News headlines from May 1999:

Friday May 28, 1999

DS9 Finale Review
Christian (3:05 pm CST)
Yesterday, the incredible Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga was lucky enough to attend the premiere of 'What You Leave Behind' at the Los Angeles Museum of Television & Radio. Jeff was kind enough to write up a detailed report of the entire event:

According to moderator Steve Bell, the episode was finished yesterday so we were definitely the first public audience to watch it.

I'd quote more, but unfortunately almost his entire review is filled with spoilers for the final episode. It is an absolute must-read, though - not only is it the first-ever review of the final episode, it also includes a report of the Q&A session with the actors and producers which took place afterwards. Click here to read his report!

Top Ten Things To Do After DS9
Christian (3:04 pm CST)
Eon Magazine has compiled a Letterman-style 'Top Ten Things Star Trek Fans Will Do Once Deep Space Nine Leaves The Airwaves.' The top-10 includes some timeless classics such as 'Wondering why girls won't talk to them,' and can be found, in all its political correctness, by going here.

Trek Stars Hang Out Together
Christian (3:04 pm CST)
The great Faith just sent in some info about the whereabouts of some of the Trek stars after yesterday's premiere of the DS9 finale, which she'd heard from a friend:

A friend of mine was entertaining friends at Barney's Beanery, a famous eatery in West Hollywood, and called me to tell me that Nicole deBoer, Tim Russ, and some friends of theirs (people in the crew?) were also there. So that's where many of the cast and crew must have gone after the premiere in Beverly Hills.

Thanks go out to Faith for this!

Transwarp 62 Is Out
Christian (3:04 pm CST)
Editor Seth Dilday has sent out issue 62 of Transwarp, the weekly Star Trek newsletter which now seems to have gone monthly. As every week, the newsletter contains the air schedules for TOS, DS9 and Voyager, the press releases for some of the upcoming episodes, plus a collection of articles which were collected from the net.

SF Weekly Previews 'New Worlds'
Christian (3:03 pm CST)
Brooks Peck at the Sci-Fi Weekly has written a report on the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the computer gaming trade show which took place two weeks ago. In his report, he previews some of the upcoming science-fiction games, including Interplay's real-time strategy game 'Star Trek: New Worlds':

Real-time strategy comes to the Star Trek universe at last with Star Trek: New Worlds. This game takes place after the events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, when the Romulans, as a result of testing a new weapon, have caused several planetary systems to appear in the Neutral Zone. The race is then on between the Romulans, Klingons and the Federation to grab these valuable properties.

The full preview goes on to talk a little bit more about New Worlds' gameplay.

Denise Crosby Interview
Christian (3:03 pm CST)
After last week's interview with 'Trekkies' director Roger Nygard, Christopher Allan Smith at Eon has now put up an interview with Denise Crosby, the presenter of the documentary. In the interview, Crosby presents us with her reasons for making the film:

"I think the fans have been misrepresented over the years," she says. "I think the fact I was involved made [the filming] easier. They were a little open and trusting. We didn't set out to make a dig at these people, or embarrass them, or make a freak show. I had been around the world for ten years, visiting these people, and I have a real compassion and care for them. They've bought our tickets. They've made everybody a nice life… and I was much more comfortable being interested in them, and less comfortable in the opposite way, to sit there and kind of be flattered and worshipped or whatever. I find that really not that comfortable for me."

The full article has more.

DS9 - The Long Goodbye
Christian (3:03 pm CST)
The new edition of Eon Magazine, includes part one of an extremely lengthy 'The Long Goodbye' article. In the article, Edward Gross talks to almost all of the show's writers, who look back on the past 7 years of Deep Space Nine. The article contains the below rather moving quote from producer Hans Beimler:

"My world was being dismantled," claims the producer. "I was talking to Ira [Steven Behr] about it the other day. The first job we did together, the first series, was FAME, during its last year. We were there when they were dismantling MGM. We actually saw the MGM sign go down and being taken off the studio lot. That's exactly what was happening here. The sets were coming apart. You have no idea what that feels like. Imagine somebody coming to your house and saying, 'You don't need this room anymore; you don't need this furniture; the kids are all grown up, you don't need this toy train anymore.' And they start to pack it up and dismantle it. They're coming in here and ripping apart our lives with all the sentiment of a French whore."

The rest of the article has people such as Ira Steven Behr and Ron Moore talking about the end of Deep Space Nine, the unusual roads they've taken, and the true sense of finality for the show. On a somewhat lighter note, the article also contains a photo of Michael Piller wearing a suit and a tie, which can certainly be described as the biggest news event since the announcement of the Final Chapter (all the 'making of' books describe him as always wearing t-shirts and baseball caps). As most other Eon articles, the full article is of extremely high quality, and I really recommend you check it out.

DS9 - The Long Goodbye
Christian (3:03 pm CST)
The new edition of Eon Magazine, includes part one of an extremely lengthy 'The Long Goodbye' article. In the article, Edward Gross talks to almost all of the show's writers, who look back on the past 7 years of Deep Space Nine. The article contains the below rather moving quote from producer Hans Beimler:

"My world was being dismantled," claims the producer. "I was talking to Ira [Steven Behr] about it the other day. The first job we did together, the first series, was FAME, during its last year. We were there when they were dismantling MGM. We actually saw the MGM sign go down and being taken off the studio lot. That's exactly what was happening here. The sets were coming apart. You have no idea what that feels like. Imagine somebody coming to your house and saying, 'You don't need this room anymore; you don't need this furniture; the kids are all grown up, you don't need this toy train anymore.' And they start to pack it up and dismantle it. They're coming in here and ripping apart our lives with all the sentiment of a French whore."

The rest of the article has people such as Ira Steven Behr and Ron Moore talking about the end of Deep Space Nine, the unusual roads they've taken, and the true sense of finality for the show. On a somewhat lighter note, the article also contains a photo of Michael Piller wearing a suit and a tie, which can certainly be described as the biggest news event since the announcement of the Final Chapter (all the 'making of' books describe him as always wearing t-shirts and baseball caps). As most other Eon articles, the full article is of extremely high quality, and I really recommend you check it out.

Cynics Corner 'Equinox' Review
Christian (3:02 pm CST)
David E. Sluss at the Cynics Corner Interactive his uploaded his last Voyager episode review of the season, namely his review of 'Equinox.' Sluss begins by commenting on the show's technobabble:

WORST TECHNOBABBLE OF THE WEEK:
With so many instances to choose from, it isn't easy. But during the flashback to Rudy Ransom's first encounter with the Alien Piranha Things in the cave, he notes that the creatures were "emitting antimatter." While it's somewhat amusing to envision a ship powered by antimatter-farting piranhas, the science is dreadful, even by Voyager standards. Just for starters, that first fart should have destroyed Ransom, and the backwater bumpkins who called the creature into existence, and the cave.

Read more in the full review, in which Sluss awards the episode a 6.5

'Changing Face Of Evil' Ratings
Christian (3:02 pm CST)
The Star Trek Nielsen Ratings Information Database is reporting on the ratings for DS9's 'The Changing Face Of Evil,' which aired about 4 weeks ago. For once, news is rather good:

"The Changing Face of Evil" took another step up, earning an above average 4.5 and rising just under 10% from last week's "Strange Bedfellows." Also, the show just barely missed equaling last year's mark set by "Valiant" (4.6).

DS9 crushed both Xena and Hercules on the week, finishing at least a full point above both of them. Both Xena and Herc failed to make the top 20 and are totally ruined as far as any shot at beating DS9 on the season. In general competition, this 12th place finish from DS9 is quite good, one of the best marks it's put up all season.

The full report contains an outlook for the future, and also some incredibly good news about the show's performance in New York.

Evil Avatar Interplay Screenshots
Christian (3:00 pm CST)
Evil Avatar has just put up two galeries showing some all-new screenshots from the upcoming Interplay games 'Star Trek: New Worlds' and 'Star Trek: Klingon Academy.' The Klingon Academy shots in particular look absolutely fantastic - they're certainly a big improvement over the original 'Starfleet Academy' graphics. The New Worlds shots look a lot less impressive, but, then again, so does the game itself.

Christian Science Monitor Salutes DS9
Christian (2:59 pm CST)
In an article entitled "Goodbye 'DS9,' hello 'Crusade,'" arts and television writer M.S. Mason at the Christian Science Monitor says farewell to Deep Space Nine. Mason will apparently really miss DS9:

Except for the villains, of course, most of the characters were admirable - especially Captain Sisco (Avery Brooks), a courageous, dignified, spiritually minded man whose love for his son was expressed through tender respect. He was not as paternalistic with his crew as the great Captain Picard of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," principally because Sisco's crew members were all strong-minded themselves and also because he was too busy playing father to his son. "DS9" celebrated a community of equality in diversity.

Then, too, how many TV shows (other than science-fiction adventures) really bother with ideas about honor, integrity, and respect for other cultures without appearing either moralistic or merely PC?

In the full article Mason goes on praising DS9, but also includes a preview of the upcoming Babylon 5 spin-off 'Crusade.'

Mechwarrior 3 Spots On DS9 Finale
Christian (2:59 pm CST)
GameSpot is reporting that Hasbro Interactive will soon launch a massive television advertising campaign for their new Mechwarrior 3 game, which should start running on the series finale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Now if only they'd do the same for 'Star Trek: Birth of the Federation' I'd be really happy.

Today on TV
Christian (2:58 pm CST)
-Tomorrow, Sky One will be showing DS9's 'The Collaborator' at 16:00 BST, followed an hour later by Voyager's 'Meld.' Thanks go out to the Television Observation Unit of the Star Trek Collective for this.

-Tomorrow at 04:05 CET, German Sat.1 will be airing TNG's 'Die oberste Direktive' (Homefront).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (2:58 pm CST)
Lots more discussions will probably be taking place at the Trek BBS after Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga's DS9 finale review, but for now there are already lots of interesting discussions going on, including the following three:

-What do you think about Voyager's fifth season? Was it better or worse than the previous seasons?

-Which programs can be used to create starship schematics?

Find more discussions at the Trek BBS.

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (2:57 pm CST)
Yesterday we had no less than 8 site submissions at TrekSeek, including the following three:

-The Borg Collective is a Borg site with a personal view on the history of the Borg, and a Borg libaray, attempting to explain all things Borg.
-The United Consortium of Planetsis a loose alliance of planets consisting of members who don't qualify for the Federation. They join trade, miliatry, and to make large their voice in the Interstellar Community.
-Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Web Page is a ST:TNG site with a chat room, a wallpaper gallery, an e-greetings workshop, links, and much more!

Find the other new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (2:57 pm CST)
Everyone, go read Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga's DS9 finale review! And after that, post about it on every newsgroup, bbs and mailing list you know! Apparently 'What You Leave Behind' has turned out to be even better than 'All Good Things,' and it'd be really great if the whole net would start buzzing about the DS9 finale being so good - certainly that wouldn't be bad for the finale's ratings once it airs next week!

Thursday May 27, 1999

DS9 Finale Premiere Today
Christian (2:10 pm CST)
Today is the big day - the last ever episode of Deep Space Nine, series finale 'What You Leave Behind,' will premiere at the Museum of Television and Radio, located in Los Angeles. The incredibly lucky Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga will be there, and he sent in a list of people attending the screening today. The event will be attended by actors Avery Brooks, René Auberjonois, Nicole deBoer, Michael Dorn, Alexander Siddig and Nana Visitor, which means the entire cast except for Armin Shimerman, Colm Meaney and Cirroc Lofton. The event will also be attended by producers Rick Berman, Ira Steven Behr Lofton and several supporting cast members, while all those people will also be attending a Q&A session at the end of the finale showing.

On Friday there'll be another showing, but that one won't be attended by the cast. Instead, Ira Steven Behr will be personally introducing the episode.

New Sev Trek Competition
Christian (2:09 pm CST)
John Cook has (finally) finished a new edition of the Sev Trek Competition:

This is what the competition deals with this week:

Fungi headpieces!
Apologies for the glut of DS9 cartoons lately but I'm stocking up on Snog comic strips for Aron Eisenberg's appearance at the Sydney FSF convention on June 13 (I'm doing a workshop there so Sydney readers, be sure to drop by to say hi).

Submit your punchlines here.

Ted Witt Reviews 'The Dogs Of War'
Christian (2:09 pm CST)
Tedd Witt has posted his review of DS9's 'The Dogs Of War' to Psi Phi's DS9 forum. Take a look at how he ends his review:

Overall, I found myself enjoying a good episode. I am ecstatic for next week and the final two hour explosion-o-rama and the conclusion to DS9, and a bit forelorn. DS9 withdrawal may be a serious problem! There is still LOTS to cover, but after eight episodes the main themes remaining seem doable:

The war. Cardassia's fate.
Dukat and Winn.
Sisko's most difficult trial. The Resistance.

That's about it...and that, to me, seems like a good place to be in after eight episodes...

In the full review he awards the episode an A-, as you can read here.

Bad 'Equinox' Ratings
Christian (2:09 pm CST)
I have to say I'm getting more and more pessimistic about Star Trek's chances for the future. The Universe has just put up the overnight ratings report for the Voyager season finale, and, unfortunately, the news is extremely bad:

The overnight rating for Voyagers season final 'Equinox' is in, and Voyager did not do well. At 9 pm Voyager got a 5.3/8, thats down 0.3 from last weeks episode. [...] Voyager was 6th for the hour, behind WBs 'Charmed' that got 0.1 more. 7 Days got the same as last week, namely a 3.6/6.

A final rating would be around 2.8 - 3.3.

This is NOT good. 'Equinox' was the season finale, and should at least have gotten more viewers than 'Warhead.' Voyager's ratings continue to go down, and they can't go down much more before Paramount management looses all trust in Star Trek. The franchise is still making money for Paramount, of course, but once Voyager ends, the decision for a new series will in no small part be influenced by the ratings of the only Trek series left on television.

Next year the ratings *really* need to improve - otherwise we the franchise might not be able to live long and prosper anymore.

Next Generation Of Trek Games
Christian (2:08 pm CST)
The British PC Zone has put up a report of last week's E3 conference, looking in detail at four of the upcoming Star Trek games (Voyager: Elite Force, Armada, Insurrection and Deep Space Nine: The Fallen). The preview contains several bold statements by important Activision people:

with the gaming market already awash with Star Trek titles from a number of publishers including Interplay, Hasbro Interactive and Simon & Schuster can Activision really bring anything new with them? "We are very exited to bring the drawing power of the Star Trek experience to games worldwide," said Ron Doornink, Activision's top bod. "By working closely with Viacom Consumer Products on the Interactive titles, we will be able to deliver an all new level of excitement and gameplay to the brand"

[...]

with the gaming market already awash with Star Trek titles from a number of publishers including Interplay, Hasbro Interactive and Simon & Schuster can Activision really bring anything new with them? "We are very exited to bring the drawing power of the Star Trek experience to games worldwide," said Ron Doornink, Activision's top bod. "By working closely with Viacom Consumer Products on the Interactive titles, we will be able to deliver an all new level of excitement and gameplay to the brand"

Previews of those four games I mentioned earlier can be found in the full preview. Thanks go out to TrekWeb for pointing me to this.

DS9 Finale Press Kit
Christian (2:07 pm CST)
Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga was kind enough to send me a note detailing the contents of the official DS9 series finale press kit, which he managed to obtain through some obscure way:

Various information, printed on official Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Final Chapter stationery

Production Information (2 pages)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: A Brief History (5 pages)

A Brief Q&A With the Cast (6 pages)
- What is your favorite episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and why?
- Do you have a favorite "fan story" you could share?
- What, in your opinion, are some of the series' "defining moments"?
- If you had to predict where your character might be and what he/she might be doing ten years in the future, what would you speculate?
- What advice might you offer someone planning to spend the next seven years on a space station such as Deep Space Nine?

The Making of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - A Conversation With Executive Producer Rick Berman (3 pages)

Beyond Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - A Conversation With Executive Producer Ira Steven Behr (2 pages)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Trivia Quiz (4 pages)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Episode Titles & Guest Stars (7 pages)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Glossary of Terms (3 pages)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Awards, Emmy Nominations & Wins (4 pages)

Cast and crew biographies
- Avery Brooks (3 pages)
- Rene Auberjonois (3 pages)
- Nicole deBoer (2 pages)
- Michael Dorn (3 pages)
- Cirroc Lofton (2 pages)
- Colm Meaney (2 pages)
- Armin Shimerman (3 pages)
- Alexander Siddig (2 pages)
- Nana Visitor (2 pages)
- Rick Berman (2 pages)
- Ira Steven Behr (2 pages)
- Ronald D. Moore (2 pages)

20 color slides, four of which feature images from "What You Leave Behind"

Thanks go out to Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga for this info!

Mania Reviews Penultimate DS9
Christian (2:07 pm CST)
Just one more review after this one and then there'll be no more DS9. Michelle Erica Green starts her review of 'The Dogs Of War' by telling us about her least and her most favourite elements of the episode:

The calm before the final storm, this was a near-perfect episode despite minute appearances by my favorite characters and no guest spots by my favorite recurring characters. I'm reserving judgement on the Federation's appalling willingness to take advantage of Section 31's genocidal behavior by not curing the Founders...forgetting all discussion of moral responsibility, everyone in the galaxy is going to have it in for the Federation when word gets out. Odo's bitterness was well-played but I was bothered that he promised Sisko not to interfere. Why the hell should he not save his people when Sisko's people murdered them? And how can Sisko not expect him to?

The comic Ferengi storyline was a scream, probably my favorite Ferengi episode ever in terms of deconstructing the ideology of that greedy species, but the best lines were Quark's references to other stories in the arc - calling do-good-ism a disease his planet had caught from the Federation and declaring Sisko-style that the line must be drawn here. It's also poetic justice that Rom should end up as Nagus in addition to being real justice for the Ferengi people: unlike his brother, who seems to have learned nothing despite having been involuntarily exiled for a time, Rom has Moogie's social conscience and Leeta's concern for workers and the infirm. Quark ends up exactly where he started, which he's bound to realize sooner or later is a good place for him.

Read more in the full review.

Sloan Starring In 'Roswell High'
Christian (2:06 pm CST)
Yesterday I posted about a report at Cinescape, which provided the first details of 'Roswell High,' the new series produced by Jonathan Frakes. In the report, they mentioned that the one adult role in the series would be that of the town's sheriff which will be played by veteran character actor William Sadler (The Shawshank Redemption, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey). DangerMom was kind enough to point out to me that this is, in fact, the actor who used to guest star on Deep Space Nine as Luther Sloan, everyone's favourite secret agent. Thanks go out to DangerMom for pointing this out to me!

'Trekkies' Chat Postponed?
Christian (2:06 pm CST)
This is really strange - the Continuum front page still says the 'Trekkies' chat will be held today, but according to the Auditorium, the chat will be held tomorrow. Regardless of the date, the chat will be held at 5:00pm Pacific Time, so perhaps you should just drop in today to see if it's actually started or not. Submit advance questions here, and get info on how to participate here.

Mania Reviews Voyager Season Finale
Christian (2:06 pm CST)
Michelle Erica Green at AnotherUniverse's Mania Magazine has a review up of 'Equinox,' the Voyager season finale. Though Green liked the episode, she didn't like it as Voyager:

This was a cool season-ending cliffhanger for some science fiction show - not necessarily Voyager, as the continuity problems with "Caretaker" really got on my nerves, but for some other series with a captain who needs to have her outdated rule book removed from her as...trometrics lab. Oh, of course she was right, Ransom's behavior was beyond the pale, and her Kirk-like response reminded me of "The Omega Glory." Still, I could not help laughing at Princess Kathryn's righteous indignation towards John Savage: not only is she a big fat stinkin' liar if she thinks she's never broken the Prime Directive, she doesn't even know that her precious Starfleet is taking advantage of Section 31's decision to commit genocide to win a war she's never had to get her pretty little hands dirty fighting.

The full review (which is actually rather long) can be found here.

Mulgrew Signs On For Season 7
Christian (2:05 pm CST)
Michelle Erica Green at Mania's Daily Buzz is reporting one of the best news items imaginable - Kate Mulgrew (Kathryn Janeway) has signed a contract to stay on the show for the full 7 seasons. She said this in an interview with WOR-TV in New York, which yesterday aired an interview with her:

Though Mulgrew has been quoted several times recently as wishing to move on, she cited her allegiance to the cast and crew, saying she didn't want them to suffer if she left. She also expressed her belief that Deep Space Nine fans would switch their loyalty to Voyager now that the previous series has wrapped production.

Cleveland affiliate WUAB also quoted Mulgrew as saying that she intended to remain in California for the remaining two seasons, then split her time between theatrical work in New York and her new husband's home in Ohio.

I wonder what the status of Jeri Ryan now is - it has been reported several times that both she and Mulgrew 'want off the show,' though it looks now as if that could just be rumours the actresses themselves leaked in order to get a stronger negotiating position.

New York Yesterdaily News
Christian (2:04 pm CST)
The New York Daily News has put up a preview of, erm, yesterday's showing of the Voyager season finale, 'Equinox.' Actually they put up the preview yesterday, but I didn't find it until today. Here's what reviewer David Bianculli had to say about the episode:

This two-parter, written by Brannon Braga and Joe Menosky (based on a story by them and Rick Berman) and directed by David Livingston, leaves the Voyager crew in dire peril — but also leaves the show in good shape to start its sixth season in the fall.

In the full preview he awards the episode 3 stars.

Insurrection Rental Stays At No.3
Christian (2:04 pm CST)
The Video Software Dealers Association just announced the top 10 renting videos for the week ended May 23, 1999. No real surprises can be found in the top-3: the top spot is still occupied by 'You've Got Mail,' followed by 'Stepmom' at no.2 and 'Insurrection' at no.3. Last week, 'Insurrection' earned $2.69 million, bringing it to a total of $5.84 million.

Today on TV
Christian (2:04 pm CST)
-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the Sci-Fi Channel will be airing 'The Galileo 7.'

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST, British Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Crossover.'

-Tomorrow morning at 01:40 CET German Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Das Pegasus Projekt' (The Pegasus). At 15:00 they'll be showing 'Die oberste Direktive' (Homefront).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
35 discussions took place at the Trek BBS over the past 24 hours, including the following three:

-Is there anyone who likes sci-fi movie crossovers.

-Are you also getting tired of Janeway's 'prime directive' handling?

-What do you think about 'Equinox,' the Voyager season finale?

Feel free to add other posts at the Trek BBS!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
Yesterday 4 sites were submitted to TrekSeek, bringing us to a total of 1133 Star Trek links. Check out two of the new sites:

-www.trektape.com, which I mentioned as a news item a few days ago already, sells discovered, never before seen, video footage of one of the first Star Trek conventions ever held. These films sat in a shoe box, in an attic for 23 years. It is also one of their las group public appearances. A true collector's item, according to the site.

-Leonardo M. Falaschini's Sketchbook has art about Star Trek, Kahless, Batman, Alien and much more.

Find out what the other new sites are by clicking here.

Hello World!
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
The weather is absolutely great here in the Netherlands! I don't think it was ever before so hard to get myself to update the site again - with this weather you just want to sit outside in the sun and relax. Still, in the end I was able to drag myself to the computer, so now you can all behold the fruit of my sacrifices :-).

Wednesday May 26, 1999

'Voyager: Elite Force' Interview
Christian (3:16 pm CST)
As part of our special series of reports from last week's Electronic Entertainment Expo, we've put up an exclusive interview dealing with the 'Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force' game. In the interview, Activision QA lead David Fischer and Raven director Brian Pelletier talk about this upcoming action game:

Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga: "So tell me about Elite Force."

David Fischer: "[It's] a first person shooter, but based more on a co-op mode where you're a lead in a commanding force instead of just being a one-man Rambo versus the whole alien forces. The story is [that] the Borg [have] taken your ship and [have] drained all the power and [have] disabled your ship inside of a ship graveyard, basically with a bunch of other ships. There becomes the levels. There are going to be 30 levels in the game. So while you're stuck your object is to try to find pieces on the other ships that will help you... rescue your ship basically. So during that you're going to find 30 different levels with 30 different kinds of aliens, or at least a good number of aliens -- put it that way. All the races that are in Voyager will be in here. This will be one of the most true-to-life games to the TV series that you will get."

The full interview, as conducted by Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga, contains info on the game's storyline, the alien races (including the Borg, Klingons & Species 8472) and the relationship between the developers and Paramount. Find it all here.

Interactive DS9 Quiz
Christian (3:16 pm CST)
The people at TV Guide have put up an interactive Deep Space Nine, where you'll be able to test your knowledge of the series in 15 questions. I made one mistake, unfortunately, when I chose the wrong name for the first ship Benjamin Sisko served on as first officer. You can see if you can do better by going here.

New Trek Books Announced
Christian (3:15 pm CST)
Marco Palmieri, editor at Pocket Books, has finally updated his 'Editor's Log,' in which he gives new info on some upcoming Trek books he's editing. He gives out some info on the 'Lives of Dax' anthology, the 'New Worlds, New Civilizations' coffee-table book and the upcoming 'Star Trek Trivia Book,' but he also reports about his recent trip to Los Angeles. He was there to meet with the Paramount people, and to discuss some book ideas he had for the next couple of years. Below are the three projects he just announced:

SECTION THIRTY-ONE - four novels -one for each series- telling new stories of each crew's experience with the Federation's black ops agency. To be published in October and November of 2000.

SPLIT INFINITIES (working title) - A two-volume series of four novellas each, exploring alternate ST realities. The novellas will springboard from established continuity and answer questions such as: "What if Captain Pike hadn't been injured?" , "What if Spock had allowed Sarek to die in 'Journey to Babel'?" and "What if Ro Laren had become the Liaison Officer of DS9?"

[...]

