Star Trek: The Original Series - with upgraded CG effects and new "corrections"

[JYoung]

It seems I wasn't the only one who was complaining that the CGI Enterprise wasn't up to snuff (http://trekmovie.com/2006/10/18/trek-remastered-is-getting-a-new-enterprise/).

http://trekmovie.com/2006/10/18/trek-remastered-is-getting-a-new-enterprise/


Rossi says the new ship will be cut down the render time dramatically and free up time to ‘do some of those cool things’ that they have wanted to do. "We will have time time to test lighting, coloring, and yes…those nacelle caps," says Rossi, "it is going to totally change the process, we are very excited about it." The team is so up on their new model that they hope to go back to some previously done shots and redo them. It is a welcome sign that the team is willing to make these improvements going forward (and backward). Many of those early shots get re-used throughout the series (an example would be the plastic-looking ‘left turn shot‘ seen last week in ‘I,Mudd’, which is a reuse of one of the first shots the team made for ‘Miri’). Due to the lead time in putting together an episode, the ‘new’ Enterprise won’t be making its debut until November.


I applaud his candidness in admitting that there are issues with the model and that they are working to fix them.
I take back half of the bad things I said about Paramount and greed.

But......

This weekend keep your eyes on the Gorn in ‘Arena’ for another one of these touches.


They better not be replacing the Gorn with with a crappy CGI! :eek:

[Figaro]

It seems I wasn't the only one who was complaining that the CGI Enterprise wasn't up to snuff (http://trekmovie.com/2006/10/18/trek-remastered-is-getting-a-new-enterprise/).

http://trekmovie.com/2006/10/18/trek-remastered-is-getting-a-new-enterprise/



I applaud his candidness in admitting that there are issues with the model and that they are working to fix them.
I take half of the bad things I said about Paramount and greed.

But......


They better not be replacing the Gorn with with a crappy CGI! :eek:
I bet his eyes will be different.

[SparkleMotion]

Yeah, they'll alter something in the way they made Norman #1's access panel look seamless. The zipper will be gone...

And I could see some new eyes or something.

[PJO1966]

They had said that they wouldn't be replacing any actors in rubber suits. It'll be interesting to see what they do.

[JYoung]

They probably don't have the time to totally CGI the Gorn.

[bobcarn]

OK. I finally got off my lazy butt and tried to schedule a recording of one of these eppys. But I can't find any that I know are the enhanced ones! I see TOS shows listed, but none of them have anything designating that they're enhanced or anything. :( Where can I find out when and where these particular enhanced shows are airing?

[IndyJones1023]

My DirecTV guide didn't state anything special about the episodes, either. Just record a few and see.

[bobcarn]

Dochterman is a visual effects person who was the visual effects supervisor on ST:TMP Directors Edition (http://www.betafive.com/PORTFOLIOSITE/resume.html).

And I believe he's saying that showing more of the ruins is more important than oceans on a barren planet.

But then it becomes a purely subjective point of view. Some people feel strongly that no changes should be made. Others feel strongly that it's OK to change only some visuals/sound effects as long as nothing is reedited, while some may feel minor reediting is OK (by "reediting", I mean anything that is done in the final editing process where the invidual clips are trimmed and pieced together to make the final print). Dochterman is now complaining basically because the changes that were made weren't changes he would've made, making it purely subjective.

Myself? I don't mind enhancing sound or visuals, but don't want actual shots added or removed. The director is in charge of how he wants the final piece to look, and I'd rather see the director's vision rather a fanboi's who happens to have expterise with a digital toolbox on a PC.

[bobcarn]

I agree with everything except Scotty's phaser. The lack of a beam, even if it were intentional originally (I rather doubt it, actually, do you have a link?) looked like an oversight. This is the only time a phaser was ever depicted operating with absolutely no visible effect. If it was deliberate, it constitutes a continuity error IMHO. They did well to "fix" it.

A few additional comments:

The new chronometer was mandatory. The mechanical wheels with numbers painted on them and blatant mid-60's era toggle switches just had to get updated.

My favorite of the above was the flames at the edges of the viewscreen.

I really wracked my memory trying to recall a TOS scene where Scottie was firing a phaser and you didn't see the beam (I didn't see the enhanced one you're talking about). This is the scene where Scottie is trying to cut his way into the engine room, right?

I think I can understand why they made a conscious decision to not show the beam. The phaser is held very closely to the wall and sparks are flying off of the wall as he cuts through it working his way down. For one thing, a visual beam may distract from the sparks flying from the door, but that's just minor. I think the real reason they didn't show the beam is because that scene has one thing that no other phaser scene in the series had.... a moving point of origin and destination. Think about it. Every phaser blast you see is from a ship or handheld unit that's basically stationary. The special effects department just had to insert a beam travelling between two points. But in that scene with Scottie, both points are moving. It is very likely that it was simply impossible to do within the budget they had and the time constraints.

[IndyJones1023]

I really wracked my memory trying to recall a TOS scene where Scottie was firing a phaser and you didn't see the beam (I didn't see the enhanced one you're talking about). This is the scene where Scottie is trying to cut his way into the engine room, right?

I think I can understand why they made a conscious decision to not show the beam. The phaser is held very closely to the wall and sparks are flying off of the wall as he cuts through it working his way down. For one thing, a visual beam may distract from the sparks flying from the door, but that's just minor. I think the real reason they didn't show the beam is because that scene has one thing that no other phaser scene in the series had.... a moving point of origin and destination. Think about it. Every phaser blast you see is from a ship or handheld unit that's basically stationary. The special effects department just had to insert a beam travelling between two points. But in that scene with Scottie, both points are moving. It is very likely that it was simply impossible to do within the budget they had and the time constraints.
That or the angle was off.

[Dmon4u]

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6383231.html?display=Breaking+News

Star Trek's Syndication Rating of (1.2) topped

Stargate: Atlantis (1.1);
Stargate SG-1 (1.0);
and Outer Limits (0.4).

"It also beat the off-Si Fi Channel Farscape at a .8, though that show is classified as a general drama rather than sci-fi. "

[PJO1966]

OK. I finally got off my lazy butt and tried to schedule a recording of one of these eppys. But I can't find any that I know are the enhanced ones! I see TOS shows listed, but none of them have anything designating that they're enhanced or anything. :( Where can I find out when and where these particular enhanced shows are airing?


You're in Trenton, so I don't know if you get NYC channels or Philly. If you get NYC, look at 2:45am Monday on WNBC.

[JYoung]

OK. I finally got off my lazy butt and tried to schedule a recording of one of these eppys. But I can't find any that I know are the enhanced ones! I see TOS shows listed, but none of them have anything designating that they're enhanced or anything. :( Where can I find out when and where these particular enhanced shows are airing?

You check the affiliate page at startrek.com?
http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/25835.html?page=1

[wmcbrine]

OK. I finally got off my lazy butt and tried to schedule a recording of one of these eppys. But I can't find any that I know are the enhanced ones!I may be off base here, but I think that if you find it anywhere on a broadcast (OTA) channel in the U.S. right now, it should be the updated version. While G4 is still showing the originals, AFAIK.

[dcheesi]

I'm just frustrated because of the local affiliate(s). There were two locals that showed up on the TiVo with the appropriate 'enhanced' TOS schedules. I picked the one that was officially listed in the affiliates list (which also happened to have a conflict-free timeslot). But after the second week, they started showing the same episode over and over again! By the time I had figured it out I had missed about three episodes (been doing lots of traveling lately). :mad: I set up a new SP for the other channel, but now I have a conflict to worry about...

