Category: STAR TREK-Related

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STAR TREK: 765874 UNIFICATION (2024)

SUMMARY:                   RUNNING TIME: Approx. 7:48 Min.

Produced by Otoy in conjunction with The Roddenberry Archive, this 4K 2024 short film includes William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy’s widow, Susan Bay Nimoy, as two of its executive producers.  Paramount and Skywalker Sound are among the project’s additional collaborators.    

From Jules Urbach’s virtually dialogue-free story, Carlos Baena directed this film.  Star Trek composer Michael Giacchino supplies a poignant, piano-driven musical score.  Though much of the film is produced through CGI and on sets, some location shooting occurred in San Marino, California.    

As noted in other sources, Shatner’s ‘Captain/Admiral Kirk’ (though CGI and body double Sam Witmer) appears in three familiar incarnations: his Original Series form, the motion picture era (circa Star Trek II), and primarily his Star Trek: Generations look.  Working from Nimoy’s CGI likeness (reminiscent of his elderly appearance in the Kelvin Timeline Trek films), Lawrence Selleck appears as Spock’s body double. 

Other cast members include Robin Curtis reprising her ‘Saavik’ from Star Treks III-IV, and briefly Gary Lockwood (remarkably, without a body double), in his sole reprisal of ‘Gary Mitchell,’ from Star Trek’s second TV pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” 

Nods/footage consist of: Trek’s first TV pilot (“The Cage”), Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and the Kelvin Timeline Trek films.  Otoy’s three previous Trek short films, including 2023’s 7658754: Regeneration (which depicts Spock on Veridan III son after Star Trek: Generations), are hinted. 

SPOILER ALERT: The film begins with a single written line recalling Kirk’s insightful advice to Lt. Saavik about peceiving the pendulum between life and death early on in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  Otoy’s 765874 Regeneration had previously revealed that Spock had claimed the late Captain Kirk’s Starfleet badge from his mountaintop gravesite on Veridan III.  Next, seen exploring a lush garden-like park, Kirk is now without his badge, but otherwise still resembles his look from Star Trek: Generations.  At the park fountain, he quietly encounters a large yet mysterious contingent of observers.

Among them is an now-elderly former protégé, with whom Kirk exchanges grateful glances in this reunion.  She, in turn, introduces her late middle-aged adult son – to Kirk’s amazement.  Approaching an alien ‘gatekeeper’ of sorts, Kirk is evidently given a token.  It transports him into a shadowy mirror-like realm, which reflects Kirk’s past as a starship captain and then a Starfleet admiral.  His earlier counterparts vanish once the present-day Kirk emerges.  Reattaching his badge (the token), Kirk again shifts to another reality. 

The film’s sole dialogue replays Kirk’s wistful thoughts contemplating the Genesis Planet from Star Trek II.  Awaiting Kirk (having entered the Kelvin Timeline’s alternate reality) is a private suite on New Vulcan, where, in his final moments, is his dying best friend.  Spiritual unification across space and time has occurred, as two Starfleet legends witness a final sunrise together.  In essence, the film becomes both an epilogue to 1994’s Star Trek: Generations and a prologue for 2016’s Star Trek: Beyond.      

                                             Cast:

Captain James. T. Kirk: William Shatner & Sam Witmer (Shatner’s body double)

Spock: Leonard Nimoy & Lawrence Selleck (Nimoy’s body double)

Saavik: Robin Curtis

Yor: Gordon Tarpley

Sorak: Mark Chinnery

Gary Mitchell: Gary Lockwood

Yeoman J.M. Colt: Mahé Thaissa (body double for Star Trek: The Cage’s late actress Laurel Goodwin)

Crusher: John Daltorio

Observers By The Fountain: Credited Extras

Stand-Ins: See Film Credits 

Note:  With its credits included, the film’s running time is actually 10:44.  This short film serves as a 30th Anniversary tribute to Star Trek Generations.  For others, it further offers a 40th Anniversary homage of Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. 

REVIEW:

Though thirty years late, William Shatner’s ‘Captain Kirk’ finally gets a death scene worthy of the pop culture icon.  The same applies to Leonard Nimoy’s ‘Spock’ almost a decade after the actor’s passing.  For that matter, giving Robin Curtis’ underrated ‘Saavik’ a welcome though long-belated thank-you for her own Trek contributions makes good sense.  The fact that her scene at last acknowledges Saavik as Spock’s romantic soulmate does wonders for the character.     

Displaying Star Trek’s thoughtful afterlife, 765874: Unification is a cinematic gem in just under eight minutes.  As a heartfelt tribute to the nearly 60-year legacy Captain Kirk and Spock share, such silent storytelling is undeniably brilliant.  Despite some noticeable limitations of CGI in recreating Shatner’s Kirk (as he appeared thirty years ago), this film’s production values are still top-caliber. 

