I would love a “dark” story based around smuggling during the dominion war. I always envisioned an entire ship’s interior as a holodeck that would change appearances when they were boarded by different factions.
Harvesting tech from scuttled ships after conflicts. Just jury-rigged holoprojectors that glitch out every once in a while and send the entire crew to holo-Risa.
I feel like those producers, writers, and directors heard a lot of “Deep Space Nine is the best Trek because it wasn’t afraid to be dark and portray violence and loss on a galactic scale.” and they took all the wrong lessons from it.
Oh, woe upon those who wish to see their favorite series grow and evolve! What do we say to those who want modern story telling and deep characterization? No! Give me my milquetoast Trek! I don’t want to feel things!
Grimdark doesn’t mean ultraviolence or meaningless violence. Some of the greatest episodes of TNG are “grimdark”, like Yersterday’s Enterprise, Best of Both Worlds, and Chain of Command. They don’t all have to be hopeful or optimistic. Gripping stories often involve conflict and heavy themes.
I never had a problem feeling things with the episodic series. Nor was there a lack of deeper character development (outside of a few characters; which still happens in serialized content anyway) or story-telling. It just didn’t take an entire season to tell a single (or even a B story along with the main plot), coherent story. Nor did it have such a bleak and pessimistic outlook. I want to feel good after an episode; not be reminded of reality. If I wanted to embrace reality, I wouldn’t be watching Star Trek.
When we said we wanted a dark and gritty Star Trek, we didn’t mean literally dark and full of gravel.
Actually… I don’t think anyone even said they wanted a dark and gritty Star Trek. At least, not one set outside of the “evil” universe.
I would love a “dark” story based around smuggling during the dominion war. I always envisioned an entire ship’s interior as a holodeck that would change appearances when they were boarded by different factions.
Interesting take. Holo projectors throughout the ship. Creating labyrinths to keep intruders lost. It’d be great if it wasn’t cost prohibitive.
Harvesting tech from scuttled ships after conflicts. Just jury-rigged holoprojectors that glitch out every once in a while and send the entire crew to holo-Risa.
Maybe the Hirogen in the Delta quadrant have started doing that by the current timeline.
I feel like those producers, writers, and directors heard a lot of “Deep Space Nine is the best Trek because it wasn’t afraid to be dark and portray violence and loss on a galactic scale.” and they took all the wrong lessons from it.
Who wanted grimderp Star Trek? Star Trek at its core is Optimistic. You want grimderp, go read WH40K or listen to Emo rock.
Oh, woe upon those who wish to see their favorite series grow and evolve! What do we say to those who want modern story telling and deep characterization? No! Give me my milquetoast Trek! I don’t want to feel things!
You can’t feel things without graphic violence and war based plots? Or is it the big explosions that give you feels?
Sorry philosophical Trek was over your head. Enjoy your boom booms.
Grimdark doesn’t mean ultraviolence or meaningless violence. Some of the greatest episodes of TNG are “grimdark”, like Yersterday’s Enterprise, Best of Both Worlds, and Chain of Command. They don’t all have to be hopeful or optimistic. Gripping stories often involve conflict and heavy themes.
I never had a problem feeling things with the episodic series. Nor was there a lack of deeper character development (outside of a few characters; which still happens in serialized content anyway) or story-telling. It just didn’t take an entire season to tell a single (or even a B story along with the main plot), coherent story. Nor did it have such a bleak and pessimistic outlook. I want to feel good after an episode; not be reminded of reality. If I wanted to embrace reality, I wouldn’t be watching Star Trek.
We already had “dark” Star Trek, it was called DS9
Which was also dimly lit, but still brighter than Discovery’s bridge.
The one that’s meant for kids feels like clone wars, just gritty enough but still trek.
You know, the one not on the world’s shittiest streaming app that crashes every episode and forces commercials when you paid not to see any.
Prodigy isn’t on Paramount+?