[JYoung]

I may be off base here, but I think that if you find it anywhere on a broadcast (OTA) channel in the U.S. right now, it should be the updated version. While G4 is still showing the originals, AFAIK.


TVLand will start showing the originals in November as well.

[Figaro]

so I just watched Arena. The only difference in the Gorn that I noticed was that it blink in one shot.

[anom]

so I just watched Arena. The only difference in the Gorn that I noticed was that it blink in one shot.

They improved the cheesy rubber lizard suit by making it blink once? This is progress?
Sometimes you have to just enjoy something for what it is.

[LoadStar]

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6383231.html?display=Breaking+News

Star Trek's Syndication Rating of (1.2) topped

Stargate: Atlantis (1.1);
Stargate SG-1 (1.0);
and Outer Limits (0.4).

"It also beat the off-Si Fi Channel Farscape at a .8, though that show is classified as a general drama rather than sci-fi. "
Not surprised about Farscape, particularly if all markets are like WGN, who moved it to 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, if I recall correctly.

[bootedbear]

so I just watched Arena. The only difference in the Gorn that I noticed was that it blink in one shot.

Actually, it blinked a number of times. I thought it was well done. I was afraid they'd replace the whole creature with some cheesy Enterpise-esque CGI rendering.

[JYoung]

Usual comparisons here. (http://trekmovie.com/2006/10/21/arena-screenshots-and-video/#more-263)

I liked the blinking Gorn. I think that with a little more time, they could have used it to great effect when Kirk is debating on whether or not to finish him off.

I also liked the hint of the Gorn ship on the viewscreen there as well and redone Cestus III beam down.

The dislikes, well we all know about my complaints with the Enterprise herself.
The "screensaver" warp field on the viewscreen.
And it's a shame they didn't have time to fix the viewscreen matte when the crew is watching Kirk fight the Gorn.

The syndication edits are getting extremely annoying though. They practically gutted Kirk's entire argument for mercy.

Next week is supposed to be Catspaw (just in time for Halloween) and there, I wouldn't mind if they replaced the puppets with CGI.

[JYoung]

Not surprised about Farscape, particularly if all markets are like WGN, who moved it to 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, if I recall correctly.


I don't think that Trek Remastered is doing much better in that regard.
A number of stations are showing it in the wee hours of the weekend as well.

[JYoung]

All you might want to know about the different versions of Trek Remastered. (http://trekmovie.com/2006/10/25/cbs-is-future-proofing-original-star-trek/#more-269)

[JYoung]

Usual comparisons here. (http://trekmovie.com/2006/11/05/the-trouble-with-tribbles-screenshots-debut-new-cgi-enterprise-model/#more-292)


The CGI Enterprise model shows up in this episode and it is much improved.
The Nacelle caps are much better as is the color.
Still needs some more work with the lighting and the texturing but this is what I wish they had started out with.

I liked the ending flyby pass as well.

Thought that the small model of the Enterprise was too indistinct in the long shots though.

[Bondelev]

I am slightly pissed that they didn't insert the DS9 characters SOMEWHERE in the background.

[JYoung]

Besides the fact they'd have to pay the actors in order to use their likenesses (cause Paramount always spends top dollar), why do they have to be there?

[Bondelev]

Besides the fact they'd have to pay the actors in order to use their likenesses (cause Paramount always spends top dollar), why do they have to be there?

We now know, they WERE there!

[JYoung]

After Darvin tried to change history.

[bootedbear]

The CGI Enterprise model shows up in this episode and it is much improved.
The Nacelle caps are much better as is the color.
Still needs some more work with the lighting and the texturing but this is what I wish they had started out with.


My partner, the fine-scale-modeler quasi-expert-on-Enterprise-details, said pretty much that almost word for word.

We spent much more time rewinding and slow-mo-ing through the scenes showing the ship than in actually watching the episode.

Such is life with a modeler.

[HTH]

I am slightly pissed that they didn't insert the DS9 characters SOMEWHERE in the background. Now that I have a copy of the redone episode on the TiVo, I plan to try to edit the DS9 scenes in, but not anything that reveals the DS9 plotline or detracts from the original episode. Just for fun.

[IndyJones1023]

That would be fun! Post your results!

[wmcbrine]

One of the comparison shots on trekmovie.com is captioned "Old Klingon ship by K7 — notice there isn’t one…" I have to say, this is another thing I think they got wrong in the update. Even as we're looking at the ship orbiting the station, Kirk's voice is saying that it's 100km away. But the distance shown is nothing like 100km. (I know the ships are big, but they're not that big.)

[JYoung]

My partner, the fine-scale-modeler quasi-expert-on-Enterprise-details, said pretty much that almost word for word.

We spent much more time rewinding and slow-mo-ing through the scenes showing the ship than in actually watching the episode.

Such is life with a modeler.

He might be interested in this link:

http://trekmovie.com/2006/11/07/review-trouble-with-tribbles-remastered/#more-295

[bootedbear]

He might be interested in this link:

http://trekmovie.com/2006/11/07/review-trouble-with-tribbles-remastered/#more-295

Thanks!

He said he visits that site almost daily, but to thank you for pointing it out in case he hadn't known about it.

[SparkleMotion]

Wow...I was disappointed at first with "The Corbomite Maneuver" because it looked liked they used the original footage of the space buoy (they did), but when they showed an exterior shot where it was casting light on the Enterprise, I was genuinely astonished. Nice work. :up:

[SparkleMotion]

Wow...it's been a while.

"Death has little meaning to us. If it has none to you, then attack us now. We grow annoyed at your foolishness."

Great writing. Good story. THIS is why this show is iconic. :up:

[SparkleMotion]

And I'm slightly embarrassed to admit I said the line "This is Tranya. I hope you relish it as much as I." right in chorus with Balok. Sheesh! :o

[vertigo235]

has anyone checked out the hd versions on xboxlive?

[SparkleMotion]

No one is curious why it took me almost 3 hours to watch this episode? :D

[JYoung]

I meant to update this thread but got bogged down in the minutia of work and every day life.

Mirror, Mirror:
It was an interesting choice to use the pilot version for the ISS Enterprise but it did look good with the spiked nacelle caps.

Space Seed:
This episode really shined. When I saw the new scene of the Enterprise approaching the Botany Bay, I exclaimed "that's more like it!"
Beautiful work with that and the scene where the Enterprise leaves the Botany Bay behind.

The Menagerie:
Not an effects heavy episode but I thought that the first shot of Pike's Enterprise on the viewscreen with the drop zoom through to the Bridge was a top notch effort.
Also liked the cleanup on the Talosian effects and the Rigel matte.

Not sure how I feel about them overlaying the series phaser and transporter sounds effects on Pike's stuff though.

I probably won't get to the Corbomite Maneuver until next weekend though.

[JYoung]

No one is curious why it took me almost 3 hours to watch this episode? :D


A lot of freeze framing?

[Idearat]

I wish I had the original to compare, but if someone does, did they update the countdown timer on the Enterprise? My fuzzy memory has it being an old-style digital display like an car odometer where the numbers spun by. This update episode had LCD or just LCD-looking CGI of a type I think wasn't around in the '60s.

[alansh]

Yes; they used the same revised chronometer in "The Naked Time" (http://trekmovie.com/2006/09/30/the-naked-time-screenshots/) (when time reverses). They also fixed a glitch the old one had. It would read

2:02
2:01
1:00
1:59
...

[JYoung]

The Corbomite Manuever

Comparisions here (http://trekmovie.com/2006/12/09/the-corbomite-maneuver-screenshots/#more-351).
Loved the opening shot of the Enterprise and I think that they did a faithful recreation of the Cube.
I loved how the Cube colors washed over the Primary hull in the beginning.
The Fesarius wasn't bad either.

