SETTING A COURSE - RANKING THE TREK PREMIERES

Pilot episodes are tricky beasts. You have one episode to establish the setup, introduce your characters and hook viewers into tuning in to the next episode. Star Trek pilots are an even rarer breed. On top of all of these challenges they also need to establish where the show fits in the wider Trekverse and in some cases introduce new versions of existing characters. There’s also occasionally the matter of passing the torch from one series to the next. Trek does all of this to varying degrees of success. So, which is the cream of the crop? Here are the top ten in my humble, personal opinion…

10. ENCOUNTER AT FARPOINT (The Next Generation - September 1990)

Oh dear, it’s hard to look at this episode objectively knowing the heights the series will reach and appreciating the fact that every subsequent series owes it a debt of gratitude. It’s not terrible but it’s certainly the weakest of these. Patrick Stewart brings his trademark gravitas, it holds up visually for the most part and there are some great moments (the trial scene, the saucer separation). However, knowing that the whole Q plot was added to turn it into a 2-hour pilot, the joins are clearly visible. The exposition is also quite lazy (Riker literally watches clips of the show to catch up) and both Wesley and Troi (both of whom I adore) come off as annoying. Fortunately there is enough good stuff to enjoy on the whole

9. STRANGE NEW WORLDS (Strange New Worlds - June 2022)

The major failing of this episode is that it assumes that the viewer has watched the introductions of these versions of Pike, Spock and Number One in Discovery’s (terrific) second season. As a result not much is done to bring in completely new viewers in terms of establishing the 3 main characters. The plot is also one of the least interesting of these episodes with the rescue mission. There is a lot to like though. Christina Chong immediately makes her presence felt as La’an, there are surprising legacy character returns and every penny of the budget is visible onscreen. 

8. SECOND CONTACT (Lower Decks - January 2021)

Trek doesn’t always do comedy well but the crew of the Cerritos get off to a great start. It’s a killer concept as we learn this is a ship from the lower decks of Starfleet. The 4 main characters are established well right off the bat, nerdy but lovable Boimler, rebellious Mariner, eager Tendi and newly cybernetic Rutherford as well as the command crew. The dynamics are, well, dynamic and there’s a love of the franchise that emanates from every frame. While not being a highlight of the season this is still a fun episode that does a terrific job of setting up what comes next

7. THE CAGE (The Original Series)

The Cage is somewhat of an anomaly in Trek. With the exceptions of Spock and the Enterprise itself, none of the characters we meet here would go on to appear in the original run (and retconning of course means it now works as a Strange New Worlds pilot). However, the plot is classic Star Trek. What we can expect from the series is a morality play disguised as a sci-fi series. I can understand the criticism that this particular story could be seen as too cerebral but it’s engaging and thought-provoking nonetheless. It would have been great to see how things would have panned out if this crew went forwards and their return decades later was worth the wait

6. LOST AND FOUND PARTS 1+2 (Prodigy - April 2022)

Wait, it’s a kids show? Any preconceptions are immediately blown out of the water as we meet a motley crew of kids who are every bit as unique, diverse and complex as the best of the ‘grown-up’ shows. The look of the series also separates it from the more cartoonish style of Lower Decks. It also introduces younger viewers to some classic Star Trek lessons without bashing them on the head with them. Rokh is a brilliant example as when the universal translator comes online and her monster-like noises turn into the voice of a young girl it’s a classic case of don’t judge a book by its cover. For returning fans there's also a lot to enjoy. Returning aliens are great and the Protostar is gorgeous but it’s the long-awaited return of one Kathryn Janeway (albeit in hologram form) that makes my heart happy and hooks me into watching more

5. REMEMBRANCE (Picard - January 2020)

This pilot makes me happy for so many reasons. From the opening shot of the Enterprise-D to Data’s cameos to the epic reveal of the Artefact I’m all in at this point. The interview scene is a neat way to set up where we are in the timeline along with the attack on Mars which looms large over the first season. The decision to hold back some of the series regulars actually works well on this occasion as after 30 years it’s great to spend some quality time catching up with Picard before setting off on this new adventure. 