Casual viewers, however, should be forewarned: the blink-and-you’ll-see-miss-it glimpses of so many franchise incarnations, including Star Trek: Discovery’s Yor or Yeoman J.M. Colt from Captain Pike’s era, may seem bewildering.  While Yor’s inclusion (assuming one researches it), as does as a near-omnipotent Gary Mitchell, visually make sense, so many other quick cuts (i.e. even a glimpse of Star Trek: Picard’s Daystrom Station where Kirk’s remains are evidently now in storage) aren’t necessarily pertinent teases. 

Still, this story’s ethereal substance is obvious to grasp; and, frankly, that’s what matters most.  As a classy mini-reunion depicting the original Kirk and Spock a final time (given their previous appearance together was 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country), 765874 Unification makes a welcome gift for any Trekker.     

BONUS FEATURES:

The film includes a dedication to Leonard Nimoy. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              9 Stars

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Books & Novels Digital Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction STAR TREK-Related

STAR TREK: GENERATIONS (1994 Movie Novelization)

Written by J.M. Dillard Based Upon The Story & Script Co-Written by

Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, & Rick Berman.

SUMMARY:

First released in 1994 by Simon and Schuster’s Pocket Books imprint, Star Trek: Generations’ novelization was penned by J.M. Dillard.  Depending upon its format, the page count for Dillard’s novel evidently varies from about 280 pages up to 304 pages.

Set approximately a year after the events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the now-retired Captain James T. Kirk, Montgomery Scott, and Pavel Chekov are on hand for the U.S.S. Enterprise-B’s media-friendly launch ceremony.  A subsequent space emergency inflicts severe damage upon the new Enterprise during its rescue of survivors from three crippled El-Aurian refugee ships due to the destructive Nexus ribbon. 

Among the characters introduced are helmsman Ensign Demora Sulu (Hikaru Sulu’s daughter); the Enterprise-B’s rookie Captain: John Harriman; and a deranged El-Aurian scientist, Dr. Soran.  In a cameo appearance, The Next Generation’s Guinan is among the rescued refugees.  The legendary Captain Kirk, however, is among those casualties tragically lost in space amidst this makeshift rescue mission.

Seventy-eight years later, Captain Jean-Luc Picard anguishes over news of his estranged brother and beloved nephew having perished in a fire at the family’s French vineyard.  Picard’s grief is interrupted by Dr. Soran, who has suspiciously survived a Romulan onslaught upon the space station he was working from.  Having stolen an experimental and ultra-destructive power source known as ‘tri-lithium,’ Soran’s ruthless scheme becomes apparent.  He intends to detonate a star impacting far-off-planet Veridan III to expedite his reunion with the time-warping Nexus. 

Like others familiar with The Nexus, awaiting Soran inside is immortality and escapes to seemingly all of his heart’s greatest wishes.  With hundreds of millions of innocent lives at stake, the lone obstacle impeding Soran is Picard’s valiant crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D.  And quite possibly a long-lost Starfleet hero seeking to make a difference once more.         

Instead of further reiterating the film’s main plot and various subplots, included are some highlights that aren’t in the film.    

  1. Following Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the novel begins in 2293 with the U.S.S. Enterprise-A crew’s farewell party.  Foreshadowing a hint of his ultimate fate, Captain Kirk rues a lingering back injury.  He also realizes that retirement will prove far lonelier than expected.  After Carol Marcus rejects his pseudo-marriage proposal, Kirk subsequently exchanges parting gifts and temporary goodbyes with Spock and Dr. Leonard McCoy. 
  • Over the next several months, Kirk relentlessly pushes himself through a series of physically strenuous hobbies to alleviate his boredom.  Among his reckless new pursuits is orbital skydiving, which the also-retired Montgomery Scott and Pavel Chekov witness in a mixture of worry and envy.  Note: The orbital skydiving sequence was filmed with William Shatner, James Doohan, and Walter Koenig, but it was deleted from the movie’s theatrical version. 
  • An emergency drill aboard the U.S.S. Excelsior ends after Chekov notifies Captain Sulu of their captain’s death.
  • Spock and Dr. McCoy poignantly reunite as the first guests to arrive at Kirk’s memorial service.
  • Kirk’s nearly eighty-year existence within The Nexus is expanded, including a marriage ceremony to Carol Marcus, with their late son, David, in attendance.
  • Indicating that Dillard composed the novel during the movie’s initial filming schedule, Kirk’s original death sequence is depicted.  Yet, its content was panned in test screenings and subsequently replaced in a hasty reshoot prior to the movie’s November 1994 release.    