I always liked this episode. When you consider that this was the first regular production episode, it shows that Trek can be good out of the gate. None of this "it takes three seasons for a Star Trek show to get good" crap.
It also has some of the most memorable episode music.
I actually bought this episode off of iTunes to see the unedited version.

Friday's Child

Comparisons here (http://trekmovie.com/2007/01/06/%e2%80%9cfridays-child%e2%80%9d-screenshots/#more-414).

Some good angles of the Enterprise here and I really liked the first leaving orbit scene, but I wish that they had stuck with the lighting setup they were using in the Corbomite Manuever.
The real problem is that they are relying to much of the lighting behind the model when the original model was lit from the front (or behind the camera).
This contributes to the "less colored" look of the Enterprise.
I still wish that they would do another texture pass as well. They also need to reduce the size of the rear nacelle balls a little and detail them and the Shuttlebay more.
(but these are more minor complaints, they have addressed the major ones)

The syndication edits are still annoying. This time, they dropped the whole second distress call and Scotty's "Fool me once" response.

I didn't like this episode that much when I was a kid as the whole baby angle was "yucky" but I learned to appreciate this episode more as I grew older.

You have a good mix of action, humor, and seriousness and a good subplot with Scotty in command of the Enterprise. If he wasn't such a good engineer, he'd have made a fine Captain.

[JYoung]

startrek.com has put up some images of the new effects for the Doomsday Machine (http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/features/bst/article/28135.html).


http://www.startrek.com/custom/include/feature/bst/tos-enhanced/tos-035/new-540x304.jpg

The preview can be found here (http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TOS/episode/68730.html).

And it you want to see a different take on it (http://www.betafive.com/wordpress/).

[dcheesi]

Seems like the alterations are becoming more pronounced & ambitious as it goes along... Or maybe I'm just noticing more? I guess they're getting more confident in their work.

[bootedbear]

Seems like the alterations are becoming more pronounced & ambitious as it goes along... Or maybe I'm just noticing more? I guess they're getting more confident in their work.

They are getting much better as they go along.

My partner, the fine-scale-modeler-enterprise-expert, points out things that they've "fixed" on the Enterprise model during each subsequent episode and notes that it's just getting better and better.

[bootedbear]

And it you want to see a different take on it (http://www.betafive.com/wordpress/).

So much talent out there. How did B&B get a job?

[dylking]

Watched Journey to Babel this weekend. Thought the attacking orion ship was nifty (even slo mo'd it to see the details - and when they blew it up...coooool!)

:)

[bootedbear]

and when they blew it up...coooool!

Yeah, I liked how things kept "spinning" as they flew apart. That got a lot of replay and slo-mo.

How do people without TiVos appreciate these sort of things? :)

[dcheesi]

They are getting much better as they go along.

My partner, the fine-scale-modeler-enterprise-expert, points out things that they've "fixed" on the Enterprise model during each subsequent episode and notes that it's just getting better and better.Kind of makes me wish they'd saved episodes like "Balance of Terror" until later...

[bootedbear]

Kind of makes me wish they'd saved episodes like "Balance of Terror" until later...

Supposedly (rumor mill only), they're going to improve the effects in the first handful of episodes that were aired when they get released on DVD.

Where's the smilie for "crossed fingers"?

[JYoung]

I did think that it was rather cool that we saw pieces blasted off of the Orion ship.
The Shuttlecraft looked much better here than in The Menagerie.

The thing is, I've realized that the average viewer isn't going to care.
I was having dinner with my father a few weeks back and he mentioned that he had been watching Original Star Trek late Sunday night.
When I explained to him how they were redoing the Special Effects, he said to me that he didn't notice a difference. http://www.dslextreme.com/users/jonathany/images/icons/meh.gif

[bootedbear]

"The Doomsday Machine" -- Incredibly well done! Too bad that they had to cut so many scenes for time. I'll really be looking forward to the DVDs that show the entire episodes.

Some high points that I really appreciated:

- The texture of the planet killer that made it look more metallic than the original
- The damage to the Constellation, incredible detail
- The erratic flight path of the Constellation
- The anti-proton beam

[IndyJones1023]

Were shows back in the 60s longer than an hour?

[Fish Man]

Were shows back in the 60s longer than an hour?

Star Trek wasn't.

But, the standard when it was being made, for an hour TV drama was 53 - 54 minutes of episode, and 6 - 7 minutes of commercials.

Today the standard is 40 - 42 minutes of episode, and 18 - 20 minutes of commercials, hence the editing.

[byte_me123]

Supposedly (rumor mill only), they're going to improve the effects in the first handful of episodes that were aired when they get released on DVD.

Where's the smilie for "crossed fingers"?

Translation: "We rushed it thorugh to get in the 40th annv. stick."

[JYoung]

I thought it was a pretty good effort on CBS Digital's part.
I still have some issues with the lighting though. It's still too dark and would it kill them to put a little more color in there?
(Maybe it will be brighter in HD?)

I still think that Doctorman's lighting is better but he doesn't do motion as well as CBS.

This episode has always been one of my favorites. I remember being scared witless when I was 8 and watching it for the first time.

[dylking]

I was kind of surprised by Amok Time - I was thinking "It takes place on a planet, what can they do with that?"

The ship flyby at the opening (after the credits), was nice, and the newly inserted views of the planetary surface were very evocative of Star Trek III and IV...which is what I imagined they were going for.

I was pretty impressed! Unfortunately, the channel that shows it here had bad reception or something - the colors kept fading in an out...although since I was watching it on my old series 2, it could be the TiVo :)

[JYoung]

The closeup of the Enterprise fly by was nice as was the new arena shots.
However, they are treading a very fine line here with the removal of live action shots in order to show more special effects.
Admittedly that it was just a shot of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy walking to the arena but..... careful.

I'm not sure I prefered them cutting to the FX shot during Spock's beam out either.

[JYoung]

Although it's about 10 days off, Startrek.com has put up some previews of the Tholian Web (http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/TOS/article/28095.html).

[PJO1966]

The last one I watched was Wolf in the Fold. They're starting to do something that is getting on my nerves. When they restore and color correct the episodes, they don't correct any shots that begin and end in a dissolve. This is really lazy restoration work. There are ways of correcting within dissolves. It's really jarring when they cut from one corrected shot that's bright and vibrant to one that's still dull.

[JYoung]

Not happy with the Tholian Web from an artistic point of view.

I think they stepped over the line when they changed the design of the Tholian ship.

Here are some preview caps for the Immunity Syndrome.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/LavianoTS386/shots.jpg

[Bryanmc]

So, are these playing in Dallas anywhere? I've got a SP for Trek on 14 (KFWD) and TV Land, but they don't seem to be the remastered ones.

[JYoung]

Startrek.com says KTXA? (http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/25835.html?page=1)

Google says this is Channel 21, the former UPN affiliate?

[Bryanmc]

Yeah, doesn't show up on that station.

[JYoung]

The Immunity Syndrome Sun, Apr 8
9:00 PM KFWD 52
The Immunity Syndrome Sun, Apr 8
9:00 PM KFWD-DT 52.1
The Tholian Web Sun, Apr 8
10:00 PM KFWD 52
The Tholian Web Sun, Apr 8
10:00 PM KFWD-DT 52.1
And the Children Shall Lead Sun, Apr 15
9:00 PM KFWD 52

Looks like the remastered schedule to me.

