Past Updates 2017
DecemberNovemberOctoberSeptemberAugustJulyJuneMayAprilMarchFebruaryJanuary
December
A small new article illustrates the evolution of Geordi La Forge's VISOR, implants and real eyes, including temporary, future and fake reality versions: Geordi's VISOR and Eyes.
Two more Voyager season 4 reviews. Here are "Mortal Coil" and "Waking Moments".
As I'm waiting for more new Discovery stuff, here are two revised reviews of Voyager's season 4, "Random Thoughts" and "Concerning Flight". Not two of the greatest episodes but interesting to watch again after many years.
In another new article, Alexander Hartmann investigates The History of the Nebula Class Studio Models. All models (miniatures and CGI) of the Nebula class and their appearances on screen are identified and listed in chronological order.
New article: The History of the Excelsior Class Studio Models by Alexander Hartmann. We list all models (miniatures and CGI) of the Excelsior class that appeared on screen and identify modifications to the models.
An all-new article by Tadeo D'Oria shows the The Evolution of the Enterprise-D Bridge in great detail. All changes to the set (that we could identify so far) are illustrated with screen cap comparisons, including fake and parallel universe variants.
New Poll: What do you think of Star Trek Discovery so far?
November
Daniel Tessier has reviewed Desperate Hours by David Mack, the first Discovery spin-off novel.
Star Trek Continues has released the second part of its series finale "To Boldly Go". Here is my combined review of both parts.
Here is my review of the mid-season finale of Star Trek Discovery, "Into the Forest I Go". Please submit your own take using the review form, or join the ongoing discussion at the bottom of the review page.
New Poll: Rate "Into the Forest I Go".
Read my review of the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery, "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum". Visitors can submit their own takes using the review form, or join the very busy discussion at the bottom of the review page.
New Poll: Rate "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum".
Reviews of Rise of the Federation: Patterns of Interference and Star Trek: Boldly Go - Volume 1, both by Daniel Tessier.
October
Here is my review of Star Trek Discovery's latest episode, "Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad", in which we see Mudd again, and again, and again. Feel free to submit your own views on the episode in the review form.
New Poll: Rate "Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad".
I have decided to add my ratings to the reviews of the so far released Discovery episodes, disregarding general problems with the setting of the series and the production design. The curious result is that Discovery currently ranks higher on average than TNG. See the explanation of episode ratings.
There is also a new Discovery FAQ that answers the questions about the site policy on Discovery.
My review of the latest episode of Star Trek Discovery, "Lethe" (a bit less favorable than the previous ones). Remember you can submit your own take using the review form, or join the very busy discussion at the bottom of the page.
New Poll: Rate "Lethe".
Here is my review of the fifth episode of Star Trek Discovery, "Choose Your Pain". You can submit your own views on the episode (or any other episode) using the review form.
New Poll: Rate "Choose Your Pain".
Read my review of the fourth episode of Star Trek Discovery, "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry".
New Poll: Rate "The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry".
I have done a due maintenance of the Links page.
An EAE Award goes to Fan Film Factor. Congratulations, Jonathan!
I have revised my considerations on whether the arrowhead symbol represents just the Enterprise or all starships, in light of a new article published at startrek.com. The article shows the very old issue in a new light, although it doesn't manage to resolve it completely.
Here is my full-spoiler review of the first regular episode (the pilot) of Star Trek Discovery, "Context is for Kings".
New Poll: Rate "Context is for Kings".
Today's new articles have a long history. In 2004(!), Jörg Hillebrand sent me a draft on the many re-uses of the interior and exterior of the shuttle Nenebek from TNG: "Final Mission". It was a very long article already back then, we didn't have good enough drawings to illustrate it and some questions about the production history were still open. So we postponed further work on it. In the past few months Jörg has done further research and has sketched up the missing side views, replacing the inaccurate ones from the Fact Files, so we could finally complete this project.
Here is the article on the history of the full-scale mock-up and miniature of the Nenebek: Redresses of the Nenebek.
And here is our analysis of the corresponding cockpit set, which turns out to be still older than the exterior: Redresses of TNG's Alien Shuttle Cockpit.
September
Here is my combined review of the first two episodes of Star Trek Discovery, "The Vulcan Hello" and "Battle at the Binary Stars". Full spoilers as usual. Remember that you can submit your own guest review of the episodes.
New Poll: Rate "The Vulcan Hello" and "Battle at the Binary Stars".
It appears that for Discovery the scope of Star Trek's canon was reduced to the mere facts, exempting any visuals. Here are the links to the recent interviews about canon and Klingons and my comment on the revised policy.
On a different note about Discovery, I'm drowning in work and it may still take several days until I can begin to watch and review Discovery.
And here are my comments on the revelation what the Klingon sarcophagus ship is about.