4. THE VULCAN HELLO / BATTLE AT THE BINARY STARS (September 2017)

When Trek returned to our screens in 2017 it did so with a bang with a two-part pilot that (in a bold and interesting move) does not include a lot of the series regulars or even the titular Discovery. What it does have is a visually stunning, marvellously written and acted adventure that firmly establishes Sonequa Martin-Green as a true star. More than holding her own against the force of nature that is Michelle Yeoh and the man of a thousand faces Doug Jones, she immediately makes her mark as one of the most complex and interesting series leads to date. I’m not a huge fan of the Klingon arc but this is the perfect prologue and could easily work as a standalone movie on the big screen

3. CARETAKER (Voyager - August 1996)

In terms of an overall arc, Voyager is the easiest to describe in a couple of sentences so there really was only one story the pilot could tell. It also had a lot to prove coming hot on the heels of TNG, launching a new network and giving us the first woman to sit in the big chair. Kate Mulgrew is a commanding (no pun intended) presence and the rest of the cast are clearly established with everyone getting a chance to shine. The action is thrilling, the farm sequence is suitably creepy, the comedy is pitch perfect and the script is great. The only real weakness is the Kazon who leave a lot to be desired as villains. Overall though I find myself fully invested straight away as the journey home begins

2. BROKEN BOW (Enterprise - October 2001)

Much like Voyager before it the ‘lift pitch’ for this series is simple, the first starship and crew on their first mission. It gets almost everything right. The characters are clearly defined, the look of the show (the credits, the VFX, the submarine-style sets) is solidified and the action and drama are brilliant. It only misses out on the top spot for 2 reasons. One is Archer’s first meeting with T’Pol in which he does not come off well at all and it spoils my enjoyment of the episode every time and sadly it takes a long time to improve. The second issue is we immediately see the show-runners were not confident in the premise and introduce the Temporal Cold War as a potential get-out-of-jail-free card. On the whole it gets the series off to a flying start

1. EMISSARY (Deep Space Nine - September 1995)

This is a masterpiece. So much of what makes this the greatest TV series ever made is established from day dot. The themes of faith, family and self-exploration are front and centre and we are introduced to a cast which has no weak link either on or off screen. So many of these characters were groundbreaking in the 90s. The black single father leading the series, the terrorist / freedom fighter first officer was a woman who isn’t ‘the wife’ or ‘the mother’. The whole cast of characters are among the most interesting in the franchise. We also are introduced to the villains of the piece represented here by Gul Dukat, another presence who will loom large for the next 7 years. The aesthetics are stunning, the sets are mind-blowing, the wormhole effects are terrific. There is so much to enjoy over and over again

THE APPLE

Vaal rules villagers

Kirk teaches the facts of life

Might learn to like it

“Well, there goes paradise” - McCoy

MIRROR, MIRROR

Crews dark reflections

One man can change the present

Will Spock lead the charge?

“In every revolution there’s one man with a vision” - Kirk

THE CHANGELING

Nomad seeks maker

Mistaken identity

Logic short circuits

“The creation of perfection is no error” - Nomad

WHO MOURNS FOR ADONAIS?

Apollo is real

Seizes ship seeking worship

There’s no room for gods

“Mankind has no need for gods. We find the one quite adequate” - Kirk

AMOK TIME

Spock must return home

Forced to fight Kirk to the death

I have killed my… JIM!!!

“I owe him my life a dozen times over. Isn’t that worth a career” - Kirk

OPERATION - ANNIHILATE!

Fried egg turns Spock blind

Kirk’s brother debuts then dies

We won’t see him again

“You’ve been so concerned about his Vulcan eyes, Doctor, you forgot about his Vulcan ears” - Kirk

THE CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER

McCoy altered past

Now Edith Keeler must die

Time resumes it’s shape

………………………………………………

Edith has a date

With a man from the future

Oh f*ck it’s a truck

“He knows Doctor, he knows” - Spock

THE ALTERNATIVE FACTOR

What is going on?

I still don’t understand it

What of Lazarus?

“Sometimes pain can drive a man harder than pleasure” - Kirk

ERRAND OF MERCY

Iconic race debut

Organians take control

Not so powerless

“I don’t trust men who smile too much” - Kor

THE DEVIL IN THE DARK

Horta kills miners

Eggs threatened by carelessness

Who is the monster?