[alansh]

A check on Zap2It seems to show Trek on KFWD at 9 and 10pm on Sunday.

[Bryanmc]

The Immunity Syndrome Sun, Apr 8
9:00 PM KFWD 52
The Immunity Syndrome Sun, Apr 8
9:00 PM KFWD-DT 52.1
The Tholian Web Sun, Apr 8
10:00 PM KFWD 52
The Tholian Web Sun, Apr 8
10:00 PM KFWD-DT 52.1
And the Children Shall Lead Sun, Apr 15
9:00 PM KFWD 52

Looks like the remastered schedule to me.
Cool, thanks.

[JYoung]

I think I know what the source of confusion is.
Tribune did not set a new Show ID number for Remastered and I'm guessing that you thought that Remastered would be a separate entry?

[Figaro]

Immunity Syndrome has one of the greatest lines ever.

"Brace yourselves, the area of penetration will no doubt be sensitive."

Oh Spock I love it when you talk dirty.

[JYoung]

Immunity Syndrome has one of the greatest lines ever.

"Brace yourselves, the area of penetration will no doubt be sensitive."

Oh Spock I love it when you talk dirty.


Then this will be right up your alley (http://trekmovie.com/2007/04/07/the-innuendo-syndrome/#more-606).

[Figaro]

Then this will be right up your alley (http://trekmovie.com/2007/04/07/the-innuendo-syndrome/#more-606).
:up: :up: :up:

[drew2k]

Then this will be right up your alley (http://trekmovie.com/2007/04/07/the-innuendo-syndrome/#more-606).I think I peed myself a little bit at around 1:30 on the time line when Doc McCoy smiled. :D

[JYoung]

I think I'm still the only one watching Star Trek Remastered but here's a nice cap from the upcoming "Charlie X".

http://www.startrek.com/custom/include/feature/bst/tos-enhanced/tos-008/new-540x304.jpg

[PJO1966]

I think I'm still the only one watching Star Trek Remastered but here's a nice cap from the upcoming "Charlie X".

http://www.startrek.com/custom/include/feature/bst/tos-enhanced/tos-008/new-540x304.jpg


I still watch every week. I generally end up napping during it, but I think it counts as watching. Charlie X was always one of my favorite episodes. Maybe I'll stay awake for that one.

[atrac]

I'm still watching every week too. :)

Are there any plans for "Assignment Earth" any time soon?

[alansh]

There are four episodes left in the current "season": "Return to Tomorrow", "Charlie X", "The Squire of Gothos", and "This Side of Paradise". I think the second season will start in mid-September.

[bootedbear]

Still watching! Wouldn't miss one!

[jimborst]

Really enjoy these, is there plans to put them out on DVD?

[drcos]

trekmovie.com lists the 'first season' as being available 'winter 2007' on HD/DVD combo discs (DVD on one side, HD-DVD on the other).

Whenever these are available, these are supposed to be the entire uncut episodes, not the edited for commercial time episodes shown on tv.
Would be nice if they had the new trailers too, with that 'movie trailer guy' doing the voice overs :)

And the bumpers, they gotta put those in.

[JYoung]

Galileo 7 aired this weekend:
http://www.startrek.com/custom/include/feature/bst/tos-enhanced/tos-014/new-540x304.jpg

And the two men killed on screen weren't redshirts.

[PJO1966]

I'm more than a month behind in my viewing of these. I have some serious catching up to do.

[Peter000]

trekmovie.com lists the 'first season' as being available 'winter 2007' on HD/DVD combo discs (DVD on one side, HD-DVD on the other).

Whenever these are available, these are supposed to be the entire uncut episodes, not the edited for commercial time episodes shown on tv.
Would be nice if they had the new trailers too, with that 'movie trailer guy' doing the voice overs :)

And the bumpers, they gotta put those in.
I just noticed this. :o

Anyone know if the HD DVD version is going to be widescreen, or side-panel HD?

[JYoung]

I just noticed this. :o

Anyone know if the HD DVD version is going to be widescreen, or side-panel HD?


It will be OAR.
I hear that they are working on a 16:9 version though....

[JYoung]

I just watched the remastered version of Day of the Dove.
I'd comment more on the effects except that the syndicators apparently decided to cut out the entire first act.

Nice job, guys.
:rolleyes:

[mrdbdigital]

"The Doomsday Machine" -- Incredibly well done! Too bad that they had to cut so many scenes for time. I'll really be looking forward to the DVDs that show the entire episodes.

Some high points that I really appreciated:

- The texture of the planet killer that made it look more metallic than the original
- The damage to the Constellation, incredible detail
- The erratic flight path of the Constellation
- The anti-proton beam

It always bothered me in the original version that the neutronium hull of the planet killer was transparent enough to see stars through. I'm glad to see they fixed it.

[doom1701]

I just watched the remastered version of Day of the Dove.
I'd comment more on the effects except that the syndicators apparently decided to cut out the entire first act.

Nice job, guys.
:rolleyes:

It's been a good 20 years since I saw that episode last time--what was cut?

I'm still watching every week, although I, like someone above, often wind up falling asleep during them. There's the occasional good episode, but a lot of them are not the high end television that I once thought they were.

[JYoung]

It's been a good 20 years since I saw that episode last time--what was cut?



It appears to be an LA only issue but they showed the teaser which ended with Kang backhanding Kirk and telling him they were prisoners of the Klingon Empire and the Enterprise was forfeit.

Roll opening titles then commercials.
Come back from the commercial break and Kirk and three security guys are in the lounge holding swords while the Klingons are grabbing the other swords.


I'm still watching every week, although I, like someone above, often wind up falling asleep during them. There's the occasional good episode, but a lot of them are not the high end television that I once thought they were.

It was the 60's and the art has evolved since then.
Still better than Enterprise though...... ;)

ETA:
Oh, and the LA 1080i feed is gorgeous.

[jlb]

I would love to record these but locally they never air when they are scheduled. 2:00am ends up being 2:12am or 2:35, or whatever. Oh well.

[doom1701]

It appears to be an LA only issue but they showed the teaser which ended with Kang backhanding Kirk and telling him they were prisoners of the Klingon Empire and the Enterprise was forfeit.

Roll opening titles then commercials.
Come back from the commercial break and Kirk and three security guys are in the lounge holding swords while the Klingons are grabbing the other swords.



Yup, that must have been local. Ours went into them still on the planet after the credits, with Kirk trapping the Klingons in beam-up.

[JYoung]

Well, I'll TiVo the repeat next weekend at 4AM to see if they fixed it....

[Peter000]

Looked good here in NY! :)

Edit: The Klingon ship blowing up looked TOTALLY fake and video-gamey.

[robpickles]

It's been a good 20 years since I saw that episode last time--what was cut?

Syndication over the years butchered all TOS episodes. I was surprised to see scenes or parts of scenes in a lot of episodes that I haven't seen in a long time.

Rob :)

[vman41]

What was the original play time for the episodes? 52 minutes? I editted the commercials out of an airing of the Squire of Gothos and got 44 minutes (including intro and closing credits).

[alansh]

The original runtime was 51 minutes, plus a one minute teaser for the next episode.

So 7 minutes, or around 13% of the episode is being trimmed out.:mad:

[mattack]

Syndication over the years butchered all TOS episodes.

Syndication butchers ALL TV shows in the same way!

That's why I essentially never watch syndicated reruns.. (I once in a while make an exception when I know I'm missing ONE episode and will put up with the hacked up version to avoid renting [even 'free' via netflix] for just one episode.)

I would love for there to be a premium-level channel that aired "reruns" that weren't edited. I'd catch up on more older shows that way. Luckily most are being released to DVD nowadays so that's another method.

