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• RE: A little off topic perhaps ... | Report this post to moderator
  By: cooper2000 (Odo's file, contact) @ 20:15:56 on Dec 07, 2004

  This is simular to the reaction Jolene got a few weeks ago when she had an "opinion." Is that not aloud? If you give an opinion and it doesnt match with your own and it doesnt paint everything favorable with the Trek series does that mean you are bitter?

  
  

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  • RE: A little off topic perhaps ... | Report this post to moderator
    By: zak (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:52:04 on Dec 08, 2004

    Of course opinions are allowed. Who's to disallow them. And am I not also entitled to my opinion as well. In this case, we've heard George talking about the Excelcior for literally years. It never has gained much momentum and what HE'S STILL TALKING ABOUT IT one way or the other. And I find talk of the EXCELSIOR right now just plain silly.
    Takei is great, I wouldn't even object to a TV movie of EXCELSIOR (but it ain't going to happen, not ahead of lots of others). And I'd love to see him in TREK, maybe with Shattner if he does an Ent. BUT, enough of the EXCELCIOR. Of course he can have his opinion, but he's had it now for a long long time. And I'm tired of hearing it, I guess.

    
    

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• RE: A little off topic perhaps ... | Report this post to moderator
  By: luckybucky (Odo's file, contact) @ 17:46:39 on Dec 06, 2004

  Nimoy.
  
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is this A HABIT AT PARAMOUNT?! | Report this post to moderator
By: StarFleet Captain (Odo's file, contact) @ 05:57:04 on Dec 06, 2004

they sign guest actors BEFORE the actors themselves are notified?

Sulu said someone else read online that he had a role and told him. And he didn't know.

Back when Nemesis was in pre production, I remember Kate Mulgrew(Janeway) saying that she was unaware that she had a role in Nemesis after being asked by someone who read in online.

I think whats going on is that parts of the script is being leaked before its finalized and the internet rumor mills goes crazy well before the actors and actresses know that they may have parts in a movie or episode.

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• RE: is this A HABIT AT PARAMOUNT?! | Report this post to moderator
  By: Dukat (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 11:07:19 on Dec 06, 2004

  The question should be is did George talk with his agent about signing deals without consulting him at all first? If he was so disengaged from the entire process, why would he ever expect Paramount to just be handing shows over to him.
  
  Evil Evil Shatner. Even more reasons to hate him! He would be on Enterprise right now if when they first called him up he just showed up like a good soldier and didn't try to give them any pesky ideas about how he would appear or ask for the damn money!!
  
  What is truly sad is that after the years and years of bitching and whining about Shatner that Takei has still never learned anything about how and why Shatner looked out for himself in the way that he did. Maybe Shatners overall interest in what he played, how he was portrayed, and what he was paid is the reason he is the success and as popular as he is today. Clearly he was the second most likely to be stereotyped after TOS-- yet he and Nimoy were the only ones able to work successfully outside of Trek on a regular basis.
  
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Looking backwards? | Report this post to moderator
By: Keoki (Odo's file, contact) @ 05:41:47 on Dec 06, 2004

As much as I would've loved to see and Excelsior TV series follow STVI, I find Mr. Takei's comment about ENT somewhat odd. While it certainly is a look "back," so to speak, wouldn't a Sulu show have been as well? For that matter, both STV and STVI were, too.

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• RE: Looking backwards? | Report this post to moderator
  By: Majin Psyduck (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 07:33:24 on Dec 06, 2004

  Quote:
  While it certainly is a look "back," so to speak, wouldn't a Sulu show have been as well?
  
  Yeah, but Mr. Sulu needs to get f*cking paid :D
  
  
  
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  • RE: Looking backwards? | Report this post to moderator
    By: Terry212 (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 10:21:30 on Dec 06, 2004

    I think Takei blew it by his performance in the Voyager ep. I think he did some of his best acting in ST6, and the Voy ep was supposed to be happening during that time...but his acting was far worse in the VOY episode. At this point, I think he's a little too old to be an action hero, though some other capacity (and Admiral Forrest role) might've been fine. What I want is for ENT to have three more great seasons after this one, and then move back to the post-Nemesis time frame. It'd be interesting to have as many years have passed post-Nemesis as have passed in our time (4 or 5 years, by that time). Also, I wouldn't mind something significant having happened off-camera, such as a major war or even the breakup of the Federation, where the plot of the series is recovering from that (just like we'll hopefully be pulling our own century back together). I think Trek's best when it reflects the times AND provides a positive direction for us in the present.
    
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• RE: Looking backwards? | Report this post to moderator
  By: J2M (Odo's file, contact) @ 06:58:47 on Dec 06, 2004

  Quote:
  wouldn't a Sulu show have been as well?
  
  My thoughts exactly !
  
  M. Takei has been elaborating on why Paramount should have done a Sulu show instead of ENT the same way for years.
  
  But his explanations are flawed:
  
  Quote:
  I don't think it's Gene [Roddenberry]'s vision, because he was forward-looking and this show is going backwards.
  
  Well if producing a Sulu show after TNG, DS9 and VOY isn't "going backwards", I don't know what is.
  
  The problem with M. Takei, and I believe William Shatner adressed this in Mindmeld, is that when you're at conventions, there's a good chance that most of the people who come towards you are fans of your own work, even maybe of who you are. Therefore at the end of the day, you can easily be mistaken in believing that "most of the fans" enjoy your character.
  
  I don't picture anyone in a convention going to him and say "No, I don't want a Sulu show. Sulu sucks, and so do you !" But I'm sure Some fans feel that way nonetheless.
  
  I believe that a genuine majority of fans are not interested in a Sulu show, but I can understand why M. Takei's daily experience prevent him to see that.
  
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• RE: Looking backwards? | Report this post to moderator
  By: Bean (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 06:55:11 on Dec 06, 2004

  You have to keep in mnd though, that Takei still thinks Sulu was the star of TOS. Sour grapes of you will..
  
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