“I’m beginning to think I can cure a rainy day” - McCoy

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

Spores bring happiness

Ambition or stagnation

Spock’s paradise lost

“I’ve never understood the female capacity to avoid a direct answer to any question” - Spock

A TASTE OF ARMAGEDDON

Virtual warfare

Enterprise caught in crossfire

Kirk finishes it

“The best diplomat I know is a fully activated phaser bank” - Scotty

SPACE SEED

Khan is defeated

Left on Ceti Alpha V

That won’t end badly

“We humans have a streak of barbarism in us. Appalling, but there nevertheless” - Kirk

THE RETURN OF THE ARCHONS

You will be absorbed

Kirk talks computer to death

Safe from absorption

“You said you wanted freedom. It’s time you learned that freedom isn’t a gift. It has to be earned” - Kirk

COURT MARTIAL

Kirk framed by Finney

Cogley speaks of a mans rights

Better luck next time

“I speak of rights. A machine has none. A man must!” - Cogley

TOMORROW IS YESTERDAY

First trip to the past

Did Christopher’s life matter?

Slingshot sends ship home

“We all have to take a chance. Especially if one is all you have” - Kirk

ARENA

Cestus III attacked

Kirk fights lizard in tunic

Metrons interfere

“You be your pointed ears I am” - McCoy

THE SQUIRE OF GOTHOS

Proto-Q taunts crew

Can’t play nicely with new toys

Gets sent to his room

“I object to you. I object to intellect without discipline. I object to power without constructive purpose” - Spock

THE GALILEO SEVEN

Spock’s command debut

Debates the needs of the few

Flare lights the way home

“Picturesque descriptions will not mend broken circuits” - Spock

SERIES RANKINGS - PART TWO - 7th to 1st

I love every Star Trek series for different reasons and these stand out above the others, at least in my estimations. None of them are perfect, I’m not blind to the occasional clunker or problematic element, but they make my heart happy, so here we go, best of the best…

7. THE ORIGINAL SERIES

Back where it all began. The first episode of Trek I ever watched was ‘The City on the Edge of Forever’ so even being born in 1989 this was my entry to the franchise. Looking at the series it’s impossible to understate the impact it had and continues to have. A lot of sci-fi tropes have their origins here. Time travel paradoxes, alternate universes, transporters, evil duplicates, the list goes on. The first season in particular is arguably one of the greatest seasons of TV in history. Personally though, my enjoyment is slightly dampened by the problematic elements that were part of the 60s and the lack of stories for the supporting cast outside Kirk and Spock. That said it led the way for every series that followed so I love it for that

I like - It defined sci-fi for decades to come

I don’t like - 60s trappings (sexism, blackface etc.)

6. STRANGE NEW WORLDS

Of all the series here this is one that will probably go up the list over time. The first 2 seasons are stunningly good. It has just the right amount of serialisation while returning to the episodic nature of the classic era. The characters are wonderfully defined and the performances are among the franchises best. It also leans into the idea that Star Trek can fit into many genres and it takes big swings fearlessly. Courtroom drama, horror movie, animated crossover, a freakin’ musical, this show can do and be anything it wants to be. Honestly it’s only at number 6 because there’s not been enough of it yet

I like - the serialised/episodic balance

I don’t like - the ending of ‘Under the Cloak of War’

5. THE NEXT GENERATION

This is the gold standard for many Trek fans and I completely understand why. From day one Patrick Stewart put his stamp on the series and we got a very different captain to Kirk. His Shakespearean delivery and Oscar worthy performances raised the bar for everyone around him. The first season is what it is, S2 has a couple of real standouts (looking at you Measure of a Man and Q Who?) but it’s from S3 that the show really takes flight. My only real complaint is similar to TOS where the focus ends up being too heavy on Picard and Data at the expense of the rest of the cast. Everyone has their moments to shine but personally, and I could lose my Trekkie card for this, I’ve never been a big Data fan (nothing to do with Brent Spiner whose talent knows no bounds) and for some reason I don’t feel as connected to this crew. What I love though is the cast and the variety of genres and issues explored which informed every subsequent show 