[atrac]

Looked good here in NY! :)

Edit: The Klingon ship blowing up looked TOTALLY fake and video-gamey.

That was cut from the Los Angeles feed as well. Wow, they really did blow it (so to speak).

[atrac]

A special thanks to KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles for starting this a HALF hour late and thus giving me only 30 mins or so of the latest episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield."

:(

Anyone in LA going to the Star Trek Tour in Long Beach? It runs through February 17th...

[JYoung]

They had live Clippers basketball that night so I padded my recording.

[atrac]

They had live Clippers basketball that night so I padded my recording.

Wow, I totally dislike sports but it looks like I'll still have to follow them to keep my shows fully recorded. :(

[atrac]

Anyone in LA going to the Star Trek Tour in Long Beach? It runs through February 17th...

Did anyone go to this yet? My friends and I went today and were very disappointed in it.

TIP: CARPOOL. They charge $15 just to park.

TIP: EAT FIRST. The food prices are outrageous too.

[LoadStar]

Did anyone go to this yet? My friends and I went today and were very disappointed in it.

TIP: CARPOOL. They charge $15 just to park.

TIP: EAT FIRST. The food prices are outrageous too.

I've been looking forward to when it comes to Chicago. What precisely were you disappointed in?

(Maybe this should be it's own thread over in Happy Hour, since it's not directly related to this thread...)

[robpickles]

I would love for there to be a premium-level channel that aired "reruns" that weren't edited.

I remember some station a while back trying this, but eventually it too got greedy and ruined it. I can't remember what station that was.

Rob :)

[atrac]

I've been looking forward to when it comes to Chicago. What precisely were you disappointed in?

(Maybe this should be it's own thread over in Happy Hour, since it's not directly related to this thread...)

It probably should be. :)

The sets and costumes did not seem like they were the real thing. I know up close they don't look as good as on camera (I've seen them at paramount), these felt like they were built specifically for the tour. The costumes did not look like the real ones at all (Janeway would never have fit into that little frock they had on display!).

The flight simulator effects were VERY cheesy. The fan made Star Trek films online have better effects (even the latest "Of Gods and Monsters"). Both "different" simulators used the same video footage.

The final short film was laughable.

Finally, the Star Trek Quiz that you could play was wrong! It said that Starfleet Headquarters is NOT in San Francisco.

The Vegas one was a LOT better. And don't get me wrong, I really wanted to like this. I went in rooting for them. I left wanting a refund. :(

[That Don Guy]

It probably should be. :)

Finally, the Star Trek Quiz that you could play was wrong! It said that Starfleet Headquarters is NOT in San Francisco.
Technically, during the original series, wasn't StarFleet HQ in orbit above San Francisco?

-- Don

[Idearat]

Finally, the Star Trek Quiz that you could play was wrong! It said that Starfleet Headquarters is NOT in San Francisco.
(

I've never thought of it as in San Francisco. Most every image I've seen has shown it on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge would put it out of San Francisco. (Call it Sausalito, Ft. Baker or just Marin County )

Here's someone with too much time on their hands, but the bulk of the images shows the headquarters to be on the north side of the bridge:

http://www.st-v-sw.net/STSWcities-sanfran.html

[Church AV Guy]

Syndication butchers ALL TV shows in the same way!

That's why I essentially never watch syndicated reruns.. (I once in a while make an exception when I know I'm missing ONE episode and will put up with the hacked up version to avoid renting [even 'free' via netflix] for just one episode.)

I would love for there to be a premium-level channel that aired "reruns" that weren't edited. I'd catch up on more older shows that way. Luckily most are being released to DVD nowadays so that's another method.
The Sci-Fi channel ran the original series uncut several years ago. I was very diligent in recording it. There were scenes that I never saw, or at least never rememberd seeing.

I have thought that it would be a good selling point, or advertising tool, to say that they were showing two series, like Star Trek:TOS and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, unedited, two shows in a 2.5 hour block. There are a bunch of shows that could be done that way. Putting one show in a 1.5 hour slot would be much but two in a 2.5 hour block seems like a fair compromise. I don;t care so much about the quantity commercials as long as the content is unaltered.

[JYoung]

The Ultimate Computer airs this weekend and it's a very effects heavy show with two instances of Starship combat.

Here's some sample pics:

http://trekmovie.com/images/Ep53_fleet.jpg

http://trekmovie.com/images/Ep53_phaser.jpg

Full story at Trekmovie.com (http://trekmovie.com/2008/02/07/tos-r-producers-talk-ultimate-computer-and-share-new-images/#more-1546)

[atrac]

Wow! I'm looking forward to it! Thanks for posting those pics JYoung!

[atrac]

I've never thought of it as in San Francisco. Most every image I've seen has shown it on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge would put it out of San Francisco. (Call it Sausalito, Ft. Baker or just Marin County )

Here's someone with too much time on their hands, but the bulk of the images shows the headquarters to be on the north side of the bridge:

http://www.st-v-sw.net/STSWcities-sanfran.html

Shatner's daughter played the trivia quiz at the tour and she picked SF and got it wrong too! The funny thing is she thinks she got it right. I guess the real question is regarding the President of Starfleet's office? So confusing!

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&messageID=5375655770

(hope that link works -- its myspace)

[doom1701]

Can't see the link, but the Federation President's office is in Paris.

And Trouble with Tribbles was on this weekend. Not an FX heavy episode, but they took the time to purty up the fx and add a couple of things as well.

[atrac]

Can't see the link, but the Federation President's office is in Paris.


Sorry about the bad link, but thank you for the information! You've cleared it up for my friends and I. :)

In terms of this show, I have read that "Assignment: Earth" is due to air in May. I can't wait! It's one of my favorite episodes and I wish there really had been a series from it. I always like when futuristic devices/technologies are used in present day situations (like on Stargate SG-1 when they had the whole story arc about that group of people stealing the alien technology and using it against SG-1).

[JYoung]

Elaan of Troyius aired this weekend and I was very disappointed with it as the Klingon Battlecruiser model only appeared to be half finished.

The low polygon count does hurt the Klingon model by giving it a lack of detail. They needed to do at least one more pass on it.

The Enterprise did look sweet firing it’s Photon Torpedoes though. At least they got that one right.

Usual comparisons:
http://trekmovie.com/2008/03/31/elaan-of-troyius-remastered-review-video/#more-1808

[bootedbear]

Yeah, that was the weakest model I've seen in the whole series. Not only was the polygon count low, all the surface detail was missing and a lot of the shapes were incorrectly proportioned.

Looks like someone ran out of time. Hopefully, that'll be finished by the time the DVD transfer takes place.

[JYoung]

Preview pic of The Enterprise Incident.

http://img.trekmovie.com/images/tosr_ei2.jpg

[mattack]

The Sci-Fi channel ran the original series uncut several years ago. I was very diligent in recording it. There were scenes that I never saw, or at least never rememberd seeing.

Though when the Sci-Fi channel ran it "uncut", they put new commercial breaks in where there weren't originally.. sometimes cutting in very strange places.. I think literally sometimes in the middle of a conversation. (I think I videotaped all or almost all of this.. it was that long ago IIRC..)

I just wish the Trek shows would come on DVD for a reasonable price (i.e. $20 or less per season). I admit I don't even _rewatch_ things very much, but Trek is one of a few things that I would buy for "collector" value. (Not collector value in that it will go up, but that *I* am a collector/packrat of things I like.) I keep wondering if people are going to dump a lot of DVD sets when the BluRay version comes out. IMHO, DVD is 'good enough'.. though one advantage of BluRay *I* would want would be to put it on fewer discs.