But I think the thing I'm most excited about is that I'm spearheading the new creative direction of our publishing program for STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, with stories that take place after the explosive series finale. I'm really sinking my teeth into this project, working with authors even as I write this to create exciting new adventures involving the Alpha Quadrant's hotbed of political and scientific intrigue.

His full Editor's Log goes into some more detail about the 'Split Infinities' project, but also talks about the three other books I mentioned earlier.

Jammer Reviews 'Extreme Measures'
Christian (3:15 pm CST)
Jamahl Epsicokhan at Star Trek: Hypertext has put up his review of 'Extreme Measures,' the third-to-last Final Chapter episode. Awarding the episode just 2 out of 4 stars, he isn't very impressed with it:

Many aspects of "Extreme Measures" seem grossly out of place. The final stretch of DS9 so far has been woven together into a mostly well-thought-out story that understands the nature of a greater purpose. Seeds are planted, then they grow. But with this episode, we have a primarily self-contained plot that, for the most part, seems to go nowhere we needed to go--certainly not where I wanted to go. What's most disappointing is that Section 31 is brought in as the story's central element, and then not used for what it has come to best represent--an immense moral issue with which our characters must wrestle.

This could've been a great episode. It should've been a great episode. Frankly, I'm a little shocked that it didn't live up to its potential. This has to be one of the most unexpected disappointments of the season.

In the full review he analyzes the episode in more detail.

'Get A Life!' And 'Trekkies' Review
Christian (3:15 pm CST)
Andrew Smith, webmaster of the Captain Comics, has written an article for the Nando Times dealing with Shatner's new book 'Get A Life!' and Denise Crosby's new documentary 'Trekkies.' About 'Get A Life!', Smith is very positive:

Shatner's "Life!" is the most forgiving, mostly because Shatner is trying to get us to forgive HIM. According to the repeated mea culpas peppering this book, Shatner acknowledges having been suspicious and dismissive of "Trek" fans for the last 25 years. The title, in fact, comes from a notorious 1986 "Saturday Night Live" sketch in which Shatner played himself screaming at "Trek" fans at a convention.

"It's just a TV show!" he thundered from the podium. "Have you ever even kissed a girl? Move out of you parents' basement! GET A LIFE!"

Shatner would now have us believe that he's seen the Lights of Zetar. Of "Trek" fans he says, "You guys are open, you're warm, you're caring, you're uninhibited, and sometimes you ARE a little weird, but you wear your love of our beat-up, middle-aged franchise like a badge of honor, and you support every single one of us who's ever been privileged to wear a Starfleet uniform. I can't POSSIBLY thank you enough."

He's slightly less positive about 'Trekkies,' though he still thinks it's 'a genuinely uplifting experience for fans.' The full review has more.

'Warhead' Final Ratings
Christian (3:14 pm CST)
The Star Trek Nielsen Ratings Information Database has the new final ratings report for last week's new Voyager episode, 'Warhead.' As usual, news is not good:

"Warhead" is a tough episode to judge -- given Voyagers recent disasterous ratings, you could see this as simply a continuation of a new trend of lower ratings. However, this episode could also be seen as a show which would have scored a much higher rating had it not been airing against the ultimate competition: Star Wars.

In any case, the rating in a vacuum is pretty dismal, as has been the usual lately. The episode scored a 3.3 rating, 5 share. That's flat from last week and down a ton from last year's Season Finale, "Hope and Fear," which earned a 4.1. That 3.3 rating is getting signifigantly closer to becoming the season average, but is now still below this season's usual mark.

Info on Warhead's performance compared to the competition can be found in the full report. I really hope tonight's 'Equinox' will finally do better again - if even the season finale isn't able to bring in higher ratings, it would not be good news for Star Trek's future.

Shatner Book Signing
Christian (3:14 pm CST)
The official William Shatner Connection is reporting that William Shatner (James T. Kirk) will be doing a book signing in at Waldenbooks in Los Angeles today:

William Shatner will be book signing on May 26 from 7pm to 8pm at in the Westside Pavilion (first floor - street level), 10800 West Pico Blvd (corner of Overland and Pico) in Los Angeles for two of his books... "Get A Life" and "Dark Victory". If you need better directions, you can call Waldenbooks at 310-474-6550.

Find more Shatner events at his official event calendar.

Captain Proton
Christian (3:13 pm CST)
Pocket Books editor John Ordover recently posted to the Star Trek Book Board about the upcoming 'Captain Proton' book, which looks set to be absolutely great:

The idea of Captain Proton, on the show, is that he's a fictional SF character from the pulp magazines and films of the 1930s. Our Captain Proton book is an issue of the CAPTAIN PROTON magazine, done as it would have been in the 30s. In other words, this is an issue of the magazine that the Captain Proton scenario Tom Paris plays on Voyager is based on. Think of it as an artifact from an alternate universe.:)

There is a Captain Proton lead novella, a chapter of a Captain Proton serial novel, a Buster Kincaid short story, a Constance Goodheart short-story, a couple of articles on the "science" of Captain Proton's universe, a piece, done as if written in the 1930s, about what the year 2000 will be like, and a letters column.

If you can't tell already, let me say we all had great fun putting the sucker together.:)

In a follow-up post, he later mentioned precisely who wrote the stories in the 'magazine.'

Dorn Speaks Out
Christian (3:13 pm CST)
As part of their special DS9 feature, TV Guide have put up a short video interview with Michael Dorn, who stars as Worf on Deep Space Nine:

In this exclusive TV Guide Channel interview, the Deep Space Nine star reveals his feelings about the ending of the show. For more with Michael, watch his Insider segment on the TV Guide Channel all this week!

In the interview, he does his usual complaining about getting tired of the show and overstaying his welcome, but he also mentions that for him this ending isn't as emotional as TNG's ending was. The reason for this is apparently because he 'wasn't there from the start.' The interview preview lasts just over 40 seconds, and can be found here.

'Roswell High' Series Details
Christian (3:12 pm CST)
Cinescape Online has put up a report dealing with the WB's upcoming 'Roswell High' television series, which now seems to be called just 'Roswell.' As you may recall, this series will be produced by Jonathan Frakes (William T. Riker), and will be airing directly opposite Voyager. Take a look at what the series will deal with:

Colin Hanks, the 19-year-old son of Tom Hanks, has been cast as one of the regular teenage roles in the series. According to the New York Post, Hanks officially got the role yesterday. The tabloid reports that the program's regular cast will be made of seven teenagers and one adult role (hmmm, sounds a little like Buffy). The adult role is that of the town's sheriff which will be played by veteran character actor William Sadler (The Shawshank Redemption, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey).

Roswell is said to be based on the Roswell High young-adult book series by Melinda Metz. The pilot episode is set in the present wherein a waitress (Shiri Appleby) at a little diner gets shot and an alien being in human form (played by Dawson's Creek's Jason Behr)... who also happens to be one of her classmates at Roswell High... miraculously heals her. This action prompts the authorities to move in on the town to find this alien being… thus the premise of the series.

Read the original report at Cinescape.

Have Some Ba'ku Bread
Christian (3:12 pm CST)
Patricia Mack at the Bergen Record has put up a new edition of her (weekly?) Video Nibble column, in which she provides readers with a weekly movie-themed snack. This week, she gives us an Insurrection-themed recipe:

We see what the Federation observers see: peaceful Ba'ku working together in communal gardens, kitchens, and artisan shops. Everything is done by hand with methods ages old. This hearty whole wheat loaf would certainly be welcome on a Ba'ku table.

Learn precisely how to create a meal worthy of a Anij's approval, click here.

'Insurrection' DVD On Canadian Charts
Christian (3:12 pm CST)
The Canadian Jam! Showbiz is reporting that the new Insurrection DVD is at the top of both sales and rental charts in Canada, at least for the week which ended May 16, 1999. Find the full charts here.

Kate Mulgrew Marries In Secret
Christian (3:11 pm CST)
'Jim Kirk' just sent in the info that the National Enquirer web site contains a small report on the marriage of Kate Mulgrew (Kathryn Janeway). If this article really only appeared a few days ago, they're awfully late with it, as she married well over a month ago. The article deals with the fact that the wedding ceremony took place in complete secrecy:

The 44-year-old actress quietly wed former Ohio politician Tim Hagan, 53, in a ceremony so secret that the happy couple didn't invite any family members -- including their own children!

"Kate and Tim wanted to keep their wedding day very low-key and quiet," her mom Joan Mulgrew told The ENQUIRER. "It wasn't a slight toward the families in any way. It was just their way of preserving one of the most romantic days of their lives."

Find more in the full report, written by Darryl Wrobel.

Today on TV
Christian (3:11 pm CST)
-At 9:00pm, UPN will be airing the last Voyager episode of the season, 'Equinox.' Take a look at how the official Continuum described the episode:

The U.S.S. Voyager finds another Federation starship lost in the Delta Quadrant, the science vessel U.S.S. Equinox, and helps it stave off an attack by creatures from another spatial realm. Captain Janeway now has a kindred spirit in its commander, Captain John Ransom, and helps him salvage his war-torn vessel so they can journey home together. But when The Doctor retrieves data from the U.S.S. Equinox research lab, Janeway learns the hard truth that Captain Ransom has seriously violated the Starfleet oath by commiting mass murder in the Delta Quadrant. When she strips him of his command and confines him to quarters, he and his crew manage to escape with the U.S.S. Voyager's advanced technology - and The Doctor and Seven of Nine as hostages aboard their ship.

Note that the above screenshot is of course also copyrighted by Paramount.

-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm, the Sci-Fi Channel will be showing the TOS first season episode 'Shore Leave.'

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST, the British Sky One will be showing DS9's 'The Wire.' At 18:00, the BBC will be showing DS9's 'The Forsaken,' followed 45 minutes later by 'Dramatis Personae.' Thanks go out to the Television Observation Unit of the Star Trek Collective for that last bit of info.

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Parallelen' (Parallels) at 02:00 CET tomorrow morning. At 15:00 they'll be showing 'Das Pegasus Projekt' (The Pegasus)

Trek BBS Today
Christian (3:11 pm CST)
Here's a look at three of the most interesting discussions currently taking place at the Trek BBS:

-Was the relationship between Guinan and Q ever developed?

-What do you think about the news that there may be a second Special Edition of the original Star Wars movies?

-Will Voyager actually be getting the full 7 seasons?

Find more interesting topics at the Trek BBS, and feel free to add your own - remember, you don't even need to register!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (3:10 pm CST)
Again, no more than 2 sites were submitted to TrekSeek yesterday, still bringing us to a total of 1130 Star Trek links. Take a look at one of those new sites:

-BorgChild's Star Trek: Voyager Database contains news and rumors, upcoming episodes, fan-fiction and more.

The full listing of this week's new sites can be found here.

Hello World!
Christian (3:10 pm CST)
Unfortunately, at the moment the Trek BBS is experiencing server problems again. Fortunately, we just opened a new account at our web host precisely for the BBS, so all problems should be a thing of the past in a few days, once we move the forums!

Tuesday May 25, 1999

Armin Shimerman's New Play
Christian (3:15 pm CST)
The Continuum has put up a news report dealing with a new play Armin Shimerman (Quark) will soon be appearing in, together with his wife, Kitty Swink:

Fans of both Star Trek and live theatre planning a Southern California trip this summer have a chance to catch Armin Shimerman ("Quark," ST:DS9) and his wife, Kitty Swink, in a Matrix Theatre production of "The Servant of Two Masters." The period Italian comedy by Carlos Goldoni opens June 26. The play is double-cast, so those wishing to see the couple on stage should check when making reservations. Low-price previews run at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays beginning June 10, with the full run at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays until Sept. 5. Sunday schedules include 3 p.m. matinees and 7 p.m. curtains, with no shows July 4.

Aside from ST:DS9 and credits such as Beauty and the Beast and Brooklyn Bridge, Shimerman has also been the recurring role of Principal Snyder on Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Among her many credits, Swink has twice appeared in ST:DS9 -- most recently as the ill-fated Vorta from the episode "Tacking Into the Wind." For prices and reservations to the theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave. just four blocks east of Fairfax, call 323-852-1445.

Find the original report here.

Paramount Killed 'Insurrection' Book?
Christian (3:14 pm CST)
TrekWeb has put up the below extremely interesting report, talking about an 'Insurrection' behind-the-scenes book which was supposedly killed by Paramount:

TrekWeb has learned through various reports that a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Star Trek: Insurrection, being written by Michael Piller, has been muzzled from within Paramount. Piller, who spoke of the project in various online chats and interviews, had planned to have the book published as a treat for fans who wanted to get a real insider look at just what goes into the creation of a Star Trek feature, from storyboarding through release.

But now, word is that executives within Paramount's own Motion Picture Group have killed the publication of the book; a surprising move, considering the zeal with which new Trek-related merchandise is usually embraced by Paramount and its parent, Viacom. Although unofficial, reports claim that the studio justifies the action by saying it didn't want the book to provide ravenous fans with ammunition to discredit its decision-making during the creation of Star Trek: Insurrection. The movie, number nine in the franchise, performed below expectations of both the studio and the fans.

Michael Piller was, of course, the writer of 'Insurrection,' and he would have been able to give an unique insight in precisely what went happened during the movie's production. I certainly would have liked to read about precisely what people such as Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard) and the studio execs wanted changed in the movie. TrekWeb has also added a commentary to the report, which I also recommend you check out.

'Trekkies' Box Office Report
Christian (3:13 pm CST)
The Daily Variety has announced the final data for the top 60 movies at the North American box office during the May 21-23 weekend, and at the top of the list is.... 'Trekkies,' with a total gross of $105 million! Oh no, wrong SF movie :-). In reality, 'Trekkies' has scored about 0.1% of Star Wars' total gross, scoring no more than $125,636. This places the documentary at the 34th place in the top 60, giving it about $371 per screen. You can find the full top 60 here. BTW, has anyone else noticed that 'The Phantom Menace' has already surpassed Insurrection's total worldwide takings?

Xposé Exposes DS9 Finale
Christian (3:12 pm CST)
NOTE: Below you'll find spoilers for the DS9 finale, 'What You Leave Behind.' Click here to avoid reading these spoilers.

Again, this is where you need to click to avoid being spoiled.

Issue 35 of the British Xposé magazine contains a report dealing with 'What You Leave Behind,' the DS9 finale which will start airing next week. The report contains the already usual descriptions of what will happen to each character, but also contains the below info on what will happen to Sisko:

What of Sisko? The word was always that he would become a prophet; however this idea was quashed immediately by Mr Brooks as he didn't feel it was appropriate to African Americans. Hence our good captain and DS9's arch nemesis Dukat fall to their deaths in a pit on Bajor in a scene which rings so many Generations bells it's really not funny!

I still don't understand this. Why would turning into what is for the Bajoras god be more offensive than falling into a pit? The way it's mentioned here (turning into god is not 'appropriate to African Americans') could actually be interpreted as being offensive! If someone could explain this to me, I'd be more than happy to listen :-). Find the full article here.

UK Ratings Report
Christian (3:11 pm CST)
The Television Observation Unit of the Star Trek Collective has put up the British ratings report for the week beginning the 9th of May. Trek did both good and bad:

Phew! After TNG's appauling performance on BBC2 last week, it made a speedy recovery with this week's "Schisms" - making its way into the top 10 at last! It got a viewing figure of 3 million - the best since March 21st! The graphs give the best illustration of this recovery. DS9, however, was unranked for the third week running. One of the reasons for these low ratings may be that DS9 is currently running head to head with repeats of Friends on Channel 4. For casual viewers who aren't watching the news, it's more likely that they'll choose Friends repeats than DS9 repeats.

Voyager was also back on BBC2 for this week. However, "Waking Moments" may have put a few people to sleep - the 2.06m audience rating was pretty mediocre. Sunday 23rd's double bill of "Message in a Bottle" and "Hunters" should perform much better. Over on Sky, Voyager's new season was half up, half down - the ranking dropped to #6, but the viewing figure jumped to a good (for Sky) 740,000. No "Extreme Risk" there then.

The full ratings report contains the full results for the past few months, plus a lovely graph showing how the ratings changed over the past few months.

'Trekkies' Chat
Christian (3:11 pm CST)
On Thursday, the official Continuum will be hosting a live chat with Denise Crosby and Roger Nygard, the presenter and the director of the new 'Trekkies' documentary, respectively. Info on how to participate can be found here, while advanced questions can already be submitted here.

O'Brien To Join Voyager?
Christian (3:11 pm CST)
CNN's Paul Vercammen has written an article looking at several long-lived series 'fading into sunset,' which includes the short mention of Deep Space Nine:

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," having started its voyage in 1993, ends its syndication on more than 200 stations. Could Colm Meaney (chief of operations Miles O'Brien) jump to the younger lost-in-space drama "Star Trek Voyager" (in space since 1995) opposite Jeri Ryan's sexy and popular Borg/human character?

"It will be a while before I get into a space suit again," Meaney says. But if they make him Ryan's romantic interest? "That's tempting ... that might swing it, actually. She looks great."

In all likelihood, this is just the reporter's wacky idea, and isn't at all based on any actual plans. In the unlikely event Meany would move over to Voyager, that would mean he'd be working on Star Trek for even longer than Michael Dorn (Worf), and certainly that sounds unlikely. Thanks go out to Psi Phi's David Henderson for pointing me to this.

'DS9: The Fallen' Preview
Christian (3:11 pm CST)
GameSpot UK has put a small preview of 'DS9: The Fallen,' the upcoming 3rd person adventure/shooter set in the DS9 universe:

Three different game experiences are possible - players can choose from Sisko, Worf and Kira, each with their own storyline and skill set. The actors from the series supply voice talent. About 25% of the action are set on the ship, other action takes place on far-off planets - thirteen environments span twelve planned missions. Starship Defiant floor plans from the series were translated into the games - Star Trek fetishists will enjoy the ability to explore the ship - other gamers will probably want to skip this feature altogether.

From what we could see, gameplay looked streamlined - the use of inverse kinematics made for smooth movements, and a higher polygon count was implemented for the faces of the characters, to facilitate better speech simulation, though at this phase sound has yet to be added. The environs are dark, punctuated by excellent lighting effects.

You can find the full preview (which also includes a set of all-new screenshots) by going here. Thanks go out to Star Trek Gaming Central for pointing me to this.

Cinescape Spoils 'The Dogs Of War'
Christian (3:10 pm CST)
At Cinescape Online, regular contributor Michael Marek has returned once again with his spoiler-packed look at the upcoming DS9 episode, 'The Dogs of War.' If you still want to enjoy the penultimate DS9 episode, I wouldn't advise reading it, but if you do want to be spoiled, you can find Marek's report at Cinescape.

PC Action BotF Review
Christian (3:10 pm CST)
Extremely bad news for fans of the new 'Birth of the Federation' strategy game. The new June issue of PC Action, a German games magazine, contains a review of Microprose's turn-based strategy game, in which it is awarded no more than 68%. Take a look at what reviewer Alexander Geltenpoth had to say about the game in his summary of the review:

When Microprose announced 'Birth of the Federation,' I was really looking forward to the game. Master of Orion 2 with current technology and the Star Trek background, what more could one want? But then came the huge disappointment: Why wasn't Microprose able to put all the relevant information on the colonies on one screen? An hour gameplay now exists of 40 minutes of banal system administration, and just 20 minutes of strategy. That's when the fun ends! And when the 3D battles offer almost no tactical options, at least the graphics should convince.

Even when the other features have been improved since Master of Orion 2 (just like in all other space strategy games), and even when the Star Trek license boldly tries to give some support, it isn't enough anymore for a good game.

If the above text isn't all too clear, that's completely my fault - unfortunately neither German nor English is my native language, so I'm not too sure about how well I was able to translate this. In any case, this is really bad news for 'Birth of the Federation' - PC Action has always been a strong supporter of the game (they had two features on it, and even a cover dedicated to it a few months ago), and when even they don't like it, that means a lot. Let's hope other reviewers will be more positive.

Trekkies: Get Wired
Christian (3:09 pm CST)
Joyce Slaton at Wired has put up an article dealing with the new 'Trekkies' documentary, which she thinks is 'a laugh and a half,' but also 'guaranteed to offend fans.' In her article, she tries to avoid being offensive, and even includes the below info block about the distinction between 'Trekkies' and 'Trekkers:'

Editor's note: Even in the film, people disagree over the distinction between Trekkies and Trekkers. Some people consider fans of the original "Star Trek" TV series Trekkies, and name fans of the new Star Trek films and TV series Trekkers. Others reserve the term Trekkies for people who are seemingly obsessed with Star Trek in all its forms, and refer to fans who "have lives" as Trekkers. In this article, Trekker is used for all Star Trek fans.

Amusingly, after this quote the word 'Trekker' isn't even used once :-). The full article contains a review of the documentary, in the end still calling it a 'lot of fun,' but offensive.

Shatner Campaigning For Return?
Christian (3:09 pm CST)
Soundcage just posted a message to the rec.arts.startrek.current newsgroup, mentioning that William Shatner (James T. Kirk) recently appeared on the Regis and Kathy Lee talk show. Shatner was on the show to promote his new book 'Get A Life!', but apparently he also mentioned he continues to lobby for the return of James T. Kirk. According to soundcage, Shatner said something along the lines of 'if the folks at Paramount are smart, they'd bring [Kirk] back.' When asked how, he mentioned something about Kirk still floating in the 'ether out there' (probably a reference to the Nexus from 'Generations.') Major thanks go out to soundcage for posting about this. Meanwhile, you might want to check out BringBackKirk.com if you're also interested in Kirk's return.

DS9 And Voyager Summer Schedules
Christian (3:08 pm CST)
Mr. Video Productions has put up the updated air schedules for both Deep Space Nine and Voyager. The DS9 schedule contains the full rerun schedule for DS9 after the finale (starting with 'Badda-bing Badda-bang' and ending with the cut-down 'What You Leave Behind, Part Two'), while the Voyager schedule lists the first three reruns after 'Equinox.'

Star Trek Trivia Challenge?
Christian (3:08 pm CST)
Sound Source Interactive, the struggling publisher of several media tie-in CD-Roms, just announced its financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1999. The past three months weren't that good for the company - losses increased, and the company's stocks may soon be delisted at Nasdaq due to bad performace. In the press release, however, CEO Vincent Bitetti commented that over the next 18 months, they'll be releasing several new 'evergreens,' including a project called 'Star Trek: Trivia Challenge.' More info about this title isn't yet available, but my guess is it'll be something like the 'Star Trek Game Show,' which was also created by Sound Source Interactive.

Happy Birthday Susan Diol!
Christian (3:07 pm CST)
Today is the 35th birthday of Susan Diol, the actress who guest starred as the Doctor's love interest Dr. Danara Pel in the Voyager episodes 'Lifesigns' and 'Resolutions.' Her role as Danara Pel wasn't her first appearance on Trek, though, as she also guest starred as Carmen Davila in TNG's 'Silicon Avatar.' Over the last few years, she has apparently stopped acting - her filmography at the IMDB lists her last appearance as being in 1997, on an episode of 'Diagnosis: Murder.'

Today on TV
Christian (3:05 pm CST)
-At 8:00pm, NBC will be airing the season finale of the sci-fi comedy 'Third Rock From The Sun,' guest starring William Shatner as 'Big Giant Head' (what a surprise)

-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the Sci-Fi Channel will be showing the first-season TOS episode 'Balance of Terror,' which includes the very first ever appearance of the Romulans and their cloaking devices.

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST, British Sky One will be showing 'The Maquis, Part Two.'

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Soongs Vermächtnis' (Inheritance) tomorrow morning at 02:15 CET. At 15:00 tomorrow, they'll be showing 'Parallelen' (Parallels).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (3:04 pm CST)
After a few slight server problems yesterday, many discussions are again taking place at the Trek BBS, including the following three:

-Was the death of Kes inevitable? What do you think?

-What is your ranking of the characters in all the various Trek series?

-What is your opinion on the recent reports that Trek fans were attacking Star Wars fans?

Find more discussions at the Trek BBS, and feel free to add new ones!

New At TrekSeek.com
Christian (3:04 pm CST)
We had 2 new sites at TrekSeek yesterday, including this one:

-Quadrant V is an untouched neutral outpost in the Gamma Quadrant. It is a PBeM sim with a difference, come and find out why! They welcome simming ships to dock with us. Timeline : Dominion-federation war.

Find the other new site here.

Hello World!
Christian (3:04 pm CST)
Just my luck - yesterday I sent out news submissions about Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga's Star Trek: Armada preview to every gaming site under the sun, and exactly this morning the site statistics refused to update! Aaargh!

Jammer Reviews 'Relativity'
Christian (1:34 pm CST)
Jamahl Epsicokhan at Star Trek: Hypertext has put up his review of 'Relativity,' which he awards 3 stars:

The plot of "Relativity" is like some sort of comic maze. By the end, the madness has grown so absurd that the characters can barely restrain their grins of bemusement. This is Star Trek sci-fi on crack.

I liked it. It's fun.

Rare Trek Convention Footage
Christian (1:34 pm CST)
Monica just sent in the following news submission:

About 3 months ago my husband was going through his belongings from his childhood home and discovered footage taken at one of the first Star Trek conventions. After viewing the material we decided to preserve and market it with Star Trek fans all over the world. For more info, please visit my web site at www.startrekvideo.com. This URL is a temporary address. It will be changed on either Monday or Tuesday to www.trektape.com.

Cynics Corner 'Warhead' Review
Christian (1:33 pm CST)
David E. Sluss at the Cynics Corner Interactive has put up his review of 'Warhead,' last week's new Voyager episode. The Cynic discovers two Great Mysteries Of Our Time in the episode:

MYSTERY OF THE WEEK:
I'm afraid I don't see any point to having artificial intelligence in a bomb. It seems like entirely too much trouble and too fraught with potential problems, like, in this case, the bombs "not believing" their recall orders. Good old fashioned dumb bombs would seem to work just fine.

