Last week, CBS officially announced Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The new CBS All Access series will feature the Enterprise crew, 10-years before Captian Kirk. The show will star Anson Mount as Captain Pike, Ethan Peck as Spock, & Rebecca Romijn as Number One.
On this week’s MZNOW, Michael, a huge fan of Star Trek, made a list of 5 things fans want to see in this new series. “This has the potential to be a success!” Michael continued, “You already have characters people know and love. You love the actors. You’re in a great position now.”
Spock (Ethan Peck), Number One (Rebecca Romijn), Captain Pike (Anson Mount)
1 – Emphasis on the NEW
Let’s not rehash or take “new perspectives” on old storylines. Let’s truly seek out NEW life and NEW civilizations.
2 – Don’t Rewrite History, Add to It
Stop with the cannon hacking. The Star Trek Universe is huge and there are plenty of areas to explore without destroying what came before. We don’t need any more siblings for Spock. It’s time to meet new characters and explore their backgrounds and their stories. Let’s honor the writers of the past by adding to the lore, and not mucking up the data…
3 – Make It A TEAM Effort
Although Pike is the Captain, he shouldn’t be the only hero. What made Next Gen and the Original series work so well is that the crew worked as a TEAM to solve their problems. Unlike Discovery where Burnham and Tilly are the only ones that can find solutions in a ship full of scientists, engineers, and literally the greatest and highly trained minds in the galaxy. Don’t waste the crew! Everyone has a part to play.
4 – Let’s Keep It A Little More PG or PG13
Let’s keep F-bombs and Klingon rape scenes for the other show. Let’s make this show a place where people of all ages can watch and be inspired. I’m not saying it should shy away from dark or serious issues – but there is a way to present ideas that doesn’t alienate the younger demo. I get it, it’s a streaming show and there are no rules. Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you always should.
5 – No More Season Long Story Arcs
Instead of dishing out 10-15 shows with a long, drawn-out story (with at least a quarter of the shows being filler), only to get a disappointing payoff at the end — let’s go back to the ‘planet of the week.’ Let’s see the crew work together, as a team, to find solutions for themselves or the civilization they are trying to help in 45 minutes. Let’s see hope and goodness triumph in this series because we need it now more than ever.
What do you want to see on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Let us know on Twitter @MZNOWTV.
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Best Shows & Movies to Binge During Memorial Day Weekend
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Steven Ogg Talks New TNT Series, ‘Snowpiercer’
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Why Seven of Nine Was Captain Shaw’s Perfect First Officer
In Star Trek: Picard, the relationship between Captain Liam Shaw and Seven of Nine is a compelling narrative that delves into leadership, personal growth, and the challenge of confronting deep-seated prejudices. While Shaw’s rigid and often abrasive demeanor made him appear an unlikely ally to Seven, their evolving dynamic revealed why she was the perfect choice as his first officer aboard the USS Titan.
“No matter how you slice it, no matter what time continuum, it’ll always come up Seven of Nine.”
Confronting Personal Demons
Captain Shaw’s decision to appoint Seven of Nine as his first officer was a significant step in his journey toward confronting his own biases and fears. As someone with a traumatic history involving the Borg, Shaw’s choice to work with Seven—a former Borg—was laden with personal challenges. Reflecting on this decision, Shaw’s actor, Todd Stashwick, stated, “I think Shaw had a lot of growth that he needed to do. And so by hiring a person who was a former Borg, [it] allowed him to confront fears and prejudices in himself.” (MZNOW)
This decision was not just about filling a role on his ship but about pushing himself to overcome past traumas. Working alongside Seven forced Shaw to face his prejudices head-on, a process that was both difficult and transformative for him.
A Necessary Voice of Dissent
Another critical aspect of Shaw’s decision to choose Seven as his first officer was her ability to challenge him. Shaw understood the importance of having a first officer who would not just follow orders but would question and push back when necessary. As Stashwick noted, “She was the best choice. She challenged him on things that needed challenging, and he knew that she would do that. So, a good captain chooses a first officer that isn’t a yes man, that challenges his order” (MZNOW).
This respect for Seven’s perspective and strength highlights Shaw’s growth as a leader. Despite his initial resistance, Shaw valued the dissenting voice that Seven brought to the bridge, recognizing that it was essential for effective leadership.
A Story of Redemption and Growth
Throughout Picard‘s third season, the evolving relationship between Shaw and Seven is marked by significant character development. Shaw’s initial reluctance to fully accept Seven’s identity as a former Borg gradually gave way to respect and acknowledgment. Reflecting on the importance of their dynamic, Stashwick remarked, “No matter how you slice it, no matter what time continuum, it’ll always come up Seven of Nine.” (MZNOW)
This statement underscores the inevitability and rightness of Shaw’s choice.
In selecting Seven as his first officer, Shaw not only chose the best person for the job but also took a crucial step in his own journey of redemption and self-improvement.
Their relationship serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is about embracing challenges, both external and internal, and growing from them.
References:
- RedShirtsAlwaysDie. (2023). Why Captain Shaw has Seven of Nine as his first officer on Titan. Source (Redshirts Always Die).
- SlashFilm. (2023). Why Captain Shaw Won’t Call Hansen Seven Of Nine In Star Trek: Picard. Source (SlashFilm).
- The Digital Fix. (2023). Who is Captain Shaw in Star Trek Picard season 3? Source (The Digital Fix).
- MZNOW (2024) Michael Zavala‘s Interview with Todd Stashwick Source (Youtube)
Watch the full interview with Todd Stashwick on MZNOW with Michael Zavala.