Worf is on a quest for his father, and so is Data, in a manner of speaking. See our Observations in TNG: "Birthright I". Our friends at TrekCore have the complete HD screen cap gallery of the episode.
Only 12 days left. Here is my perhaps final news round-up with a summary of recent media coverage on Discovery and my comments.
It was and still is my intention not to analyze Discovery at EAS before the series is on air. But since the media and many fans welcome the totally new look of the Klingons and inept explanation attempts abound, here is my article on the new Klingons that I have been holding back so far.
I have also prepared the site structure for the Discovery episode guide and reviews. There is nothing to see yet, but the new section will give Discovery the same coverage as all other Star Trek series and films. And one more thing, for Discovery the abbreviation DIS (not DSC) will be used at EAS. This is not meant derisive but in line with VOY (not VGR) and ENT (not ETP). Memory Alpha beat me to it and already uses the same notation.
Only 19 days left until the launch of Star Trek Discovery. Here is a news round-up on the USS Discovery bridge and other set designs of the upcoming series.
New Poll: The launch of Discovery is only three weeks away. Will you watch it?
August
Human! Play dom-jot, human! Here are our Observations in Picard's "afterlife" in TNG: "Tapestry". Please visit TrekCore to see the complete HD screen cap gallery of the episode.
"Time's up." Here is my extended review of the exciting two-part episode "Year of Hell". Still an absolute favorite after almost 20 years.
36 days left until the pilot episode of the new series. I have compiled another Discovery news round-up, with details about Michael Burnham, a new trailer and my comment on Jason Isaacs's statement about die-hard fans.
I have added some more orthographic CGI views from the Official Starships Collection: Gorn ship (TOS-R: "Arena"), Klingon D5 cruiser and a few more. Thanks to Jörg! We also noticed some substantial differences between the Klingon deuterium tanker and the D5 that we so far thought were largely identical.
Only 44 days until Star Trek Discovery goes on air. Here is another production news round-up, with more about Klingons and starships, and with some comments.
The latest Star Trek Continues episode is titled "What Ships Are For". Read my thoughts on the episode.
Nudes, Tribbles, Walkers and a fired series creator. Here is the Discovery news round-up of the past couple of days, with my personal (and not always kind) comments.
July
Here are our Observations in TNG: "Face of the Enemy" in SD and HD caps. Please visit the HD screen cap gallery at TrekCore to see more of Deanna Troi's involuntary undercover mission on a Romulan Warbird.
A personal note on the coverage of Discovery at EAS, which will have to wait some time.
I have summarized the latest news on Discovery costumes, props, make-ups and ships, along with a couple of comments.
Here are two more reviews of Voyager's season 4, "The Raven" and "Scientific Method". Two of the better episodes in the arguably best season of the series.
In a second brand new article related to the one about the shuttle Alice, we show the various Redresses of the Type-9 Shuttle Cockpit that were created for other Starfleet shuttles, but also for some alien ships in Star Trek Enterprise.
Jörg and I have completed a new article about the Redresses of Alice. We investigate how the life-size mock-up and how the CG model was modified for the Arkonian shuttle and the Tellarite shuttle that appeared in Star Trek Enterprise.
June
Discovery is being filmed in 2:1 aspect ratio, and Jonathan Frakes will return to Star Trek to direct an episode of the new series. Read the news and my comments.
New Poll: What do you think of the redesigned Klingons in Discovery?
CBS has announced the premiere dates for Star Trek Discovery: September 24 on CBS Television, CBS All Access and Space Channel, September 25 on Netflix. After that, a new episode will be released on the streaming channels every week, in two chapters. The first eight episodes will run until November 5/6. The season will then resume with the second chapter debuting in January 2018.
Two more reviews of Voyager's season 4, "Nemesis" and "Revulsion". Not exactly two great episodes, but quite interesting to watch again after many years.
Here are the reviews of the first two regular episodes of Voyager's season 4, "The Gift" and "Day of Honor".
May
Beware of the dog! See our Observations in TNG: "Aquiel" in SD and HD caps. Please visit TrekCore to see the complete HD screen cap gallery of the episode.
The first trailer with real footage from Star Trek Discovery is up. A few photos were released too. We get an impression of some of the cast, of costumes, props and sets. There will be a Vulcan story. Well, and there will be Klingons, but not as we know them.
Don't let Professor Moriarty fool you! See our Observations in TNG: "Ship in a Bottle" in SD and HD screen caps. Please go to our friends at TrekCore for the complete HD screen cap gallery.
I have reviewed the exciting Voyager season 3 finale & season 4 opener, "Scorpion".
Here are four new ship designs in the Journal of Applied Treknology. If you sent something and it wasn't posted, please see the feedback thread at the SCN.
April
There are still four lights in HD! Here are our Observations in TNG: "Chain of Command II" in SD and HD screen caps. Please also visit TrekCore for the complete HD screen cap gallery.