I like - The cast

I don’t like - Too much focus on Data in later seasons

4. LOWER DECKS

‘A love letter to…’ is a phrase that comes up often with Star Trek and this entire series fits the bill perfectly. Mike McMahan is a creative genius. Every frame of this animated comedy emanates joy and a love of the franchise. The characters are brilliantly defined, the nods to other shows perfectly walk the line between loving homage, poking fun and fan service (not a dirty word). Watching it is a joyous experience helped tremendously by the fun that Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid et al have making the show. Returning legacy characters / ships / species are always a treat and the easter eggs make it eminently rewatchable picking upon something new every time. It’s also a Star Trek show through and through with the same levels of drama and brilliant writing between jokes. I hope and pray the Lower Deckers return in some format sooner rather than later

I like - the many, many references to other Trek

I don’t like - 20 minutes an episode is not enough

3. PRODIGY

Prodigy is the gift I never knew I wanted and the series I didn’t know I needed. This is NOT just a kids show. The first half of the first season probably fits that category best but the back half of S1 and all of S2 work perfectly as an enjoyable adventure for younger viewers while at the same time being some of the greatest Star Trek ever produced. The show pulls no punches with the writing and themes and it fits seamlessly with the rest of the Star Trek universe. My love of Voyager and of the glorious Kate Mulgrew also propels it up the rankings as it’s basically a pared back season 8. Like Lower Decks it also uses legacy characters just the right amount. The returns of Beltran, Wheaton, Picardo and more may not mean much to the kids watching but I genuinely teared up when Janeway and Chakotay were reunited (and I’m by no means a J/C shipper). Prodigy is also a feast for the eyes and ears. It will always baffle me that Paramount saw fit to cancel it after season 1. God bless Netflix and god bless the fans who saved it. Season 3 now please

I like - It’s Voyager S8

I don’t like - the idiots who cancelled it

2. VOYAGER

I honestly can’t separate the top 2 series. While number 1 is objectively speaking the best series, my happy place and the crew I love more than any other is Voyager. It’s the one I have the clearest memories of watching growing up as it was first airing and it gives me comfort to this day. I suspect part of it comes from the fact that a lot of my role models growing up were women. Until the age of 13 every teacher I had was a woman. Kathryn Janeway is a role model to many. She led her crew home after being stuck in the Delta Quadrant and her morals remained (mostly) steadfast despite a lack of the supervision / support that Starfleet brings to every other captain. The crew also best fit (for me) the idea that this is a family, one I’d be proud to be part of. I love these characters, yes even Neelix. I want to hang out with Tom and Harry on the holodeck, join Janeway and Chakotay for dinner, solve problems with B’Elanna and Seven. It’s also just a great show, for my money it has the best two-parters of any Trek and it has the best sci-fi concepts of any Trek. It’s the one I reach for when I want to watch a random episode when I feel low or just want to be transported to another place. It has my heart.

I like - The crew

I don’t like - Lack of recurring supporting characters

1. DEEP SPACE NINE

What can I say about the greatest TV series of all time that hasn’t already been said. Everything fires on all cylinders. The writing is astonishingly good, the cast (no disrespect to other series) has some of the most talented people to ever grace our screens, the serialisation works like gangbusters and there is not a single weak link among the regular characters and the (inarguably greatest) supporting characters. It’s a joy watching them all. Avery, Nana, Rene, Armin and the rest pop in every scene. We also get complex characters like Garak and the diabolical Winn and Dukat coming back again and again matching the crew step for step. The variety of relationships and dynamics elevate the show immeasurably. It also has some of the best single episodes of not just Trek but television. Duet, Far Beyond the Stars, The Visitor, these should be required viewing. Most importantly, at its heart, this is a show about family, The Siskos, The O’Briens, the Ferengi, no other series has this sort of depth to the point that the loss of people like Rene Auberjonois, Aron Eisenberg and Louise Fletcher hit at a personal level. I’ll say it again, it’s quite simply the greatest TV series ever produced

I like - The actors and characters at every level

I don’t like - not enough follow-up in modern Trek

SHORE LEAVE

Knights and white rabbits

Be careful what you wish for

Need a vacation

“My dear girl I am a doctor. When I peek it’s in the line of duty” - McCoy

BALANCE OF TERROR

Romulans revealed

No bigotry on my bridge

Could have called you friend

“Leave any bigotry in your quarters. There’s no room for it on the bridge” - Kirk

THE CONSCIENCE OF THE KING

Acting troupe aboard

Kodos brought out of hiding

Lenore real culprit

“Worlds may change, galaxies disintegrate, but a woman, always remains… a woman” - Kirk

THE MENAGERIE PARTS I+II

Why has Spock gone rogue?