MYSTERY OF THE WEEK RUNNER-UP:
Strange that the "enemy race" didn't react at all to the presence of this fleet of bombs within their defense perimeter. This is a blessing in disguise though, because it meant we avoided another "Voyager attacked by surly forehead aliens" scene, since one was more than enough.

Trekkers Attacking Star Wars Fans?
Christian (1:33 pm CST)
I just noticed the following interesting post by Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski in the rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated newsgroup:

What's interesting is that there was an apparent incident reported in the news lately where some Star Trek fans showed up en masse to picket and pick a fight with a line of Star Wars fans waiting to get into a screening of TPW because they didn't like the publicity SW was getting.

Voyager 7th Season News
Christian (1:33 pm CST)
No, this is not a typo, there really *is* news of Voyager's 7th season to be found here, even though the 5th season isn't even over yet. Michael Iversen at the Universe has posted a convention report dealing with an Australian convention:

Duncan Burbidge [attended] a convention in Adelaide, among the guests was Garret Wang, wo confirmed that Kate Mulgrew and Jeri Ryan were signed on for season 6 but were in negotiations for season 7. The other cast members he said were signed on until the end.

Delta Blues 'Relativity' Review
Christian (1:32 pm CST)
After a few slight delays, Jim Wright at Delta Blues has put up his review of Voyager's 'Relativity,' the most recent time travel episode. Apparently he had some problems trying to review the episode:

Where to begin. Or should I say, when to begin. Some reviews practically write themselves. Some beg to be written. Others mockingly dare my to try. This was one of the latter.

I enjoyed the episode when I first watched it, though there are holes large enough to hold Amazon.com's entire inventory. It was "fun," and played for "fun." But if you spend any time at all thinking about it, forget it.

Episode Credits
Christian (1:32 pm CST)
David Henderson at Psi Phi has put up the credits for two new Trek episodes, namely Voyager's 'Warhead' and DS9's 'Extreme Measures.' As usual, the credits list all the actors, plus the creative and production staff. You can now find the full 'Warhead' listing and the full 'Extreme Measures' listing.

Tim Lynch Reviews 'Extreme Measures'
Christian (1:31 pm CST)
And he's not very happy with the episode:

The opening of DS9's sixth season had the Cardassian/Dominion alliance occupying the station and Starfleet waging a desperately defensive war. A great deal of that arc worked very well, but about halfway into it we got a show entitled "Sons and Daughters" which felt jarringly out of place. The authors? Bradley Thompson and David Weddle, who up until that point had written material which rose well above its premise, like "The Assignment" and "Business as Usual".

Now, with only a few hours of DS9 left before the series closes its doors forever, we're seeing history repeat itself. While the ideas behind "Extreme Measures" fit into this arc better than "Sons and Daughters" shoehorned itself into the Occupation Arc, if anything it's got even more questionable logic and plain old Stupid-Villain Plotting undercutting it. Other shows in this final set of episodes have had questionable moments, but this is the first show which came off as almost entirely disappointing.

ODN Issue 86 Appears
Christian (1:31 pm CST)
Unfortunately, for some reason the new Optical Date network issue didn't actually reach my mailbox, but apparently editor Adam Bailey *did* send it out:

Welcome to issue 86 of Optical Data Network, the final issue before the US sees the end of Deep Space Nine. (Will there be a special ODN next week? Probably not, but it's possible.)

[...]

This issue has an extensive list of ['Trekkies'] reviews, if you're interested in knowing how it did. [...] There's also the news story about Star Trek bottled water, which proves that nothing is safe from the Trek merchandising machine. There are plenty of NewsBits regarding all facets of Trek, including the confirmation that Ron Moore is moving over to Voyager (making two Ron Moores on staff there, Ron B and Ron D).

This issue also has an updated book/media list from Psi Phi, a Convention listing, the standard US (Voyager season finale this week, if you haven't been paying attention) and UK schedules, and the wrap-up of letters written from readers (and another) to say goodbye Deep Space Nine. (Although you're still welcome to send in your comments, I can continue the feature if there's sufficient interest.)

Warp Eleven 'Extreme Measures' Review
Christian (1:30 pm CST)
Warp Eleven's reviewer Curt Holman has put up his review of 'Extreme Measures,' last week's new DS9 episode. Holman was especially impressed with the Bashir - O'Brien relationship:

The best part of the episode was the camaraderie between Bashir and O'Brien, which has always been a strength on DS9. It gave Bashir credible moments to demonstrate his genetic enhancement talents -- traits that often go ignored. And I enjoy almost any episode that focuses on O'Brien. Colm Meaney is probably my favorite actor of the weekly regulars, and in the show's first couple of seasons, before Avery Brooks began to grow on me, I would occasionally wish that O'Brien could be the station commanders. As a non-commissioned officer he wouldn't be qualified, but the contrast between the station's alien weirdness and O'Brien's meat-and-potatoes simplicity as a dedicated family man and hands-on engineer, always struck me as a fertile area for exploration.

Meaney and Siddig have always played off each other well, and I was amused at their sheepish admissions that they enjoy each other's company better than Keiko or Dax, respectively. Extreme Measures may have reduced the momentum of The Final Chapter, but I'm happy the show gave Bashir and O'Brien one last adventure together.

Robert Picardo Chat Tonight
Christian (1:30 pm CST)
At 8:00pm Eastern Time, TV Guide & Yahoo! will be hosting a live chat with Robert Picardo, most famous for his role of 'The Doctor' on Star Trek: Voyager. More info on the chat can be found in the Yahoo! Chat Auditorium, for which you first have to register. On Thursday, they'll also be hosting a live chat with René Auberjonois (Odo).

Globe And Mail Reviews 'Trekkies'
Christian (1:30 pm CST)
It appears the 'Trekkies' review well is really drying up, as I was only able to find one today - Don Irvine's review for the Globe and Mail:

Talk about your synergistic programming: At virtually any of the multiplexes where people without a life line up to see Star Wars Episode 1, moviegoers can also take in Trekkies, a documentary about another group of real space cadets. Over the past 30 years or so, hard-core fanciers of Star Trek, the series Gene Roddenberry brought to TV in 1969,have built a cult that puts Star Wars to shame -- every weekend, in at least three places somewhere around the globe, there is a Star Trek convention. Taken together, these "cons" represent a pilgrimage for millions of trekkies (or "trekkers," as serious fanatics prefer to be called). Trekkies are not your average middle-American types.

For a while, Trekkies looks like a freak show, where we are confronted with enough horrors for 20 years of Jerry Springer programs. For example, we are given the case of Barbara Adams, trekkie and print-shop employee in Little Rock, Ark., who served as a juror in the Whitewater trial in her Starfleet officer's uniform, and who insists on being addressed as "Commander." (Where was she when the O. J. Simpson jury needed her?)

Or the 14-year-old veteran of 28 conventions, who wants to make his own Star Trek movie but looks and talks more like the kind of kid destined to put on a trench coat and take his guns to school. Or the veterinary student who dresses his cat up in scrubs, as Dr. Bones McCoy, a character in the original TV show. Or the wild-eyed guy who had his name legally changed to James T. Kirk. ("I met someone who told me, 'I wish I'd had the guts to do that.' ")

Insurrection DVD Enters Top 25
Christian (1:29 pm CST)
While the Insurrection Rental Video may not be doing as well as expected, the DVD certainly is. According to a press release from the DVD Video Group, the Insurrection DVD can currently be found at #24 in the list of Top 100 best selling DVDs in the entire year. Considering the DVD was only released two weeks ago, this certainly is a good performance. Of course, 'You've Got Mail,' which was also released two weeks ago, has already made it to #11, but that movie was also more popular at the box office.

Today On TV
Christian (1:29 pm CST)
-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the Sci-Fi Channel will be showing the third-season TOS episode 'The Conscience of the King.'

-In the UK, Sky One will be showing DS9's 'The Maquis, Part One' on Tuesday at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST.

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be showing TNG's 'Soongs Vermächtnis' (Inheritance)

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:29 pm CST)
For some strange reason, the Trek BBS seems to be producing all sorts of weird errors at the moment. Because of that, I have been unable to write up today's 'Trek BBS Today.' According to the technical support team at our web host, the problems should be solved in a few hours, so then you'll be able to start posting again at the Trek BBS!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:27 pm CST)
Five new sites were added at TrekSeek yesterday, including the following three:

-The Trek offers free webring membership, a free you@thetrek.zzn.com web-based email address, and a free monthly [trek.one] emailing.
-Federation Database Deep Space Station has an extensive collection of information on all the series of Star Trek, including the starships, cerw members, and medals of UFP.
-Federation Intelligence is an international fan club for Star Trek fans. They focus on the darker side of the Federation, rather than the exploration side.

Find more new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:27 pm CST)
This morning, my e-mail addres of christian@trekzone.net suddenly stopped functioning. I tried out several approaches for solving this, but unfortunately none of them worked out, and I was forced to delete and re-open the mail account. In the process, I also decided to change my primary e-mail address to christian@trektoday.com, so that is where you'll have to send mails to in the future.

If you sent me mail this morning (European time), it probably didn't arrive, and I would ask you to please re-send it. Thanks!

DS9 Finale Trailer Available
Christian (2:33 pm CST)
Sigh. I just finished downloading what is probably the last Deep Space Nine trailer ever. In just a week, 'What You Leave Behind' will air, and there'll be no more DS9 ever. Sad as that is, the final episode might actually turn out to be extremely great, according to the new Paramount preview, which was just made available at Star Trek Interactive!. As usual, the trailers are available in MPEG, ASF and MP3 format, and they're mirrored on three sites, so you'll probably be able to get them. In case you just want to see the images, a collection of screenshots is also available. You can find the preview by going here - I really recommend checking it out.

New 'TrekMinds' Available
Christian (2:32 pm CST)
I just noticed at the German Star Trek Index that the Radio Trek people have finished another edition of 'TrekMinds,' their bi-weekly online radio show. This week, 'Trek Minds' has the following features:

The Enterprise Lands Again, dealing with the Star Trek World Tour, which will soon open again in Austria.

Beam Me Up Scotty, a reader submission dealing with the transporter.

Reactions on the Sat.1 interview from two weeks ago.

Thomas' Trek Talk, in which columnist Thomas talks about the Star Trek television show.The Question Of The Week, this time dealing with the issue 'Star Wars vs. Star Trek.'

Cynic Reviews 'Extreme Measures'
Christian (2:32 pm CST)
After liking last week's 'Tacking Into The Wind' rather a lot, Cynic David E. Sluss isn't at all impressed with 'Extreme Measures,' the latest DS9 episode. In his Cynics Corner review, he awards the episode no more than a 5.0, and again finds lots of issues with the episode:

ALLEGORY OF THE WEEK:
Star Trek is known for embedding contemporary issues into its sci-fi plots. One of the biggest issues in the United States at this time is espionage and incompetent government agencies. In this episode, Section 8 plays the role only too well. It's hard to believe that Section 8 could have been successful in its mission and maintained its secrecy for two hundred years, given the level of ineptitude shown here.

First, we have Section 8 falling for Bashir's fake message in the first place. Second, we have Section 8 sending in Super-Spy Sloan, the one agent Bashir would recognize on sight, to sabotage his work. Super-spy Sloan arrives on DS9 wearing black leather thermal underwear, as usual, even though he should dress in a way that maintains a low profile. Super-Spy Sloan does not go directly to the lab to find and destroy Bashir's research, but instead goes to Bashir's quarters. Why? What was Sloan's "assignment" for Bashir? Did he expect Bashir to destroy his own work? Was he there to kill Bashir? If so, why didn't he? None of Sloan's or Section 8's actions here make a damn bit of sense.

Trek Book News
Christian (2:31 pm CST)
In his most recent Q&A update, Pocket Books editor John Ordover gives us lots of mysterious comments about upcoming Trek novel projects. Take a look at three of those:

Query from: Jim McCain
Have you approached any of the DS9 production/writing staff to write a novel lately?

Response from: John Ordover
There is something in the works. Will let you know when it's a done deal.

Query from: Aaron
John, Is there any chance of expounding on the Strange New Worlds Anthologies, by allowing full-length novels?

Response from: John Ordover
Stay tuned. John

Query from: Bob
Are you and Dave Mack interested in writing any Voyager episodes,now that it's going to be the only Trek in town? And how about anything outside of Trek?

Response from: John Ordover
Dave and I are always in there pitching, and of course always hope something we do will sell.:) We have a line on some comic book work at DC Comics. I'll keep you informed.:)

'What You Leave Behind' Score
Christian (2:30 pm CST)
Arman Assa at the TrekWeb Bulletin Board has posted a mail he received from Ford Thaxton, the Soundtrack Producer for the DS9 finale. The mail contains some new info on the score for 'What You Leave Behind:'

Dennis McCarthy poured his heart and soul into this score, the mood at the session was one of joy and bittersweet sorrow, like seeing a old friend one last time. Dennis uses his theme from the episode "The Visitor" for one key scene that brought tears to my eyes (as well as several other folks at the session).

The score for the last show is full of emotion and power (Act 9 is stunning). The Final scene is scored with a very moving version of the DS9.

Other than that my lips are sealed.

E! Online 'Trekkies' Report
Christian (2:30 pm CST)
E! Online has put up an article dealing with 'Trekkies,' the new documentary directed by Roger Nygard and starring Denise Crosby. The article contains some info on why the name 'Trekkies' was chosen, instead of the more politically correct 'Trekkers:'

Nygard is not a Trekkie (or Trekker) himself, so the early test screening that saw the film served up to Trek diehards was the one that scared him the most. "That's the core group and if we piss them off we're screwed," he remembers thinking. Fortunately for Nygard, they laughed. And kept their phasers at bay. (Reaction from fans--good and bad--is available on the movie's official site: www.trekdoc.com)

The part of the movie that tends to inspire the most ire is the title--and the filmmakers' decision to dub it Trekkies instead of, say, Trekkers. "We debated long and hard about that," Nygard says.

Happy Birthday Joan Collins!
Christian (2:30 pm CST)
Today is the 66th birthday of Joan Collins, perhaps the most remembered guest star Star Trek ever had. She appeared as Kirk's love interest Edith Keeler on the Original Series episode 'The City on the Edge of Forever,' which is generally regarded as being the best Star Trek episode ever. However, Collins is much more famous for her role on the long-running television series 'Dynasty,' where she starred as 'Alexis Morrell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan.' Currently she's hard at work on 'The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas,' which should be appearing in theatres this year.

Today on TV
Christian (2:30 pm CST)
-At 17:00 and at 23:30 BST tomorrow, British Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Blood Oath.'

Trek BBS Today
Christian (2:29 pm CST)
At the Trek BBS, no less than thirty discussions have been going on in the past 24 hours. Check out three of those discussions:

-What do you think about the recently announced TV Guide tribute to DS9, and the news included in that that Rick Berman is currently developing a new Trek series?

-In this rather amusing thread, people wonder about the name of my co-webmaster :-).

-In our Trek Tech forum, a new thread has been started dealing with precisely how transporters work.

More interesting threads can be found at the Trek BBS, while you're always welcome to start new threads yourself - remember, no registration is required!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (2:29 pm CST)
We had five new site submissions at TrekSeek yesterday, including the below three:

-Millennium Productions is an 'online production studio' and home to the best new Trek series including Defender, Paris, Resurrection and others!
-Johnnie's Star Trek Website is a Star Trek site which includes previews of upcoming shows and a database filled with information on the Star Trek universe, including Warp Charts, and a Stardate guide.
-The Dysonsphere has an easily navigated user interface and features a comprehensive and always up to date episode guide for all the series, movie sypnoses, crew information and biographies, comprehensive Klingon section, and a lot of information on the Dysonsphere.

More new sites can be found in the full listing.

Hello World!
Christian (2:29 pm CST)
I just finished reading Dafydd ab Hugh's DS9 'Rebels' trilogy, and unfortunately I was incredibly disappointed after I'd finished.

When I bought the books, I was really looking forward to reading them - after all, Dafydd ab Hugh is also the author of 'Fallen Heroes,' easily my all-time favourite DS9 novel. And indeed, most parts of the trilogy reminded me of 'Fallen Heroes' - including the constant Odo/Quark fights, and the 'Lead on, MacDuff' joke he also used in 'Fallen Heroes.'

Unfortunately, the last hundred pages completely ruined the experience for me, as they seemed incredibly rushed. While that had already been a problem in the previous two books (continuity errors, lots of typos), the situation got even worse in 'The Liberated,' the last book. Many of the sub-plots were never explained (the Changeling on the planet, how precisely the Sierra Bravo situation ended), or just felt like being written in no more than five minutes (such as the laughable 'the planet is missing' epilogue.)

Why couldn't they have given Ab Hugh just a few more months to really finish the novel? The 'Rebels' trilogy no ranks as one of the worst Trek books I've ever read, and I'm not happy at all about it.

John De Lancie Chat Transcript
Christian (2:28 pm CST)
The people at the Continuum have put up the transcript of Thurday's chat with John De Lancie, best known for his role as Q on the three modern Trek series. Take a look at three of the most interesting quotes from the transcript:

Heather1 asks:
Can I visit the Q Continuum?

John de Lancie:
Of course you can visit the Q Continuum. The password is 'Swordfish'.

HGC asks:
What is your favorite Q dialogue that really enjoy playing the omnipotent being? Do you have any insights of what his life must be like, how he views existance (Q's or the future of humanitiy's), or anything you'd wish for the beloved character?

John de Lancie:
Peter David and I have written a book called, "I, Q" which will be distributed very shortly. In it you will discover all sorts of aspects to Q's personality and opinons about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Baker asks:
Mr. de Lancie, have you ever had an "annoying" experiance with certain Trekkies, like excesive picture taking. Not that I've done it myself! I'm just curious :)

John De Lancie:
Yes, often times people will set up their little, or I should say their 900mm lens on a tripod and make you think you're in some kind of photoshoot. The other thing I find annoying is when I'm trying to make a phone call in an airport and people are actually tapping me on the shoulder. I've actually had people follow me into the restroom and take pictures of me. It was embarrassing. Since I was in the women's restroom. And they were security guards. But other than that, it's been fun.

Robert Picardo Chat
Christian (2:28 pm CST)
CARPE, the Central Alliance of Robert Picardo Enthusiasts, has announced that Robert Picardo (the Doctor) will be chatting live in the TV Guide Online/Yahoo! chat auditorium on Monday, May 24, at 8:00 PM Eastern/5:00 PM Pacific time. More info can be found at the Yahoo! Chat Auditorium, for which you'll first have to register.

Dawson And Robinson Star In 'The Wheel'
Christian (2:28 pm CST)
The Seeing Ear Theatre, the audio book line of the Sci-Fi Channel, has just released 'The Wheel,' a new 'post-apocalyptic fable:'

STAR TREK: VOYAGER's Roxann Dawson (B'Elanna Torres) and STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE's Andrew Robinson (Garak) star in the latest Seeing Ear Theatre original production, THE WHEEL. In this post-apocalyptic fable, Owen and Topsie cross the near-endless Desert of Glass, staying one step ahead of the radio-active glowwinds, in search of their origins, their childhood home--and a tape machine that will let them hear the one artifact their late father left behind, a voice recording of who they are and how they came to be...

Dawson and Robinson star as Owen and Topsie's parents, Evvie and Lazarus, in this haunting tale of history, and the importance of documenting, preserving the stories and origins of our lives--to pass down to our children, and our children's children, and on and on...

'Equinox' A Pathfinder-Class Starship?
Christian (2:26 pm CST)
Over the past few weeks, it has been rumoured that the U.S.S. Equinox (the Federation ship Voyager will encounter in the season finale) would be a Nova-class starship. Now that Star Trek Interactive! has published the trailers for 'Equinox,' it turns out the ship might actually be a long-lost brother of the U.S.S. Defiant!

If you look at the above image and the image here to the right (both of which I slightly enhanced so you can see it better), you'll see the U.S.S. Equinox, as it was shown in the trailer available at Star Trek Interactive! Both images clearly show the cut-out space at the nose of the ship, and the size of the ship in relation the bridge module.

Now take a look at this blueprint - does it look in any way familiar? It should if you took a careful look at the above screenshots. What this blueprint actually shows is the Defiant Pathfinder, the way it was shown in the 'Star Trek DS9 Technical Manual.' According to that book, this was how the U.S.S. Defiant would originally have looked, in the initial proposal by the 'Advanced Starship Design Bureau' (in the Star Trek Universe, that is) Below are some of the specifications of the Pathfinder, as found in the Tech Manual:

The study vehicle, designated NXP-2365WP/T, was being considered as a fast torpedo attack ship for high-warp penetrations of threat defenses. This Defiant pathfinder would have mounted six torpedo launchers, four in the primary hull and two in the engineering hull, capable of firing photon and quantum torpedoes at speeds up to Warp 9.982.

Of course, now we're left to wonder why the creative staff decided to go with the Pathfinder design. In the Trek universe, it would have about the same technological capabilities as Voyager, while we originally heard that the Equinox would be a lot less advanced than Voyager. Maybe the reason is (as I saw someone remark at the SolarFlare forums) that a lot of fans already created their own Nova-class designs, and Paramount wanted to avoid any allegations of theft. Or maybe they just liked the design - I myself rather like the cut-out thing as well. Hopefully we'll get some answers to these questions soon.

CCG Expansion Release Date
Christian (2:26 pm CST)
Decipher have just updated their Product Calendar to include a mention of 'Blaze of Glory,' the upcoming expansion set for the Star Trek Customizable Card Game:

The next full Star Trek CCG expansion. Dedicated to warfare, the set will present realistic battles, with capturing and hand-to-hand combat, Klingons, Romulans and more.

DS9 TV Guide Covers
Christian (2:26 pm CST)
The Star Trek Continuum has put up a news article officially announcing that a special DS9-themed TV Guide will soon be appearing:

Once again TV Guide has gone for the collectibles crowd with its new issue -- a four-version cover heralding the end of ST:DS9 and its two-hour finale, "What You Leave Behind." The quartet of covers for the May 29 issue feature Avery Brooks ("Sisko"), Rene Auberjonois and Nana Visitor ("Odo" and "Kira"), Colm Meaney, Alexander Siddig [and Cirroc Lofton] ("O'Brien," "Bashir" and "Jake"), and Nicole deBoer, Michael Dorn and [Armin Shimerman] ("Ezri," "Worf" and "Quark").

'A Talent For War' Previews Interplay
Christian (2:24 pm CST)
Christian Schock at A Talent For War has put up an E3 preview of several new space combat games, including Interplay's 'Klingon Academy' and 'Starfleet Command.' Here's what my namesake had to say about 'Klingon Academy:'

Klingon Academy is a fully 3D space combat simulator where you take the role of the captain of a large ship. You can also take control of gunnery stations in combat or leave it to the AI. The graphics looked quite good, although the interface seemed on the complex side for your typical space combat simulator. Even so, this might be the first Star Trek space combat game with even a chance to crack the big time. The story line is a prequel to the movie Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country and Christopher Plummer reprises his role as General Chang. Your CO is Chang, and the first part of the game puts you in the simulator to learn your job, thus the name of the game. Overall the game looked like it had a lot of potential. Along with the campaign a fully featured mission builder is included, giving the game more long term value. Klingon Academy is due this July.

3 Questions With Nicole deBoer
Christian (2:24 pm CST)
Cinescape has just put up a '3 Questions With Nicole deBoer' article, in which they talk to the DS9 actress about the upcoming end and possible future of the series:

Cinescape: Have you heard any talk about incorporating DS9 characters into the movie series in some way?

deBoer: There's certainly been no mention of anything as far as we all know. There's no DS9 movie, there's no tying the characters into another show and the next Star Trek feature won't be for a few more years, if they're smart.

'Trekkies' Reviews
Christian (2:23 pm CST)
The 'Trekkies' review well shows no sign of drying up:

-Jeff Vice, a (the?) movie critic of the 'Deseret News' awards the documenteray 3 stars in his review, saying that the film might well be interpreted as offensive to Trek fans, and talking about Trek star Kate Mulgrew being as odd as her fans.

-Steven Mazey at the Ottawa Citizen calls the movie 'mean' and 'cruel to Trek fans,' and awards it no more than 2 stars in his review. The Ottawa Citizen has also put up a background article looking at the making of the movie, written by Jamie Portman.

-Jack Mathews at the New York Daily News agrees with most other reviewers that 'Trekkies' is a put-down of Trek fans, though, according to him, we don't mind that as our 'devotion is blind.' Grumph. In his full review he awards the episode 3 stars, also calling it 'more enjoyable than the "Phantom Menace."'

-Eon Magazine has put up an interview with director Roger Nygard, which contains the following interesting explanation of why 'The Phantom Menace' *really* came out two days earlier: "Paramount had the 21st for TREKKIES, and George found out about it and grabbed it to get the TREKKIES spill over for STAR WARS. Then I think he panicked and moved up to the 19th to get out of our way. He's very shrewd."

-Mick LaSalle at the San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle calls the movie frightening, 'showing us how nonsense over a TV screen can replace real spirituality [and thereby suggesting] the ultimate futuristic nightmare.' Find his review here.

If you'd like to discuss the new 'Trekkies' documentary, a special thread can be found here.

Happy Birthday Paul Winfield!
Christian (2:21 pm CST)
Today is the 58th birthday of Paul Winfield, the actor who starred as Captain Terrell of the U.S.S. Reliant on 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.' He made himself perhaps even more liked on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' where he guest starred as Captain Dathon in the superb episode 'Darmok.' His most recent appearance in a big-name movie was in the 1996 'Mars Attacks!,' though since then he has already appeared in 8 more feature films. Naturally, we wish him a great birthday!

