Roughly a year ago, Paramount Studios announced that work had begun on a new Star Trek television show. Beyond that, they refused to comment any other aspect of it, particularly the concept. Details trickled out, but nothing substantial, and nothing the studio would confirm. Now, with the networks announcing their fall TV line-ups, an official announcement is on the horizon. What follows is kind of guide to all the rumors and speculation surrounding the new show. Remember, that as of press time, nothing has been made official, so take everything you read here with a grain of salt.

The Concept
More than any other aspect of the show, this was the one most open to debate. Several concepts surfaced, ranging from the downright stupid to the highly intriguing. Here is a sampling:
Starfleet Academy: How do you spell lame? Someone referred to this as “Dawson’s Trek,” and they were probably right. I mentioned earlier that the studio hardly ever confirmed anything, but they came out and quickly shot this idea down. Thank god.
A show set in the 29th century, with a time travel emphasis:. I thought this was called “Star Trek?” Or was it just me?
Yet another 24th century show, perhaps a Starfleet black ops team: Insert yawn here.
A show set on an alien vessel, more than likely a Klingon ship: An interesting concept, but it could get old really quick.
A prequel series, set in the 22nd century, well before the events in the first Star Trek show: Now this sounds interesting. A majority of the rumors pointed to this being the premise of the new show. And with an official announcement pending, it looks like the new Trek series will be a prequel. Read on.

Tight Security
Not only was Paramount was tight lipped as an Alderban shell-mouth about the new show, but they had tight security surrounding it as well. No scripts leaked out, no set designs, writer’s guides-nothing. That is, until three weeks ago.

A casting sheet, sent out to casting agencies around the world, surfaced on the Internet. Touching off a wildfire of controversy, it made headlines on CNN and in TV Guide. The casting sheet gave serious credence to the prequel series rumor, continually referring to the 22nd century. Almost immediately the sheet’s authenticity was called into question, with fans offering different theories on why the sheet was or was not legit.

So what exactly did the sheet reveal? For starters, the new show would be titled Star Trek: Enterprise, and would be set in the 22nd century aboard a ship named, you guessed it: Enterprise. Two things support this rumor: First, Paramount recently went on a domain name buying spree, snatching up domain names containing the words “Star Trek” or “Enterprise.” Second, in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Cmdr. Decker shows Ilia a display of various ships that have bore the name Enterprise. Nestled in between the space shuttle Enterprise and the star ship Enterprise is another spaceship, but nothing is ever said about it. Could we be seeing a show about it this fall? Sure looks like it. Read on.

The Head Honcho Speaks
Last week, Rick Berman, one of the creators of the new show, shed more light on the project. Speaking to a syndicated columnist, Berman stated the new show would have seven characters: five humans and two aliens. Incidentally, the casting sheet listed seven characters. And yes, five of them were human, and two were aliens. Berman also stated the show would be set in a different time frame than The Next Generation or Voyager.

Quantum Trek?
The rumor mill kicked into overdrive this past week, when rumors began circulating that Scott Bakula, of Quantum Leap, was being courted to play the lead role of the series, identified on the casting sheet as Captain Archer Jackson. Of course no one was confirming, but no one was denying either.

Another interesting casting note: the sheet lists a Vulcan character named Sub Commander T’pau. What’s so spectacular about this? In an episode of the originalStar Trek, a Vulcan named T’pau presided over Spock’s wedding. Will this new show feature a younger version of T’pau? It’s a safe bet.

So how does the rest of the rumored cast break down? Typical Trek: aliens mixed with a sampling of all different races and nationalities. If the casting sheet is true, look for an alien doctor named Phlox, as well as a Japanese female, an African-American, a Southerner and a British male.

Any Day Now…
Look for an official announcement from Paramount soon. The fall season is rapidly approaching and networks will be parading their new line-ups. Berman and others have continually stated that the new show “will blow everyone away” and will be “unlike anything seen before.” Whatever the case may be, there will be an anticipation level for this show unmatched since the premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation back in 1987.

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry often remarked that he caught lighting in a bottle for the second time with The Next Generation. Will lighting strike a third time? Stay tuned.

Name: Shaunathan
Year: Graduated
Major: English
Comments:
Looks like Scott Bakula is IN for the role of Captain Jackson Archer in the new show.

Name: Shaun
Year: Senior Citizen
Major: English
Comments:
As much as I love Trek, I have to agree with Spider Monkey (Ok, stop throwing your feces at me now :)). I think the Trek franchise has been milked to death. If I was the powers that be at Paramount, I would give Trek a good long break, probably about five years but three at the least. That way, all the writers and directors have time to refresh and Trek has time to slip out of the public conscious. Let the people go a few years without Trek and then bring it back. Everyone will be glad to see it, and it will be a hit. But no, guess not...

Name: Spider Monkey
Major: Shaving My Pits Now
Comments:
When are they going to just stop and admit that this franchise has been used over and over again like a dirty monkey whore? Time to kill it. Its like they keep making more Friday the 13th Movies. Just stop the madness! Spare us!!!!!!! Spock is an elf!!!!!!!