Kirk finds out by watching Cage

Pike back to Talos

“Rank hath its privileges” - Mendez

THE CORBOMITE MANEUVER

Balok threatens crew

Kirk plays poker to save ship

Puppet all along

“There are lives at risk, by our standards alien lives, but lives” - Kirk

DAGGER OF THE MIND

A cage is a cage

Neutraliser destroys minds

Death by loneliness

“Where there is no emotion there is no motive for violence” - Spock

MIRI

Adulthood means death

Kirk shows children better way

Bonk bonk on the head

“Being a red-blooded Human obviously has its disadvantages‘ - Spock

WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OF?

Kirk switched with android

Racism shows Spock the truth

Chapel loses her love

“Do you realise the number of discoveries lost because of superstition, of ignorance, a layman’s inability to comprehend” - Roger Korby

MUDD’S WOMEN

Mudd trafficks women

Venus drugs only skin deep

Love the one you’re with

“Oh the sound of male ego. You travel halfway across the galaxy and it’s still the same song” - Eve McHuron

THE ENEMY WITHIN

Transporter splits Kirk

Both sides make him the captain

Love thine enemy

“We all have our darker side. We need it. It’s half of what we are. It's not ugly, it’s human” - McCoy

SERIES RANKINGS - PART ONE - 13th to 8th

This is the current version of my ever-changing and evolving rankings of every series of Star Trek. Over 6 decades, all have things to recommend them along with the odd clunker thrown in for good measure. This however is about what speaks to me and what I will most often reach for when I need a hit of Star Trek

13. VERY SHORT TREKS

OK, so it’s not technically a series but these promotional videos are designed as a unit. While one must credit Trek for trying something different, these missed the mark by so much it’s hard to understand  they were tonally all over the place and memorable for all the wrong reasons

I like - Ethan Phillips returning, The musical one

I don’t like - the snot one

12. SHORT TREKS

These are a brilliant concept and the main reason they’re not ranked higher is there simply aren’t enough when the possibilities are endless. ‘Calypso’ is a masterpiece. ‘Children of Mars’ is a perfect prelude to Picard. ‘Q&A has SINGING SPOCK. What more could you want? 

I like - the potential of the format

I don’t like - dropping the format

11. THE ANIMATED SERIES

This may be unfair but it’s the series I’ve revisited least. Nothing to do with ‘it’s not canon’ or some other nonsense. I remember some standout moments but if you put a phaser to my head I’d struggle to discuss them for any length of time

I like - It’s TOS Season 4

I don’t like - the problematic 60s TV writing elements

10. ENTERPRISE

I so want to love Enterprise but ultimately I don’t think many of the people involved had faith (not that one) in the premise. The Temporal Cold War was blatantly a get out of jail free card for if the series didn’t work. The technology also advanced a little too quickly for my liking. however, the Xindi arc and the mini-arcs of seasons 3 and 4 are terrific pieces of Star Trek. Sadly, people switched off after the first 2 (unfortunately, in my opinion) largely forgettable years. Cut off in it’s prime

I like - Jolene Blalock, one of the best actresses in the franchise

I don’t like - the boys club feeling that permeates the series

9. DISCOVERY 

I will always have a special place in my heart for Discovery. it brought Trek back to TV where it belongs and we’d have none of the subsequent shows without it. Sonequa Martin-Green is a revelation as Burnham and there honestly isn’t a weak link in the cast. It has Michelle freakin’ Yeoh for Prophets sake. While some ‘fans’ have trashed the series and behaved abhorrently towards some of the cast (I will not have a word said against Mary Wiseman, she is a gift). I can understand, though not necessarily agree, with some of the criticism. Quark and Garak explain it best in their iconic root beer scene. This crew at times feels a bit too ‘bubbly and cloy’ for my tastes but I love them nonetheless. Another series cut off in its prime