[atrac]

In terms of this show, I have read that "Assignment: Earth" is due to air in May. I can't wait! It's one of my favorite episodes and I wish there really had been a series from it. I always like when futuristic devices/technologies are used in present day situations (like on Stargate SG-1 when they had the whole story arc about that group of people stealing the alien technology and using it against SG-1).

This airs tonight! I'm padding the hell out of it...just in case. There probably won't be much new effects, but I loved the concept of this "pilot" and wish it had been made into a series. :)

[appleye1]

Ahhh, one of my favorites. I had such a big crush on Teri Garr!
http://members.cox.net/averysdad3/garr-shatner.jpg
.

[Peter000]

I'm actually watching now.

I wonder if anyone's done a guide to the different headwear that Spock has used to hide his ears? :D

[JYoung]

I'm actually watching now.

I wonder if anyone's done a guide to the different headwear that Spock has used to hide his ears? :D

Not that I'm aware but someone has done a guide to all the Leslie appearences (http://hometown.aol.com/led4acs/LeslieArchives.html).

This is a great episode for Mr. Leslie.
First we see him on the bridge in at the Engineering station. Kirk even asks him for a sensor scan.

Then when Kirk is addressing the ship, we see him walking down the corridor, wearing Command Gold.

Then we see him in Engineering, in the background while Scotty talks to Kirk, wearing Engineering coveralls!

Then, Leslie is back in Support Services Red and is on duty in the Transporter Room when Gary Seven escapes and Seven puts him to sleep.

Then, Leslie appears as a security guard waiting to apprehend Seven when Scotty tries to beam him aboard.

[PJO1966]

Not that I'm aware but someone has done a guide to all the Leslie appearences (http://hometown.aol.com/led4acs/LeslieArchives.html).

This is a great episode for Mr. Leslie.
First we see him on the bridge in at the Engineering station. Kirk even asks him for a sensor scan.

Then when Kirk is addressing the ship, we see him walking down the corridor, wearing Command Gold.

Then we see him in Engineering, in the background while Scotty talks to Kirk, wearing Engineering coveralls!

Then, Leslie is back in Support Services Red and is on duty in the Transporter Room when Gary Seven escapes and Seven puts him to sleep.

Then, Leslie appears as a security guard waiting to apprehend Seven when Scotty tries to beam him aboard.

Are you sure they haven't populated the Enterprise with Clones?

I just deleted the last 6 episodes that were sitting on the DVR. This one, I'll watch. :up:

[atrac]

Man, "Assignment: Earth" was just as good, if not better than I remember it. Robert Lansing was terrific and well cast as Gary Seven while Teri Garr shined as Roberta Lincoln. I really really REALLY wish that it had been made into a series!

I wonder if this could make it today as a series? Forget about "Earth Final Conflict" and "Andromeda," why doesn't somebody "remake" this one? I'm fairly sure they'd have to leave out any references to Star Trek, but I feel if they cast it right and had decent writers, they could really do something with this.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/thumb/f/f1/Gary_Seven.jpg/180px-Gary_Seven.jpg

I was reading about this episode on IMDB and was quite saddened to see that Robert Lansing passed away from cancer in 1994. I never even realized that he played General McAllister in my favorite "Bionic Reunion" movie, "The Bionic Showdown" -- which interestingly enough was also a quasi "pilot" and also featured a young actress who had not reached mass appeal -- Sandra Bulloch. I really really REALLY wish that concept had been made into a series as well.

SO many missed opportunities by NBC! :(

[alansh]

The only real change is swapping the globe for a more realistic Earth from orbit. On the other hand, this episode also had the most realistic orbital shot from any episode -- the actual NASA footage from Apollo 4.

[doom1701]

While the concept for a possible series was pretty good, I've just never been able to get past the "Star Trek" connection to "Assignment: Earth". So the Enterprise just happens to have travelled back in time to do some research?

[Figaro]

Not that I'm aware but someone has done a guide to all the Leslie appearences (http://hometown.aol.com/led4acs/LeslieArchives.html).

This is a great episode for Mr. Leslie.
First we see him on the bridge in at the Engineering station. Kirk even asks him for a sensor scan.

Then when Kirk is addressing the ship, we see him walking down the corridor, wearing Command Gold.

Then we see him in Engineering, in the background while Scotty talks to Kirk, wearing Engineering coveralls!

Then, Leslie is back in Support Services Red and is on duty in the Transporter Room when Gary Seven escapes and Seven puts him to sleep.

Then, Leslie appears as a security guard waiting to apprehend Seven when Scotty tries to beam him aboard.

That site is awesome. I like how they point out even death can't keep Leslie down!

[alansh]

While the concept for a possible series was pretty good, I've just never been able to get past the "Star Trek" connection to "Assignment: Earth". So the Enterprise just happens to have travelled back in time to do some research?Hey, it had the most important connection of all -- same producer. :) There have been far more tenuous connections for a spin-off, like "Mork & Mindy". It's a sitcom about a funny alien in modern Denver, and is a spin off of... "Happy Days", a sitcom about life in the 1950s?!

[Craigbob]

Man, "Assignment: Earth" was just as good, if not better than I remember it. Robert Lansing was terrific and well cast as Gary Seven while Teri Garr shined as Roberta Lincoln. I really really REALLY wish that it had been made into a series!

I think it was.... It was called Dr. Who...:D After all both have a human looking guy that travels through time uses a blue light sonic thingy....

I'm convinced that Gary Sevin is a Time Lord!!!!

[wmcbrine]

Doctor Who was already on-air at the time, but yeah, there are certain similarities. Roberta Lincoln would fit as a pretty typical "companion", as well.

[JLucPicard]

While the concept for a possible series was pretty good, I've just never been able to get past the "Star Trek" connection to "Assignment: Earth". So the Enterprise just happens to have travelled back in time to do some research?
It had been years since I had seen this episode, but when they made the explanantion that they used the "orbital slingshot" thing (or whatever they called it) to go back in time to "do research", my WTF meter pegged at maximum! Like, man - that was out of the blue! Silly premise in my mind.

[vman41]

The only real change is swapping the globe for a more realistic Earth from orbit. On the other hand, this episode also had the most realistic orbital shot from any episode -- the actual NASA footage from Apollo 4.

One peeve of mine is that in the 60s and 70s, every rocket launch used the same stock footage of a Saturn V. It couldn't have been that hard to get Titan III footage from the Air Force (which would have been appropriate for a satellite).

[atrac]

I think it was.... It was called Dr. Who...:D After all both have a human looking guy that travels through time uses a blue light sonic thingy....

I'm convinced that Gary Sevin is a Time Lord!!!!

I considered that too, especially since Gary Seven's "pen" was very similar to Dr. Who's cosmic screwdriver.

The only thing is I don't think it was ever mentioned that Gary Seven was a time traveler; he was just raised and trained on an alien planet "hidden" across the galaxy. ;)

[wmcbrine]

Indeed, he explicitly says that he's from that time. However, he appears to have knowledge of future events, in a general way (although not at the level of detail the Enterprise crew was able to find in their library).

[doom1701]

Well, if the planet that he was "from" was so much more advanced than even the Federation, they've probably got the "Let's use the slingshot affect to go back and forth in time and do some research" thing down pretty well. ;)

[Fish Man]

Star Trek is shown by my local FOX affiliate.

Thanks to Nascar running over, they joined "Assignment: Earth" "already in progress".

