>> RANTS > FROM THE PEN OF THE MASTER GEEK

Why I’m Not Miffed at Paramount

Damn. When I think about the time I’ve spent, um, thinking about Paramount’s new HD "upgrades" of Star Trek and why they have me excited while the “upgraded” Star Wars only breeds hate; I realize I need to get a life... To say nothing of a shorter writing style, look at that sentence above, whew. Okay, now I have attempted multiple times to pen this particular Geek fest with some decorum and style... Alas, I failed each and every time… What do you expect; this is about both Star Wars and Star Trek! As such, this will simply be a collection of random Geek thoughts about all things "enhanced" and "Special Edition"... And, please to note that I will not engage in which galaxy has the more powerful ships, for that conversation, pop on over to the GeekintheCity Forum. Where a heated debate continues to rage, a debate fueled by a, I kid you not, a Las Vegas Rapper, a singing Klingon, a Dork Lady of the Sith, and this Geek's hetero-lifemate...

Ahem... Let us begin!

Lucas went out of his way to destroy all that we Geeks hold dear when he created the Special Editions. To make matters worse, he then locked all copies of the theatrical release within the vaults of Skywalker Ranch. Never to be seen again.

Paramount isn’t yanking all copies of Star Trek the Original Series from the shelves and preventing television stations from broadcasting in favor of the HD restoration.

Lucas actually changed the Star Wars history with his Special Editions and even went so far as to Ret-Con the Star Wars Universe.

Paramount isn’t trying to re-create the Star Trek universe. They won’t be adding new characters or storylines. Yes, Star Trek has been Ret-Conned in the past. However, that blame can be firmly placed in the hackish laps of Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. (There are rumors that Berman fought the HD treatment of Star Trek, because he wanted Paramount to run with his asinine Starfleet Academy series).

The creation of the Star Wars Special Editions is thought of by many a Star Wars Geek as the beginning of the end for the Star Wars franchise. No, I do not think Star Wars will ever go away. However, I think as a cultural icon, Lucas has forever tainted the mythology of Star Wars, all for money. (Although he claims this is what he always intended).

Now, I know that Paramount and CBS wish to make money, of course. However, they are (finally) seeing the light that they must treat the fans with respect if they wish the Star Trek franchise to continue. Let's face it; Star Trek has been dying a slow death since the final frame of Star Trek: Insurrection. This new Star Trek HD format might kick-start a franchise.

Finally, this new HD Star Trek will help preserve footage that is starting to degrade. Film is not a permanent medium. Digital is. This will insure that Star Trek will never go away. This will insure that Star Trek can be enjoyed by all future generations. Not only that, but for the first time in almost 40 years, a talented group of musicians are performing the original Alexander Courage score from his original sheet music...

Come on fans… I know that many a Geek like to complain about the powers that be messing with their childhood. I don’t see it that way. I see this as Paramount, for the first time ever, looking toward the future of a franchise that so many of us Geeks hold dear.

Don’t agree with?

Hop on over to the GeekintheCity Forum. … Love to hear from you!