1. Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II - World Enough and Time
The Original Series set out to chronicle the five-year mission of the Starship
Enterprise under the command of James T. Kirk. Unfortunately it was cancelled after three short years. Fans are well aware of the happy ending to this story, and some fans are even familiar with the "Lost Years" series of novels that attempt to bridge the gap between the end of the five year mission and the events of
Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It is a labor of love from fans, however, that brings us new stories that chronicle the final 2 years of the historic five year mission. The result is
Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II. The project---taking it's title from the cancelled plans for the second series that was fated to become
Star Trek: The Motion Picture---is the culmination of every fan's dream. From their
website:
"Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II is an award-winning independent webseries that produces new episodes of Classic Star Trek. Continuing the fourth and fifth seasons of the original series, we film the untold stories of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Captain Kirk, and his crew with the intention of filling in the missing years of the original five year mission, and bridging the gap to Star Trek: The Motion Picture. We are a group of fans who have come together with a common love for the classic era Star Trek for the purpose of having fun while making new episodes. It is the goal of Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II to support and promote the CBS/Paramount Star Trek franchise by giving fans an active way to continue their interest in Classic Star Trek."
In the third episode of this "fourth season" of
Star Trek---"World Enough and Time" is an original story that snares the
Enterprise in an inter-dimensional trap leaving Sulu 30 years out of place. The episode was nominated for a Nebula and a Hugo award alongside
Doctor Who's "Blink" and
Torchwood's "Captain Jack Harkness." It was ultimately "Blink" that won the Hugo, however,
Phase II did take home the TV Guide Online Video Award for "Best Sci-Fi Webisode." No small feat given the limitations of budget and time on an independent, fan based production.
Phase II is something special, not only to fans but to everyone who has ever been involved in
Star Trek. "World Enough and Time" guest stars Grace Lee Whitney and George Takei, both reprising their roles as Janice Rand and Hikaru Sulu respectively. Their involvement as well as involvement (in other episodes) of cast members, Walter Koenig and Denise Crosby not to mention writers and crew from the original series---it all speaks volumes to the quality of this production. All episodes are available on the
official Phase II homepage, as well as on YouTube. Fans everywhere will enjoy these original stories that give us season for of Star Trek after a forty year hiatus. Check out "World Enough and Time"
here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNnYcjF1bI&feature=BFa&list=PL496AFDC49ACF2CC0 There are few people in fandom as dedicated as Star Trek fans. Here we see some of the best they can achieve. Should Hollywood pay closer attention to the fans? Should the fans leave the movie making to the professionals? Weigh in on the comments below!