We got the final 10 minutes of it. :rolleyes: :mad:

[jimborst]

Star Trek is shown by my local FOX affiliate.

Thanks to Nascar running over, they joined "Assignment: Earth" "already in progress".

We got the final 10 minutes of it. :rolleyes: :mad:

Well at least you got the end:D, for me it was the first half:(, and it was on my local CBS station.

[doom1701]

On topic--MeTV showed "Mark of Gideon" this past weekend. Believe it or not, it's (I think) the only episode of the original series that I had never seen--at least, I hadn't seen it all the way through.

[atrac]

On topic--MeTV showed "Mark of Gideon" this past weekend. Believe it or not, it's (I think) the only episode of the original series that I had never seen--at least, I hadn't seen it all the way through.

It's funny that you should say that, because I realized the same thing with this episode. The only thing I remember is the eerie image of the alien race peering in through the window of the Enterprise. But in terms of plot, I was pleasantly surprised to watch an episode that I had no idea how it was going to play out. :)

The bits with Spock and the alien ambassador playing a quasi "who's on first" was terrific!

I wonder if this wasn't played as often when it was syndicated. Or you and I both chose to do other things every time it happened to air. ;)

[doom1701]

It's funny that you should say that, because I realized the same thing with this episode. The only thing I remember is the eerie image of the alien race peering in through the window of the Enterprise. But in terms of plot, I was pleasantly surprised to watch an episode that I had no idea how it was going to play out. :)

The bits with Spock and the alien ambassador playing a quasi "who's on first" was terrific!

I wonder if this wasn't played as often when it was syndicated. Or you and I both chose to do other things every time it happened to air. ;)

That's really odd--because that's exactly what I remember about the episode. All of the people staring into the ship. But you're right--it's kinda fun watching an episode of a 40 year old show and actually not knowing how it's going to turn out.

[vman41]

That's really odd--because that's exactly what I remember about the episode.

I remember the episode, but every viewing it makes less sense. Replicating the Enterprise with enough verisimilitude to fool the ship's Captain is an awfully big stretch and doesn't have any purpose except to save on set budget.

[IndyJones1023]

I remember the episode, but every viewing it makes less sense. Replicating the Enterprise with enough verisimilitude to fool the ship's Captain is an awfully big stretch and doesn't have any purpose except to save on set budget.

Most all of their decisions back then were to save on budget. Thank you transporters!

[doom1701]

I remember the episode, but every viewing it makes less sense. Replicating the Enterprise with enough verisimilitude to fool the ship's Captain is an awfully big stretch and doesn't have any purpose except to save on set budget.

Definately. I also don't buy that Kirk didn't immediately realize that he was somewhere else. But then he couldn't have followed the girl around for the entire episode.

I also don't buy that Spock, who heard both sets of coordinates, didn't immediately say "That's a different location"--or, at least, when beaming the Gideon councilmember back down, tell Scotty to beam him back to the coordinates they sent Kirk to.

It really wasn't a very good episode--but now I can say that I've seen it. :)

[anom]

Definately. I also don't buy that Kirk didn't immediately realize that he was somewhere else. But then he couldn't have followed the girl around for the entire episode.

I also don't buy that Spock, who heard both sets of coordinates, didn't immediately say "That's a different location"--or, at least, when beaming the Gideon councilmember back down, tell Scotty to beam him back to the coordinates they sent Kirk to.

It really wasn't a very good episode--but now I can say that I've seen it. :)
As I recall it was a terrible episode, but I do remember one bit of trivia about it: it was written by the guy who played the drunken tribble salesman on a much better episode!

[alansh]

And this week's episode, "The Lights of Zetar" was co-written by Shari "Lamb Chop" Lewis.

[doom1701]

I read that Lewis was originally also supposed to play Mira, but it didn't wind up working out.

I guess there are quite a few episodes that just don't stand up too well anymore; I still don't know how they went from Spock not knowing any way to stop the alients to shoving Mira in a pressure chamber, and being certain that it would kill the aliens.

[flaminio]

And this week's episode, "The Lights of Zetar" was co-written by Shari "Lamb Chop" Lewis.
And what a great steaming pile of dung it is.

Cool Memory Alpha effect, tho'. Still, I gotta think that storing all the knowledge of the galaxy in one undefended place is a bit of a dumb idea. And why would people need to go there to do research? You'd think that they'd have some kind of "INTERconnected NETwork" that would allow people to do research from the comfort of their own planets.

What's the latest status of "the girl" anyway? Seems everyone wants to know...

[atrac]

And this week's episode, "The Lights of Zetar" was co-written by Shari "Lamb Chop" Lewis.

Talk about throwing a dart at the board and getting a random name to write a story for you!

Was she one of his flings?

[alansh]

Who knows, but probably not -- the co-writer of the episode was also Shari's husband.
Still, I gotta think that storing all the knowledge of the galaxy in one undefended place is a bit of a dumb idea. And why would people need to go there to do research? You'd think that they'd have some kind of "INTERconnected NETwork" that would allow people to do research from the comfort of their own planets.Hey, they have to put the tape in deck H. :)

[doom1701]

Still, I gotta think that storing all the knowledge of the galaxy in one undefended place is a bit of a dumb idea. And why would people need to go there to do research? You'd think that they'd have some kind of "INTERconnected NETwork" that would allow people to do research from the comfort of their own planets.


Gar and Judith Reeves-Stevens wrote a really good book (Memory Prime) that actually addressed this. Of course, it's a novel, so it's not cannon--but it was a really enjoyable read.

[anom]

And what a great steaming pile of dung it is.

Cool Memory Alpha effect, tho'. Still, I gotta think that storing all the knowledge of the galaxy in one undefended place is a bit of a dumb idea.
Don't worry. They backed everything up on Memory Beta. :)

[alansh]

And what a great steaming pile of dung it is.Don't be a Herbert! Next week's is "The Way to Eden". You reach?:D

[JYoung]

I read that Lewis was originally also supposed to play Mira, but it didn't wind up working out.


I read an interview with Fred Freiberger where he said that Shari wrote the story to play Romaine and Freiberger thought that the idea was ridiculous and cast Jan Shutan instead.


I guess there are quite a few episodes that just don't stand up too well anymore; I still don't know how they went from Spock not knowing any way to stop the alients to shoving Mira in a pressure chamber, and being certain that it would kill the aliens.

It was the Third Season "I don't give a damn" attitude.
Nimoy tells a story about the previous episode, "Whom Gods Destroy" about the climax where Spock confronts Kirk and Garth-disguised-as-Kirk.
Originally, Spock walks in on the two Kirks and starts asking them questions, determining through logic which one is the fake and stuns Garth.
Freiberger rewrote that scene so that Garth-as-Kirk jumps Spock and knocks him out!
The two Kirks fight and Spock wakes up to a victorious Kirk.
Freiberger didn't care about logic or character integrity, he just wanted to two Kirks to fight so he could excite and fake out the audience.

Nimoy finally got Freiberger to relent somewhat though the compromise included Spock allowing himself to be hit on the head. :rolleyes:

[doom1701]

It's interesting how the third season almost didn't happen, but the show was un-cancelled because of fan reaction. So, while they still put it back on, the quality fell drastically--did anyone even care when it didn't come back for season 4?

[JYoung]

Only the relatively few hardcore fans.
Besides, NBC always felt that Roddenberry orchestrated the letter writing campaign.

Star Trek only really got popular in syndication.
(Although the show always scored well in key demographics, which NBC didn't really start using until the 1970 season.)

[atrac]

Who knows, but probably not -- the co-writer of the episode was also Shari's husband.