Today on TV
Christian (2:21 pm CST)
-On Sunday in the UK, Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Profit And Loss' at 16:00 BST, and Voyager's 'Threshold' at 17:00. At 18:00, the BBC will be showing Voyager's 'Message in a Bottle,' followed 45 minutes later by 'Hunters.'

-Sunday morning at 02:55 CET, German television station Sat.1 will be repeating Voyager's 'Verwerfliche Experimente' (Scientific Method).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (2:20 pm CST)
The weekend has only just started, and already we're seeking the weekly increase in posting activity at the Trek BBS. Check out three of the current discussions:

-Can gothic be a part of Star Trek?

-This is the official first post in our new 'General Science Fiction' forum, which has replaced the 'Earth: Final Conflict' forum. Why not say hi to your new moderator the £one En§ign?

-Is Star Trek sci-fi or science fantasy? If you don't know what the difference is, here is also the place to find out!

As always, feel free to add new discussions to the Trek BBS - registration isn't even required!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (2:20 pm CST)
This seems to be a new trend for Fridays, but we had just one site submission at TrekSeek yesterday:

-Steve's Trek Page page contains the largest accumlation of Trek language dictionaries available. There is also information on Klingon weapons, and the home of the Federation Humane Society, where you can adopt your own Trek Cyber-pet.

Last week's new sites can be found here.

Hello World!
Christian (2:19 pm CST)
Over the past few days I've been having a rather amusing e-mail conversation with a guy claiming to be a Paramount insider. Apparently this guy was thinking that I was completely brainless, as he started telling me about a new series which will 'definitely' be launched in September 200. According to this guy, it will be set 200 years from now, and it will star (wait for it...) Leonardo DiCaprio as the new captain!

Purely for amusement purposes, I sent him back an e-mail asking for more details, which he promptly provided - apparently DiCaprio's first officer would be the grandson of Spock, and the timeship would also have something to do with the series. When I finally told him I didn't believe a word of what he was saying, he told me "If you dont beleive me and print this, I'll send it to another sight!"

If another news, erm, 'sight' does actually 'beleive' this, please let me know - I'd be more than happy to bring you in touch with this 'insider' :-).

'What You Leave Behind' Not Done Yet?
Christian (1:55 pm CST)
Paramount insider 415Man recently posted some rather interesting news about Voyager's season finale to the alt.tv.star-trek.voyager newsgroup:

Well - Season 5 is now done! Just going to help with the DS9 final ep, and then it will be time for some much deserved R and R. I can't wait. Although it is very cool to be working on the final DS9, considering I was there for the first episode, and through the first 5 seasons, and now I get to do the final show. This makes me happy.

Is The Internet Good For Star Trek?
Christian (1:55 pm CST)
Julia Houston, the Star Trek guide at the Mining Co. has put up a new article entitled 'Is The Internet Good For Star Trek?' According to Houston, the internet might not always be good for the people actually creating the show:

I want to say, "Of course Star Trek benefits from the Internet." But the reason I want to say that is that I, like you, am a fan of the show. For fans -- Trekkers, Trekkies, and just interested by-standers -- the Internet helps our enjoyment of the show tremendously. [...] For us, life is good.

But over the two years that I've been the Star Trek Guide, it's become quite clear to me that in a few ways, the Internet has made some things more difficult for the producers of the show. Now, that doesn't mean we have to worry about it. The producers make the money and have the power. Dealing with the fans is, after all, their job. I'm not talking about this to dredge up pity for TPTB. I just see something, and I want to share it. That's what people online, in my humble opinion, do best.

Eon Reviews 'Get A Life'
Christian (1:55 pm CST)
Self-proclaimed Shatner fan Jeff Bond at Eon has put up a review of 'Get A Life!', the new autobiographical book by Shatner. Bond doesn't take the usual route of just making fun of Shatner (which, I admit, I myself have been guilt of as well), but instead praises Shatner for finally making peace with his fans:

Eventually Shatner makes his peace with the fans (and having observed his performance with the other 'Four Captains' at Grand Slam last year, he genuinely seemed to be enjoying himself), and if GET A LIFE never really comes up with a satisfactory explanation for the appeal of STAR TREK other than the inevitable "...I think it's Gene Roddenberry's optimistic vision of the future blah blah blah..." well, at least Shatner gave it his best shot. As for me, why do I like STAR TREK? I don't know, but here's one crazy possibility: maybe I just like that darned William Shatner.

Jammer Reviews 'Tacking Into The Wind'
Christian (1:53 pm CST)
Jamahl Epsicokhan at Star Trek Hypertext has put up his review of 'Tacking Into The Wind,' the sixth Final Chapter episode. Awarding the episode 4 out of 4 stars, it appears Jamahl really liked it:

I'm noticing a trend here. First we get put on standby with episodes that carefully stack the pieces while providing interesting events but also intensely bottled frustration, and then we're permitted an explosive release of tension that leaves us reeling.

"Tacking into the Wind," which might've also been aptly named "For the Homeland," tells the suspenseful and particularly well-realized multi-tiered story of people facing conflict in their own organizations. How they deal with these conflicts could determine the fate of everything they stand for. It also reveals where they've come from and where they're likely headed.

"Tacking" is the best type of action show--one with a strong character undercurrent and ideological core such that we genuinely care about what happens on the screen. We've got the action elements here--dangerous missions and physical fights--but they exist as part of a greater purpose. They're a means to several ends. Those ends prove quite satisfying.

Voyager March/April Ratings Report
Christian (1:53 pm CST)
The Star Trek Nielsen Ratings Information Database has posted the Voyager ratings report for the months of March and April. As was already becoming clear over the past few weeks, Voyager didn't perform too well:

This was probably the most disappointing two-month period Voyager has ever seen. After a very strong February Sweeps, March and April saw Voyager suffer a nervous breakdown.

[...]

Every episode during this period was either down or level from last year. "Think Tank" was the one show which managed to stay near last year, tying "Omega Directive" at a 3.7. Considering how often Voyager was besting its year-ago marks earlier this year, this is quite disappointing. Considering these ratings, it looks fairly certain that May will also see a drop off from last year's May Sweeps performance.

Voyager's season was looking extremely promising up until this period. Shows were regularly defeating their year-ago counterparts and Voyager was generally on the rise. However, these last two months have marred an otherwise excellent season. With these consistently low marks, things are not looking good for May and the season's average in comparison with last year. "The Fight" set a new low for a first-run episode and "Juggernaut" set a new all-time low for any Voyager rating including reruns. There was one bright spot in "Think Tank" proving that Voyager has the potential to return to its better marks from earlier this season, but that potential hasn't been exploited since "Think Tank" aired.

Shatner Appearances
Christian (1:52 pm CST)
The Events Calendar of the William Shatner Connection lists no less than 4 appearances by William Shatner (James T. Kirk) today, most of them held to promote his new book 'Get A Life!' Below is a list of his four appearances for today:

Apparently Shatner appeared this morning at 7:00 am Eastern Time on Fox & Friends.

And, erm, a few hours ago he appeared on the Joan Hamburg show, a New York radio show. Had I warned you on time, you would have been able to listen to it live here.

Also this morning, he appeared on the Howard Stern show.

At 8:00pm Shatner will be doing a book signing at the Book Revue in New York.

Patrick Stewart To Star In 'X-Men'
Christian (1:51 pm CST)
The Continuum has confirmed a rumour which has already been floating around for a while:

Patrick Stewart ("Picard" on ST:TNG) signed yesterday (5/20) to appear as Professor Charles Xavier in the upcoming "X-Men" film. The film will be directed by Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects") and co-stars Ian McKellen ("Gods and Monsters") as Magneto. Filming will begin in Toronto mid-July.

Frakes To Compete With Voyager
Christian (1:50 pm CST)
The people at the Daily Sci-Fi have posted some rather disturbing news - apparently WB have put their new 'Roswell High' series in exactly the same time slot occupied by Voyager on UPN, Wednesdays from 9 to 10. Roswell High is an SF series about a pair of alien teens at a certain New Mexico high school, directed by Jonathan Frakes (William T. Riker). I do hope that won't mean Riker fans will be watching Roswell High instead of Voyager - that's the last thing the series needs!

CCG Tournament Rules Clarification
Christian (1:50 pm CST)
Decipher, the publisher of the Star Trek Customizable Card Game, have posted some clarifications about the rules for the upcoming CCG World Championships:

In the interest of integrity for all of the remaining Regional Preliminary tournaments, we found it necessary to issue some clarifications to the rules regarding the advancement of players to their Regional Championships.

Shatner At Cannes
Christian (1:49 pm CST)
With the link apparently being that both men are womanizers, the Los Angeles Times has put up an article chronicling the experiences of Playboy's Hugh Hefner and Star Trek's William Shatner (James T. Kirk) at the Cannes movie festival. The report contains some info on the new 'Free Enterprise' movie, in which Shatner stars:

Regent Entertainment, which produced the Oscar-winning "Gods and Monsters" and is releasing "Free Enterprise" in the U.S., hopes the movie will get a boost from the frenzy over "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace." It plans to distribute 10,000 "Free Enterprise Survival Kits" to people waiting in line for the "Star Wars" prequel--goodie bags stocked with items that are featured in the film, from MAC lipstick to Evian water.

But they know that Shatner is their biggest draw. And so does he. "How someone is successful in selling something that is not driven by a $20-million star, I don't know," he admitted. "All I do know is that I and many people like me have striven for years to put together independent films. And I'm now in one done by two young men who've never done it before. It's kind of humiliating and disconcerting at the same time."

Hey, it got him to Cannes, right? "It's an ironic twist," he said. "And I see it, totally."

Trekkers Also Skipping Work?
Christian (1:49 pm CST)
The New York Post is reporting that not only are Star Wars fans skipping work to see 'The Phantom Menace,' but many Trekkers are also saying they'll be skipping work for the premiere of 'Trekkies.' Is there anyone really doing this? If, however, you're indeed going to see the movie today, and you'd like to write a review of it, I'd be more than happy to post it here at TrekToday - just send in your reviews!

'Trekkies' Reviews
Christian (1:48 pm CST)
Today's listing of new reviews of the new Trek fan documentary 'Trekkies,' presented by Denise Crosby and directed by Roger Nygard:

-Randall King of the Winnipeg Sun points out the inherent contradiction between the two primary directives of the film - to show that Trekkies are actually normal people on the one hand, and to have a good laugh at the human capacity for obsession on the other hand. For the rest King's review doesn't really contain anything new.

-Brian McTavish of the Kansas City Star ends his review by pointing out what is indeed a major problem for Trek fans with the movie: 'It's difficult to imagine too many Trekkies feeling good about being used as unwitting comedy fodder.' Fortunately, his Kansas colleague James Hart, on the other hand, is very positive about Star Trek, comparing Trek's thinking heroes to Star Wars' action heroes.

-Stephen Hunter at the Washington Post amusingly begins by calling Star Trek 'one of the five major world religions,' and then goes on with the standard talk about how obsessed Trek fans are. The review ends with an interesting note, as Hunter complains about William Shatner not being in the movie, while he most certainly is. Are there perhaps two cuts circulating around the country? The Washington Post people also put up another review, written by Michael O'Sullivan.

-The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette isn't that positive about the documentary, awarding it no more than 2.5 stars in its review.

-Gene Seymour's LA Times review doesn't list William Shatner either - does anyone have any more info on this they'd like to share? Did anyone already see Shatner in the documentary?

-Eon Magazine reviewer Christopher Allan Smith has also put up an excellent review, in which he basically sums up my own point of view - good film, but not that good for Trek fans. Eon is also the site that provided me with the movie poster, thanks go out to them for that.

-Lastly, Sci-Fi Weekly reviewer Patrick Lee has put up a review of the documentary, calling it hysterically funny. The review contains the below quote, which I thought would be a fitting end to this list of 'Trekkies' reviews:

The Trek actors and producers in the film are clearly tiptoeing around the subject so as not to offend the fans. I wondered how many of the Trekkies themselves will react to their depictions. But I found it especially ironic to be watching the documentary in a Paramount Studios auditorium surrounded by industry hangers-on, many of whom laughed a little too loudly at the fans that pay for it all.

Insurrection Rental Video Results
Christian (1:48 pm CST)
The Video Software Dealers Association just announced the top 10 video rentals for the week ending May 16, and 'Insurrection' debuted at no. 3. The movie took in $3.15 million dollar, which wasn't even half of the amount taken in by 'You've Got Mail,' the most popular rental video. Though this sounds disappointing, we should remember that the movie didn't come out until the 11th of May, so the Insurrection results just count for five days. You can find the full top 10 by going here.

More On UPN Fall Schedule
Christian (1:47 pm CST)
Variety's Josef Adalian has written an in-depth article looking at the recently announced UPN fall schedule, in which Adalian fills in some of the blanks that were left open yesterday. The new schedule will indeed focus very strongly on the young male audience:

UPN Thursday unveiled a new lineup designed to repair the damage from last year's ill-fated attempt to reach beyond young males to a broad audience.

UPN Entertainment president Tom Nunan said the network's late-season success with a WWF wrestling special and a two-hour ``Star Trek: Voyager'' TV movie has firmed up its resolve to go after the underserved male 18-34 demographic. ``We know if we build a schedule capitalizing on this audience, our viewership will increase,'' he said.

Today on TV
Christian (1:47 pm CST)
-At 12:30pm Eastern Time tomorrow, the American TV Land will be showing the Animated Series episode 'Mudd's Passion.'

-In the UK, Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Playing God' at 16:00pm BST, and Voyager's 'Alliances' at 17:00pm. Thanks go out to the Television Observation Unit of the Star Trek Collective for this.

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:47 pm CST)
Several dozens active discussions are currently taking place at the Trek BBS, including the following three:

-In 'Ensign Ro' we saw that Starfleet had some rather strict attire regulations. Do you think this is still the case?

-Should there be a counselor on Voyager?

-Would you like to be the moderator of the new 'General Sci-Fi' forum, which will replace the 'Earth: Final Conflict' forum? If so, please volunteer here. As ever, feel free to add extra discussions to the Trek BBS - remember, registration isn't even required!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:46 pm CST)
After 4 new site submissions yesterday, TrekSeek is now up to 1115 Star Trek sites. Check out two of the new sites:

-At Subspace Communications you can talk about Star Trek in six different chat rooms - no special software is required!

-The Egghead and Ivorytower Star Trek Homepage contains an episode guide, rated and commented book, movie and episode reviews, fan-fiction and an independent German site.

Find more new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:46 pm CST)
I noticed something really strange this morning while looking through the logs - a few TrekToday visitors actually find the site by going to a search engine and searching for the word 'trektoday.com.' Why would anyone do this? If you already know the URL, why would you need to search for it in a search engine? Apparently the web isn't as intuitive for new people as we think it is...

'Insurrection' Guaranteed At Blockbuster
Christian (3:15 pm CST)
The Flagship has just posted some good news for Trek fans who want to rent the latest Star Trek feature:

I just saw a commercial for Star Trek: Insurrection at Blockbuster Video--one of those "Guaranteed to be there" things. Yep--if you can't find a copy of the film for rent, you will get your next rental for free. The commercial features scenes from the film and a reading of the full trailer's narration.

Ted Witt Reviews 'Extreme Measures'
Christian (3:08 pm CST)
Ted Witt has posted his review of DS9's 'Extreme Measures' to the Psi Phi DS9 Discussion Area. Awarding just a C- to the episode, Witt obviously didn't like it that much:

As a watcher of the final chapter, I have to say, that I was a bit underwhelmed by Extreme Measures. O'brien and Bashir are always enjoyable to see together and have had some great adventures--but this last adventure doesn't measure up...a huge disapointment.

Official 'Equinox' Description
Christian (3:03 pm CST)
NOTE: Below you'll find some pretty major spoilers for the Voyager season finale, 'Equinox. Click here to avoid these spoilers.

Again, click here to avoid spoilers for the Voyager season finale.

The Continuum has posted the official description for 'Equinox,' this year's season finale for Voyager. Check out their (rather detailed) synopsis:

The U.S.S. Voyager finds another Federation starship lost in the Delta Quadrant, the science vessel U.S.S. Equinox, and helps it stave off an attack by creatures from another spatial realm. Captain Janeway now has a kindred spirit in its commander, Captain John Ransom, and helps him salvage his war-torn vessel so they can journey home together. But when The Doctor retrieves data from the U.S.S. Equinox research lab, Janeway learns the hard truth that Captain Ransom has seriously violated the Starfleet oath by commiting mass murder in the Delta Quadrant. When she strips him of his command and confines him to quarters, he and his crew manage to escape with the U.S.S. Voyager's advanced technology - and The Doctor and Seven of Nine as hostages aboard their ship.

Voyager Season Finale Trailers
Christian (3:00 pm CST)
Star Trek Interactive! has put up the trailers for 'Equinox,' the Voyager season finale. The show itself will be a cliffhanger, with the conclusion being shown as the first episode of the sixth season, but the preview itself is rather interesting as well already. You can find MPEG and MP3 versions of the preview here, plus an archive of zipped images.

'Incubus' Review
Christian (2:53 pm CST)
The official William Shatner Connection has posted a review of 'Incubus,' the only film ever made in Esperanto. The 1965 film starred a young William Shatner (James T. Kirk), the only really famous actor in the film:

INCUBUS is an experimental art film, once thought lost, but now available on video for under $40.00. It's unique since it's the only film ever made in Esperanto, a Latin based artifical language. William Shatner stars in this 1965 B&W fable about the forces of good and evil. Shatner is the only name in this film which basically uses only six actors, two of whom committed suicide shortly after the project. It was written and directed by Leslie Stevens and produced by Anthony Taylor, who recently found the one remaining copy and who is now offering digitally restored versions of it for sale on video.

Also, remember that today Shatner will be appearing on the O'Reilly Factor, on Late Night With Conan O'Brien and on Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Full details of that can be found in the official Shatner Event Calendar.

'Warhead' Overnight Ratings
Christian (2:47 pm CST)
As usual, the new Voyager episode 'Warhead' had some rather disappointing ratings, according to the Overnight Ratings report at the Universe:

The overnight rating is in, and Voyager did not do well, "Voyager" only got a 5.6/9. That's down 0.5 from last week. Voyager was 6th for the hour, but was close to WBs "Charmed" that got a 5.7/9.

7 Days got a 3.6/6, that was down 0.2 from last week. A final rating is hard to say, but around 3.0 - 3.9.

Nicole deBoer Article
Christian (2:45 pm CST)
Kevin Dilmore, contributing writer for the Continuum, has put up an interview with Nicole deBoer (Ezri Dax). The article has deBoer talking about her first personal experience with Star Trek:

Ask Nicole deBoer about her first "up close and personal" brush with the Star Trek universe, and the answer won't involve her initial visit to the set of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as counselor Ezri Dax. That brush wasn't with Captain Sisko in 24th Century New Orleans, but rather Captain Kirk in 20th Century Canada. "Once in Toronto, I tried out for a part on TekWar," says the actress and self-proclaimed Star Trek fan, "and I didn't think about it at all, but there was this guy sitting there in a baseball cap and sunglasses. He asked if I had any questions, and I asked maybe one or two, then I said I was ready and walked to the front. "When I turned back around, I got a better look at that guy's face under the cap and I just screamed - 'Oh my God! William Shatner! I'm sorry I didn't recognize you!' I just screamed and screamed. He just said, "Calm down," and then I read for the part - and I didn't get it. "I'm sure that all those people couldn't believe I lost control like that," deBoer says and laughs. "But I loved the original show and I watched 'Next Generation,' too."

John DeLancie Chat Today
Christian (2:45 pm CST)
At 06:30pm Pacific Time, the Continuum will be hosting a live chat with John DeLancie, who guest starred on all three modern Trek series as 'Q,' everyone's favourite omnipotent power. If you'd like to ask DeLancie questions, you can already submit your questions here, while you can get information on how to participate here.

Birth of the Federation Delayed?
Christian (2:44 pm CST)
eXscape, the gaming news site, has posted some rather disturbing news about the release date of Microprose's new turn-based strategy game:

Star Trek: Birth of the Federation's release has been delayed for at least one week by Electronic Boutique. The game was originally scheduled for a May 19, 1999 release, but has been pushed back to May 26, 1999. My sources at EB indicated to me that the reason for the delay is due to the opening of the newest Star Wars movie, The Phantom Menace, which will be playing everywhere starting on May 19, 1999. EB managers have been told to "hawk" all the newly released Star Wars software associated with the movie. It is unclear whether or not other software chains will follow suit. We'll just have to wait and see.

'DS9: The Fallen' Preview
Christian (2:44 pm CST)
The Adrenaline Vault has posted a new preview of the Collective's upcoming DS9 game, 'The Fallen.' Take a look at all the features currently present in the game, according to the preview:

The game will feature more than 10 weapons with multiple firing modes, including implements of the Federation, the Cardassians, the Jem'Hadars, the Klingons and others. A collection of over 30 environments, including the DS9 station, the USS Defiant and more will be featured, as will a new race of enemies, the bio-analogous Grigari, created exclusively for game. Overall, there will be more than 25 enemies to battle. And last, but not least, The Fallen will feature online competition in deathmatch, capture the flag, team deathmatch modes and more. Here are some screenshots released at the show.

Mania Reviews 'Warhead'
Christian (2:44 pm CST)
Somehow I have the impression Mania's Michelle Erica Green didn't like Voyager's 'Warhead' at all:

Let's play "Plagiarism Association," shall we? Nomad. V'ger. Mudd's androids. "Prototype." Data's exocomps. "Dreadnought." "Drone." Dark Star. I could go on and on and on and on, but what would be the point? Suffice to say that anyone who couldn't figure out exactly where this was going after the first fifteen minutes has obviously never sat through a Trek "we must try to preserve EVERY life-form no matter how evil it seems!" theme episode, or a science fiction "our technology is killing us!" theme movie. As if that weren't boring and predicatable enough, the Voyager crew tried out the novel "let's get Seven's nanoprobes to save the day!" approach to the problem, then reverted to the less-novel "since the captain's willing to let her ship and crew be destroyed in the name of the Prime Directive, let's have a junior officer come up with a better plan!" solution.

Shatner Irritated With Trek Fans
Christian (2:43 pm CST)
The London Telegraph has printed an interview with William Shatner, who is tactful as usual about Trek fans:

CAPTAIN James T. Kirk is sitting on the beach in Cannes and he is fed up. Well, not so much Kirk, as his older, chubbier alter ego, William Shatner, who is, quite frankly, sick of being pestered by Star Trek fans and wishes they would all just get a life. Shatner, approaching his 69th birthday, is the unlikely idol of millions of people, mostly men, in their 20s and 30s who still marvel at his command of the tricorders and transporters on board the Star Ship Enterprise. The god-like status they accord him is, he says, absurd.

"I have been asked questions such as: 'When you said hello in episode 13 what did it mean?' "Star Trek aficionados are just as interested in themselves as in the Star Trek personalities. In fact, the bonding experience of going to a Star Trek convention and having continuous interaction with other Trekkie fans is of more interest to them than anything else. Some of them already have pointy ears. "I have never thought much about my audience. I avoid people as much as possible."

Star Trek RPGDesigners Nominated
Christian (2:43 pm CST)
In his new Out of the Box column at Mania, Kenneth Hite has announced that he and his designer colleagues have been nominated for the Origins awards, the annual RPG 'Oscars:'

Words that the Sage of Skywalker Ranch his own self is practicing e'en now, no doubt; I get to try 'em out a little earlier, because it's time once again for the Origins Awards! And indeed, it is an honor just to be nominated, which I have been, in company with the rest of the savvy design crew on the Star Trek: The Next Generation RPG. It'll be an even bigger honor if I win, which is where you come in, young Jedi.

You remember from last year, surely, how we have these awards, which are kind of like the Oscars (or they would be if Harvey Weinstein were coming in here and spending a fat wad to get his game voted in), but more like the Hugos in that a select group (that's me and my cronies) selects nominees and the fans (that's you guys) votes for 'em. Then, at a stirring ceremony at the Origins game convention (that's in Columbus) this July Fourth weekend, the plaques get handed out, and a grand time is had by all.

Mania Reviews 'Extreme Measures'
Christian (2:42 pm CST)
Michelle Erica Green at Mania has put up her review of 'Extreme Measures,' the most recent Deep Space Nine episode. Green was especially impressed with the Bashir/O'Brien plot:

This episode will be remembered as the one where Bashir and O'Brien confessed their love for one another...seriously, even non-slash fans had to be affected by that passionate declaration of friendship just before what they thought would be their deaths. It was quite moving considering that their attachment has been a topic of jokes for more than three years - I have never forgotten the scene in "Hippocratic Oath" where Miles wished aloud that Keiko could be more like Julian. It's annoying that they both have a propensity to ignore their female companions, but at least they were admitting to the failing and finding a way to integrate it into their lives in the end. Their chemistry moved this episode along far better than the plot, which got that predictable still-a-dream sequence just like the recent "Field Trip" on The X-Files and "Waking Moments" on Voyager.

More 'Trekkies' Reviews
Christian (2:42 pm CST)
There are so many of them, I really can't quote pieces from all of them. If you do want to read them all, below is a short list of the ones I could find:

-The Boston Phoenix reviews the documentary, with just two paragraphs and not much new info.

-Bill Gallo actually has quite a few things to say in his Dallas Observer review and, while not all of his comments are that positive about Trek fans, he does raise a few interesting questions.

-Ted Anthony in his Nando Times review also appears rather critical about Trek fans, though his review too is really thorough.

More 'Trekkies' reviews will undoubtedly be appearing over the next few days.