Note: This title has been released in multiple formats, including hardcover, paperback, and audiobook. 

REVIEW:

Given the script’s contrived content (i.e. a laundry list of Paramount and/or Rick Berman’s cookie-cutter plot edicts), novelist J.M. Dillard merits some applause for salvaging what she can.  Case in point: it’s easy to visualize Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley playing out her well-written chapel sequence.  The same applies to imagining the Kirk/Carol Marcus wedding scene, as this segment adds some welcome depth to Kirk’s Nexus experiences.  Depth, not to mention, plausibility … yes, that’s where this novelization, unfortunately, becomes a mixed bag.

Like several other Trek authors (in this instance, i.e. Peter David, Vonda N. McIntyre), Dillard is effective in freshly mining the franchise’s primary characters and conveying them as believably as one could.  Still, even Dillard’s solid literary talents can’t fix The Nexus’ preposterous nature into anything resembling dramatic Trek storytelling.  Given how The Nexus was abandoned by the franchise as a single one-and-done concept, Dillard is left too little substance that is legitimately compelling to work from.  This assessment of implausibility applies equally to The Nexus and Data’s eye-rolling emotion chip crisis.    

Hence, Dillard’s work predictably falls short of McIntyre’s underrated movie novelizations of Star Treks II and III exploring the unintended repercussions of The Genesis Device.  More so, unlike Peter David’s stellar Star Trek: The Next Generation – Imzadi, Dillard doesn’t have access to a far better Trek time-warping concept: the Guardian of Forever. 

As with much of the film’s cast, J.M. Dillard at least imbues Star Trek: Generations with more class than its hackneyed storyline frankly merits.  Still, for fans who enjoy Star Trek: Generations onscreen as is, Dillard’s novelization makes for a welcome treat.  Casual readers, otherwise, ought to find her novel as a slightly above-average adaptation. 

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    6 Stars

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EPILOGUE/END CREDITS (by James Horner & Leonard Nimoy – from 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 8:47 Min.

From the closing moments and end credits of 1982’ Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan movie soundtrack, composer James Horner performs the tune with an unidentified orchestra.  Before shifting into the closing credits, as heard in the film, star Leonard Nimoy provides the Original Series opening “Space … The Final Frontier” voiceover that his co-star, William Shatner, had previously delivered.  

REVIEW:

Long overshadowed by John Williams’ iconic Star Wars scores, James Horner’s own work from The Wrath of Khan is undeniably stellar. 

Instead of mimicking Williams’ epic style, Horner opts for a more nautical though modern sound (i.e. occasional synthesizers) that echoes the Original Series’ theme at the right moments.  More so, the low-key vibe Horner imbues this track makes wonderful use of poignant tinges to make the film’s storyline seem even more timeless.  It’s a welcome deviation from composer Jerry Goldsmith’s excessively grandiose take on 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 

Still, what makes this original track frankly perfect is Leonard Nimoy’s brief presence.  With his familiar voice slightly filtered to sound raspier, Nimoy’s contribution conveys a ghostly effect – appropriately, given the film’s somber yet still optimistic ending.  More so, the teamwork between Horner and Nimoy ensures that “Epilogue/End Credits” saves the best for the last on arguably the franchise’s greatest soundtrack.  Highly recommended!    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        10 Stars

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Books & Novels Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Movies & Television (Books) STAR TREK-Related

STAR TREK: THE RETURN

Written by William Shatner, Garfield Reeves-Stevens, & Judith Reeves- Stevens

SUMMARY:

Released in 1996 by Pocket Books, the 371-page Star Trek: The Return is the direct sequel to the first ‘Shatnerverse’ entry – 1995’s Star Trek: The Ashes of Eden.  Given occasionally retroactive contradictions with Trek’s established mainstream continuity (i.e. the fate of the U.S.S. Enterprise-A), the so-called ‘Shatnerverse’ evidently occupies its own self-contained alternate timeline.     

Set a few weeks after Star Trek: Generations (and as teased by The Ashes of Eden), Starfleet’s Veridan III salvage operation of the crashed U.S.S. Enterprise-D is unexpectedly besieged.  At the base camp, Commander William Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi barely survive the unknown enemy’s onslaught. Is this ruthless attack merely a diversion?  Meanwhile, elsewhere on Veridan III, a visiting Ambassador Spock directly witnesses the theft of Captain James T. Kirk’s remains from his mountaintop grave. 

As it’s soon revealed, the Romulans have joined The Borg in a sinister alliance to destroy Federation opposition.  Joining a covert Starfleet strike team, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Dr. Beverly Crusher confirm this joint invasion has already commenced with the assimilation of the remote Starbase 804. 

