If you could write, produce and direct an episode of Star Trek.........

If it's a single episode I would love to do one that ditches the main cast to tell a short story about life in the Star Trek universe outside of the normal stories. There was an absolutely fantastic episode like this in Star Trek: The Next Generation called Lower Decks. It focused on a group of junior officers who were being evaluated for promotion. The episode was written as if these characters were regular members of the crew with their own established personalities, quirks and interpersonal relationships, even though we as the audience had no prior knowledge of them. It was a great glimpse into life on the Enterprise outside of the main bridge. This is the kind of episode I would want to make.

Having served in the military myself I would draw on some of those experiences and create an episode focused on a Star Fleet security team, which is the Star Trek analog to soldiers. The story would begin with the main crew returning from an away mission saying they had discovered some things that need further scientific/archeological study. However the Enterprise is scheduled to be involved in other duties and the nearest research vessel is weeks away. So the captain orders a research team to stay behind while the Enterprise completes it's primary mission and can then return for pick up. A security detail is left behind as well because the planet is unknown and unexplored.

Along the way there will be conflict between the science team's sense of curiosity and the security team's sense of caution. So a scientist might say something like "Our mission is to explore this area for valuable knowledge" and a security officer retorts "Your mission is to explore this area for valuable knowledge. My mission is to make sure you live long enough to share what you have discovered."

But it won't all be head butting and arguments. There will be security personnel very interested in learning about the discoveries. Likewise there will be scientists who really listen to the security briefings and show what they learned by getting themselves out of trouble without help.

Dangers initially come in the form of the environment (radiation storms, rock slides, ect) and carnivorous plants/critters. Eventually they discover there are also intelligent beings that see the Star Fleet team as intruders. This raises the stakes and the team doesn't have the Enterprise leadership to help negotiate.
 
It would involve long term effects of some historical event that occurred between the show's last season (1969) and the present. 9/11, the fall of the Soviet Union, COVID-19, the rise of radical Islam, development of personal computers, etc. For a comedic episode, maybe the Enterprise detecting and bringing aboard a red sportscar with a spacesuited mannequin in the driver's seat.
 
It would involve long term effects of some historical event that occurred between the show's last season (1969) and the present. 9/11, the fall of the Soviet Union, COVID-19, the rise of radical Islam, development of personal computers, etc. For a comedic episode, maybe the Enterprise detecting and bringing aboard a red sportscar with a spacesuited mannequin in the driver's seat.
An excellent idea for a plot.
 
It would involve long term effects of some historical event that occurred between the show's last season (1969) and the present. 9/11, the fall of the Soviet Union, COVID-19, the rise of radical Islam, development of personal computers, etc. For a comedic episode, maybe the Enterprise detecting and bringing aboard a red sportscar with a spacesuited mannequin in the driver's seat.
Only if we get to listen to a David Bowie song.
Stevedog! Well done.
 
I wouldn't know what story I would make but if I could direct a Star Trek episode of the CBS 60s or 70s I would bring in a guest actor;Peter Graves. The same way they got William Shatner to guest star on Mission Impossible. Leonard Nimoy already became a regular actor at the same time .
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Lynne and Lone Wolf
I wouldn't know what story I would make but if I could direct a Star Trek episode of the CBS 60s or 70s I would bring in a guest actor;Peter Graves. The same way they got William Shatner to guest star on Mission Impossible. Leonard Nimoy already became a regular actor at the same time .
 
Not a very good parody if they are trying to make fun of Peter Graves. It doesn't even have any Mission Impossible references. There's no head or tail here. Does anyone understand the "joke" or am I missing something here?
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
Reactions: Duke