Jam! Showbiz 'Trekkies' Review
Christian (2:42 pm CST)
Jam! has reprinted two reviews of the new 'Trekkies' documentary, which first appeared in the Toronto Sun and the Calgary Sun, respectively. Toronto's Bob Thompson begins by comparing 'Trekkies' to that other sci-fi release you may have heard of:

Talk about the elephant and the mouse. A $450,000 documentary called Trekkies is being released tomorrow opposite the $115-million super-picture, Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.

The irony is not lost on either host-producer Denise Crosby or director Roger Nygard. "The funny thing is, Trekkies is opening in about 330 theatres, the same as Star Wars in 1977," reports Nygard during a Four Seasons Hotel interview.

Star Trek Cookbook Review
Christian (2:41 pm CST)
The LA Times has put up a review of both the 'Star Wars Cookbook' and the 'Star Trek Cookbook,' two recent books which gave fans dozens of special SF-based recipes. While the Star Wars cookbook is apparently rather humourous, this isn't the case with the Star Trek edition:

Trekkers seem less inclined to play with their food. The "Star Trek Cookbook" (Pocket Books, $20) by Ethan Phillips and William J. Birnes takes a more scholarly approach--think of Paula Wolfert making a guest appearance on "Star Trek: Voyager." Neelix, the Voyager's chief cook, describes the thrill of traveling around the Delta Quadrant, "sitting down to eat something I couldn't name, couldn't recognize, biting into a new, alive, exotic taste."

The book includes recipes for the foods eaten by characters from every Star Trek series and movie. The recipes are accompanied by Neelix's descriptions of hard-to-find local ingredients like Fargonian finger apples, Nezu candy-tufted mud fungus, Bolian tingle butter and a "tomato with see-through skin and seeds that sing" as well as suggestions for substitutions. (If you can't find crushed Bothan brain fluid, soy sauce will do as well.) There are also extensive notes on how recipes--like one for a chocolate cake that bakes for nine years and is made with nuts from a planet that is several lifetimes away--were adapted for 20th century Earth kitchens.

Nanotechnology A Reality
Christian (2:41 pm CST)
According to an article by AP's Lauran Neergaard, nanotechnology has recently become reality, after researchers from the University of Michigan discovered a new drug which works rather a lot like Star Trek's nanoprobes:

SEATTLE (AP) - It sounds like science fiction: Microscopic oil droplets protect patients from germs and viruses by fusing with the dangerous bugs and causing them essentially to explode. University of Michigan scientists, hunting ways to protect soldiers from biological warfare, say they have created just such a drug. It can eradicate deadly anthrax within an hour of contact, and promises to be so non-toxic to humans that one day it might be possible to decontaminate germ-laden food.

Dr. James Baker, creator of these drug droplets so tiny they have been dubbed ``nano-bombs,'' added some to a sample of cholera viewed through a microscope. A few minutes later, ``All that's left here is debris. The remarkable thing is this happens almost immediately,'' Baker said.

UPN To Focus On Young Male Audience
Christian (2:41 pm CST)
UPN, the United States' least succesful nationwide television network, has just announced its new fall schedule, which incorporates quite a few major changes. The major new addition to its lineup is a new 'WWF Smackdown!' show which will run on Thursdays, bringing viewers no less than 2 continuous hours of wrestling.

Other changes include the Thursday night movie shifting a day later to Friday, and now being called the 'UPN Blockbuster Shockwave Cinema.' Lastly, their Tuesday night 'ethnic comedy block' moves to Monday, while Dilbert will move to Tuesdays. According to Jenny Hontz of the Daily Variety, 'UPN's schedule clearly represents the shift away from middle-American programming that categorized last fall's schedule and back toward the original strategy of attracting young men.'

On the Star Trek front, nothing will change, as Wednesdays will still first feature the 'Seven Days' drama and then Voyager at 9:00pm. I do have to wonder, though, if the 'young male' focus will also have an effect on Voyager - I certainly hope we won't be getting even more focus on Seven of Nine next year. More information on this can be found in this article.

Happy Birthday Anthony Zerbe!
Christian (2:40 pm CST)
Today is the 33th birthday of Anthony Zerbe, who starred as Admiral Matthew Dougherty on 'Star Trek: Insurrection,' the latest Trek feature film. If you'd like to know more about him, I suggest you check out his IMDB listing.

Today on TV
Christian (2:39 pm CST)
-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the Sci-Fi Channel will be showing 'The Menagerie, Part Two,' concluding what they started yesterday.

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and 23:30 BST, British Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Shadowplay.'

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Kontakte' (Attached) at 01:40 CET tomorrow morning. At 15:00, they'll be showing 'Die Raumkatastrophe' (Force of Nature)

Trek BBS Today
Christian (2:39 pm CST)
With 35 active discussion topics over the past 24 hours, the Trek BBS seems to get busier and busier! Check out three of the most interesting discussions:

-Should Paramount listen to the fans or not?. Of course, everyone's gut reaction would of course be 'yes,' but there may be more to this than you think.

-I'm absolutely amazed by this, but for some really weird reason the Star Wars forum on our Star *Trek* BBS seems to be one of the liveliest of the forums available. Check out this thread for a small sample.

-It's still a week away, but what are your thoughts on the Voyager season finale.

If these topics don't interest you, there are still dozens of others to be found at the Trek BBS. And if even those don't interest you, please feel free to add new topics yourself - remember, you don't even need to register to post!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (2:39 pm CST)
Just two new sites at TrekSeek yesterday, including this one:

-Stardock Alpha's Star Trek Picture and Mpeg Archive has reviews and and thousands of high quality pictures and Mpeg movies captured from DS9 and Voyager episodes.

Find the full list of new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (2:38 pm CST)
Sigh. Incredibly late again. Sorry.

Sunday was the 2nd day of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, and our reporter Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga has finally recovered from the experience and taken time out from his busy schedule to type up a report:

And while a certain other sci-fi franchise is getting the lion's share of media coverage these days (Episode I what?), games and all, from what I gathered by looking at the games and talking with the developers, Star Trek fans are in for a renaissance of high quality games in the coming months!

Again, don't forget to check back often at our main E3 site, as Jeff Koga will be adding lots of new exclusive previews soon!

Jerusalem Post Reviews 'Trek Encyclopedia'
Christian (2:05 pm CST)
For some reason the Jerusalem Post seems to have classified this as 'Elections '99 Coverage,' but they've put up a review of the Star Trek Encyclopedia, distributed in Israel by Hed Artzi Multimedia. The review begins by introducing Trek to the Israeli audience:

For a TV series whose first pilot was rejected by NBC as "too cerebral" and which received mixed reviews when it was finally launched in 1966, Star Trek hasn't done too badly. Reruns of the original three-season show are still seen in more than 100 countries, and the shows have been translated into dozens of languages; every month, a Star Trek novel is published by Pocket Books (63 million of these are already in print).

A query to an Internet search engine with the words "Star Trek" dug up over 90,000 mentions on the World Wide Web, including an official site at www.startrek.com; Star Trek conventions are held every weekend of every year in at least four US cities; a Purdue University study in 1993 found that US children learn more about science from Star Trek than from any other source, and a wide variety of spinoffs, including three dramatic TV series, an animated series, numerous feature films and consumer products have created a financial empire. Finally, the first NASA space shuttle, the Enterprise, was named in 1976 after it received 400,000 requests from the show's fans, known as Trekkies.

Not bad at all.

Jeri Ryan Convention Report
Christian (2:05 pm CST)
'Captain Clerk' just put up a report of the recent Fed Con 7 convention, which was also attended by Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine). The report contains Jeri Ryan's views on several interesting things, such as homosexuality, Voyager movies and her own future on Trek. Take a look at her rather mysterious comments about that last issue:

I have a three year contract. The third year is season six. There will be seven seasons. At least seven. There may come more after that.

Shatner To Sing On '3rd Rock'
Christian (2:04 pm CST)
TV Guide has put up a small article dealing with William Shatner's upcoming guest appearance on '3rd Rock From The Sun,' NBC's comedy series. Take a look at how the article begins:

Courageous Captain Kirk of Star Trek saved the universe from aliens—now, he's becoming one. William Shatner will play Big Giant Head, the often mentioned but never seen extraterrestrial supreme commander on NBC's 3rd Rock From the Sun (May 25, 8 pm/ET). Big Giant Head arrives on Earth in the guise of a human to check out his alien expedition and quickly succumbs to mortal pleasures. "I'm totally drunk out of my head, and I lust after women," Shatner reveals. "I also get to sing and dance. That was great, because I'm a song-and-dance man at heart."

Entertainment Weekly DS9 Article
Christian (2:04 pm CST)
The most recent issue of the American 'Entertainment Weekly' contained a small report of the DS9 wrap party, and Lt. Santiago was kind enough to post the transcript to the TrekWeb Discussion Board:

DEEP-SIXED
There was no Klingon gagh or Vulcan plomeek soup on hand, and those were only two of the signs that the April 22 wrap party for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, at the Skybar in L.A.'s Mondrian hotel, was a decidedly earthbound affair. For one thing, some of the cast and crew used the occasion to express their disappointment that during their show's seven-year run, Paramount never supported it with the marketing muscle afforded siblings Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager. "There was definitely the middle-child syndrome," says DS9 exec producer Ira Behr. "But the upside was that the suits left us alone and we were able to take some creative risks."

Then there was the rather earthy scene that inadvertently interrupted festivities: As cocreator Rick Berman stood in the hotel courtyard to give one final speech, gazes wandered elsewhere. Specifically, to a window on the fourth floor, where an amorous and rather exhibitionistic couple prepared to do some boldly going of their own. Amid the pointing and whistles, one partygoer summed it up best: "Now, that's what I call the final frontier."

Bad Voyager Ratings *Again*
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
The Universe has put up the final ratings for Voyager's 'Relativity,' which, of course, were bad yet again:

The final rating for Relativity is in, and Voyager got once again a bad rating. Voyager got a 3.3 and was nr. 91.

[...]

The strange thing was that the overnight rating for this episode was up 0.5, but it still only got a final rating that was up 0.1. I havent got the complete rating list, so I don't know if Voyager was 6th or 5th. Tune in later for more on this.

Unreliable Rumours Department
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
This week's Sky/ Channel 5 Star Trek teletext page, provided for your amusement:

As usual, don't believe a word of what's mentioned above until it's officially confirmed - it's only purpose is to make viewers call expensive pay phone numbers.

Shatner Speaks In New York
Christian (2:02 pm CST)
According to the official William Shatner Connection, today William Shatner (James T. Kirk) will be discussing his life, his career, and his new book 'Get A Life!' in a special event in New York:

The event will be held at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, located at 7 West 83rd Street at Central Park West, in Manhattan. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $18 through the 92nd Street Y Box Office, 1395 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10128 or by phoning Y-Charge (212) 996-1100. Tickets, if available, will also be sold on the night of the event at Congregation Rodeph Sholom.

Shatner Sings Even More!
Christian (2:02 pm CST)
The official William Shatner Connection is reporting that critically acclaimed singer William Shatner will soon be singing even more:

Captain Kirk has again left starship command for the microphone stand. Shatner sings "No Tears for Caesar" as a duet with rapper Rated R, formerly of Tupac Shakur's Thug Life Posse, on the soundtrack to the feature film "Free Enterprise." The film, starring Shatner and Eric McCormack, will be released June 4. The soundtrack is due out on June 15. A secret bonus track by Shatner is also included.

Ira Steven Behr Chat Transcript
Christian (2:01 pm CST)
Surprisingly fast, the Continuum has put up the transcript of yesterday's chat with Ira Steven Behr, DS9's Executive Producer. The chat reads like having been a very emotional one, with many people thanking him for the great job he did, and so it's hard to pick out the three most interesting quotes - they're all worth reading. Still, below you'll find a small sample:

Charles A. Salter, N.C. asks:
I'm really going to miss new DS9 episodes, I really enjoy DS9 a lot, and just to say thanks for DS9 a great show, Do you plan on staying with Star Trek in any capacity, if not I'll be disappointed.

Ira Steven Behr:
No one has approached me with continuing my relationship with the Star Trek franchise. Certainly, if the series felt right to me and felt like it was going to take chances and not play it safe, I'd have some interest. But I think there's a very complicated relationship between DS9 and the powers that be. I think they're very proud of the show creatively, but I think they see it as a real anomaly within the franchise. And they could never be sure what kind of wacky thing I would do on the next show. So it's really kind of up in the air right now. But I really like this nice feedback. I usually come here to have Guy Vardaman say nice things about me.

Michael303 asks:
Hello Ira. Many thanks to you and the staff for seven great seasons. I'll miss it. Despite all the rumours, why hasn't there been serious discussion for a movie or mini-series. DS9 would fit greatly into the genre of a first class mini-series.

Ira Steven Behr:
I suppose it's possible that DS9 will have some kind of after life in the future. I think part of that decision will be based on how the finale does, what the fan response is, but like I said earlier, the sets, for the most part, have been torn down, which I have to take as a kind of an ominous sign. But I think what needs to be remembered, is that DS9 existed for 7 years, 176 episodes. We have a tendency in this country to always want more. It's like people used to talk about why did the Beatles break up? Why couldn't they stay together for another 10 years? I think it would be better to be thinking,:"Hey, isn't it great, look at all the wonderful music they made while they worked together." The Sex Pistols only recorded one album, but they said virtually everything they had to say in that one album, and they changed the face of pop music in many different ways. So let's try to concentrate on what DS9 was able to do, rather than mourning some alternate universe where it could have done more, or existed in another format.

Jam asks:
Did you have any story ideas for the "final chapter" which did not get implemented?

Ira Steven Behr:
Well, once again, I'd rather concentrate on what we were able to jam into that final episode, but just so you have some idea how we think... there was a part of me that did want to end the show on Benny Russell, the character Sisko played in "Far Beyond the Stars" At one point, Benny, now an old man, was going to die of natural causes and as he died we would go back to the station and end the series in the middle of a conversation between Quark and Kira, as if with his death, they cease to exist. The other idea was to have Benny Russell come to Deep Space Nine and in the midst of some kind of crisis suddenly realize that there was a camera pointed at him, and walk off the set through the soundstages, outside into the Paramount street, and I wanted to follow Benny Russell up to Rick Berman's office, where he would tell Rick that the series was over. But I think what we wind up doing is pretty cool too.

Star Trek Summer Sweepstakes?
Christian (2:01 pm CST)
I don't know yet what they are, but the official Continuum mentions on its site that we should soon check back for details about the 'Star Trek Summer Sweepstakes coming in June!'

Continuum Klingon Academy Preview
Christian (2:00 pm CST)
The official Star Trek Continuum has just put up a preview of Klingon Academy, the upcoming space combat simulator from Interplay. The preview contains a few quotes from Raphael Hernandez, the KA producer:

"Our Goal for STAR TREK: Klingon Academy was to create an all-new STAR TREK gaming experience, uniquely different from what has been seen before" stated Raphael Hernandez, Klingon's producer at Interplay. "Players are challenged to battle their warships through a simulated war campaign against the Federation - all of which is set in diverse, tactical environments which include asteroid fields, black holes, ion storms and nebulae. Additionally, Klingon Academy is the first look at battle from what has traditionally been the enemy side."

Star Trek Bottled Water Announced
Christian (2:00 pm CST)
As if a Star Trek coffee brand, Star Trek tea bags and a Star Trek energy drink weren't enough yet, we'll soon also be able to drink Star Trek bottled water, according to a press release from the 'Starbase-1 Coffee Company:'

Starbase-1 Coffee Company, Ltd. [...] is pleased to announce that it is embarking on new Star Trek(TM) Bottled Water (``Altair Water'') program that will complement its current product lines of coffee, candies, chocolates and other novelty items. The Star Trek(TM) Bottled Water program will be launched in both the United States and Canada within the next 90 days. The bottled water products will be offered in a wide range of sizes from 12 ounces to 1.5 liter. In addition, the water will be bottled in a customized, and patented new plastic bottle contributing to the uniqueness of the product.

[...]

The Star Trek(TM) Bottled Water will be sold through a wide network of North American beverage brokers and distributors that will insure the product's availability and proper representation. It is targeted for sale in all the various trade categories including, retail, grocery, club stores, drug stores, convenience stores, military, food services and special events. In addition a special web-site will be available where Star Trek fans can order their water direct, or find the closest location to them.

Today on TV
Christian (1:59 pm CST)
-Tonight at 9:00pm, UPN will be showing Voyager's 'Warhead.' Take a look at how the official Continuum describes the episode:

After the U.S.S. Voyager receives a distress signal from an alien missile, Ensign Kim, Torres and The Doctor determine that it's a complex, damaged weapon with artificial intelligence and sentient consciousness. But when they beam this mysterious device aboard, it interlinks with The Doctor's program and through him, insists the U.S.S. Voyager enable it to fulfill its mission of mass destruction.

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Ort der Finsternis' (Dark Page) at 02:00 CET. At 15:00 tomorrow, they'll be showing 'Kontakte' (Attached).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:59 pm CST)
Two discussions from the files of the Trek BBS:

-Should there be a counselor on board Voyager?

-If you've seen 'The Phantom Menace' already, what did you think?

Find more discussions at the Trek BBS.

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:58 pm CST)
Five new sites were added to TrekSeek yesterday, including the following 2:

-Daring deBoer: the Unofficial Nicole deBoer Fan Club includes a biography, filmography, tons of pictures, links and message boards. It's also a regular source of Trek news for TrekToday, so I strongly recommend checking it out!
-Dave's Women of Star Trek presents us with a look at the regular and major recurring female characters of the Star Trek universe, and the beautiful women who brought them to life.

Find the other new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:58 pm CST)
Sorry for being so late, but less than 4 hours ago the Dutch government fell, and, as you can imagine, that is taking up quite a bit of my attention at the moment. Fortunately I had already prepared most of today's headlines before the post-resignation parliamentary debate started, so I will at least be able to do an update today. However, I probably won't be able to answer any mail today - if you sent me mail, I haven't forgotten about you, and I'll be answering tomorrow!

For those of you who are interested, this article describes the problems as they existed a few hours before the actual resignation, and this article describes the actual resignation. In the unlikely event anyone is interested in my political views, I have to say I find this an incredibly sad day. Not only has the government fallen, it also means that the introduction of the referendum in the Netherlands has been set back by at least 5 years, and that is a huge blow for the Dutch democratic system. In light of that, though, I strongly support the decision by coalition partner Democrats '66 to leave the government - the party (which I'm a member of) would have become totally unbelievable had it not done so.

(Exits Soapbox Mode)

New Dateline Issue
Christian (1:19 pm CST)
Finally, editor Bill Mason has sent out a new issue of Dateline: Starfleet, the monthly newsletter which unfortunately couldn't appear last month. Check out Bill's 'Editor's Notes:'

Here we are, back again. And it's nice to be back. Hopefully this first post-baby issue will come out not too confused from lack of sleep or something!

On behalf of Miriam, Owen, and I, thank you very much for the many congratulatory letters we received. They were a great delight to us all! Mom and Baby are continuing to do well, by the way! And we both love this growing-so-fast boy like the dickens!

And he wears us out too. Sorry we're a day late here, but I basically fell asleep over the keyboard last night.

Brooks To Present Essence Awards
Christian (1:19 pm CST)
Emissary, the official fan club of Avery Brooks (Sisko), is reporting that he'll be making an appearance at this year's Essence Awards:

On June 2nd at 8:00pm on your Fox affiliate, Avery is scheduled to present (or perform, I haven't nailed this down yet) at the 1999 Essence Awards. In addition, there will be viewing parties that evening of this event at The Shark Bar Restaurants in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Interesting 'Extreme Measures' Tidbit
Christian (1:19 pm CST)
Holly Kim Wilson just pointed out to me that the official Continuum is still listing this week's episode as 'Night Tremors.' As the press releases and the trailers both called it by its new title, 'Extreme Measures,' my guess is they're still using the new name.

New 'Jammer's Reviews'
Christian (1:18 pm CST)
Slightly delayed, Jamahl Epsicokhan at Star Trek Hypertext has put up reviews for DS9's 'When It Rains...' and Voyager's '11:59,' both of which aired somewhat over a week ago. In his 'When It Rains...' review he starts by noting how most of it is merely set-up for what's to come:

Someone wrote me an e-mail saying these "Final Chapter" episodes seem to be coming off as 90 percent setup and only about 10 percent riveting stories. I find that's an interesting take on the matter--and although I personally think it's a somewhat harsh assessment (setup itself can be riveting), I certainly can see the argument.

"When it Rains..." seems to be a good example of this mindset. This episode offers more plot into the mix, but the feel of the episode is somewhat off-kilter. It's probably the most frustrating yet of the "Final Chapter" episodes, because it moves along for an hour and then suddenly halts in its tracks, with virtually no resolution. If you were like me and weren't watching the clock, you might've been blindsided by the suddenness of the "executive producers" credit appearing.

Issues of multi-part structure aside, "When it Rains..." has a somewhat excessive title. The title seems to imply we're going to be plunged into the Abyss of Despair, perhaps for the last time before the series heads into final wrap-up. I don't think that was the case nor the intention. What is the case, rather, is that we have more setup of plot and character directions, with some interesting new revelations--as the elements continue to pile up.

Ira Steven Behr Chat Today
Christian (1:15 pm CST)
Today at the special time of 03:30pm Pacific Time, the Continuum will be hosting a live chat with DS9 Executive Producer Ira Steven Behr. He'll be answering your questions about the final DS9 episodes, and will quite probably also give some info on his future projects. If you want to know how you can participate, you can find the relevant information here.

On Thursday, meanwhile, the Continuum will be hosting a live chat with John DeLancie, most famous for his role as Q on the various modern Star Trek series. Advance questions for him can also already be submitted.

British Trek Ratings
Christian (1:15 pm CST)
The Star Trek Collective has posted the Trek ratings report for the week which started on the 2nd of May. Trek didn't do too well in the UK during that week:

Only one word can describe ST's ratings on BBC2 for this week - owch! Both TNG and DS9 suffered badly at the hands of the snooker championships. Even Scotty couldn't save TNG's "Relics" from getting the worst audience figure this year (yes, 1999, not Season 6) - 2.28m. If you look at this week's updated graphs, this dip in ratings seems to be repeating itself every four weeks. Still on BBC2, DS9 made no "Progress" (pun intended), as it was yet again unranked - therefore getting a rating lower than 1.78m, probably the lowest this year too.

Fortunately, Sky saved the week with an excellent rating for Voyager. The second episode of the season, "Drone", was beaten only by top first-run programmes Friends and ER - and even then gave ER a run for its money with 680,000 viewers compared to ER's 690,000. Voyager beated The X-Files by another 10,000 viewers.

Patrick Stewart News
Christian (1:14 pm CST)
The Continuum has put up a news report detailing exactly what Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard) is currently doing, now that he's not playing the role of Starfleet Captain anymore:

On the musical front, Stewart will be narrating "A Soldier's Tale" by Stravinsky June 17- 19 and 23 with the San Francisco Symphony at its home venue in that city. Next, on July 21, he narrates for mezzo-soprano Susan Graham and pianist Emanuel Ax the Boston-area Tanglewood Music Festival production of Strauss' "Enoch Arden," a melodrama after Alfred Lord Tennyson. Two days later he will narrate a second Strauss production.

May 21st, he receives an honorary doctoral degree from the venerable Juilliard School in New York City. "The world has been enriched by your artistry and vision," the school mentioned in its letter to Stewart in announcing the honor. Last April, he received the American Theatre Wing award along with fellow actors Ossie Davis, Kevin Kline, Jason Robards and Sam Waterston. The honors selected by the same organization behind Broadway's Tony awards. These are the people who do the Tony awards for NY stage. Also this summer, listen for Stewart's narration of a documentary on the Panchen Lama for the International Campaign for Tibet, to be released this summer.

'Birth Of The Federation' Surprise
Christian (1:13 pm CST)
The Trek Gaming Alliance has just posted the rather surprising news that 'Birth of the Federation,' the upcoming turn-based strategy game from Microprose, will feature the Defiant- and Sovereign-Class starships! The reason this wasn't mentioned before is that Microprose/Hasbro weren't allowed by Paramount to use this in promoting the game, but their inclusion has been planned since day one.

Jonathan Frakes Directs UFO Comedy
Christian (1:12 pm CST)
AnotherUniverse's Daily Buzz is reporting that Jonathan Frakes (William T. Riker) is co-producing Roswell High, a 1950s-era comedy about three teenage aliens who survived the legendary UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico and went to high school there. The show originally started as a project for Fox, but will now air on the WB network. Besides Frakes, executive producers will include Jason Katims of 'The Pallbearer' and Lisa Olin, who was Frakes' assistant on 'Star Trek: First Contact.' This isn't the first time Frakes has been involved in a Roswell-related project - a few years ago he also presented the 'Beyond Belief: Alien Autopsy' specials on Fox.

More On 'Gene Roddenberry's Starship'
Christian (1:12 pm CST)
I'm currently kicking myself for not remembering this myself, but 'Michael Marek' at Cinescape has put up some extra info on the new 'Gene Roddenberry's Starship' series, which will feature a character named Dylan Hunt:

Dylan Hunt was the lead character in three made-for-TV movies in the 1970s made as pilots for a new Roddenberry TV series, [...] in which astronaut Dylan Hunt is accidentally stuck in suspended animation in Carlsbad Caverns and wakes up hundreds of years in the future, after a nuclear war. The planet has divided into many small states with many different cultural mores. Hunt gets tied up with a group called PAX which is working for peace and understanding. They have a futuristic "subshuttle" world-wide subway system that allows them to get around. Roddenberry indicated that with this concept, he could have Star Trek's "new civilizations" all while remaining on Earth of the future.