LOL! In that case, forget I mentioned it. ;)

[doom1701]

Looks like I lied--apparently I've never seen "The Cloud Minders" all the way through, either. This one wasn't too bad. Some cheese, but nothing too serious. I will also add that the redone FX for this episode fit very, very well; perhaps because the main "Stratos" set actually looked pretty decent to begin with. So often the updated FX clash with some pretty terrible looking sets.

[RGM1138]

Actually, they've been doing this for awhile now. You can see it in the syndicated episodes that run on local stations. TVLand is still running the original eps.

For instance, in establishing shots with the E in orbit, the ship is digital instead of a wooden model. The planets are more three dimensional looking, some with orbiting moons. The original planet shots looked like colored blobs by comparison.

Also, the effects shots have been upgraded. The phasers and torpedos are much cleaner now. Most of the shots through the view screen have been updated as well.

I've been watching Trek since the third ep aired in '66. (Yes, I'm THAT old). Seeing the new versions is sort of akin to hearing a Beatles record on my old mono record player, then hearing it again later when I finally got a stereo receiver and floor speakers. The basics are the same, just much cleaner. :)

Bob

EDIT: Nevermind. (Note to self - Never post to the first page of a thread that's two years old). D'oh!

[Saturn_V]

I used to keep up with the Remastered airings. But once "Ellaan of Troyious" and "Enterprise Incident" aired, I've tuned out completely.

All the good eps that could stand the VFX improvement ("Doomsday Machine," "Ultimate Computer,") have already come and gone, and there's nothing more to look forward to. CGI isn't going to improve "Gamesters of Triskelion" or "Spock's Brain."

And I still can't bring myself to buy TOS (remastered or not) on DVD. A lot of classic Trek is just abdominal-pain inducing bad.

[steve614]

I'm curious how many episodes there are.
I'm currently saving the *remastered* episodes off a local station and 77 is the highest episode number I have so far.

[JYoung]

79 if you don't count The Cage.

[alansh]

Actually, "All Our Yesterdays" which aired in April 2007 was #78.

Other than "The Cage", there are three remastered episodes left: "Spectre of the Gun" (56), "The Empath" (63), and the last episode of the original series, "Turnabout Intruder" (79).

[flaminio]

I'm curious how many episodes there are.
It depends on how you count them.

If you consider the two-part episode "The Menagerie" as one episode, there are 78. Or 79, if you count "The Cage". Or, if you consider "The Menagerie" as two episodes, there are 79 total (or 80 with "The Cage").

[doom1701]

I used to keep up with the Remastered airings. But once "Ellaan of Troyious" and "Enterprise Incident" aired, I've tuned out completely.

All the good eps that could stand the VFX improvement ("Doomsday Machine," "Ultimate Computer,") have already come and gone, and there's nothing more to look forward to. CGI isn't going to improve "Gamesters of Triskelion" or "Spock's Brain."

And I still can't bring myself to buy TOS (remastered or not) on DVD. A lot of classic Trek is just abdominal-pain inducing bad.

They've bounced around some, though; I'd say that Cloud Minders worked very well with the updated FX.

That stinker with Abraham Lincoln, though? I want to wipe that out of my memory.

[Figaro]

They've bounced around some, though; I'd say that Cloud Minders worked very well with the updated FX.

That stinker with Abraham Lincoln, though? I want to wipe that out of my memory.

"Help me Spock, help me!"

[alansh]

The remastered version of Season 3 (http://trekmovie.com/2008/11/17/review-star-trek-the-original-series-remasted-season-three-dvd/) is now out on DVD. Like Season 2, it's regular DVD. (Season 1 was released on the now defunct HD-DVD format.) No word on any BluRay releases.

It also includes a full remastered version of "The Cage".

[Gowan]

I'd bet that you'll see BD versions of the season sets come out right around May 2009.

;)

[alansh]

How about late April 2009? :D The Blu-Ray set for Season 1 came out Tuesday. It's very nice. It includes both new and old effects (you can toggle between them using the "angle" feature), and a new punched-up soundtrack along with the original monaural soundtrack. Selected episodes have video commentary (requires Blu-Ray 1.1). The Blu-ray Live feature requires 2.0. It currently has some short extra videos, and currently features some pictures and video from this weekend's Fedcon 2009.

Also, the remastered version of "The Cage" premieres this weekend. This is the original version of the original pilot, not "The Menagerie" which incorporated footage from it.

[JYoung]

Also, the remastered version of "The Cage" premieres this weekend. This is the original version of the original pilot, not "The Menagerie" which incorporated footage from it.

The problem with the syndicated version though is time.
The original running time of The Cage was 65 minutes.
That means that they have to cut close to 25 minutes worth of material to fit in a one hour syndication slot.
That's one third of the material!

[terpfan1980]

Also, the remastered version of "The Cage" premieres this weekend. This is the original version of the original pilot, not "The Menagerie" which incorporated footage from it.

The problem with the syndicated version though is time.
The original running time of The Cage was 65 minutes.
That means that they have to cut close to 25 minutes worth of material to fit in a one hour syndication slot.
That's one third of the material!

I got to see that one last nite and enjoyed seeing what was supposed to have been the pilot (or as close as they could wind up airing now). I'd like to see what might have been cut since it did fit in the 60 minute window (with commercials). Eventually I'll catch it on Blu-ray, though it won't be available (reportedly) until the season 3 set is released.

[5thcrewman]

I watched the updated 'The Cage' yesterday and am still wondering why they didn't cast Ray Liotta as Pike for the new movie.

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2009/4/2/128831834920509954.jpg

[JYoung]

Now this is interesting, it looks like the first syndication deals have expired.
The local Oldies UHF station here has started stripping TOS 5 days a week.
I took a quick look at The Man Trap tonight and it's the new CGI effects version.

[mattack]

BTW, I still think it's too expensive, but the 1st season is $65 at Amazon on BluRay.. and you can *choose* the old version or new version. (If it were only the new version there's no way I'd ever get it.. Though mostly I'm hoping people get rid of their old DVDs and I can finally get Trek on DVD cheap..)

[alansh]

There was indeed tons cut from "The Cage". You probably see more of it watching "The Menagerie". The entire sequence at the Orion fortress was cut, for example. Also cut was the funky "warp speed" sequence, with the transparent bridge and loud music (the helmsman has to give a hand signal to the captain -- the music is too loud!).

I actually think $65 is dirt cheap for 29 hour-long episodes -- that's $2.25 each, and includes both the old and remastered version, plus the bonus features. The "old" versions are still cleaned up, with the faded film prints brightened up. And they include the full, uncut episodes (around 10 minutes gets cut for syndication these days).

[Peter000]

One man's "dirt cheap" is another's "I wouldn't pay that in a million stardates!"

MAYBE if it were HD. But IMO the remastering is pretty much one last sad attempt at wringing a few more bucks out of fans. Though they'll probably repackage it AGAIN when the next video format comes along. Then remaster the repackaging.

[anom]

One man's "dirt cheap" is another's "I wouldn't pay that in a million stardates!"

MAYBE if it were HD. But IMO the remastering is pretty much one last sad attempt at wringing a few more bucks out of fans. Though they'll probably repackage it AGAIN when the next video format comes along. Then remaster the repackaging.
It is HD.

[MikeekiM]

Wow... Just got my ST-TOS1 BD set and have to say that I really like what they've done with the CGI effects... Very tastefully done... I was skeptical when I first heard about what they were planning...but now that I I've seen it...I am sold...

[alansh]

Looks like the syndicated run ends next weekend with "The Cage". The Season 2 Blu-Ray discs come out 9/22.