Steve has it on the site but its kinda hidden. Heres some suggestions from people on how to make Trek better as viewed on TVguide.com


Everyone's got an opinion. So it's no surprise that when we asked our readers how to spice up the Star Trek franchise, we were inundated with responses.
Here are excerpts from some of our favorite submissions..


Star Trek at its best has always been something that teaches people. Going through high school with the Next Generation playing every week taught me about real human issues, science, history, philosophy; the works. Recent Trek has shied away from covering issues of morality and historical importance, in favor of explosions and boobs. Sex does sell, but it cheapens the whole deal. Characters who could be interesting and deep, like Seven of Nine and T'Pol, are relegated to skin-tight outfits and decontamination scenes. Though the characters do develop, it's more of an afterthought. You never get past the shameless outfits and outrageously large breasts. As far as "the issues" go, feeble attempts have been made to cover modern issues, but episodes like the recent "Stigma" honestly feel like a "token tip of the hat" to AIDS, and not an interesting exploration of the issue. An episode that makes you think about it after a few days and ponder "what was the lesson that episode was trying to teach?" is classic Trek. It seems they're trying to get back to how Star Trek used to be, but naming a ship "Enterprise" isn't the only way to do it. You've gotta work to regain our respect and your own credibility. — Rich Matheson

It's no secret what the current Trek incarnation needs — risk taking and long term consequences of this inexperienced crew's actions. Everything always turns out "okay" at the end of the episode. Nobody on this pioneering crew into dangerous space dies. Even when Captain Archer makes a decision with genocidal implications for a planet with two fully evolved sentient races, he rides off into the sunset and is never again troubled by his decision. The crew is never told. There are no ramifications of his highly debatable decision from Starfleet. He is always "right." A lack of any real, lasting conflict amongst this crew--the first human crew in deep space--also rings false. Archer isn't written as a strong enough character to inspire such devotion. His decisions are questionable, which is fine. Play out the story as if someone loses faith in his decision making ability once in a while. Archer didn't receive the training available to captains of later generations because the infant Starfleet is too naive at this point in history. That's a wonderful device to differentiate Enterprise as belonging to a much earlier, more naive era. Take advantage of it and remove Captain Archer's Teflon. — Dorian Thompson

Enterprise 1. Use all characters either intelligently or at least in intriguing ways, especially Mayweather. Avoid stereotypes as much as possible. 2. More imagination in story ideas. I've been able to predict episode endings with near-perfect accuracy lately, and that's no fun. Take some of those storylines that worked and shake them up a little. Put a twist where we don't expect it. 3. Delve a little more into the Star Trek Encyclopedia and episodes from earlier series and study your continuity. One reason the fans keep jumping ship is because there have been some pretty blatant violations of the established Trek timeline. 4. Take risks. I know this one's been heard, so do it. Put Captain Archer's life in real jeopardy. Make T'Pol or Trip take charge of the ship for several episodes and let it be wondered if Archer will ever return. 5. Contemporize Trek to a point, but don't overdo it. Sex is one example. Remember that making things sexy doesn't always equate with skin. There are tasteful ways to portray sensuality and sexuality. Not only do they work, but they can leave fans wanting more! The last few episodes of Enterprise have been better (Stigma, Cease Fire, Future Tense), but there's still room for improvement. — Tony Goodwyn

Stop reworking old Trek plots. Any given week's plot seems ripped from the original or from TNG. Hell, I've even seen shades of Voyager. Maybe if the writers start from the beginning, clean slate; after all, no one has done this before, so stop culling from other shows because we've got them memorized and we know when you're cribbing. Jump in and create the Trek world from the beginning. This far into the series I'm wondering what Jonathan Archer will ever do to merit the praise heaped upon him in later years. Oh, and Archer playing footsie with the Vulcan? I don't think so. She has all of the warmth and interest of last week's hash; then again, he's so bland I'm wondering if he were replaced by a vanilla pudding would anyone notice. If T'Pol is going to stay, then have her stay. Seems like they threaten her job every week, that gets old. One more thing: Less tech, more trek. Too much takes place off camera and there's so much reliance on long, pointless dialogue. This cast needs a Scotty, a Chekov, characters, people can differentiate. The show's been on one and a half seasons and people still haven't connected with the deadpan whitebread cast, maybe it's time to shake things up a bit. — Mitzi Dickerson

