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copyright 2006-2010 by Star Traveler Publications
There are two things which Trekkies know about Paramount: they have no idea why the
franchise is still popular after 43 years, and they will never let an opportunity pass to
try to sell Trekkies some new version of the same Trek merchandise they have already.
As this new spring rolls around Star Trek is once again in theatres, so fans were already
braced for the onslaught of new collectibles - even dieting as they saved up their
“Kellogg’s” and “Burger King” coupons in anticipation.
With a new cast in the familiar TOS roles and a completely re-imagined universe for
them to bound around in the sweeping variety of merchandise was inevitable. What was
not inevitable, and what comes as a welcome surprise, is that the studio is still reaching
out to the original series fans that have kept the franchise alive for all these decades
with new tempting treats to feed their long running obsession with Star Trek and the
original cast. Given Paramount’s misunderstanding of what drives Trekkies and their
obsession with milking the cash cow the question that looms is...
“Is any of this worth it?”
READ ON>>>>
franchise is still popular after 43 years, and they will never let an opportunity pass to
try to sell Trekkies some new version of the same Trek merchandise they have already.
As this new spring rolls around Star Trek is once again in theatres, so fans were already
braced for the onslaught of new collectibles - even dieting as they saved up their
“Kellogg’s” and “Burger King” coupons in anticipation.
With a new cast in the familiar TOS roles and a completely re-imagined universe for
them to bound around in the sweeping variety of merchandise was inevitable. What was
not inevitable, and what comes as a welcome surprise, is that the studio is still reaching
out to the original series fans that have kept the franchise alive for all these decades
with new tempting treats to feed their long running obsession with Star Trek and the
original cast. Given Paramount’s misunderstanding of what drives Trekkies and their
obsession with milking the cash cow the question that looms is...
“Is any of this worth it?”
READ ON>>>>
The answer is: uh.. “probably”
Simply, here’s why:
Each of these collections contain four episodes that are meant to give viewers a
healthy taste of what the series were about. Labeling them as “Best Of”
collections is a way to entice new viewers but it surely will spark endless debate
among even casual Star Trek fans. The episodes chosen may or may not be the
“best of”, but they definitely give the viewer a good sampling of what each series
was made of.
THE CONTENT:
Anything that is labeled “The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series” needs to
show us Gene Roddenberry’s hopeful vision of a optimistic future, despite our
continued human failings, as well as establishing his “Wagon Wheel to the Stars”
concept. They should also illustrate the best features of the show, if not the best
episodes. For those purposes, they have chosen the episodes well.
• “The City on the Edge of Forever” – Arguably one of the best written episodes
of TOS, “City” gives us great insight into our three main characters and their
relationships with each other. This gives viewers a taste of the plain old good
science fiction writing we often saw in TOS. Time travel has never been written
this well again.
• “The Trouble with Tribbles” – A fan-favorite standard that shows people we
don’t always take ourselves too seriously. It’s a classic that even non-fans
recognize the references to.
• “Balance of Terror” – Is a classic space-submarine battle that illustrates
science fiction isn’t that “out there” after all. It deals with the elimination of
bigotry in our future (and attempts to get viewers to try it themselves) and
showcases Captain Kirk’s character as a commander.
• “Amok Time” – Face it: everyone wants to know about Mr. Spock. This was the
episode that introduced us to his culture and planet. Another of the best written
episodes, it never dissappoints.
These are the digitally remastered versions with an improved Dolby Digital 5.1
audio track. While fans may debate whether the classics should have been
altered, given that the target audience is folks who just left Star Trek 11 at the
theatre, it’s a, um, logical choice.
A set labeled “The Best of The Next Generation” must contain, clearly, an
example of each of the three types of episodes that made up the series, which
this set does well.
• “The Best of Both Worlds, Part I and II” – Like “Amok Time” in TOS, these are
the episodes where the fans got a much-longed for look into our favorite enemies
- the Borg- culture. This also gave us real insight into both the character of Riker
and Picard. BBW is the DVD’s example of TNG episodes that are part of the
“story arc” of the series. Remarkably, this same “story arc” found it’s way into
DS9 and the TNG features.
• ‘Yesterday’s Enterprise” – This is the DVD’s example science-fiction episode
where some scientific phenomenom throws a problem up that must be solved. It’s
not surprising that they chose a time-travel story for this example, because it
shows a change in a ship’s battle incident that alters the timeline and who and
where everyone is.. including the reappearance of a previously dead Yar. Hmm...
Ship...explosion...different biographies for known characters.... I wonder why they
chose this episode?
• ‘The Measure of a Man”‘– Lastly, we have the example of a TNG episode that is
struggling with the greater morality issues of the larger universe. A good choice,
again, because the issues of morality put in jeopardy a character that audiences
care about as much as they care about Spock in TOS, and this episode
immediately introduces to new audiences who Data is and the issues with his very
exsistence.
The episodes on “The Best of The Next Generation” are presented in the same
exact format they have been presented on the series DVD’s.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The only special feature on these discs is an extensive preview of the “Star Trek:
The Original Series Blu-ray” package. The main drawback to these discs is the
basics of their set up.. they don’t even have a “scene selection” option in the
navigation menu. Given the target audience, that’s probably for the best.
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY THESE DVD’s:
If you buy these DVD’s for yourself you will only be doing so to use them to fight
with other fans about what episodes should or should not have been included on
the sets. But you should buy them for all your friends and family that aren’t part
of Trek fandom yet. Really. These affordable collections (they’re running $10 at
your local discount store ) consist of one disc each that is a decent introduction to
non-fans with a good sample as to what the shows are all about. The next time one
of them disparage your love you can send them home with a disc. If they are
hooked and don’t return it, you aren’t out very much money and have done the
universe yet another good deed.
THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES
Street Date: May 12, 2009
Pricing: $14.99 US/ $15.99 CAN
Catalog #: 140634
Runtime: 3 Hrs., 35 Min.
U.S. Rating: Not Rated
Canadian Rating: G
THE BEST OF STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Street Date: May 12, 2009
Pricing: $14.99 US/ $15.99 CAN
Catalog #: 140644
Runtime: 3 Hrs., 1 Min.
U.S. Rating: Not Rated
Canadian Rating: PG
| Star Trek The Original Series The Next Generation "Best of Collection" |
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "BEST OF COLLECTION" |
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES THE MOVIE COLLECTION on Blu-Ray |
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES SEASON ONE on Blu-Ray |