I like - the bravery of jumping to the 31st century

I don’t like - they cancelled it at its height

8. PICARD

Most of my issue with Picard is to do with the behind the scenes side. Over 2 seasons I fell in live with the characters of Rios, Jurati, Elnor and Soji along with the actors who played them. They were all then unceremoniously dropped to make way for the return of the TNG cast in S3. My disappointment however evaporated quickly on watching the final season. The first 2 are vastly underrated but the 3rd is on another level. Everything clicks, the new cast along with Seven, Raffi and the TNG crew are all at their best. people say it’s a 10 hour movie. I can’t help but wish that movie had room for the whole cast

I like - the connective threads joining to the rest of the franchise

I don’t like - the departures at the end of S2

THE NAKED TIME

 Virus affects crew

Deepest desires are revealed

McCoy must find cure

“Take D’Artagnan here to sickbay” - Spock

WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE

Mitchell gains powers

Marooning only option

Kirk makes the hard choice

“Morals are for men not gods” - Gary Mitchell

CHARLIE X

Powered teen boards ship

Must learn the meaning of no

Thasians stop him

“There’s nothing wrong with you that hasn’t gone wrong with every other human male since the model first came out” - Kirk

THE MAN TRAP

McCoy meets old flame

But all is not as it seems

Could you pass the salt?

“He’s dead Jim” - McCoy”

THE CAGE

A trip to Talos

Is love real or illusion

Strange New Worlds pilot?

“A persons strongest dreams are about what he can’t do” - Vina

Amber of the Times - Reviewing ‘Open a Channel: A Woman’s Trek’ by Nana Visitor

 “If we can honor the systems we are a part of by continually questioning them and updating the terms of our agreements with them—we can maybe find a way to keep the amber of the times we find ourselves in now from hardening around us”

This is a metaphor that Nana Visitor uses a few times in this masterwork. It encapsulates the mission statement of ‘Open a Channel: A Woman’s Trek’. We must all examine ourselves to move away from a culture of ‘that’s just the way it is’ to a place of equality where it’s unthinkable to tell someone they have to be ‘f**kable’ (not my word) to even be considered for a part. 

The book is perfectly structured as it looks at the characters and the remarkable women who bring them to life starting in the 60s with Nichelle Nichols and Majel Barrett-Roddenberry right up to today with Christina Chong and Jess Bush to name a few. 

The 60s - The pioneering Uhura and Chapel are both explored here alongside the guest actresses of TOS. Compared to what else was on air at the time Trek was light years (no pun intended) ahead of its compatriots but was still mired in the culture of the decade. They were rarely the focus of the episode and when they were it was almost always to show us how the men were impacted. That said it’s impossible to understate the effect they had simply by being onscreen

TNG - Things had progressed in the 90s but not by much. TNG started with 3 female series regulars, 2 of whom were put in caregiving roles and the third they had so much trouble writing for that Denise Crosby felt compelled to leave the show. However, Troi and Crusher came up again and again in Nana’s conversations with fans about who inspired them. 

DS9 - Having played Kira for 7 years Nana is naturally best placed to talk about this. Onscreen, Kira and Dax were a gift, 2 complex, multi-faceted women. Kira a powerful leader and Dax of course having an indelible and lasting impact on LGBTQIA+ viewers. Offscreen was a different story. Nana’s fears over the addition of Michael Dorn to the show (which she only found out about when a fan asked her about it at a convention), the circumstances of Terry Farrell’s departure and the horrific treatment of Keiko and by extension Rosalind Chao in certain corners of the fandom. All of this was tied to their gender in some way or other. The book also highlights other areas which have thankfully moved on greatly. It’s upsetting to learn that Alexander Siddig was told he had to return to work literally within hours of his and Nana’s son Django’s birth, with her coming back to work soon after. (Sidenote: this was during the filming of ‘Let He Who is Without Sin…’, adding to the already plentiful reasons to dislike that episode)

VOY - The series that did more for women than the rest of the Berman era combined. Kate Mulgrew is a force of nature and the power of her being not only the first female Captain but also doing it on her own with no admirals to answer to radiates from the screen and the pages of this book. However, by the mere fact of being the first woman at the helm she was scrutinised over every detail and decision. Roxann Dawson came from an under-represented group as a Latinx woman which had its own challenges. Jeri Ryan had to deal with being characterised as ‘Borg Barbie’. The relationship between Seven and Janeway is groundbreaking in showing a woman acting as a mentor for another woman but we see how a lack of communication led to the offscreen situation which the book quite correctly doesn’t dive into in detail out of respect for those involved. Finally, I want to praise how the book handles Jennifer Lien’s place in the story. If she one day decides to discuss those years, it should be on her terms but one must acknowledge that there were many difficult factors at play

