Star Trek Continues: Series Finale Released!

[1tinsoldier]

yes, i got the hulk irony and recognized the aged Apollo. the older Starfleet commodor looked familiar so i looked her up. she was from Buck Rogers

E4: i was disengaged with the first 2 thirds but it came together in the end. it suffered significantly by not being able to show short flashbacks of his last encounters with his love interests, and, as is, can only be fully appreciated by trekkies (btw, i don't consider myself a trekkie since i don't get into all the details of the trek world)

i had to look up Farragut's kia referrance. i don't recall the Kia woman referenced at all in TOS

it would be nice if i could get up to speed by Wed. but unlikely

[Phoenix219]

I wouldn't rush, just for the new episode... it will be there waiting. Enjoy these.... savor these. Its a rarity, and one that isn't going to happen again. I think the Farragut reference was a new character to haunt him this episode - only the Farragut disaster was mentioned on TOS.

Considering they couldn't do real flashbacks (not just due to the actor issue, but due to CBS copyright issues) i commend them for their attention to detail in recreating those scenes.

The whole fact that they are fan produced, home made, and made for the internet still astounds me. In my mind, the lines between TOS and STC blur completely. Finding these is actually what reconnected me to Trek. (I was always just a TOS guy anyways; I grew up with them in the 80s in reruns. Not a fan of any of the newer series.)

[1tinsoldier]

The whole fact that they are fan produced, home made, and made for the internet still astounds me. In my mind, the lines between TOS and STC blur completely.

it blurs the lines for a number of things for me.
i can't help but envision what might be possible in art and entertainment and every other industry when inspired and passionate people work together for more than a paycheck. with a collective conscience. a collective vision. in this case, to Continue a 5 year mission unfinished many years ago

i see this show as a window to a working ant colony. each actor playing their individual part, contributing to a greater whole

it happens in sports too when players are uniquely aligned. the suns have had a couple of working ant colonies. perhaps falling short because of individual egos
perhaps it is better exemplified in amateur sports -- olympics, ncaa, etc..
the U.S. olympic gold hockey team comes to mind

[1tinsoldier]

E5 Divided

well, the civil war battle scenes were highly unrealistic,
and the message was a level of corny beyond anything anyone would attempt today on television
but both aspects were true to the modus operandi of TOS
good job

[1tinsoldier]

E6 Dragons

cool non-cgi-like creature. a charismatic guest actress you can become smitten with like in tos. girl on girl crew fights. what more could you ask for?

i found this one the most enjoyable for pure entertainment

i'm forging on. one more tonight...

[1tinsoldier]

E7 Winds

not exciting, but an interesting issue based episode

[Phoenix219]

The Civil War scenes, while unbelievable, were able to be filmed because a re-enactment troup was going on at the same time and were able to double as extras for the episode. It was quite an achievement budget-wise because all of the Civil War props and uniforms were already in play. Like you said, full TOS cheese in some regards. The nanoprobes and the whole shipboard half of the scenes were a nice little pre-curser/homage to the Borg, from what I can tell.

The 6th one was a little too short, so they filmed an extra ending that seems to go on a bit too long. A bit preachy near the end, but like you said, thats TOS as its best anyways. The creature effects were absolutely outstanding, and it once again gives the crew a chance to chew some scenery and show their stuff.

The seventh was kind of a talky low-point for me considering it took an entire episode to deal with one bad plot point from Turnabout Intruder that was always taken as the rantings of a deranged, unstable person, and the fact that Kirk personally is married to his ship. Number One from the pilot was obviously de facto Captain when Pike wasn't on board, so the whole woman captain thing was something that didn't need to be addresesd, IMO. The call-forward to TNG, that the candidate's decendant was going to beocme the Captain of Enterprise C, was unnecessary. I wanted to know more about the incident she was involved with and the grey area's involved - why wasn't she qualified? The timing of its release during last election cycle definitely made it a timely topical modern events episode, much like TOS did in its day, so I can definitely see its merits and its place in Trek. It just would have been a lot more fitting if it had actually aired in 1970, but I guess thats the retro-point of this show anyways. Guess I just expected more from the show at this point. The episode definitely introduces a plot point that will carry into the finale, though - the mystery of what is happening to all of these missing and exploding Constiution class ships?

The eighth and ninth episodes are fantastic, and Vic Mignonga's acting as Kirk in 8 is astounding. Although, I can't help but wonder.... was this episode written with the hope of getting Shatner?

[1tinsoldier]

yes, there did seem to be 2 endings to 6. i did want more closure and explanation but was not fully satisfied.

i agree with your feelings on the 7th. rather ludicrous to imagine that issue for that time and i didn't pay too much attention to how they explained it being that way. it was interesting though, how they created doubt about her and left it that way for us to ponder both sides.