Worse yet, through use of alien technology, Kirk has now been resurrected and then brainwashed.  His new mission is to kill The Borg’s greatest threat: Picard himself.  As a sleeper agent for the Romulan/Borg alliance, Kirk’s restored body is infested with bionic nanites that helped bring the Starfleet legend back to life.  Simultaneously, these same nanites are now slowly killing him.  Kirk, meanwhile, experiences enigmatically haunting dreams occupied by the ghost of Spock’s father, Sarek. 

Targeting Picard’s temporarily displaced crew (i.e. Worf, Geordi LaForge, & Data), a disguised Kirk intends to extract Picard’s whereabouts by any means necessary.  Though instinctively resistant to his brainwashing, the amnesiac former captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise finds himself on an intercept course with allies turning on one another.  With Riker and later Picard suspecting Ambassador Spock’s current Romulan ties, they wonder why The Borg didn’t assimilate Spock upon his brief capture.  Spock, in turn, questions Picard’s own previous Borg assimilation.  The rogue Kirk intends to take full advantage of such distrust – even as he is reunited with his two best friends. 

With Dr. Julian Bashir’s help, a team of U.S.S. Enterprise luminaries (Picard, Riker, Troi, Crusher, Data, Worf, LaForge, Spock, Admiral McCoy, and Kirk) join a desperate Starfleet strike mission.  Targeting The Borg’s home world, the Federation’s new makeshift Enterprise is caught in the crossfire by the same Romulans who had abducted Kirk.  With their new Enterprise’s weaponry rendered inoperative, Starfleet’s two greatest captains both realize an ultimate sacrifice must be made.  In order to thwart The Borg, will the simmering rivalry between Captains Kirk and Picard again end in tragedy? 

The initial Kirk resurrection storyline subsequently concludes with 1997’s Star Trek: Avenger.  The ‘Shatnerverse’ chronology would resume with two additional trilogies and, finally, a Starfleet Academy prequel in 2007.         

Notes: In addition to hardcover, this title’s alternate formats include paperback and audiobook; however, as of this writing, a digital format isn’t available. 

Purportedly, Shatner had pitched to Paramount Pictures after 1994’s Star Trek: Generations that the second Next Generation film explore Captain Kirk’s resurrection for the franchise’s upcoming 30th Anniversary.  As Paramount opted to instead produce Star Trek: First Contact, one wonders how closely The Return expands upon Shatner’s initial premise. 

REVIEW:

William Shatner (far more likely, his ghostwriters: Garfield Reeves-Stevens & Judith Reeves-Stevens) sharply concocts a slam-bang Trek adventure no doubt meant to be as cinematic as possible.  Including tidbits of well-informed fan service (i.e. V’Ger, Spock’s prior mind-melds, etc.), Star Trek: The Return devises a plot far more aggressively complex than the old school ambitions of Kirk & Picard’s ill-fated Generations team-up. Think of it this way: Star Trek: The Return aspires for a complicated storyline more akin to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (and Star Trek: First Contact) than Generations.  

Whereas Generations clearly made Kirk its expendable guest star, The Return boldly flips that concept upside down.  Hence, it’s indisputable that Shatner’s take on Star Trek is that the franchise ought to still revolve around James T. Kirk.  Everyone else (from Spock, Picard, etc. on down), therefore, comprises his high-profile supporting cast.  As to a sixty-something Kirk’s inexplicable vigor, one might presume that his murky nanite-infused resurrection has transformed the Trek icon into something just short of ‘The Six Million Dollar Kirk.’       

In addition to lots of Kirk, this storyline supplies a welcome exploration of Spock and, to a lesser degree, the ever-cranky Admiral McCoy, as to their geriatric presence in the Late 24th Century.  As for Jean-Luc Picard, William Riker, and the primary Next Generation roster (plus guest star Dr. Julian Bashir), this novel at least lives up to their established characterizations. One can credit Garfield Reeves-Stevens & Judith Reeves-Stevens for ensuring that Picard’s team isn’t merely a hollow afterthought in a ‘Best of Both Worlds’ (pardon the expression) bridge between generations.  

The significant difference, however, is that the Next Generation characters have been obviously diminished in favor of emphasizing Kirk’s star power.  For instance, various scenes where Picard’s crew merely stands in the background observing Kirk (or Kirk & Picard) (or Kirk, Picard, & Spock) or make minimal contributions become abundant in the novel’s second half.  For that matter, the amount of deference aimed at Kirk is never left lost upon readers (who should already get the point).    