ENT - Nana has singled out Brannon Braga for praise appreciating his candidness about what went wrong here. Quite frankly the powers that be (predominantly men, go figure) thought they’d won the fight with Voyager. Echoing Nichelle Nichols, Linda Park as Hoshi did not have a lot to do but was impactful just by being there as an Asian woman on the bridge. Jolene Blalock didn’t fare much better and tellingly, neither actress agreed to be interviewed for the project (this is an assumption, they may simply not have had time or not have received the request). It’s such a missed opportunity as we could have easily been shown another mentorship between two women. We’d have to wait for Discovery and the Burnham / Georgiou pairing for that. 

Modern Trek - We’ve come so far but still have a long way to go. In the 60s and probably even the 90s we would not have had a woman of colour, namely Sonequa Martin-Green (trademark the nicest woman in the world), leading a Star Trek series. The challenges that face women of colour in particular are still prevalent. We also see the difficulties faced by Mary Wiseman and Mary Chieffo. Wiseman has been treated disgracefully by ‘fans’ who believe if you are a certain body type you have no business being on a starship, but to her enormous credit she bravely stayed for every little girl and woman as well as every neurodivergent person who feel seen watching her onscreen. Chieffo has fought the same battles along with every other woman who gets put in a box by small-minded people. Tawny Newsome  from Lower Decks discusses her life long love of Trek and her own struggles in the industry. Rounding out this section are Christina Chong and Jess Bush from Strange New Worlds. It gives hope that things are moving in the right direction as La’an and this version of Chapel show us how characters like Tasha Yar and TOS Chapel should and could have been written

The fans - A highlight of the book is the stories of who are a minute fraction of the many women who have felt seen as a result of Star Trek and who have followed their own paths using it as their example. The army chaplain who loves Beverly Crusher, the engineers who admire B’Elanna Torres, the politician and leaders who ask themselves ‘What would Janeway do?’  This is the real-world impact Trek has. 

Finally, I feel it’s important to say that this book is in no way ‘man-hating’. It spoke to me and serves as a valuable reminder that we must be allies. We must recognise and acknowledge that as men we are inherently privileged and there are challenges we quite simply never have and never will face just do live our lives and do our jobs. We can and must support and raise up women. We can open doors for them and more importantly keep them open. Nana speaks candidly of men in Trek who have done just that. 

What Nana has created here is a living breathing document that takes an in-depth, surprising and above all honest look at women in Hollywood and beyond. It should be required reading for not only Trek fans but anyone with an interest in making the world a brighter, more progressive and more inclusive place. There are many more stories to be told and I eagerly await news of the teased documentary. Open a channel, you’ll be better for it.

Hi there, I’m Craig

So, what can I tell you about me. My name is Craig Main, I’m 35 years old and I live in Kirkmuirhill, Scotland. You know the sort of place, you may drive through it on the way to somewhere else but unless you stay there you’ve probably never heard of it. 

I have 3 passions in my life aside from my wonderful family. These are my beloved Australian Labradoodle Cupar (named for the town in Fife where he was born), country music (I particularly love the works of Little Big Town and the queen that is Reba McEntire) and of course Star Trek. 

All 3 have had and continue to have a profound impact on me. They have shaped the person I am today (it remains to be seen if that is a good thing or not. I like to think it is).

I’m writing this blog to have a record of my thoughts and feelings on this franchise I love so deeply. It may never be seen by another living soul but that’s OK. This is for me, this is my world, you’re just reading it. Well then, as a wise man once said, lets see what’s out there…

Welcome to Treku

Having watched and been inspired by the poetry section of the ‘Delta Flyers’ podcast, I’ve decided to embark on my own journey through the franchise. Here (eventually) you will find a haiku to go with every episode of every series. I’ll also post my thoughts on episodes and more. From ‘The Cage’ up to the present day I want to revisit every episode and movie and flex my underdeveloped creative muscles by writing about one of the things I love most. To the journey…