Thought your five fixes for Star Trek were mostly on target. Especially your reference to the humor evident in many of the classic Star Trek episodes, the good-natured needling between Spock and Dr. McCoy etc.. However, having the crew argue is being done and far from creating or maintaining interest and/or tension, it does quite the opposite. The crew sounds and acts a bit like petulant teens forced to work together. While Deep Space 9 was often known as "Crabby Star Trek," the current Enterprise could easily be titled the "Whiney Star Trek." Their conduct is less than professional much less mature. Can anyone imagine a crew aboard the current space station or on any of the shuttles behaving so inanely? Its impossible for me to imagine any of the first or current astronauts behaving as this crew behaves. Star Trek fans of all ages will support an intelligent production that respects its audience as well as its cast. The current show does neither. Bakula isn't Captain material - a good first mate perhaps but as a leader he doesn't offer much. The Vulcan officer (Blalock)has either been badly cast or badly written or both. Vulcans aren't supposed to be arrogant, sarcastic or snotty - a bit gloomy perhaps but not the perpetual frown Blalock expresses. The writers and actors need to take a look at some of the shots of recent and early shuttle crews during their missions. Note the smiles, the absolute joy they exude. That's more the type of spirit the current show should have - after all, the actors are supposed to depict 'pioneers' in human space travel. Surely some of that positive ambience would exist aboard the Enterprise? Be curious. Stay aboard the ship or bop down to the surface, but for heaven's sake enjoy the experience, use your considerable intelligence (assuming that was one of the requisites to become a crew member)and explore - ideas, new life forms, new concepts regarding good and evil, fear, courage - come on already, do it for Gene. — Barb Bogden

As an amateur astronomer, I have enjoyed Star Trek from the first program that aired in 1966. Following the Star Trek saga has provided many hours of entertainment. I understand the trials that Star Trek is going through at this time. A solution must involve more science. The original series actually had NASA advisers on the writing team. Yes, it is time to do that again and make it more realistic. Here are some ideas that I and many others have wanted to see on Star Trek 1. Explain how the warp drive works, such as warping space and time between the nacells. 2. It has been discovered there are super massive black holes in the center of all galaxies. If light is unable to escape, then how is the enterprise able to escape using warp drive? The Andromeda galaxy actually has a double nucleus and that means there is likely to have a wormhole connecting the two black holes together. 3. All astronomers agree that it is just a matter of time before the earth encounters an asteroid large enough to destroy all life on earth. We have seen in Armageddon what we would do to solve this problem. Is it possible for a Star Ship to save the world from certain destruction? 4. It has always been a great characteristic in the original for the Captain to plan ahead for unforeseen dangers, such as using chess moves as codes. It would be great to expand on this to other members of the crew other than the captain. 5. The crew of the new enterprise are all smart and we know that, but there are times when they will become worried and scared and provide opinions. The brainstorming that solves problems is missing in the new Star Trek Enterprise. 6 Leadership qualities are what we look for in a commander. The Captain must make unpopular decisions and take risks if he is to sit in that chair. So let's see some controversial decision making when it comes to dealing with the unknown. To help with making the decisions there have always been one person the Captain can depend on such as Speck, Dr.. Coy and even Data. That is missing in the new series, it would really help to have a science officer that knows more than the Captain. 7. One of the biggest controversies I hear from folks is that everyone speaks English, now matter what planet they are from. Let's explain as to how that happens using a universal translator. 8.It is always more exciting for the crew of the Enterprise to encounter anomalies in space such as the birth of a star or even the supernova that destroys everything light years distant. 8. We are still learning about Dark Matter in Space causing the universe to expand, so why not expand on that idea to include cosmic radiation that nobody expected to encounter. 9. The universe will never be fully explored and that includes the dimension of time. Yes, they have touched on time travel in the past, but now it is time to understand that time slows down as speed increases. There are endless ideas that can be explored in this dimension. 10. Star Trek has always focused on technology and invention to get the Enterprise out of desperate situations. Ok, now lets go a bit further with this idea and put the Enterprise and crew in jeopardy, but do it without anyone doing something stupid, but rather as a result of an unavoidable catastrophe. 11. It is okay to put humor back into the series. The humor should be subtle, such as when Spock mentioned that he "could not believe his ears." Humor should occur at a moment that sees very serious and hopeless. — Steve Weaver

1. The story lines must continue for more than one episode . 2. Introduce a character that is an enigma to the crew and to the audience. This person will not actually be a member of the crew but will appear only when he is most needed. The crew will not be sure they can trust him but his wisdom and fighting skill will become a much needed asset . This character will be feared by those who have heard of him and will be believed to be a myth . His true agenda will revolve around the success and failure of certain Enterprise missions (which ones he's not saying ), also his technology will be more advanced than Starfleet's and even the Vulcans. 3. Show us more as to how everything the Enterprise crew does now has an affect on the future missions of other Enterprise crews 4. Make the action faster . This is supposed to be the future , yet the show moves at a dinosaur's pace. And for god's sake give this crew some new moves . 5. Put more thought into the weaponry (especially design). Make the audience wish he or she had one of those . 6. Give Whoopi Goldberg's character Gianan a cameo. As old as she claims to be I wouldn't be surprised if she somehow ended up on the ship . 7. They say in space no one can hear you scream . Well, its time Captain Archer and his crew screamed. Picard had the Borg . Where is the dark ultimate nemesis that makes this crew shake every time they face off ? — Dwight Bennett