Spelling out further numerous contrivances building towards ‘Kirk vs. The Borg’ would likely present too many plot twist spoilers.  Suffice to say, the Shatner team’s efforts to re-imagine The Next Generation as far more action with dense plotting and far less technobabble can be construed as a worthwhile endeavor. Conversely, The Return’s mostly coherent plot risks being cluttered with non-essential characters and still squeeze in sufficient ‘screen time’ for everybody. This gamble, in terms of pure entertainment value, pays off, but anyone’s reasonable sense of Trek plausibility may be stretched at times too thin.

Ultimately, as long as one doesn’t mind Shatner’s ego assuming the captain’s chair (to the shock of no one), Star Trek: The Return still delivers an intriguing read for Trekkers from any generation.     

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction STAR TREK-Related

STAR TREK # 47: THE KOBAYASHI MARU

Written by Julia Ecklar

SUMMARY:

Released in 1989 by Pocket Books, Julia Ecklar penned this 254-page paperback, which became the forty-seventh entry in Pocket’s ongoing series. The book’s title is taken from the Starfleet Command simulation depicted in 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. 

Set shortly after the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the U.S.S. Enterprise’s latest assignment is to reestablish contact with a research team evidently lost somewhere in the vicinity of the remote planet, Hohweyn VII.  Ongoing cosmic interference prevents the Enterprise from approaching close enough to utilize its transporters. 

The Halley’s shuttlecraft team consists of: Captain James T. Kirk, Hikaru Sulu, Pavel Chekov, Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.  A freak collision with a gravitic mine, however, soon disables the Halley, leaving both Kirk and their pilot, Sulu, injured.

Unable to contact the Enterprise, the Halley’s stranded crew anxiously awaits rescue, with time slowly running out on the craft’s remaining power supply and life support.  Attempting makeshift repairs to stay alive, the shuttlecraft’s crewmates (with the exception of Dr. McCoy) each divulge his own closely guarded experience as a cadet years before facing a similar life-or-death experience.  In turn passing time, they recall Starfleet Command School’s dreaded ‘Kobayashi Maru’ scenario, as the shuttle crew helplessly endures the longest day of their lives.     

  • As only alluded to in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Kirk reveals the brazen contempt he has for the simulation by defying its seemingly unfair rules. 
  • Having spectacularly failed the simulation, Chekov’s narrative reluctantly divulges his ingenuity and ruthlessness in a subsequent training scenario.  Specifically, inside an abandoned industrial station on Earth, his cadet class must competitively evade elimination by an imaginary assassin where it is every cadet for himself/herself.
  • Anguished by his beloved great-grandfather’s terminal illness, Sulu’s non-confrontational attitude may end his hopes of any future command.
  • Reluctantly attending Command School to appease his family, Scotty‘s umbrage at the simulation’s relentless Klingon assault precipitates a fateful pivot in his destiny.

With evidently no other options left to help Spock find the lost Halley, Kirk’s refusal to succumb to ‘no-win scenarios’ is desperately tested.  As Star Trek fans all know, he doesn’t like to lose.

Notes: This title is also available digitally and as an audiobook.

REVIEW:

Though her set-up for multiple extended flashbacks is ultra-formulaic, writer Julia Ecklar devises a very readable Star Trek adventure.  The intrigue permeating Chekov’s spy games; Sulu’s poignant bond with his great-grandfather; and Scotty’s fuming ‘don’t mess with my ship’ retaliation are all well-played.  As with the flashbacks, the intervals shifting to and from the ongoing Halley crisis contribute plausible layers to each character’s personal depth. 

The only less-than-compelling component is Kirk’s flashback.  Ecklar’s answer explaining his legendary triumph over the seemingly unbeatable test, though amusing, is something of a letdown.  Still, her take on Kirk’s ‘Kobayashi Maru’ test preceded the 2009 Star Trek film’s version by two decades — yet, both depictions are consistent with Kirk’s ego.  If anything, Cadet Kirk’s unique solution is perhaps a Star Trek mystery best left to be satisfied by a reader’s own imagination.

Note: Ecklar’s story implies that, afterwards, Kirk will relate his ‘Kobayashi Maru’ tale once more, (this time, to a curious Spock) for consistency with their subsequent discussion, as depicted in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

In spite of its predictable lulls, Ecklar’s novel should be commended for concocting an otherwise worthwhile read for Trekkers.  Specifically, her believable characterizations and low-key sci-fi jargon makes The Kobayashi Maru a welcome find for readers of any age.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

There is a single page of the author’s acknowledgements.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6 Stars

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CD's Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's) STAR TREK-Related

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE A TO Z OF FANTASY TV THEMES {Cover Album} (by Various Artists)

SUMMARY:              RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 37 Min.