The main plot of Genesis II is mutants with two navels who seem to be good guys but are really bad guys. The head mutant was played by Mariette Hartley. Hunt was played by Alex Cord. [...] It sounds like Gene Roddenberry's Starship is a reworking of this subject, but set in space as opposed to on a single planet.

If, however, you have your own ideas on how the series should turn out, a special thread about this has been created at the Trek BBS - let the world know what you think here!

Raven E3 Pictures
Christian (1:09 pm CST)
Raven programmer Rick Johnson mentioned in his .plan file yesterday that he's posted some E3 pictures he took while he was attending last week's Electronic Entertainment Expo. Although most of the several dozen pictures he's posted don't have anything to do with Voyager, about five of them still show places such as the Activision Star Trek area or the actual Voyager game being demoed. You can find the full list of pictures by going here. Meanwhile, our reporter Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga is still hard at work writing up his own exclusive preview of the Voyager game, which should go up very soon indeed at our special E3 site.

Reviews From The Dark Side
Christian (1:09 pm CST)
In a rather hilarious move, the folks at DVD EXPRESS have hired a few of the 250 Star Wars fans currently camping in front of Mann's Chinese Theater:

The line of fans awaiting the May 19 premiere of ``Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace'' at Mann's Chinese Theater is steadily creeping toward the offices of DVD EXPRESS, just steps away on Hollywood Boulevard.

So, DVD EXPRESS (http://www.dvdexpress.com), the largest online video retailer, has enlisted its new neighbors as DVD movie reviewers for its Web site and dedicated a special ``Camp Star Wars'' tribute to these Jedi stalwarts. DVD EXPRESS has helped to arm the laptop computers of the fans in line with DVD-ROM drives as well as provide them with scores of DVD movies to watch while they wait.

Today on TV
Christian (1:08 pm CST)
-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the SciFi Channel will be showing 'The Corbomite Maneuver,' which was actually the first regular Original Series episode ever filmed.

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST, British Sky One will be showing the rather good DS9 episode 'Whispers.'

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Traumanalyse' (Phantasms) at 02:00 CET tomorrow morning. At 15:00 CET, they'll be showing 'Ort der Finsternis' (Dark Page).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:07 pm CST)
At the rate we're progressing now, we could very well reach 200 registered members before the month is over! Together with all the unregistered posters, everyone is participating actively in the discussions at the Trek BBS, talking about topics such as the following three:

-What are your thoughts on the recent announcement that Kevin 'Hercules' Sorbo will be starring in a Roddenberry series?

-Why Seven should get a new uniform. Are you sure you want to know?

-What are your thoughts on a new Trek series?

Find more interesting topics at the Trek BBS.

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:07 pm CST)
After five new site submissions yesterday, TrekSeek is now up to 1106 Star Trek sites. Check out two of the new sites:

-Star Trek: The Past Future --- Welcome Aboard USS Selina NCC-25796-A is a Chinese homepage introducing Star Trek, made by a Chinese living in Hong Kong. Stories, ships and characters information included. Unfortunately, as the Chinese language plug-in is required to view the site, I haven't got a clue if that's really what's on the site, but I'm sure it's good :-).
-The Cynics Corner Interactive provides Voyager and Deep Space Nine reviews with a cynical spin, and is a regular TrekToday source.

Find the other new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:06 pm CST)
We've (finally) put up a link to the TrekToday May archives, so if you were away for a few days you can see precisely what you missed by going here.

Star Trek Credits
Christian (2:22 pm CST)
David Henderson at Psi Phi certainly kept himself busy yesterday - he's put up no less than 4 credit lists, one for DS9 and three for Voyager. In the lists you'll be able to see precisely who worked on each episode, including all the actors and creative staff. So far, he's put up lists for DS9's Tacking Into The Wind, and for Voyager's Juggernaut, Someone To Watch Over Me and Relativity.

Tom Paris Speaks
Christian (2:21 pm CST)
The British 'Star Trek Monthly Magazine' recently interviewed Robert Duncan McNeill, and the Founders were so kind as to put up a transcript at the Great Link. The interview contains the rather interesting news that the Trek Typecasting problem seems to be over:

"The world of Star Trek, within the entertainment industry, is something of a deserted island, we certainly are a recognisable brand and viewers around the world know us very well, but I think it's very surprising that people in the industry we work in don't look at Star Trek actors with a whole lot [appreciation]...it doesn't mean the same thing as being on Friends or ER for five years, and I think the disparity is frustrating."

"I get really annoyed when I go for a meeting and the casting director or the producer or whatever says, 'So, tell me about yourself. What have you been doing?' And they have no idea. I'll say, 'I've been on Star Trek for five years,' and they're like, 'Oh wow, I haven't seen that!'. But you know what? The bottom line is, I don't really care what people in the industry think that much, because I know what we've done is great work. And when you look at the whole picture, I'm much happier that I've been able to do Star Trek: Voyager than most of the other shows I could think of. It's been a really great experience."

"So I'm very grateful to have been able to be a part of it. And hopefully we'll be able to do it for a lot longer."

Cynics Corner Reviews 'Tacking Into'
Christian (2:21 pm CST)
Incredibly, this is the *fifth* post in a row dealing in some part with 'Tacking Into The Wind' - are there still people left who haven't reviewed it yet? Even David E. Sluss at the Cynics Corner seems to like the episode, as he awards it a 9.3 and calls it the 'best DS9 episode in years.' Even so, he still found some problems with the episode:

DISCONTINUITY OF THE WEEK RUNNER-UP:
Has everyone on DS9's writing staff forgotten about Odo's need to regenerate? What's this about Odo "resting" by laying on a bunk? Since shape-shifting and maintaining other forms is accelerating the disease, and since Odo's humanoid shape is not his natural form, wouldn't it be best for Odo to remain liquid as much as possible, particularly at the end, when the fact that he has failed to fool Kira is revealed? Break out the bucket.

Ira Steven Behr Interview
Christian (2:20 pm CST)
The Great Link has put up a transcript of the recent interview with Ira Steven Behr in Starburst Magazine, in which he talks about the upcoming end of DS9. The interview contains one of the most positive interpretations I've heard about DS9's bad ratings:

DSN has been successful, but not as successful as TNG, Ira admits that : "...on one level it was frustrating, but I think we brought the cult back into Star Trek. There were people who liked The Next Generation who never struck me as Science Fiction fans, to tell you the truth. I think The Next Generation was a very accessible show, a very non-threatening show. I think that Deep Space Nine gave fans an opportunity to get on board, to have an interesting, unique experience. That's all we could try to do. Did we want to have more media coverage? Did we want The X-Files kind of thing? It would have been nice. But, ultimately [by not sitting directly in the spotlight and, therefore, not under quite as much constant scrutiny], we had a lot of creative freedom to do whatever we wanted. And Deep Space Nine was the better for it."

Lynch Reviews 'Tacking Into The Wind'
Christian (2:20 pm CST)
David Henderson at Psi Phi has put up Tim Lynch's review of 'Tacking Into The Wind,' the fifth Final Chapter episode:

Now that's more like it. I said last week that "When It Rains..." wasn't bad, but was somewhat padded in terms of setting for future material. Well, where "When It Rains..." was setup, "Tacking Into the Wind" is the beginning of the payoff, and as such is an episode where you're more likely to sit back and enjoy the ride. The episode isn't always as meaty as it might be, but it's tackling an awful lot.

'Warhead' and 'Equinox' Comments
Christian (2:19 pm CST)
NOTE: Below you'll find some spoilers for the last two Voyager episodes of this season. To avoid reading these spoilers, click here.

Again, click here to avoid being spoiled.

The Great Link has put up some comments by Voyager cast members about the two latest Voyager episodes of this season, 'Warhead' and 'Equinox.' First up is Garrett Wang speaking about 'Warhead:'

Warhead is about Kim being in command of the bridge during night shift, basically, he leads an Away Team to investigate this automated distress signal, and he finds this machine which turns out to be an intelligent bomb.

Physician, Heal Thyself
Christian (2:17 pm CST)
Reuters is reporting that Andy Dick, who starred as the EMH Mark 2 on Voyager's 'Message In A Bottle,' has been arrest on drunk driving and drug possession charges after his car crashed into a utility pole in an upscale section of Los Angeles.

Dick, 33, allegedly fled the scene of the accident Saturday but was later arrested and booked on charges of driving under the influence and possessing a controlled substance. He allegedly was in possession of cocaine and marijuana, a policewoman said.

Dick was released after posting $10,000 bail. A court appearance on the charges was set for May 25. He was driving through Hancock Park, an affluent section of Los Angeles when the accident occurred. The actor, known for his physical comedy and sarcastic wit, plays a bumbling reporter on "NewsRadio," a situation comedy set in an all-news radio station in New York City.

Warp 11 'Tacking Into The Wind' Review
Christian (2:17 pm CST)
Warp Eleven has put up Curt Holman's review of 'Tacking Into The Wind,' the sixth Final Chapter episode. Holman was very happy with the Klingon aspect of the show:

I've heard Star Trek critics call the fourth-season addition of Worf to DS9 a shamelessly commercial move. That seems a rather excessive complaint, to me: given the importance and popularity of Klingons in the Star Trek universe, adding the Starfleet officer is both logical and good business -- Vulcans and Ferengi alike would approve. (Adding a busty blonde in a skin-tight bodysuit that leaves nothing to the imagination -- now *that* would have been shameless. And I say that as one who appreciates 7 of 9 the character and Jeri Ryan the actress.)

For me, the best part about bringing Worf onto the show is that it's allowed Martok to be brought to the show. I find the one-eyed Klingon general to be the most likable Klingon on any Trek show. and he's one of my favorite characters on DS9. (Funny how so many of my best-liked characters aren't regulars but recurring ones like Dukat, Nog and Martok.) Not only is he supportive, unpretentious and good-humored, he's been able to bring Worf back into the Klingon fold, making Worf more interesting as well. When "The Way of the Warrior" introduced Worf and made him a Klingon outcast -- again -- it seemed a rerun of storylines we'd already seen on The Next Generation. Having him be a fussy, perfectionist bride groom struck me as a much moreinteresting use of Worf.

I'm A Doctor, Not An Emissary!
Christian (2:15 pm CST)
According to AnotherUniverse's Daily Buzz, Avery Brooks recently received an honorary Doctor of Theater Arts degree:

Deep Space Nine's Captain Sisko, Avery Brooks, was in Gary, IN, on Thursday to receive an honorary Doctor of Theater Arts degree from Indiana University-Northwest. His mother taught music and education there, and Brooks himself attended the college from 1966 to 1968.

Continuum 'Tacking Into...' Synopsis
Christian (2:15 pm CST)
The official Continuum has put up their synopsis of 'Tacking Into The Wind,' last week's new DS9 episode. If you missed the episode and still want to know what happened, this is probably your best bet - at least you'll know for certain you'll fully understand 'Extreme Measures.' Find the full synopsis here.

Auberjonois Critical About Season 7
Christian (2:14 pm CST)
In an interview which René Auberjonois (Odo) recently gave to the British 'Star Trek Monthly Magazine,' he's not very positive about the final Deep Space Nine season:

? "Am I pleased with season seven? I'm going to honest with you, not that I haven't always been honest with you, but I may have been more political,. Now that we're coming to the end, I'll be completely frank. I believe that an incredible chance has not been taken advantage of, and that was the opportunity to have a whole year to end a series after a very successful run. It's hard for me to imagine what the writers and producers would have written about if Terry Farrell had remained with the show [as Jadzia Dax]."

"For me, when you're in your seventh season and you're tired of the make-up, you've really investigated your character inside out and upside down and you love the fact that you're making the most money you ever made in your life and you're only asked to work one or two days a week, it's fine. You're still getting paid. You still have people loving your character. The work that you do get to do is interesting and challenging. I've been allowed to go off and do a lot of other things. [...] There is no resentment on my part that it hasn't been about Odo. This show has been plenty about Odo and I don't in any way feel that I've been overlooked."

"What's happened now is we suddenly have seven shows left to do and the producers have had to say 'Oh my God, we have to end this thing', and they're jamming the stories together. The scripts are much too long. I'm actually talking as a director now. I just did an episode [Strange Bedfellows] which was a full act too long. We shot a full day's more work than could ever be in the show because they're trying to jam the stories in, to wind them up."

Cinescape Spoils 'Extreme Measures'
Christian (2:13 pm CST)
For what is nearly the last time ever (just two more episodes to come), Michael Marek at Cinescape has put up his spoiler-packed report of DS9's 'Extreme Measures:'

Regular Cinescape contributor 'Michael Marek' returns with another of his spoiler-packed looks at this week's upcoming episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine titled "Extreme Measures." As you know, the series is in final approach to its series finale. If you would rather not know what's going to happen, move on to the next story by using the handy link. If you must know now, click here.

Today on TV
Christian (2:13 pm CST)
-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the Sci-Fi Channel will be showing the first-season TOS episode 'Dagger of the Mind.'

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST, British Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Armageddon.'

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Der Schachzug, Teil 2' (Gambit, Part Two) at 00:05 CET tomorrow morning. At 15:00 CET, they'll be showing 'Traumanalyse.' I'm currently unable to remember what it was called originally, and I can't find my episode guide. Sorry!

Trek BBS Today
Christian (2:12 pm CST)
I'm in a hurry, so just two Trek BBS discussions:

-Who would win in the ultimate battle between the Dominion and the Borg?

-Discuss Star Wars fan fiction.

More discussions can be participated in at the Trek BBS.

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (2:11 pm CST)
Yesterday four sites were submitted to TrekSeek, bringing it to 1104 sites. Check out 2 of the new sites:

-Joe's Trek Page is designed to keep you updated on information of the Dominion war, for those of you who missed an episode.
-The United Federation of Trekkers is a growing Star Trek fan club with lots of images and a news service!

Find more new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (2:07 pm CST)
Really Dumb Things You Shouldn't Do, Part One: Get on the bus, sit down, start to read a book, and notice fifteen minutes later that you're on the wrong bus! Aaaah!

'The Dogs Of War' Preview
Christian (1:10 pm CST)
Star Trek Interactive! has put up the trailers for 'The Dogs Of War,' the last regular Deep Space Nine episode ever. The preview is available as either an MPEG or an ASF video file, as an MP3 audio file, or as a zipped archive of images. There even is a mirror site available for faster downloading, which is good, as Star Trek Interactive itself seems to be extremely slow at the moment. Find the new preview here.

'Birth of the Federation' Best-Seller?
Christian (1:10 pm CST)
Matthew Smith just sent me a rather interesting bit of news about the upcoming turn-based strategy game from Microprose. According to the June issue of PC Gamer UK, 'Birth of the Federation' has entered the official sales top 20 at No. 9! Considering the game won't be arriving in stores for more than a week, I must say this is rather surprising - the only explanation I can think of is that thousands of people have already pre-ordered the game, which would certainly be good news. Matthew also mentioned that this new PC Gamer issue contains the 'PC Gamer Top 100 Awards of All Time,' which includes Microprose's 'Klingon Honour Guard' at No. 89:

The inevitable Startrek license made it in time for last Christmas, but felt a bit hurried as a consequence. Although nicely realised and plotted, its graphics are messy at times and the levels never quite live up to those of Unreal. It's better than Generations, and, thanks to the Klingon tie-in, has a good excuse for offering plenty of violence. Deeply intriguing, then, but could have been better.

Star Trek CCG Publisher Redesigns
Christian (1:10 pm CST)
Decipher, the publishers of the Star Trek Customizable Card Game, just finished a major redesign of their web site. Their branding the new site as being 'co-designed' by all the Decipher web fans:

We think you'll like Decipher.com (version 3.0, by the way) a lot. After all, you designed it. Well, we didn't actually sit down with each of you.... But we've been listening very closely to everything you've told us through Web site polls (the recent poll gave us 157 print pages of your comments), Message Board posts and emails to Decipher. We also examined our daily reports that tell us lots about your use of Decipher.com.

Ira Steven Behr Chat On Tuesday
Christian (1:09 pm CST)
This Tuesday, the official Continuum will be hosting a live chat with Ira Steven Behr, DS9' executive producer:

Ira Steven Behr
Tuesday , May 18th, 1999 03:30 PM (PT)
Ira Steven Behr (Executive Producer on ST:DS9) will be joining us at a special day and time to discuss the final episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine!

Ezri Dax Fact File
Christian (1:07 pm CST)
Daring deBoer has put up a transcript of the recent Ezri Dax article which appeared in Star Trek Fact Files, an official Paramount publication. The article includes a detailed description of Ezri Dax's life, but also contains several photos of scenes in which the ninth host of Dax appeared in. It's certainly useful if you're like me and haven't seen any of the 7th season episodes yet - the fact file tells you everything you might want to know about Ezri. You can find the article by going here.

Partial 'Equinox' Press Release
Christian (1:06 pm CST)
NOTE: Some minor spoilers for the Voyager season finale can be found below. Click here to avoid being spoiled.

Again, click here to avoid all spoilers.

Psi Phi has put up a partial press release for 'Equinox,' Voyager's season finale. Besides a listing of the show's creative staff and guest actors, the press release also contains a mini-synopsis of the episode:

Janeway meets the captain (John Savage) of a science vessel, also stranded in Delta Quadrant; Voyager crew members start to disappear.

Happy Birthday Yvonne Craig!
Christian (1:06 pm CST)
Today is the 62nd birthday of Yvonne Craig, the actress best known for her role as Batgirl on the 'Batman' television series. She also appeared on the Star Trek original series episode 'Whom Gods Destroy' as Marta, the mad Orion slave girl, a role for which she is still fondly remembered by Trek fans over the world. However, she herself also likes to keep in touch with her fans, which is why she provided TrekToday a few days ago with a personal message to all her Star Trek fans:

"Thanks so much for all your support through the years and your continued interest in the Star Trek series and the character that I played - little did I know as I was being painted green each morning for the "Marta" scenes, that some 30 years later this character would still be a favorite of some of the fans - It's not easy being green (as a frog from Sesame Street once told me), but you have certainly made it much easier for me - THANKS".

Today on TV
Christian (1:05 pm CST)
-Tomorrow at 17:00 BST, British television station Sky One will be showing DS9's 'The Alternate.'

-Tomorrow at 15:00 CET, German television station Sat.1 will be showing TNG's 'Der Schachzug, Teil 2' (Gambit, Part Two)

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:05 pm CST)
As usual, Sunday is a rather busy day at the Trek BBS, as you can see from the many new threads that have appeared:

-There is no argument about the fact that Trek is rapidly loosing popularity. The ratings are going down with each new season, and Insurrection's performance at the box office wasn't exactly stellar. Does Trek still have a chance or is it dying?

-Why is this the last season of Deep Space Nine? Wouldn't a seventh season have been possible?

-In a move which probably isn't politically correct, we look at the best-looking women in Voyager.

Of course, if you object to the above thread you can always add a 'Best Looking Men' thread to the Trek BBS - remember, no registration is required!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:03 pm CST)
And WOOHOO! TrekSeek has reached 1100 sites, once again showing that we're truly the largest, most accessible Star Trek search engine on the net. Check out 3 of the 11 new sites that were added yesterday:

-From the pen of Chris Gregory has details of the new Star Trek book, Star Trek: Parallel Narratives, which dissects the whole phenomenon! Sections on mythological, psychological, political and social themes in Star Trek. Emphasis on how development of new Trek series influenced by evolution of writing team.
-Adventures of the USS Phantom chronicles the on-going adventures of the ship and crew of the USS Phantom. Features crew bios and a whole new ship class.
-BarFleet Academy is a Star Trek Parody sim. They allow you to blow up the warp core and act like an idiot unlike other online RPGs.

Find the other new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:03 pm CST)
There is an *incredibly* small amount of news today - I had to search for hours to come up with the little news you see here above, and some news items wouldn't even have made it to TrekToday on a normal day. It really makes me fear for hiatus - I wonder how much news there'll be then...

Yesterday was the 2nd day of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, and our reporter Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga had a great day! He met with the development teams of 'Armada,' 'Voyager: Elite Force' and 'Insurrection,' and he was extremely enthusiastic about these three games. He'll be writing up detailed reports over the coming week, but you might perhaps be interested in the following preliminary release dates:

'Insurrection' - 11/99.

'Armada' 12/99 or 1/2000, though the game is ahead of schedule (the voice-overs from Patrick Stewart have already been taped!)

'Voyager: Elite Force' 3/2000.

Even though the meetings with the development teams were absolutely fascinating, the highlight of the day was clearly his meeting with Nicole deBoer, who was promoting the DS9 - The Fallen game at E3. Nicole deBoer was kind enough to write down a special personal message to all her fans on the internet, which you can find by going here. Also, don't forget to check back often at our main E3 site, as Jeff Koga will be adding lots of new exclusive previews soon!

Insurrection Rental Video Copy-Protected
Christian (1:46 pm CST)
Amos Painter just sent me a mail which will not be welcomed as good news by 'Insurrection' fans:

I discovered in the process of trying to make a copy of ST:I I rented that it incorporates the current Paramount Copy Protection (i.e.: Fading Light to Dark, and red tint), so any fan who wants a homemade copy to hold you over until ST:I goes retail, sorry.

New Communicator Focuses On DS9's End
Christian (1:45 pm CST)
Gustavo Leao just pointed me to a page describing the new issue of the Star Trek Communicator, the magazine of the Official Star Trek Fan Club. Take a look at what the new issue has in store for you:

Bon Voyage DS9 Part One
So much to talk about as Deep Space Nine bids adieu in June that we have to start now...by gleaning the memories and feelings of FIFTEEN of the series' vaunted supporting cast..with even more to come next month.

The Last Days Of Dax
Christian (1:43 pm CST)
NOTE: The below update *could* contain some minor spoilers for DS9's Final Chapter - it all depends on how many episodes you have already seen. If you really want to be on the safe side, I'd advise you to click here to move on to the next update.

Again, click here to avoid being spoiled.

Daring deBoer (which used to be 'Obsessive Attitudes: Nicole deBoer') has re-printed an article which first appeared in the June issue fo Starlog magazine, entitled 'The Last Days of Dax.' The article contains a rather amusing part dealing with the Ezri/Bashir relationship:

deBoer speaks highly of both Dorn and Siddig, but her conversation about them quickly shifts in another direction. "Michael and Sid are different guys. Very different," deBoer says, chuckling. "I've really just started doing my stuff with Sid now. In all honesty, I forgot the many, many scenes I had with Sid over the season. I guess I was thinking they were going to go with Ezri and Worf. I wasn't thinking at all about a relationship with Julian. So, I had all these scenes with Julian and I just assumed it was a friendship. That's the way I always played it."

"When I was doing the scenes with Worf, where we were in prison together, I asked the writers, 'So, what's going to happen?' Whenever they tell me anything, they have a little smile on their faces. They said, 'Well, you guys are going to get together, but not for very long. You'll find that you're just friends. Your true love hasn't come along yet. He's coming up.' I was like, 'Who?! Who is it?!' But they wouldn't tell me. Once I realized they were really going to put Ezri and Julian together, I wondered. 'Well, have we ever shown any chemistry in the past?' Then I looked back on the episodes and remembered how many scenes Ezri actually had with Julian."

The full article has deBoer talking about the upcoming end of DS9, but also includes several pictures taken from Starlog - go check it out!

No Alpha Quadrant For Voyager
Christian (1:42 pm CST)
Leonard Schuurmans at Warp Eleven has opened a special Voyager Year 6 Rumour section, which immediately kicks of with a rather interesting convention report by Daniel McNairn:

I was at a Convention in Melbourne Australia today and the guest was Garrett Wang. He said from the Season 6 stories he has seen so far, Voyager doesn't get back to the Alpha Quadrant yet. His opinion is that Paramount will use the Delta Quadrant all it can before they go back. Also he confirmed the rumor that Kate Mulgrew wanted to leave the series because of her family. but every time he asked her she kept changing her mind one minute she was leaving the next she wasn't. But he said the last time he asked she was staying.

'Get A Life!' Excerpt
Christian (1:42 pm CST)
The official William Shatner Connection has put up an excerpt of William Shatner's latest book - 'Get A Life.' The transcript begins with him declaring his love for airplanes:

A lot of people really love to fly. Go to any airport, in any city, on any day, and you can't help but spot them, skipping playfully along the moving sidewalks, whistling as they check their bags, always making sure they arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departure. Kids, adults, old people, these happy passengers come in all shapes and sizes. Inside the flight cabin, you'll invariably find them sitting in their assigned seats, buckled securely, smiling, sipping slowly at their little plastic cups full of 7-Up. They are courteous, well-behaved, and cheerful at all times. They keep their tray tables in the upright and locked position, and they'd never dream of causing a moment's trouble for their flight attendants. They're the lively, life-of-the-party people who'll brighten your flight by yelling "He-e-e-e-e-ere we go-o-o-o" as you take off, and later, launch into an appreciative round of applause as you land.

These people make me sick, and I'd like to personally smack every one of them in the head.

Leonard Nimoy Chat Transcript
Christian (1:41 pm CST)
In case you missed last Thursday's live chat with Leonard Nimoy (Spock) at the Continuum, they've just put up the full chat transcript. Take a look at a few of the more interesting quotes:

Derek asks:
I heard you were given a chance to be in Star Trek: Generations, but that you refused. Why?

Leonard Nimoy:
I was actually asked to direct the picture as well as appear in it. Sadly, I had a difference of opinion regarding the story, and there really wasn't a specific Spock role for me to play, so I had to forego both.

Nameless (my chat disguise) asks:
Have you ever considered visiting one of the Star Trek chat rooms? I think it would be interesting to have some of the TOS cast around for the trivia sessions in the Academy Lounge.

Leonard Nimoy:
I visited one of the chats some years ago and found it frustrating because nobody believed I was really there.

Danwheels asks:
Hello Mr. Nimoy, great to talk to you! My Question is: I am a phyically challenged confined to a wheelchair. Do you think total equality for people will ever happen as it has done in the Trek universe?

