Doctor Who Club of Australia

[Theta Sigma]

Today I finished watching the first episode of the Star Trek fan series New Voyages which takes place after the original series but before the first Star Trek movie with new actors playing Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the others.
Anyone who has already seen all the Star Trek TV shows and films and would like to watch something Star Trek while waiting for Star Trek XI next year might want to give New Voyages a try (that is if you haven't already):
http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/

Here's my remarks about the first episode-

Come What May:
First of all I was quite surprised that the name "Star Trek" did not appear on-screen. It just said simply New Voyages although I read in Wikipedia that like Enterprise, the Star Trek name was included later.
Instead of the usual "Based Upon Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry" it credited Gene Roddenberry as creator outright. I mean that is not completely accurate is it.
I think that the new actors are adequate replacements for their predecessors.
The episode itself is not bad but an enjoyable start to this series.

[Theta Sigma]

In Harm's Way:
The words "Star Trek" is included in the series title for the first time and Gene Roddenberry got the usual "Based Upon" credit.
This episode featured the return of the planet killer from the TOS episode The Doomsday Machine as well William Windom reprising his role as Commodore Decker. Also appearing is Captain Christopher Pike and it takes place on an alternate timeline.
As alternate timeline stories goes this one was very well executed.

[Theta Sigma]

Center Seat:
The first of the so-called vignettes, short episodes made for New Voyages. Running for just over five minutes this one finally features a new actor as Sulu in the series. With a little dose of danger this was quite a light and enjoyable piece to watch.

[Theta Sigma]

To Serve All My Days:
Walter Koenig returns in playing Chekov again even though New Voyages is set at the time of the original Star Trek when Chekov was still a young officer. People would have to see this episode for themselves to understand why.

The subplot of a renegade group of Klingons is not bad.

However given what is known about Star Trek history the ending was indeed confusing as it contradicts the established Star Trek lore. Although it was beautifully done.