Released by Silva Screen, in 1999-2000, this two-disc cover album consists of thirty tracks (primarily instrumentals) as homage to U.S. and British sci-fi/fantasy television programs dating back to the 1960’s.  Among the various artists are The Daniel Caine Orchestra and The City of Prague Orchestra.  The thirty tracks are:

Disc 1:

  1. Battlestar Galactica (Main Theme/Medley)   5:11     Composers: Stu Phillips & Glen A. Larson
  2. The Addams Family                                 2:22     Composer: Victor Mizzy
  3. Airwolf (1984)                                        3:02     Composer: Sylvester Levay
  4. The Avengers (Pre-Credits & Theme)        3:17     Composer: Laurie Johnson
  5. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century                2:26     Composer: Stu Phillips
  6. Doctor Who                                          2:22     Composer: Ron Grainer
  7. Fireball X-L5: Fireball                          2:24     Composer: Barry Gray
  8. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Suite)   4:46     Composer: Joseph LoDuca
  9. Knight Rider (1982)                              2:40     Composer: Stu Phillips
  10. Land of the Giants (Suite)                      5:23     Composer: John Williams
  11. Lost in Space (Series 1 & 3 Themes)       3:17     Composer: John Williams
  12. The Munsters                                       2:32     Composer: Jack Marshall
  13. The Outer Limits                                 3:31     Composer: Dominic Frontiere
  14. The Prisoner (Main Titles)                    3:24     Composer: Ron Grainer
  15. Quantum Leap                                   3:04     Composer: Mike Post

Disc 2:

  1. Red Dwarf (Interlude/Main Theme)                 4:57       Composers: Howard Goodall & Ian Hu
  2. SeaQuest DSV (Main Theme/Concert Version) 3:21       Composer: John Debney
  3. Space 1999 (1st Series Theme)                          3:10       Composer: Barry Gray
  4. Space: Above and Beyond                                4:02       Composer: Shirley Walker
  5. Star Trek: The Original Series (Main Theme)  2:23       Composer: Alexander Courage
  6. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Concert Version)  3:57       Composer: Dennis McCarthy
  7. Star Trek Voyager (Main Theme)            1:59       Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
  8. Thunderbirds (March)                            3:38       Composer: Barry Gray
  9. The Time Tunnel                             2:19       Composer: John Williams
  10. The Twilight Zone (Themes)  2:48 Composers: Bernard Hermann & Marius Constant
  11. Twin Peaks                                      2:46       Composer: Angelo Badalamenti
  12. V: The Series (1984)                          2:42       Composer: Dennis McCarthy
  13. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (Seaview) 2:03       Composer: Paul Sawtell
  14. Xena: Warrior Princess (Overture)        4:23       Composer: Joseph LoDuca
  15. The X-Files                                      3:27       Composer: Mark Snow

Note: Evidently, an alternate version of this album exists, with an expanded total of forty-four tracks.  

REVIEW:

In terms of both audio and production quality, virtually all the tracks sound close to the originals.  Considering how many of these  tunes are near-impossible to find, Battlestar Galactica: The A to Z of Fantasy TV Themes presents the best practical option for nostalgia fans.      

PACKAGING:

While the CD case effectively protects both discs, the artist credits are relatively skimpy.  Silva Screen acknowledges original composer/artists, but crediting cover performers or even a source album apparently was not a priority.  In some instances, it is entirely possible that Silva Screen licensed the original artist/composer’s version.  Still, consumers may not catch not how many of the thirty tracks were performed by very competent stand-ins – credited or not.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars

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STAR TREK – THE ORIGINAL SERIES: THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER (Season 2: Episode 24)

SUMMARY:              RUNNING TIME: 50:00 Min.

First airing on NBC-TV on March 8, 1968, second season writer/producer  John Meredyth Lucas directed this episode off a script  devised by Laurence N. Wolfe & D.C. Fontana.  The U.S.S. Enterprise is mysteriously summoned off its current assignment by Starfleet to be fitted with the experimental M-5 computer. 

Designed by Dr. Richard Daystrom, this revolutionary A.I. computer system is the first step towards Starfleet potentially utilizing mostly automated starships for future galactic exploration.  For initial testing, the Enterprise‘s crew is reduced to a mere handful, leaving Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy aboard as glorified on-hand observers. 

First up is a round of simulated ‘war games’ pitting the M-5-automated Enterprise against a trio of fellow Federation starships without live firepower.  Under Daystrom’s gloating supervision, the M-5 achieves easy victory until the elite computer’s self-defined superiority then accelerates with deadly results.  A stunned Daystrom is reduced to a nervous breakdown having lost an emotional battle to salvage what should have been his greatest career achievement. 