Leonard Nimoy:
The most compelling ST episode dealing with this issue was the one in which Spock hijacks the Enterprise to take the injured Capt. Pike to the forbidden Thalos IV planet where he can live a full mental existance. The Menagerie. I had this conversation with Stephen Hawking. The issue and question is, when will science catch up with science fiction? Perhaps one day all of the wonderful concepts which have been developed by imaginative writers will be fulfilled by equally talented scientists. After all, the idea of space travel and moon landings came from the writers first and the science followed.

The Continuum: Andrew Robinson
Christian (1:41 pm CST)
Deborah Fisher at the Star Trek Continuum has put up an interview with Andrew Robinson (Garak). Actually, it was apparently put up on the 30th of April, but since I haven't read about it anywhere yet I thought I'd post about it here as well :-). The interview even contains some info on his new book - 'Garak's Memoirs:'

Robinson is writing Garak's memoirs. "One of the things that got me writing was talking with fans who love to talk to me about my character. I got tired of repeating things, like explaining makeup, and wanted to do something different. I started writing Garak's memoirs as if they written by him, finding areas of life that interested me. When I started reading them at conventions, it was enormously popular. [Writer] David George [DS9 novel #23, The 34th Rule, written with Armin Shimerman and Eric Stillwell] urged me to contact Pocket Books and now I'm writing this book about Garak."

Robinson says he's been pleased to find that exploring Garak on paper offers some of the same rewards he's tapped exploring Garak for the screen. "I am really able to use who I am to bring this character to life. On one hand, I have to try and think of a totally alien culture in order to write about Garak's family and friends, but I still have to use my own emotional experiences or else what the hell am I going to write about?"

Avery Brooks Narrates New DVD
Christian (1:40 pm CST)
A company press release from SlingShot Entertainment mentions that they'll soon be bringing out the IMAX-film 'The Greatest Places' on DVD. The film was produced by the Science Museum of Minnesota and takes you on a journey to seven of the most geographically dynamic locations on Earth, including the Amazon, Greenland, Iguazu Falls, Namib Desert, Okavango, Tibet and Madagascar. Interestingly, Avery Brooks (Benjamin Sisko) narrated the DVD, which should make it interesting for Trek fans as well. Find more in the full press release.

Today on TV
Christian (1:40 pm CST)
-Tomorrow at 16:00 BST, British television station Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Rivals,' followed an hour later by Voyager's 'Prototype.'

- Tomorrow morning at 10:45 CET, the German Sat.1 will be repeating Voyager's 'Tag der Ehre' (Day of Honour)

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:40 pm CST)
An interesting development at the Trek BBS is that threads seem to get longer and longer - which is good, as that also means the discussions are getting more in-depth! Check out three of the current discussions:

-In our Web Design forum, we discuss the use of CGI in Star Trek sites.

-What do you think about the new Phantom Menace soundtrack?

-Now that it has been confirmed that Ron Moore will join the Voyager staff, what are the implications of this move?

Feel free to add other new topics to the Trek BBS!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:39 pm CST)
With 5 new sites yesterday, TrekSeek now has a total of 1090 Star Trek sites in its database. Check out two of those new sites:

-The Official Marc Alaimo Fan Club is the only officially sanctioned web site devoted to versatile character actor Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat).

-USS Proteas Database Terminal is a well-designed LCARS general Database about Stafleet, its ships, all known Federation planets, and more.

Find the other three new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:39 pm CST)
This afternoon, I was checking my mail when suddenly I noticed it had become strangely silent. I started to wonder precisely what it was that had stopped making noise, when I realized it was my pc's fan! Of course, I nearly had a heart attack as I envisioned my computer melting down, so I quickly hit the top of the computer - that used to work with my old television as well, after all.

Well, it did. The fan started humming again, and I sank back in my chair... for about five seconds, when the thing stopped again. I hit it another time, and again the fan started working for another five seconds. Of course, I still had to start on updating TrekToday, and all my files were on this pc! So, I quickly got a disk, and started copying all the relevant files to that disk, all the time slamming my computer every five seconds. After about 20 slams, the thing stopped working altogether, but fortunately I had already copied all the files to disk.

I'm updating the site from another computer now, so all is well again. If I'm slow in answering mail today, though, you know the reason...

Yesterday, our reporter Jeff 'Koganuts' Koga had his first day at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the biggest gaming event of the year. Over the coming week, he'll be writing up detailed previews of most of the games on the show, but he has already uploaded the report of his first day:

Well, Day One of E3 has passed and I was able to survive the madness that is E3. Every other year, this (dare I use the word) "titanic" gaming convention, arguably the largest of its kind, is held in Los Angeles at the LA Convention Center.

He then goes on to talk about his experiences during the day, and even includes a mini-preview of the upcoming 'Deep Space Nine: The Fallen' game:

From what I saw of the game, I was rather impressed by the graphics and the sound. They certainly did capture the flavor of the show's gritty nature rather accurately, from the various corridors on the station, to an ore processing plant, to a Bajoran pagh wraith temple.

In the single player game, while you will only be able to play as Sisko, Kira, or Worf, you will still be able to interact with many of the other characters on the series. And that doesn't just mean the main cast, which includes Odo, Jadzia Dax (not Ezri, since this game takes place in the sixth season), O'Brien, Quark, and Bashir, but also many of the supporting cast, such as Garak, Admiral Ross, Kai Winn, Weyoun, and Dukat.

The full report contains lots more on this, including the news that there will be a special bonus level featuring Garak and Dukat! Find the full report here, and remember to check back often at our main E3 site for the latest reports. We've also included a handy sub-menu right here at TrekToday, so you'll always be able to see when we've added new stuff!

Activision Game Previews
Christian (2:02 pm CST)
As part of our exclusive E3 Coverage, we've put up a pre-show preview of all the games currently in development by Activision. In the preview, we look at the real-time strategy game 'Armada,' the first-person shooter 'Voyager: Elite Force' and the adventure game 'Insurrection.' Take a look at how our Armada preview begins:

'Star Trek: Armada' is the first real-time strategy game set in the 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' universe. After the failed 'First Contact' game from Microprose, it's also the first game to heavily feature the Borg. In the game, a starship from the future has materialized to warn of the latest Borg threat. You are in charge of the fleets of the Federation, Klingon, Romulan and Borg ships that will wage this epic battle. Build starships, construct space stations, and research special weapons to lead your side to victory. Along the journey you will survive a Klingon civil war, Romulan subterfuge and the Borg's search for perfection.

Yet Another 'Insurrection' Review
Christian (1:43 pm CST)
Peter Stack at the San Francisco Chronicle has put up a review of 'Insurrection,' which appeared on video this week. I really don't want to put up yet another quote of such a review - if you're still interested, you can read the entire review here.

Ron D. Moore Says Goodbye To DS9
Christian (1:31 pm CST)
TrekWeb has re-posted a message by Ronald D. Moore, which he first posted on AOL yesterday. In it, he says goodbye to the third Star Trek series:

Yes, it's true. I've signed on for a two-year tour of duty aboard the starship Voyager and as you read this, I'm sitting down to write my first script for Janeway and the gang. I'll be happy to talk about Voyager and to answer your questions, before I get into all that, let me say a few words about the end of one of my favorite television shows, Deep Space Nine.

[...]

I loved Deep Space Nine. I loved the people I worked with and I loved the world that we all created. It was a special show and a unique experience for me as a writer and as a person. I look back on it with a sense of pride at what we accomplished and with regret that all good things must come to an end.

I hope that you, the viewers, have enjoyed watching the episodes half as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you. Thank you for your long support and patronage of our show -- without you there would've been no DS9.

Peldor Joi,
Ronald D. Moore
Co-Executive Producer
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

The Secured Channel Issue 19
Christian (1:26 pm CST)
Daryus Aden has sent out issue 19 of the Secured Channel, the official newsletter of the TrekZone Network. Take a look at what this issue has in store for you:

Hi folks, I've been very busy the last couple of weeks, assignments etc due in, exams 3 weeks off, moving house, buying a car...the list goes on! Ok, this issue we have more in depth info on the DS9 finale arc and the closing of voyager, as well as a new affiliate site Star Trek Australia. It's all in there, so, I suggest we get reading!

Insurrection 'Destined For Sick Bay'
Christian (1:26 pm CST)
A review by Andrew Meeson for the Canadian Globe and Mail speaks rather negatively about 'Insurrection,' the ninth Trek feature which was recently released on DVD:

For those still counting, this is the ninth Star Trek movie. It's also the ninth time Hollywood has failed to even come close to producing a film that's as satisfying as some of the episodes of the TV series.Maybe the movies' creators feel they have to justify the bigger budget, or try to attract non-Star Trek fans with a simplistic story. Whatever the reason, Insurrection is just another lacklustre instalment of the big-screen Trek formula: bigger explosions, better special effects and flimsier scripts.

Autobiographical Whitney Movie?
Christian (1:25 pm CST)
A news report at Express News talks about a Star Trek convention which will take place in San Antonio this weekend, and which will be attended by René Auberjonois (Odo), Robert Picardo (The Doctor) and Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand). Included in the report is the news that a movie version of her autobiography may soon be appearing:

Paramount has, according to Whitney, given her their permission to have her autobiography made into a "movie of the week". "I'm trying to get Leonard Nimoy to direct it," she said. "I would love Heather Locklear to play me."

'Trekkies' To Open On 330 Screens
Christian (1:25 pm CST)
The official site of the 'Trekkies' Documentary has some news on the upcoming release of the documentary:

Trekkies, the feature film about "Star Trek" fans, will be released in North America on May 21 on approximately 330 screens. Paramount will expand the release to other markets if the fans support the film. HELP SPREAD THE WORD!!

Cynics Corner 'Relativity' Preview
Christian (1:24 pm CST)
David E. Sluss at the Cynics Corner Interactive (yes, new name) has put up his review of Wednesday's new Voyager episode, 'Relativity.' Check out his first comment about the episode:

QUOTABLE OF THE WEEK:
The Doctor, upon learning that temporal anomalies were making the crew (and viewers) sick: "I was beginning to suspect some kind of anomaly." Ha! On that ship, anomalies should always be the prime suspect. On a related note, I had to smile when Doc noticed that the clocks in the mess hall and sickbay showed different times. Normal people would assume that the clocks were simply set differently; Voyager people, naturally, assume a temporal anomaly is to blame.

Target 5" Exclusives Wave II
Christian (1:24 pm CST)
The Raving Toy Maniac is reporting that the 'Data in Movie Uniform' and 'Seven of Nine' Target Exclusives have begun arriving in stores. As you may recall, there will be 5 Seven of Nine figures for each 3 Datas, so Seven of Nine fans should be able to find enough figures. More news can be found by visiting the Raving Toy Maniac's news page - it also includes news of a special contest sponsored by Viacom which I unfortunately forgot to report on a few days ago.

Starburst Previews DS9 Finale
Christian (1:22 pm CST)
The latest issue of Starburst Magazine (issue 250!) contains a rather huge feature on the DS9 finale, 'What You Leave Behind.' The people at Starburst have been so kind as to include a small preview of their feature, which has DS9 executive producer Ira Steven Behr talking about the finale:

"I think that the idea is to finish the story that we started in the pilot (Emissary). That's the overall thought behind the final two-hour episode," explains Behr, who has been with DSN since its inception, first as a writer, then as a writer-producer, and finally as its executive producer and day-to-day guiding force. Sisko's [Avery Brooks] arc is the story of a man who came to an assignment, on a space station, that he was not too happy with, who then got slowly sucked into not only the life of the station, but the life of Bajor. He became the Emissary of the Prophets and basically discovered that this assignment he did not want was the most important assignment in the Alpha Quadrant.

"What You Leave Behind finishes up that story. What I wanted to do, what I thought would be nice, was to have a final episode that, if the only two episodes of DSN you watched were the pilot and the final two-hour episode – even though there would be things that obviously would not make sense in the specific – it would make sense overall. Overall, you would get it. You'd get that there was a beginning and now there is an end. So, What You Leave Behind is the end.".

Washington Post 'Insurrection' Review
Christian (1:22 pm CST)
Michael O'Sullivan has written a mini-review of 'Star Trek: Insurrection' for the Washington Post:

Playing on the time-tested (if by now a bit shopworn) formula that has proved so successful since Gene Roddenberry first created the TV series, "Star Trek: Insurrection" follows the crew of the Starship Enterprise to a remote planet inhabited by a race of well-groomed humanoids living in a climate not unlike Northern California. There, Captain Kirk -- I mean Picard (Patrick Stewart) -- gets to cuddle with a leggy alien in pink lip gloss while wrestling with his conscience and the eternal question of whether to violate the "prime directive" of non-interference. It's a safe but satisfying sci-fi security blanket that die-hard trekkies will undoubtedly love. Contains oblique references to hanky- panky and breasts.

Trek Ratings Reports
Christian (1:21 pm CST)
The Star Trek Nielsen Ratings Information Database has put up three new Star Trek ratings reports. The first one deals with the rather bad national ratings for Voyager's '11:59:'

"11:59" performed extremely poorly for Voyager last week, dropping to a fairly pathetic 3.2 rating, ranking 92nd. That's even down from "Someone to Watch Over Me"'s disappointing 3.4 mark last week. This showing was also down quite a bit from last year's "Demon" which tallied a 3.8. Voyager was firmly stuck in 6th place for its timeslot, lagging far behind the #5 show, "Charmed," which earned a 3.9. With the WWF special out of the lineup, Voyager easily reclaimed the #1 UPN spot.

'Hercules' Leaves For Roddenberry Series
Christian (1:21 pm CST)
After rumours had been going on for the past few months, Hercules star Kevin Sorbo has officially announced he will be leaving 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.' However, in a rather more surprising move his next project will be a new series developed by the late Gene Roddenberry, and produced by Majel Barrett Roddenberry and the Tribune Entertainment Company:

Tribune Entertainment Company, Majel Barrett Roddenberry and international television star Kevin Sorbo (``Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'') have announced an agreement to develop the science- fiction/action hour television programs ``Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda'' and ``Gene Roddenberry's Starship'' (both working titles) based upon works from the late ``Star Trek'' creator's archives. The projects, one of which will ultimately star Mr. Sorbo, are being developed for Fall 2000 and further expand Tribune Entertainment's ongoing initiative to increase its growing portfolio of programming and its leading role in building upon the world renowned Gene Roddenberry brand. Mr. Sorbo, Dick Askin, president and chief executive officer of Tribune Entertainment, and Ms. Roddenberry jointly made the announcement today.

Today on TV
Christian (1:20 pm CST)
-Tomorrow at 16:00 BST, British television station Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Sanctuary,' followed an hour later by Voyager's 'Resistance.' Thanks go out to the Television Observation Unit of the Star Trek Collective for this.

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be showing Voyager's 'Tag der Ehre' (Day of Honour) tonight at 19:15 CET. Tomorrow morning at 03:15 CET they'll be repeating TNG's 'Der Schachzug, Teil 1' (Gambit, Part One).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:20 pm CST)
Here's a random sampling of the best discussions currently taking place at the Trek BBS:

-The Adventures of Robert April. How would you like such a series?

-Was introducing the Dominion a mistake?

-So, who has tickets for the Phantom Menace already? Not me, in any case - I'll have to wait until September when the movie makes its way to the Netherlands :-(.

Find more topics at the Trek BBS, and feel free to add your own topics - remember, registration isn't even required!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:20 pm CST)
With just two site submissions yesterday, TrekSeek is still moving rather slowly. Take a look at one of those new sites:

-The Federation Starship Datalink has a complete database of all starship classes and ships of the Federation, images, fanart, pages for the Enterprise, Voyager, Defiant, DS9 and more.

Find the other new site here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:19 pm CST)
We had a great response to the opening of our E3 site yesterday - thanks to all of you who wrote in to compliment on the site! Today the first reports directly from E3 itself were actually put up - don't forget to read Jeff's report of the first E3 day, as it contains some all-new info on the upcoming Deep Space Nine adventure game. We'll be adding more exclusive reports to the E3 site over the coming week - don't forget to check back often.

Witt Reviews 'Tacking Into The Wind'
Christian (2:45 pm CST)
Ted Witt has put up his review of DS9's 'Tacking Into The Wind.' Take a look at how he starts his analysis:

All in all, nicely done. The arc finally has the finish line in sight--the death of Gowron and ascension of Martok makes for some dramatic storytelling, and gives the final chapter a sense of the beginning of the end. Granted, this angle is a "bit" forced, appearing out of nowhere last week, and suddenly wrapping up this week, and is a bit predictable (camera shot through giant glass map of ship movement just screams "break me!") But I found myself enjoying it, despite my general dislike of Klingon episodes.

But I can easily put my finger on WHY I liked it. Ezri's speech. In a simple, yet direct bit of counselling, Ezri spells out her view how the Klingon empire is weak and dieing: can Worf name a Chancellor that he is able to call honorable? Can the Klingons really be fighting a war where the alpha quadrant itself is at sake, and Gowron is more concerned about the potential poltical rival in Martok? It's over the top, yes, but so out-of-the blue, so direct, and so bloody accurate that it really helped capture this particular klingon story. And when we think back, what have been the compelling klingon stories: the klingon civil war (the house of duras conspiring with romulans), worf losing and regaining his honor, a changeling Gowron (why replace the original when its bad enough!), more of the Sisters of Duras ST: Generations). It may be a bit pedantic in the execution--but it makes for a compelling and exciting drama in the midst of the war at large. I for one, am happy to see Martok (a great character from the beginning) finally in command...

New Sev Trek Competition
Christian (2:40 pm CST)

John Cook has uploaded a new edition of the Sev Trek Competition:

Barf's Prune juice addiction!
Why does Barf so enjoy such a foul, sour drink? Probably because of his foul, sour personality!

Ultimate PC Reviews BotF
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
Paul Weaver, former webmaster of FedCom, just sent me the news that the Ultimate PC magazine printed a review of Microprose's 'Birth of the Federation, which they awarded no less than 91%:

This is a superb title from Microprose, and as one of the final titles from them before Activision's exclusive licensing deal comes into effect, 'Birth of the Federation' surely rates as one of the best Star Trek games ever.

Mania 'Tacking Into The Wind' Review
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
Michelle Erica Green at Mania has put up her (rather positive) review of DS9's 'Tacking Into The Wind.' She was especially impressed by the Odo-story

The final shot of Kira holding a ravaged Odo was heartbreaking; I'm anticipating needing hankies the next few weeks, even though I'd bet money that Odo will be cured by Bashir and will in turn cure his people despite their misdeeds. Next week's a make-or-break episode for Deep Space Nine; Sisko actually said the word "genocide" in the preview, and I want to know how these nice Starfleet officers are going to react when they learn that a group of their own has committed an atrocity greater than anything the Cardassians did to the Bajorans, greater than anything the Dominion did to any of its members. It's hideous - we've seen that in the tatters of Odo's body - and it's appalling on a level so deep that nothing Winn and Dukat might do, nothing the Breen might do, nothing the Jem'Hadar might do can possibly compete. I hope it's handled superbly.

Jeri Ryan Talk Show Pics
Christian (2:03 pm CST)
The Official Jeri Lynn Ryan Homepage has put up 14 screencaps of yesterday' appearance by Jeri Ryan (Voyager, Seven of Nine) on the Howie Mandel Show, the soon-to-be cancelled Paramount talk show. As usual, they mostly show Jeri Ryan smiling at the camera, but there are also some shots from Voyager included. You can find the full set of images here.

William Shatner Book Signings
Christian (2:01 pm CST)
The Continuum has put up a list of upcoming book signings by William Shatner (James T. Kirk), which will all take place in May. The book signings have been organized to promote his new fan book 'Get A Life!,' which he wrote together with Chris Kreski. Find the locations and dates of the three book signings here.

Leonard Nimoy Chat Today
Christian (2:01 pm CST)
Today, the Continuum will be hosting a live chat with Leonard Nimoy (Spock). The chat begins at 06:30pm Pacific Time, though advance questions can already be submitted here. If you want to know how you can participate you can find info on that here.

Mania Reviews 'Relativity'
Christian (1:59 pm CST)
Michelle Erica Green at AnotherUniverse's Mania Magazine has put up a review of yesterday's new Voyager episode, 'Relativity.' As usual, she is able to find some points to criticize:

I enjoyed this story, just as I enjoyed it the first time I encountered it, in Vonda McIntyre's The Entropy Effect - the very first Star Trek novel from Pocket Books and one of the finest. In that book Spock chased a madman from the future whose double in the past had created a device similar to Captain Braxton's, causing similar chaos among past and present crews. Having read that novel, it was entirely too easy to predict all the twists and turns of this inferior copy, like Braxton himself becoming the psychotic saboteur. Still, it was fun to see Janeway wear the bun of steel again...and if it was less-than-fun to see Seven hailed again as the only person capable of setting the universe right, I guess that's the way it goes on this series.

Other than the blatant theft of a previously better-told story - hardly a new problem on Voyager, which gets most of its watchable episodes by recycling the previous Treks - my main criticisms of "Relativity" have to do with that pesky continuity issue. On the one hand, it was really nice to see Joe Carey for the first time in four years. On the other hand, the only thing we ever learned about Joe Carey (other than that Torres broke his nose in "Parallax") was that he had a wife and two sons he wanted to get home to, so badly that in "Prime Factors" he helped steal the Sikarian trajector to make an attempt. Here, he spends most of his screen time hitting on Seven of Nine. What's the point in resurrecting a character from the past if the writers are going to turn him into a different person?

Final 2 Voyager Episodes
Christian (1:59 pm CST)
NOTE: Below you'll find info on the final two Voyager episodes of this season, 'Warhead' and 'Equinox.' Click here to avoid reading these spoilers.

Again, below you'll find major 'Warhead' and 'Equinox' spoilers. Click here to avoid.

Michael Iversen at the Universe has received one page of the script for 'Warhead,' next week's new Voyager episode. It's page 23, and deals with the first time B'Elanna Torres and Harry Kim realize the Doctor has been taken over by the artificial intelligence inside the Warhead. You can read precisely what happens then on the actual script page.

Furthermore, the Universe has received a little note about the 'Equinox' reshoots:

The new scenes involve (mostly) one of the characters from the ship "Equinox". Her name is Gilmore, and she meets Naomi, and helps Chakotay decrypt some files and such.

'Strange Bedfellows' Ratings
Christian (1:57 pm CST)
It appears that even DS9's Final Chapter isn't bringing in much higher ratings, according to a report written by Cynthia Littleton for Variety. The report deals with the syndicated ratings for the week which ended the 2nd of May, which was the week when 'Strange Bedfellows' aired. Take a look at how DS9 performed:

``Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' upticked 2% from the previous week to a 4.2 in households, but its demo score fell 6% to a 2.9.

'Relativity' Overnight Ratings
Christian (1:57 pm CST)
The Universe just posted the overnight ratings for yesterday's new Voyager episode, 'Relativity:'

The overnight ratings is in, and Voyager did a lot better than last week. Voyager got a 6.1/9, thats up 0.5 from last week. Voyager was 5th for the hour, beating WB;s Charmed that got a 5.6/8.

A final rating would be around 3.6 - 4.1. Note that UPN can only be seen in 70% of USA, so if the rating is low, then there is a good reason for it. Just think about it, Someone To Watch Over Me got a 3.4 - now if that was 97% like DS9, then its rating would have been 4.7. 7 Days got a 3.8/6, thats down 0.2 from last weeks episode. Because of 7 Days "low" rating, then UPN was 6th for the night. (It's a normal rating for 7 days)

Takei Speaks At Money Meeting
Christian (1:57 pm CST)
A press release from State Farm Insurance Companies mentions that George Takei will be a special guest speaker at a reception which will be held tonight dealing with a new money management programs aimed at Asian-Americans. At the event, a new magazine (the ``A. Magazine's Guide to Asian American Money Power'') will be launched, which will help Asian-Americans with their fincancial planning. Check out the full press release for more.

Wil Wheaton On Star Wars 'TV'
Christian (1:56 pm CST)
A press release distributed via Entertainment Wire is reporting that Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher) will be making an appearance on CountdownTV, an Internet TV channel created by the Star Wars fans camping out in front of Hollywood's Mann's Chinese Theater:

Wheaton, who played Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation, will appear on the In Line with Kiki show at 5 p.m.-7 p.m. PST on www.CountdownTV.com to discuss the upcoming Star Wars film and the characteristics of the different Star Wars and Star Trek genres.

Today on TV
Christian (1:56 pm CST)
-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the Sci-Fi Channel will be showing the first-season TOS episode 'Miri.'

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST, Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Second Sight.'

-Tomorrow at 15:00 CET, German television station Sat.1 will be showing TNG's 'Der Schachzug, Teil 1' (Gambit, Part One)

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:55 pm CST)
Take a look at two of the most interesting discussions currently taking place at the Trek BBS:

-What do you think about the Starship Relativity from yesterday's new Voyager episode?

-Yridian has posted an excellent review of DS9's new 'Tacking Into The Wind.' Read the review and discuss the episode here.

Find more topics at the Trek BBS, or feel free to add new topics.

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:55 pm CST)
Ho hum. We had just one site submission at TrekSeek yesterday, which certainly isn't the way we like it. This is that one new site:

-StarBase 623 has wallpapers, themes, wavs, links, and computer programs of all things Trek.

Find more new sites in the listing of last week's new sites.

Hello World!
Christian (1:51 pm CST)
Wow, I'm late! But fortunately I have a good reason to be, as I spent all day creating our E3 Coverage Site. Over there, we'll be providing you with reports of what's happening at the biggest gaming expo of the year, previews of the latest Star Trek games, and interviews with game developers. Already now we have a few mini-previews up, which were written by yours truly and even include a few all-new screenshots.