My two cents on the question of the changing faces of the Caitians, as they reportedly appear in The Animated Series (M'Ress), in "Star Trek: The Voyage Home" (two members of the Federation Council) and in Kirk's bed in "Star Trek Into Darkness".
We got it done, Captain Jellico! Here are our Observations in TNG: "Chain of Command I" in SD and HD screen caps. The complete HD screen cap gallery of the episode is available at TrekCore.
A couple of new orthographic CGI views from the Official Starships Collection: Class J, Medusan ship, Raven, Antares, Relativity and a few more. Thanks to Jörg for bringing these to my attention.
Here are my reviews of two more Voyager season 3 episodes: "Displaced" and "Worst Case Scenario".
Marten van Wier reviews the issues #6 and #7 of Star Trek Early Voyages by Marvel Comics.
See the exocomps, the particle fountain, several graphics and other details in SD and HD in our Observations in TNG: "The Quality of Life". Our friends at TrekCore have the complete HD screen cap gallery of the episode.
Star Trek Continues has released a new episode: "Still Treads the Shadow". Here is my review.
March
Two more Voyager season 3 reviews: "Real Life" and "Distant Origin".
Added two game reviews by Andrew Friden: Star Trek: The Next Generation Future's Past and Star Trek: Generations.
See Worf, Alexander and Deanna make their stand in Deadwood, Arizona: Observations in TNG: "A Fistful of Datas". You can find the complete screen cap gallery at TrekCore (including Data in a dress if you insist on it).
The next two Voyager season 3 reviews: "Favorite Son" and "Before and After".
When the Ferengi take over the Enterprise, it is up to a teenage Captain Picard and the other kids to save the ship. As silly as the premise is, this episode is visually interesting, so check out our Observations in TNG: "Rascals" in SD and HD screen caps. You can find the complete screen cap gallery at TrekCore.
Jason Isaacs has been cast as Captain Lorca of the USS Discovery. Mary Wiseman will appear as Tilly, a Starfleet Academy Cadet aboard the same ship "in her final year of study."
Here are my reviews of the next two Voyager season 3 episodes, "Darkling" and "Rise".
February
I have reviewed two more Voyager season 3 episodes, "Blood Fever" and "Unity".
I have added information about the corrections in the Netflix HD versions of the following TNG episodes: "The Vengeance Factor", "Brothers", "Imaginary Friend", "Relics". These changes are highlighted in the articles.
You can now find the TNG-R: "Relics" HD screen caps at TrekCore. See our article on the episode.
Regarding the alleged Klingons on the leaked photo from the Star Trek Discovery set, I will further comment on it once I have an official confirmation.
As a further step to improve the usability of this site, I edited the intra-page navigation bars that can be found on many pages. This could have been done with a few easy CSS edits if Frontpage hadn't left a huge amount of garbage in the code (such as line break tags with links on them) that took me hundreds of search-and-replace passes until they were clean.
Read my review of Hive, the third volume of the Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection (please scroll down).
Travis Anderson continues the story of Tom Riker in Course Correction. Tom Riker is drawn into a Maquis web as Chakotay recruits Riker on Kalita's recommendation. The task? To infiltrate and eliminate a Cardassian base located within the Demilitarized Zone. In doing so, the Maquis provide Riker with a crisis of conscience.
Here is the review of the second volume of the Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection: Harlan Ellison's The City on the Edge of Forever - The Original Teleplay (please scroll down). Now with pictures.
See wonderful new renders of the
I am going to review some graphic novels, and in particular issues of the Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection. The review of the first volume, Countdown, is up.
January
As the new Star Trek series begins production in Toronto, CBS Television releases a teaser video and reveals a new logo for Discovery. The launch date of the series is still unknown after it had been postponed one more time.
A new Enterprise-D interior by BobyE: stellar cartography from "Star Trek Generations".
Travis Anderson's latest story is titled Decisions. Tom Riker faces new challenges and new choices aboard the USS Gandhi. After eight years alone on Nervala IV, what will he do now that he's surrounded by the crew of a starship? How will he differentiate himself from William Riker? One thing is for certain, it won't be by playing it safe.
CBS reports that James Frain will play Spock's father Sarek on Star Trek Discovery. The shooting for Discovery will begin on January 24. The release date in May, however, appears to be uncertain. CBS announced that "if it's best for the show", the launch date will be "flexible".
Two more Voyager season 3 reviews: "Alter Ego" and "Coda".
Here are my reviews of two more Voyager season 3 episodes, "Macrocosm" and "Fair Trade".
Happy New Year 2017!
Cuddly puppies, standing on the Enterprise at warp and planetary spring cleaning! Here are our Observations in TNG: "True Q" in SD and HD screen caps.
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