Meanwhile, without Daystrom’s help, Captain Kirk & Spock try to improvise a means of regaining control of an Enterprise gone amok once Starfleet determines the M-5 system must be immediately destroyed – even if that means the Enterprise goes with it.

Captain James T. Kirk: William Shatner

Commander Spock: Leonard Nimoy

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy: DeForest Kelley

Lt. Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott: James Doohan

Lt. Uhura: Nichelle Nichols

Lt. Sulu: George Takei

Ensign Chekov: Walter Koenig

Dr. Richard Daystrom: William Marshall

Commodore Bob Wesley: Barry Russo

Lt. Leslie: Eddie Paskey

Lt. Brent: Frank da Vinci

Lt. Lemli: Roger Holloway

Harper: Sean Morgan

REVIEW:

No matter how predictable this episode’s plotting really is, “The Ultimate Computer” remains very watchable.  The reliable chemistry between Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley, is a treat, as is their well-played teamwork with guest William Marshall.  The story itself is heavy-handed, in spite of its good intentions spelling out the fallacy why technology shouldn’t supersede humanity. 

In the end, though, “The Ultimate Computer” is a kid-friendly Trek that merits a chance to be seen by younger generations.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

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STAR TREK – THE ORIGINAL SERIES: THE GALILEO SEVEN (Season 1: Episode 16)

SUMMARY:                  RUNNING TIME: 51:00 Min.

First airing on NBC-TV, on January 5, 1967, Robert Gist directed this mid-season episode off Oliver Crawford & Shimon Wincelberg’s (aka S. Bar David) script.  During the U.S.S. Enterprise’s journey to Markus III to deliver much-needed supplies to its New Paris colony, a quasar-like phenomenon, Murasaki 312, necessitates scientific investigation.  Aboard the shuttlecraft, Galileo, Spock commands an exploratory team consisting of Scotty, Dr. McCoy, and four others. 

Yet, an emergency situation strands the Galileo on the primitive world known as Taurus II.  Amidst makeshift repairs, the shuttle’s crew defends itself from multiple attacks by the planet’s barbaric and increasingly aggressive natives.  Pressured by Commissioner Ferris, Captain Kirk is rapidly running out of allotted time to find his missing crew members.  Essentially, the lost Galileo is a needle in a galactic haystack. 

From the ship’s bridge, Kirk fears the worst once his search parties encounter the same lethal brutes that have previously attacked the Galileo.  Pursuing one desperate shot at an escape and saving his team, Spock’s cool-headed logic and command abilities are increasingly doubted by his skeptical subordinates.  Ultimately, it’s up to Spock and Scotty to devise a means of overcoming the team’s slim odds of rescue.  

Captain James T. Kirk: William Shatner

Commander Spock: Leonard Nimoy

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy: DeForest Kelley

Lt. Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott: James Doohan

Lt. Uhura: Nichelle Nichols

Lt. Sulu: George Takei

Lt. Boma: Don Marshall

Lt. Gaetano: Peter Marko

Yeoman Mears: Phyllis Douglas

Commissioner Ferris: John Crawford

Lt. Kelowitz: Grant Woods

Lt. Latimer: Rees Vaughn

Transporter Technician: David Ross

Taurus II Brute: Buck Maffei

REVIEW:

Though its outcome is never really in doubt, Nimoy & Kelley’s reliable chemistry as Spock & McCoy ensures that “The Galileo Seven” is a dynamite Trek.  In a welcome change, especially reciprocating against Kelley and guest Don Marshall, Nimoy overshadows Shatner as this episode’s true dramatic star. 

No matter its familiar TV plot contrivances, “The Galileo Seven” is well-played (particularly, with the welcome insertion of modern F/X).     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 7 Stars

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STAR TREK – THE ORIGINAL SERIES: SPECTRE OF THE GUN (Season 3, Episode 6)

SUMMARY:                      RUNNING TIME: 51:00 Min.

First airing on NBC-TV on October 25, 1968, Vincent McEveety directed this episode penned by Gene L. Coon (per his pseudonym, Lee Cronin).  Disregarding Melkotian insistence not to beam down, Captain Kirk leads an U.S.S. Enterprise landing party down to their misty world to intrude and stubbornly push Federation diplomacy. 

As fitting retaliation, the offended Melkots transplant Kirk’s team into a partial replica inspired by Earth’s deadly history: October 26, 1881, at Tombstone, Arizona.  Hence, the Enterprise’s stranded landing party are forced into the roles of the hapless Clanton/McLaury gang awaiting the showdown vs. the coldly belligerent Earp Brothers and “Doc” Holliday at the ‘Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.’

