The Final Frontier

My Name is Bill, and I am a Trekker. I recently fell off the wagon after about 10 years of sobriety. I mean, sure I watched the occasional movie with friends, but it was always a social thing. I was in control of it. I would sit and make fun of the movies, even though I really liked them.

Earlier this year, I started really craving Star Trek. All of it, from Kirk to Janeway. I never much cared for Archer, he just wasn't my thing... but that T'pal... she's another matter altogether.

I started cruising the cable listings and recording all the Trek I could find and watching it when no one was home. One time, my wife came home and caught me. I was so embarrassed as I fumbled for an excuse.
"What are you doing?", she asked.
"I, um... well, Paul Winfield is in this episode. I was just flipping through the channels. I really like Paul Winfield."
"If you're flipping through the channels, how come it's on the DVR?"
"Uhhhhh."

About a week after that, I didn't realize she was over my shoulder while I was looking at the comprehensive guide to The United Federation of Planets "Ships of the Line" on the internet. I was so embarrassed, I said "Shaka, when the Walls fell!" I knew I was caught.

To make matters worse, BBC America televised 14 solid hours of Next Gen on Thanksgiving. I filled up the DVR and keep going back to watch them. I'm even finding Troi attractive. I looked her up on IMDB yesterday. She's almost 60 now. Yuck. But I can't stop.

It might be that instead of most sci-fi, which supposes a dystopian future, Star Trek shows us Humans and Vulcans and even Klingons, (Kinda) living peacefully (Kinda). Sure, there are enemies, but we don't hate Romulans and Cardassians (no, not Kardashians, but I'm sure if they ever got into space they would be hated, too) because they're Romulans and Caradassians - We hate them because they are evil. It's O.K. to hate the Borg, because, well, they're no longer truly sentient. The Alpha quadrant even puts up with the Ferengi! The Ferengi! I mean, what a wonderful universe it is when Ferengi are allowed to roam free, allowed to be their smarmy little selves.

So, all is not perfect, but the underlying message is what can be accomplished with the weight of entire species, an entire quadrant of the galaxy pushing in the same direction! And this isn't some galaxy far far away, this is our galaxy. The Milky Way galaxy!

Of course, you can drive trucks through holes in the plot points. I mean, for a ship lost in the Delta Quadrant, how is it that Voyager went through, like 8 shuttlecraft, each one of a different configuration, even though the shuttle bay is clearly only configured to accept 2 shuttlecraft?

Yes, it does seem a bit far fetched that in the future, on a planet as interconnected as Earth is portrayed to be that there would still be such distinct accents, but at the same time an utter lack of unique colloquial aphiorsms. And why are they always citing literature and history from the 16th through 20th centuries? I mean, did nothing of note happen after the year 2100 other than - "Oh, yeah, Zeprham Cochraine, who looks a lot like actor James Cromwell, discovered transwarp travel and the Vulcans stopped by to introduce themselves." Apparently the rest is history.

As for the technology, we are coming strikingly close to where Star Trek left off. CERN scientists can't explain why some nutrinos in their experiments are traveling just this much over the speed of light. Einstein hypothesized that this is simply not possible. Of course, Star Trek could not be if it weren't for trans-warp (faster than light) travel.

What else is possible if faster than light could be a reality? How about wormholes? Matter Transporters? Will my concealed pistol license allow me to carry a phaser? Who will install the first replicator in my house? Will Earl Gray tea, (hot, of course), taste the same having been synthesized from component atomic particles?

And the computers, which at the time of the shows airing were impossibly talented and capable are now becoming a pretty close reality, too. For instance, a typical command in the 24th century (That's 300 years from now, people), is "Computer, search all databases regarding the Centauri System." And voila all information would come back without a hitch. Now, I can do the same in my car and on my phone and if the information exists, they will find it. Perhaps the depth isn't there, but the concept is the same. And I am pretty sure my iPhone and iPad can do anything a tricorder does... and more! I just looked it up... there is a tricorder app. Of course there is!

So, my name is Bill... I am a Trekker. I am ready to admit that. I'm not ready to go to Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con, but I think I am comfortable with my level of addiction. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I can fit in an episode of Voyager before I have to leave for a marketing event.