Starting sometime this evening (US Time), the absolutely wonderful Jeff Koga will start uploading his reports, as he is actually the person who is currently walking around at E3. Major thanks go out to Jeff for agreeing to report about the conference for us - there are few things I have ever appreciated more!

Special thanks should also go out to Leonard Schuurmans, webmaster of Warp Eleven, who created the fabulous logo and most of the lay-out of our E3 site.

Go check it out, and please let me know what you think!

[Update 21:55 CET:] Ho hum. It appears people using Netscape will miss the first few lines of the text at the E3 site. The incredible Leonard Schuurmans is currently working on a fix, which should be done in an hour or so.

Robert Beltran Speech
Christian (2:58 pm CST)
The Official Robert Beltran Fan Club has put up a speech Robert Beltran (Chakotay) delivered on the 6th of May. His speech dealt with 'The State of Children's Arts in America,' and was given at the Public Corporation for the Arts in Long Beach. You can find the speech by going here.

DS9 Cast Photos
Christian (2:44 pm CST)
In a rather great move, the Continuum has put up the DS9 cast photos for the last seven seasons. They're especially nice if you put them next to each other and see how the cast has evolved over the past seven years - it's the most obvious with Cirroc Lofton, of couse, but most of the other cast members have also changed quite a bit. You can find all the cast photos by going here, but remember that (just like the one I printed here), they're all copyrighted by Paramount.

Jerry Goldsmith To Receive Award
Christian (2:24 pm CST)
Variety is reporting that Jerry Goldsmith, who scored 4 Star Trek movies and created the themes for TNG and Voyager, will soon be honoured with an 'Outstanding Achievement' award:

Jerry Goldsmith, composer of more than 175 movie scores including ``Star Trek: The Motion Picture'' and the Oscar-winning ``The Omen,'' will be honored Aug. 9 during the Hollywood Film Festival's awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton. Goldsmith is to receive the Outstanding Achievement in Music prize from the fest, which will run Aug. 4-9 in its third outing.

Goldsmith's Oscar-nominated scores include ``L.A. Confidential,'' ``Basic Instinct,'' ``Hoosiers,'' ``Under Fire,'' ``Poltergeist,'' ``The Boys From Brazil,'' ``Chinatown,'' ``Papillon'' and ``Patton.'' Goldsmith has received five Emmy Awards, nine Golden Globe nominations and seven Grammy nominations.

'Insurrection' DVD Specifics
Christian (1:34 pm CST)
The Flagship has posted a detailed description of the new Insurrection DVD. Take a look at the Flagship's introduction:

I picked up my copy of the Star Trek: Insurrection DVD today--I haven't seen the whole thing yet, but so far), it looks and sounds great. The box is a keep-case, and features a new description of the film, along with headshots of the crew and a picture of the Ba'ku planet. If you haven't seen the film yet, there are spoilers ahead. There are no cut scenes on the disc--looks like we're going to have to wait for the rumored Trek special edition DVDs for the really good stuff. And those discs, should they come to be, are (at least) a couple of years off.

DS9 Finale Premiere
Christian (1:33 pm CST)
The Continuum has just posted info on the premiere of the DS9 series finale:

Friday, May 28, 1999
7:00 p.m.
At the Los Angeles Museum
465 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills

The Museum will premiere the two-hour finale of this science fiction series, which attracted scores of devotees in the post-Star Trek era. Since its debut in 1993, this offspring of Star Trek: The Next Generation--set in a space station in the twenty-fourth century--has combined thought-provoking themes with a galaxy of multifaceted crew members and interplanetary beings. Tickets are $5 (free for Museum members) and may be purchased in the Museum lobby, or by calling the Museum at 310/786-1091, Wednesday through Sunday between 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. The screening on May 27th is sold out.

Nando Times Reviews 'Insurrection' DVD
Christian (1:27 pm CST)
The Nando Times has put up a review of the 'Star Trek Insurrection' DVD which isn't very positive, to say the least:

Star Bores

Here's a question for you: Does the title of "Star Trek: Insurrection" refer to the plot, or the way longtime fans will react after sitting through this mediocre sequel? A little of both, I'm afraid, for if ever a big-screen franchise could have done without another regurgitation of a tried and true formula, this is it. Tried and true? Try shopworn and shallow.

[...]

The trouble with Insurrection isn't a lack of special effects; if anything, the digital effects crew does a commendable job. Things snap, crackle and energize here at a frantic pace. The fact is, Star Trek has never been just about special effects; it's a series built on high-falutin' moral imperatives, especially the prime directive to respect all life forms. That directive gets trotted out, then tossed away once the shooting starts. The result is a space opera whose thesis appears to be "my phaser is bigger than your phaser." Factor in erratic pacing and an uninspired plot, and "Star Trek: Insurrection" proves less than the sum of its parts. What happened to the days when the series was content to boldly go where no man had gone before?

Voyager Ratings Bad Yet Again
Christian (1:27 pm CST)
I wonder when I'll finally have good ratings news to report here. The Universe has just put up the final ratings for last week's new Voyager episode, '11:59:'

The final rating for 11:59 is in, and it doesn't look good. Voyager got a 3.2 and was nr. 92. That is down 0.2 from "Someone To Watch Over Me". Voyager was 6th for the hour, behind Charmed that got a 3.9!

Other UPN rating are 7 Days with a 2.5, UPN Thursday Night Movie: Primal Force with a 2.4, Moesha with a 2.2 and Dilbert with a 2.0.

[Update 21:27 CET:] You might also want to check out this report at Yahoo, which mentions that '11:59' was still the top-rated UPN show at No.92.

'Warhead' Trailer
Christian (1:27 pm CST)
Star Trek Interactive! has put up the trailers for 'Warhead,' next week's new Voyager episode. As is becoming more and more usual these days, Vidiot is down yet again, so Star Trek Interactive is currently the only place for you to find the trailers. As usual, they're available as MPEG and as ASF video clips, but also as MP3 audio files or still images. You can find the trailers by going here.

Adventures In Time And Space
Christian (1:25 pm CST)
At the Star Trek Book Board, Pocket Books' senior editor John Ordover just made a post about the upcoming 'Adventures In Time And Space' book. The book will be a 'clip show' book featuring the best moments from Pocket's 20 years of publishing Star Trek novels, and this is how it's going to be structured:

No framing story - we could have come with one, but it would have seemed very, very hokey. Instead, what Mary did was pick out the best moments (In her humble opinion, and I'm -sure- there will be loud wails and arguments, as there would have been no matter what she'd picked) from our 20 years of Trek publishing. The excerpts are arranged into sections and categories and such, and Mary's written an introduction and intros to each of the excerpts.

The book also includes the long-awaited Star Trek Novel Chronology that places the books into Trek continuity as well as can be, and I expect arguments there, too.:)

Jeri Ryan On Howie Mandel Show
Christian (1:25 pm CST)
Today Jeri Ryan will be making an appearance on the syndicated Paramount talk show 'The Howie Mandel Show.' This edition of the show, which was apparently already taped several weeks ago, will also be one of the last editions, as Paramount recently decided to cancel the show. As an extra interesting bit of info, take a look at what a Paramount source told me when I mentioned at TrekToday a few days ago that the show 'would be' cancelled:

Ahh you're wrong about Howie Mandel.. he's BEEN CANCELLED. past tense. People were noting "RIP" on his show signs weeks ago where the show was shot. Yes, the humor can be cruel in the industry.

Ah bit of trivia: Paramount geared up to have the Mandel production done on their lot - for some unknown reason it ended up at the NBC Burbank Plant on Alameda. The show is shoot on the stage next to Leno's. They had one heck of a Christmas party though! :-)

TNG RPG Time Travel Sourcebook
Christian (1:24 pm CST)
Mania Magazine just put up the latest edition of Out of the Box, the weekly RPG column by Kenneth Hite. Hite is one of the people who created the 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' role-playing game, and in this new edition of the column he mentions he is currently working on 'All Our Yesterdays,' a new source book for the Star Trek RPG which will deal exclusively with time travel.

First 'What You Leave Behind' Pics
Christian (1:24 pm CST)
The folks at Cinescape just posted the first ever screenshots of the DS9 finale, 'What You Leave Behind:'

The Insider has managed to get his mitts on some shots from the upcoming final episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine titled "What You Leave Behind." As one might expect, Paramount is trying to be as careful as possible to not show anything particular shocking or revelatory in these shots.

Robert Picardo On 'Ally McBeal'
Christian (1:21 pm CST)
CARPE, the Central Alliance of Robert Picardo Enthusiasts, is reporting that the actor best known for his role as the Doctor on Voyager will soon be guest starring on 'Ally McBeal:'

This coming Monday (May 17) Robert Picardo will be guest-starring on Fox's hit comedy "Ally McBeal" as a man who sues his wife for fraud when he discovers that she doesn't really love him. "Ally McBeal" airs at 9:00 PM Eastern or Pacific time, 8:00 PM Central time... check your local listings for the exact time.

Colm Meany Back On Stage
Christian (1:20 pm CST)
Cinescape Online has posted a small report on what Colm Meaney (Miles O'Brien) will be doing after Deep Space Nine has ended:

According to the BBC, Meaney will take a role in an off-Broadway production of John Irving's The Cidar House Rules. Meaney says, "It wasn't that I was missing the theatre but as the series was winding up I felt it was time to come back. And it was just about then that this play came along,"

Today on TV
Christian (1:19 pm CST)
-Tonight at 9:00pm, UPN will be showing the new Voyager episode 'Relativity.' Take a look at how the official press release described the episode, courtesy of Psi Phi:

In an episode that revisits Janeway's first day aboard the U.S.S. Voyager and then fast forwards 500 years beyond it when her ship is destroyed, Captain Braxton of the 29th century Federation Timeship Relativity contacts Seven of Nine to go back in time to solve the mystery of who planted the "temporal disrupter" which ultimately destroyed the U.S.S. Voyager. But when the new starship captain, Janeway, catches the mysterious Seven aboard the brand new U.S.S. Voyager, she detains her, an interference that could contaminate the time-line.

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Das Interface' (Interface) tomorrow morning at 7:10 CET in the morning. That's also the only Star Trek episode which will be shown in Germany tomorrow, this because of Ascension Day.

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:19 pm CST)
No less than 36 discussions were taking place at the Trek BBS yesterday, and here's a look at three of them:

-This thread quite probably only makes sense to Star Wars fans.

-Did Voyager really make the Borg cool?

-We've just opened a new forum in the Trek BBS - click here to find out why.

As always, feel free to add extra topics to the Trek BBS.

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:18 pm CST)
Because of my internet problems today, I haven't actually been able to visit the two below new sites, but I'm sure they're both really interesting:

-The LCARS Command Net has the latest news, rumors, crew biographies, actor birthdays/places, real names, regular actor specials, reviews, polls...
-StarBase 76 is a fan site for Birth of the Federation, including ships, screenshots, info, and more! Will be updated with more soon.

Find more new sites here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:18 pm CST)
The internet is really acting up for me today. For some strange reason I'm unable to connect to several big sites - including Yahoo and the Continuum. Unfortunately, that also means I won't be able to report on the news I usually get from those sources - I'll try to make up for that as soon as I'm able to reach those sites again.

[Update 21:24 CET:] Yeehaa! It's working again!

Is Salman Rushdie A Trekker?
Christian (1:54 pm CST)
Warp Eleven just printed an article by Curt Holman, who has discovered that writer Salman Rushdie is quite probably a Star Trek fan:

It seems that the global literati includes at least one Star Trek fan who's not ashamed to admit it. Salman Rushdie, author of Midnight's Children and The Satanic Verses, has cited the Trek franchise at least twice in his work.

His short story Chekhov and Zulu, published in the anthology East, West, depicts two Indian diplomats and their involvement in espionage in England. From their days as schoolboys, the characters are nicknamed after Mr. Chekhov and Mr. Sulu, and the story is filled with the jargon of the original series, presented in a way that's playful, not condescending. As is typical in Rushdie's work, not only do cultures merge and overlap, but so do pop cultures: the Star Trek references occur alongside mentions of The Lord of the Rings.

Unreliable Rumours Department
Christian (1:46 pm CST)
Take a look at this week's screenshot from British teletext, showing the Sky One/ Channel 5 Star Trek page:

Remember that this 'news' is either made up or exaggerated, and is only put on that teletext page to make people call expensive phone numbers. The teletext page is provided here only for its amusement value. As in 'Haha.'

DS9 Finale Press Release
Christian (1:29 pm CST)
NOTE: Spoilers for DS9's 'What You Leave Behind' can be found in this update. Here is where you need to click to avoid reading those spoilers.

Again, click here to avoid reading major spoilers for the DS9 finale.

It appears Vidiot is trying to kill me, as he just put up the press release for 'What You Leave Behind,' the DS9 finale. Take a look at the official synopsis:

On the eve of battle, Bashir aaaand Exri spend the night together. Later, with Sisko in command, the Defiant joins the Federation-Klingon-Romulan fleet as the invasion of Cardassia is launched. On Cardassia Prime, Kira, Damar and Garak discuss Resistance plans to sabotage the Dominion's power and communication centers. On Bajor, Kai Winn asks Dukat to join her when she releases the Pah-wraiths from the Fire Caves, and Dukat vows to destroy Sisko.

Myscha Joins The Collective
Christian (1:17 pm CST)
Take a look at what I just received from Richard Hare, Creative Director at Collective Studios:

The Collective announced today Myscha the Sled Dog, known for his award-winning work on the best-selling game "Unreal," is now joining The Collective - developer of Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Fallen. He joins as Level Design Director at the Collective and will begin working to further enhance the level designs on their internal projects, including The Fallen.

"Myscha shares the same passion we have for crafting exceptional content," said Richard Hare, Vice President and Creative Director of The Collective. "Upon seeing the quality of our staff's work, and the direction we are taking our titles, he realized he wanted to become part of our group and lend his considerable talents to our games."

Myscha commented, "I am extremely excited about my new position as Level Design Director at The Collective. With Unreal technology forming the foundation for 'Star Trek: DS9 - The Fallen,' my goal is to return to my passion for innovative single player game design combined with cutting edge third and first person action, unique gameplay, and breathtaking architecture. The talent at The Collective is first rate and, under the direction and leadership of the company execs, you can expect some truly awesome games coming from us in the near future."

'When It Rains...' Credits
Christian (1:16 pm CST)
Psi Phi has put up the credits for 'When It Rains...' (how's that for a short news item ? ;-)

'Emissary' Auction
Christian (1:16 pm CST)
Emissary, the official fan club of Avery Brooks (Benjamin Sisko), has announced a rather large online charity auction, which will benefit the College Fund UNCF. Close to 90 items can be bid on, including autographed scripts, photos, trading cards, figures, and lots of other items. The bidding will start on the 1st of June, and end on the 30th of June - if you want to participate, you can find the full list of items and info on how to bid here.

In other Avery Brooks news, the fan club is reporting on what he will be doing after the series is over:

Besides relaxing back at home in New Jersey, look for him to do more in the theater and with music. As soon as we get the news about what he's up to next, we'll post it here.

Leonard Nimoy Chat On Thursday
Christian (1:15 pm CST)
This Thursday, the official Continuum will be hosting a live chat with Leonard Nimoy (Spock.) The chat will take place at 06:30pm Eastern Time, but you can already submit advance questions, or find info on how to participate. Furthermore, the Continuum has announced another two upcoming chats:

John de Lancie
Thursday , May 20th, 1999 06:30 PM (PT)
Chat with John de Lancie [Q[ about his recurring role in the Star Trek series.

Ron B. Moore
Thursday , June 10th, 1999 06:30 PM (PT)
Chat with Ron B. Moore, Visual Effects Supervisor Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Voyager.

Vidiot 'Tacking Into The Wind' Preview
Christian (1:12 pm CST)
Mr. Video Productions has (finally) uploaded his version of the 'Tacking Into The Wind' trailer, which has already been available at Star Trek Interactive for a while now. As usual, Vidiot's trailers have a slightly higher image quality than the STI version, and are also available as MP3 audio files. You can find the new preview by going here.

'The Dogs Of War' Press Release
Christian (1:11 pm CST)
NOTE: Below you'll find a synopsis of 'The Dogs of War,' the 8th Final Chapter episode. Click here to avoid reading the inevitable spoilers that can be found in the synopsis.

Again, this is where you need to click to avoid spoilers.

Mr. Video Productions has posted the official press release for 'The Dogs Of War,' the 8th Final Chapter episode. Take a look at the official synopsis that's included with that episode:

While Sisko takes command of a new ship named in honor of the Defiant, Kira, Garak and Damar barely escape a Dominion ambush on Cardassia and are forced into hiding. Quark receives a static-filled messade from Grand Nagus Zek, the Ferengi leader, that he's been named Zek's successor. Now cured of the deadly Changeling virus, Odo is outraged to learn that he was infected by Section Thirty-one - an unsanctioned extremist organization within the Federation - but promises Sisko he won't take matters into his own hands.

Insurrection DVD & Rental Released
Christian (1:10 pm CST)
Today is the release date for the 'Star Trek: Insurrection' Rental VHS tape and the DVD version. Take a look at The Flagship's reminder:

Don't forget--Star Trek: Insurrection will be available in US stores tomorrow. At this point, you can only rent VHS copies of the film (unless you happen to have $88.39 lying around, that is)--the video won't be available at a reasonable price until November 16. However, the DVD version of the film, which will include trailer(s) and a "behind-the-scenes featurette," will be available for purchase tomorrow at a pretty reasonable $30.00 or less.

Extreme Measures Press Release
Christian (1:08 pm CST)
NOTE: Major spoilers for the DS9 episode 'Extreme Measures' can be found below. You might want to avoid them.

Again, you need to click here to avoid being spoiled.

Mr. Video Productions has put up the official press release for DS9's 'Extreme Measures,' the 7th Final Chapter episode. As usual, this press release also contains a synopsis of the episode:

When Kira brings a terminally ill Odo back to the station for medical treatment, he orders her to leave him and return to help the Cardassian Resistance. Later, O'Brien and Bashir inform Sisko of their plan to lure a Section Thirty-one operative, who may hold the cure to Odo's disease, to the station. The scheme works when Sloan, the director of the unsanctioned Starfleet extremist organization that infected Odo - as part of a genocidal plot against his people - arrives. But when Bashir places a Romulan mind probe on the agent, who refuses to give information regarding a cure, Sloan attempts suicide in the science lab by activating a neuro-depolarizing device in his brain.

Insurrection Overseas Performance
Christian (1:06 pm CST)
Even though 'Star Trek: Insurrection' has already ended its run in the US and most European countries, there are still a few countries where the movie started just a few days ago. One of those countries is Japan, where the movie premiered on Saturday, the 8th of May. The Flagship received a mail from Robert Grey, who lives in Japan and had the following to say about the release:

Attached is a JPG file of the poster design that you can see here in Japan. The horizontal line in white at the top roughly translates as "Every planet has it's first episode..." The vertical line in yellow on the left translates as "Their's was to become the enemy of the entire universe!" In red print, it mentions that this movie was a #1 hit in the U.S. (was it? A lot of American films here are advertised as being -- literally translated "All-American No.1 Big Hit!!"). Then, at the bottom, in white, then yellow, and then light gray, it says '20th Anniversary STAR TREK Insurrection.' [The "20th Anniversary" refers to the Trek movie series.] Then, of course, at the bottom, the cast and production credits are listed (in Japanese).

I saw the film today, this being the second time. The first time was in NYC back in December, when I was home for the holidays. This time, though, I was the only person in the entire place laughing at some of the jokes. I guess they don't translate very well. Then again, Japanese movie theatres tend to have an atmosphere like a funeral home -- nobody makes a sound throughout the whole thing.

Free Enterprise Report
Christian (1:06 pm CST)
Ain't It Cool News has put up a report from Moriarty, who recently saw the 'Free Enterprise' movie. Moriarty attempts to answer the question of 'Does It Work?'

I think that's going to depend in large part on the viewer and what they bring to the film. Obviously your reaction to any movie is going to depend on you, but the best films manage to impart an universal truth about experience even while staying specific to the characters and milieu onscreen. That's only partially the case here, as much of the film's humor is specific to not just the world of fandom, but the world of LA industry insider fandom.

That's not to say the film doesn't have plenty of comic charm. Rafer Weigel and Eric McCormack (who plays Will on NBC's WILL & GRACE) have an easy,natural chemistry that goes a long way toward selling the picture as a whole. This film was co-written by Mark Altman and Robert Burnett, and it's no coincidence that the lead characters in the film are named Mark (McCormack) and Robert (Weigel). The actors work so well together that they convince us of their friendship, one of the key elements of the film. In addition, Weigel strikes some real sparks with his love interest Claire (Audie England, both sexy and approachable here), grounding another major element of the film.

Voyager Hazard Team Is No More
Christian (1:05 pm CST)
At least not with that title, as YnrohKeeg at Star Trek Gaming Central is reporting that the title of Raven Software's upcoming action game has changed to 'Voyager Eclipse Force.' YnrohKeeg also tells us what he thinks about this name change:

If I may segue into soapbox mode (as I often do), since when did the U.S.S. Voyager have an elite force? I'm assuming that this title refers to the security team, due to the nature of the game. Since Intrepid class ships are basically high-speed science vessels, where does the crack team of highly skilled elite commandos figure in? Of course, maybe it's a Maquis team. They should be good with guns, given their nature. In any event, I'll just chalk this one up to the Braga school of Star Trek lore. If it blows up, it makes good Trek.

Today on TV
Christian (1:04 pm CST)
-At 7:00pm and at 11:00pm Eastern Time, the Sci-Fi Channel will be showing the rather good first-season TOS episode 'Mudd's Women.'

-Tomorrow at 17:00 and at 23:30 BST, British television station Sky One will be showing DS9's 'Rules Of Acquisition.'

-In Germany, Sat.1 will be repeating TNG's 'Indiskretionen' (Liaisons) tomorrow morning at 02:15 CET. Tomorrow at 15:00 CET, they'll be showing 'Das Interface' (Interface).

Trek BBS Today
Christian (1:03 pm CST)
The Trek BBS is growing more popular each day - we now have more than 150 members! Take a look at three of the 39 discussions that took place over the past 24 hours:

-What is your Series Top-4? (Or top-6, if you count the Animated Series and New Frontier).

-Star Trek = Satan Trek deals with one very sick site.

-In this thread we look at a small nit regarding Odo's infection with the Founder's disease - plus we star talking about nitpicking in general.

Find more in the actual Trek BBS, and feel free to add your own topics to the discussion!

New at TrekSeek.com
Christian (1:03 pm CST)
Just three sites were added to TrekSeek yesterday, still bringing us to a total of 1082 Star Trek sites. Take a look at two of those sites:

-USS Yorktown is a a Defiant class UFP starship which is, according to the USS Yorktown, the very best ship in the Gamma Fleet RPG.
-Star Trek 9: Insurrection calls itself a 'site' dedicated to the third TNG movie, but it really isn't even worthy of that title - absolutely nothing can be found there besides three pictures and a mini-synopsis. Avoid.

Find more new sites by going here.

Hello World!
Christian (1:02 pm CST)
With the current seasons of DS9 and Voyager winding down, there obviously will also be less news to report at TrekToday. Of course, I'll still be reporting on the next Voyager season, and on upcoming Trek games, toys, chats, action figures and other such things, but there will inevitably less news than there is now.

However, there are a few people who could help me bring more content to TrekToday - YOU! What I'd love to get from you would be convention reports, reviews of Trek merchandise, articles with your thoughts on anything at all Trek-related, or whatever else you can think of. If you have any ideas for such articles, please send them to me and I'd absolutely love to put them up here at TrekToday!

Cinescape Spoils 'Tacking Into the Wind'
Christian (1:49 pm CST)
As every week, Cinescape has put up a spoiler-packed report of this week's new DS9 episode, 'Tacking Into The Wind:'

Regular Cinescape contributor 'Michael Marek' returns with another of his no-holds-barred, SPOILER-packed looks at next week's upcoming episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The episode is titled "Tacking Into the Wind." With the series rapidly moving towards its grand finale, you may choose to wait and see them for yourself.

ODN Issue 85
Christian (1:49 pm CST)
Adam Bailey just sent out issue 85 of the Optical Data Network, the bi-weekly Star Trek newsletter. Take a look at what this new issue contains:

We've got a record 80-some NewsBits, plus four whole news articles. And what started as a NewsBit, became a news article, then part of the Editor's PADD, and finally into a separate news/opinion article: a detailed look at dealing with the Star Trek stars online, based on an open letter by Jonathan Frakes which addressed concerns over people posing as him online. I made sure to differentiate between the portions of the article which were by Frakes and StarTrek.com Producer Guy Vardaman, and which were my further commentary/suggestions. Hopefully, you'll find it useful.

This issue also has, as I mentioned last issue, the beginning of our series of "good byes" to Deep Space Nine. Several people wrote in to say what Deep Space Nine meant to them, and give their heart-felt best wishes to the show. Although I only got a handful, I was really blown away by how open and honest they were. I held some back for future issues, in case we don't get any more (and I picked randomly, so don't feel bad if yours was held back), but I do encourage you to take a few minutes to write up your thoughts before DS9 ends. (You're welcome to do so anonymously, just let me know.) I'll be sure to put my comments into the final installment, along with the (non-exclusive) thoughts of a special guest.

Rounding out this issue is the standard collection of airdates in the US and UK. The Sci-Fi Channel airings are over, so there will be no more schedules for that. Throw in a couple letters about the new Star Trek Magazine, and you've got yourself another issue of Optical Data Network.

ODN News Bits
Christian (1:48 pm CST)
Below you'll find most of the news bits which can be found in the new ODN issue but which did not yet appear on TrekToday: