STAR TREK CONTINUES!
(Posted 2013-05-29 09:13:45 by Ray Lopez)

I am a huge fan of the original _Star Trek_ series.� I refuse to refer to
it as _Star Trek: The Original Series_, simply because to me, the series
from the 1960s is the one, true Star Trek.

A group of Star Trek fans and some folks with a LOT of money have come
together to create a new web-based video series called _Star Trek
Continues_.� The premise of the show is that the original mission of the
USS Enterprise was supposed to last five years.� But the show was cancelled
after only three seasons, so we still have two years of journeys to make
up!

This is where the wonderful folks at Dracogen Strategic Investments and
Farragut Films decided to pick up.� _Star Trek Continues_ is simply the
continuation of the original crew's mission.

The show uses sets, costumes, props, and visual and sound effects that are
extremely accurate recreations of those used in the original _Star Trek_,
right down to the blinking computer displays and cheesy pictures up on the
"monitors" of the Enterprise bridge.� All of the background music is the
same, as are the 1960s miniskirts the female crew members wear.� Overall it
is an absolutely lovely re-creation, one done with much love and respect
for the one, true _Star Trek_.

The actors are also quite good, though they will take some getting used
to.� Captain Kirk is played by Vic Mignogna, who also happens to be a
writer and director for this series.� His portrayal of Shatner's Kirk is
really good, right down to the masculine posture and facial expressions.�
Spock is played by Todd Haberkorn, who will take some getting used to.� He
doesn't project the same "gravitas" that Leonard Nimoy did, and is
noticeably shorter and thinner than Kirk.� Dr. McCoy is played by Larry
Nemecek.� He will also take some getting used to.� His voice it higher
pitched than DeForest Kelly's , and he doesn't have the gruff exterior that
Kelly played so well.� Personality-wise, the three characters are pretty
good re-creations of the original triumvirate from Star Trek, and I look
forward to seeing them grow into the roles.� Scotty is played by James
Doohan's son, Chris Doohan.� He's really good.� Not only does he resemble
his dad, he also has the fake Scottish brogue down pretty well, too.

Now that Majel Barret has passed away, the voice of the computer was taken
over by none other than Marina Sirtis, which I think is pretty cool.
Another inspired casting choice was to place Grant Imahara, of Mythbusters
fame, in the role of Mr. Sulu.

The connection to the series from the 1960s was made in a 5 minute vignette
titled "Turnabout Intruder"� This is the name of the very last episode to
be broadcast on NBC back in 1969.� The vignette picks up at the end of that
episode, and shows the new actors in the final scene where crazy Dr. Janice
Lester and Captain Kirk return to their own bodies, and she is led away by
her lover, Dr. Coleman.� Kirk and the other principals go back up to the
bridge and continue on at warp 6 to their next destination.� Again, this
was done with much love and reverence for the original Star Trek.� It was
well-done and I thought it was a pretty good way to segue into the new
series.

The first episode is called "Pilgrim of Eternity", and brings back a
character from the 1960s episode "Who Mourns for Adonis", the Greek God
Apollo.� It was awesome that they got the original actor who played Apollo,
Michael Forest, to reprise his role.� Of course the dude is in his 80s
right now, so the plot involved the crew encountering an old, dying Apollo,
and helping him to eventually learn how to live among humans as a
non-diety.� The dialog and action was perfect, classic _Star Trek_.� They
are recording the series in the original 4:3 format, so watching it on any
screen is just like watch an episode of the classic _Star Trek_.

As a Star Trek fan for over 40 years, I give _Star Trek Continues_ very
high marks.� The acting, writing, and production quality is surprisingly
good, and it is obvious that it was all done as a labor of love.� I very
much hope that they produce more episodes.� Check them out at
http://www.startrekcontinues.com [ http://www.startrekcontinues.com ].

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