1. Loosen up the formula. The last four Trek shows have used the same handful of predictable plot formulas over and over again. There was some freedom in DS9, but Enterprise and Voyager have become almost identical. 2. Bring in new blood. Enterprise promised to do this, but has so far failed to live up to its promise. Other than a few new writers, we've got the same make-up, the same directors, and the same production designers. If you want Trek to feel fresh, it has to be fresh. 3. Be more realistic. Why do all of the sets have to be so well lit? Why do all of the aliens have to be basically human, only with different foreheads? Why does everyone's uniform have to be perfectly pressed and buttoned? 4) Don't forget about the past. Since taking over the reigns from Gene Roddenberry in 1991, producer Rick Berman has made a concentrated effort to forget about the original crew and their time period. Perhaps Berman simply wanted fans to be more focused on the TNG era (the 24th century). This was a mistake in the first place, but now that Enterprise has placed the focus on another time period, isn't it about time to revisit the original series? This series and its subsequent movies are the Trek that non-fans are most familiar with. Why not capitalize on that opportunity and set a new show or movie in that era? — Barry Rice

The mere fact that viewers are being asked for suggestions to help fix trek suggests that perhaps its time for the baton to be passed to a new generation of producers. It is all too apparent to the fans that the current producers have lost focus and simply don't care and placed profits before quality. The best way to fix anything is to first discover what is wrong. In the case of Star Trek I cannot think of anything that is right, except perhaps its time slot. What's wrong? Well, the long list includes the poor crew interaction, the lack of strong character identities, the casting, the set lighting, the set's visual coloring ( it reminds me of a black and white daytime soap) and the dialogue, .While it's true that sex sells, shame on the producers for having to stoop to this level to substitute for poor storylines and writing. What made Star Trek a success is simple . For four decades the crew, each with their defined individual personalities, reacted to each other, a mission, space, or an alien race or threat. Star Trek's latest version needs a face lift. — Carl Brzebien

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"I think we're turning in wonderful programs," producer Rick Berman told the Chigago Tribune "and I think we made the right choice doing a prequel, and going back to the beginning, to the kind 'Right Stuff' time where people are truly going where no man has gone before."

Sounds like the guy is STILL in denial because it hasnt been Wonderful and the Prequel has shown us nothing we havent seen before.

A new approach as we have seen when the same thing was happening with Voyager is probably more Action and more Underwear because as we know, B and B have shown no examples as of how to write a good character driven show.

Bacula says somethint to the effect that in a few more years we will see a new show but will anyone still be watching by them?

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However, that being said, I don't really get the "Right Stuff" feel from ENT yet. Space should be a dangerous place for them, but it doesn't really feel that way. There should be problems with the technology, accidents on board the ship, etc. It's a good premise, Berman, but you haven't really shown us that yet. All we've seen are Voyager-type episodes, and if those continue then the end of Trek is in sight.

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Ever notice how it seems like Porthos has all but disappeared from Enterprise recently? WE WANT PORTHOS! That'll get the fans upbeat and increase those ratings- especially from the all important and coveted PETA demographic group. Maybe focus on what it's like to be the only canine in space...and maybe a backstory on how a dog came to like cheese of all things. Can romance be far behind?

Enterprise...only on UPN...Turn it up!

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Always changing/adapting to adjust to fans interest. This kind of strong effort is why Trek can still be viable even after forty years. If the younger generation wants more FX, space battles, and sexy scenes, then so be it.

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"There's no way telling what happened."

-Rick Berman

"Saruman is our friend AND ally."

-Wormtongue

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and I think we made the right choice doing a prequel, and going back to the beginning, to the kind 'Right Stuff' time where people are truly going where no man has gone before

This is hilarious. Most of these shows are rip-offs and present nothing new. I know I've been there and watched that - has Rick Berman?

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NO, there isn't going to be any significant changes at all. I've heard this again, and again, and it's not goint to happen! Wasn't season 2 supposed to a major breakthrough? OK... so we good a few better than average episodes in a row. Woopty Doo. I'm not optimistic anymore.

Unless B&B step down, all we're going to see are some nipples, more space battles, and more makeup for the creation of better foreheads. At most, perhaps a new character. We're going into season three already folks! By now, I do believe too much has been established, and you just can't go back an erase everything (not including time travel).

The only way I see this show changing is if they completely dump the "exploration and life on a starship" theme, and focus more on the politics. No more NX-01, no more Archer and Porthos, no more useless annoying characters. But then again... it's not going to happen.

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"We're starfleet officers....weird is part of the job!"

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What do you mean our mission WAS a peacful exploration?

Does this mean there will be a war? It would be interesting if they drew a parallel with what's going on now with a very possible war with Iraq. Star Trek was famous for its social commentary. Maybe it's time to explore those roots that made the series popular.

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