Port Henry’s Star Trek crew embarks on another voyage
The original “five year voyage” of the starship Enterprise was rudely canceled by network executives at NBC in 1969.
In the decades since, no revival of that imaginary universe has been more true to the original spirit than the “webisodes” produced in an old used car garage in Port Henry, in the eastern Adirondacks.
The latest episode, titled “The Child,” went live on-line earlier this month and you can watch it free of charge by clicking here.
The Star Trek “Phase 2” project is captained, in more ways than one, by James Cawley. (That’s him in the yellow Starfleet jersey.)
In the series, he reprises the role of James T. Kirk. This from the project’s website gives you the idea:
Q. Why Kirk, Spock and McCoy? Why not new characters set in the same timeline?
A. Star Trek: Phase II’s producers/crew feel that Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest should be treated as “classic” characters like Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman, Gandalf from Lord of the Rings or even Hamlet, Othello or Romeo. Many actors have and can play the roles, each offering a different interpretation of said character. Though the character is the same, the interpretation of the actor is what’s in question. We feel that the crew of the Enterprise has more to teach us about life and each other than has been explored to date.
Q. What is the premise of the new show?
A. The new show will be the continuing voyages of Captain Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701 as seen in the 1966-69 television series, Star Trek. The series was cancelled after its third season. We are presenting the series as if it were in its fourth year. We acknowledge that the visual effects are contemporary, but we work hard within out capabilities to keep the effects familiar to fans of the original series.
So — is the new episode good? If you’re a fan of the feel and texture of those original episodes, I think you’ll love it.
There are glowing, misty aliens, just the right amount of Shatneresque, summer-of-love grooviness…and the acting and special effects at least as good as the debut series. Congrats to the crew in Port Henry.
Tags: adirondacks, arts, science fiction
Wow! That phaser must have been set on stun!
LOVE it! thanks for the link, Brian!, and yes, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are archetypal characters, open to interpretation from a variety of actors – witness the new (2009) JJ Abrams movie, with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Karl Urban in the roles. I saw a thing online – a picture of Spock on Kirk’s right and McCoy on his left, with the caption, “Resove stands between logic and compassion.” i think this sums up the essence of each character very well.
And although I join in making fun of myself as a “Trekkie”, the series did and does promote a clear vision of a future in which all of us are respected, valued, and accepted for who we are, and all of us have important contributions to make – regardless of details like skin color (white, black, brown, green, blue, etc.), religious background, ear shape, or educational experience. I love that vision.
I love the interpretation this group in Port Henry has given – and I love their fidelity to the visual and sound effects of 1966-69. They do it well, and I am grateful to them for it.
Hi Brian! Much thanks for the blog post on our efforts!!!
Best,
Robert