E8
yes, how perfect would that be to get Shatner? but knowing his ego, he'd never go for the old man bit. i thought this one had too much techno talk, which was imo a failing of (what little i watched) of the 2nd trek series

the end made this episode

[Phoenix219]

The guy that plays Kirk has met Shatner in real life and has a picture together, so I'm wondering if that was the original intention. They had to shorten their run from 13 to 11 episodes and rush a few things unexpectedly, which could have resulted in not being able to work out the logistics. A number of years ago, the actors that played Chekov, Uhura and Sulu all guest starred in various episodes and a movie done by another fanfilm outfit, so its not like the precedent hasn't already been set. STC is much more polished, but there were some good moments in those early ones. I can link them another time if you'd like.

Of course, Shatner is still quite active as a celebrity, what with the "Better Late Then Never" series and what not. I know he's actively wanting to reprise the role once more, but I'm sure he has higher goals then a fan film.

Regardless, the two different Kirk's were very distinct and it was a very powerful acting performance. There were still a few issues that could have been explained a bit better, and I was half expecting to find out that this other Kirk comes from another Universe as a twist. Still, some classic moments near the end for sure. By the way, the person who wrote the script for 8 was also the person who wrote the original script for the Tholian Web and The Defiant to begin with!


9 is just about perfect. Great episode in every way, and the guest star is impossible to miss.

[1tinsoldier]

E9: not an action episode but i don't believe that's a key attraction for either of us. the theme was the most interesting
i couldn't place where i saw the older woman before and did have to look her up

it was particularly cool that they, rightly so, boldly challenged the whole concept of the "prime directive" of non-interference

i won't give it away, but, the parallels to many aspects of our current situation is glaringly obvious and colorfully expressed in the characters in more ways then one (not including "hell" and "damn" being heard)

[1tinsoldier]

E10: In the opening scene Spock seems to be channeling Cain from Kung Fu (who, in Kung Fu was probably channeling a little of Spock. damn, now i'm in the mood for chinese)

I certainly appreciate them revisiting my favorite TOS episode. btw, the original series never linked episodes (except for the 2 part pike) and rarely (if ever?) even referenced events in a prior episode.

like a few other Continues, there is too much backstory, explaining, and tech talk in this one but they did create an exciting scenario that i look forward to seeing played out in part 2

the acting and overall production has become polished and mostly seamless

[Phoenix219]

Yeah, a little bit of modern serial storytelling is creeping in, but I think its going to add to the events of the last 2 episodes, and give them a little self continuity in their own short independent season. I haven't seen the epsiode yet; I'll be watching it in the next couple days with a friend. Its sad that these are coming to an end, since it feels like they are creatively hitting their stride, and run a smooth, efficient production. I'm glad you've enjoyed this unique little corner of the fandom. I'm looking forward to these last two installments!

[1tinsoldier]

Phoe, i appreciate the inside info you share. where do you get it from? i haven't fully explored their site but i'm guessing you use other sources too.

[Phoenix219]

Some of it from their page, or facebook; Quite a lot from the TrekBBS, where many authors, fan film makers and high level producers hang out; comments sections of various pages; imbd back when the message boards were still open, and just being around and following it as it all came around - before STC and their shortlived sister production, Farragut, there were other fanfilm outfits, like Exeter, and New Voyages/Phase II. and the one that ruined fanfilms for everyones, the Axanar debacle.

If you are looking to check out the "best" of the older fanfilm stuff, the only ones worth watching IMO would be "To Serve All My days" (Chekov's New Voyages episode), "World Enough And Time" (Sulu's New Voyages episode) and "Of Gods and Men," a movie starring Chekov and Uhura and the Captain of the "Enterprise B." And, of course, a documentary called "Prelude to Axanar."

They are mostly lower budget, and the acting isn't as good, and the proudctions aren't as polished, but they paved the way for STC later.

[1tinsoldier]

thanks, ph. i never heard of or imagined any of that. after this series is done. we will surely have a discussion on what could or should be next...

[Phoenix219]

There is also Renegades, which is a post Voyager series set up by some of the former actors, that was to be the swan song for Uhura and Chekov. Sadly, they got scared of legal action after "Axanar", and "filed off the serial numbers" - the 2nd episode is Trek, but not Trek. There are 2-3 episodes on youtube of Renegades.



[video][/video]


This is the last (of 3?) episodes of Exeter, the very first of the bunch. It was mainly made *years* ago but only recently (last couple years) got ot complete the last act. At one point this was the pinnacle of fan films.

[Phoenix219]

And, for anyone else reading this later....

Episode 10 is on line.

[youtube][/youtube]

'bone, please change the thread title accordingly.

[1tinsoldier]

i watched some of an Exeter and Farragut. noble efforts as far as the sets and sound but the acting came across as if i was watching a porn with unattractive people

the actress in Renegades is cool (xena's daughter Adrienne Wilkinson), but i couldn't sit through all the meaningless action and dialogue even for her

[Phoenix219]

Yeah, STC raised the bar and changed everything as far as the perception of fan films go. Until then, Exeter and those NV/P2 episodes were the gold standard. STC made them look like play acting.

[Phoenix219]

[youtube][/youtube]

Episode 11 released.... Series Finale.

Please change thread title to reflect Full Series, or Final Episode released, or something.