With time running on their destined ‘fate,’ Kirk’s team must uncover a means to alter established ‘history.’  In essence, their alien captors intend to pit the crew’s sense of virtue against humanity’s worst impulses resorting to lethal violence.    

Captain James T. Kirk (Ike Clanton): William Shatner

Commander Spock (Frank McLaury): Leonard Nimoy

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy (Tom McLaury): DeForest Kelley

Commander Montgomery Scott (Billy Clanton): James Doohan

Ensign Pavel Chekov (Billy Claiborne): Walter Keonig

Sylvia: Bonnie Beecher

Wyatt Earp: Ron Soble

Morgan Earp: Rex Holman

Virgil Earp: Charles Maxwell

“Doc” Holliday: Sam Gilliman

Melkotian (voice): Abraham Sofaer

Tombstone barber: Ed McCready

Ed: Charles Seel

Cowboys: Paul Baxley & Richard Anthony

Lt. Hadley: Bill Blackburn

Note: Kelley had previously portrayed Morgan Earp in 1957’s Gunfight at the O.K. Corral co-starring Burt Lancaster & Kirk Douglas. Holman would later play a supporting role as one of Sybok’s recruits in 1989’s Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.   

REVIEW:

Though the premise isn’t half-bad, suffice to say, Trek’s first Western doesn’t age well.  Given the production’s glaring budgetary limitations, at least a plausible excuse is conjured up justifying the flimsy Tombstone set (i.e. the aliens possess an incomplete knowledge of Old West historical detail).  Still, the episode itself invariably looks and feels cheap. 

Distorting even rudimentary historical facts, this Trek, unfortunately, conveys that the Clantons and McLaurys weren’t sleazy outlaws facing frontier justice they deserved.  Ironically, by replacing their historical criminality with the heroism of Kirk, Spock, etc., the Clanton/McLaury faction is sympathetically depicted as being bullied and gunned down by the vindictive, trigger-happy Earps. 

As crudely produced as this episode is, “Spectre of the Gun” is still more re-watchable than some of the viewer-insulting dreck Season 3 dubiously peddled (“Spock’s Brain,” anyone?).    

Note: A 1987 Real Ghostbusters animated episode (“Ghost Fight at the O.K. Corral”) recycles this same concept and actually does a much better job.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  4 Stars

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STAR TREK – THE ORIGINAL SERIES: METAMORPHOSIS (Season 2: Episode 9)

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: 50:00 Min.

First airing on NBC-TV, on November 10, 1967, Ralph Senesky directed this episode penned by Gene L. Coon.  An U.S.S. Enterprise shuttlecraft is abducted by a mysterious energy cloud, which then strands Captain Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, and terminally ill Federation diplomat Nancy Hedford on the remote Gamma Canaris N planetoid.  Effectively marooned, the shuttle’s crew are stunned to discover that their fellow inhabitant is engineer Zefram Cochrane: the legendary inventor of warp drive. 

According to Earth history, an elderly Cochrane had vanished some 150 years prior, leaving an unsolved mystery.  Yet, he has resided alone on this planet — somehow restored to his physical prime.  It’s revealed that the ethereal ‘Companion,’ in an act of compassion, has brought the quartet there to befriend a lonely and evidently now-immortal Cochrane. 

With Cochrane’s reluctant help, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy desperately try escaping The Companion’s captivity, in part to seek Hedford’s emergency medical care.   

Captain James T. Kirk: William Shatner

Commander Spock: Leonard Nimoy

Dr. Leonard H. McCoy: DeForest Kelley

Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott: James Doohan

Lt. Uhura: Nichelle Nichols

Lt. Sulu: George Takei

Zefram Cochrane: Glenn Corbett

Commissioner Nancy Hedford: Elinor Donahue

The Companion (voice): Elizabeth Rogers

Lt. Leslie: Eddie Paskey

Lt. Hadley: Bill Blackburn

REVIEW:

Suffice to say, it’s Star Trek’s most underrated love story.  Instead of a slam-bang Trek adventure, writer Gene L. Coon ensures that the mature romanticism powering “Metamorphosis” caters to a wider adult audience than stalwart Trekkers.  Enjoying solid chemistry with guest stars Glenn Corbett and Elinor Donahue, the trio of Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley reliably carry this episode’s poignant themes to a satisfying finish. 

Though Cochrane’s tale isn’t among the most re-watchable Original Series episodes that spring to mind, “Metamorphosis” remains a classy and genuinely welcome Trek-or-treat.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8 Stars

Note:  Co-written by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, the 1994 Original Series/Next Generation crossover novel, Federation, serves as a direct sequel to this episode (and, to a much lesser degree, “Journey to Babel”).

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