Jonathan Frakes says Star Trek: Episode of the Strange New Worlds parody made the nervous showrunners on Shatner and Roddenberry Portrayals

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds He pulled out one of his most daring experiments with “A Space Adventure Hour”, the Holodeck test that turned into a parody destination of Star Trek’s Origins.

The episode imagined a mystery in the pulp style murder put in the background of a science fiction show in difficulty, with the members of the cast that channeling figures of the real world such as William Shatner, Roddenberry Geneand even Lucille ball.

Director and for a long time Star Trek veteran Jonathan Frakes He revealed that not everyone was completely comfortable in making fun of such iconic figures.

Paul WesleyWhich once again entered the role of James Kirk, admitted that he was cautious in leaning too much on Shatner’s mannerisms. Frakes recalled the conversation:

“Paul Wesley, who plays Kirk, for better or for worse, said” what do you think, Frakes? “I said,” Try it! “He said,” How far away? “I said,” Try, I’ll tell you if it’s too much. “Clearly, I didn’t think it was too much. [laughs] And then we leaned with cinematography … it was Kismet, that episode. “

Wesley later said that his greatest concern was “exaggerating”, but in the end he decided that the performance worked like a playful nod to the fans, echoing the Shakespearean energy that Shanner led to the original series. Not that Shanner himself is judging, he has openly admitted that he does not look at Star Trek.

Things became more difficult when it was to interpret Gene Roddenberry. Anson Mount Arrived on the occasion, but the showrunners hesitated, knowing that Roddenberry’s son is an executive producer Strange new worlds. Frakes explained:

“And Anson was so excited when he got the draft … he was so enthusiastic, he said:” I want to do Rodcenberry. “I said:” I would like you to do Rodcenberry. ” [co-showrunners] Akiva [Goldsman] And Henry Alonzo Myers had cold feet.

“We don’t want to offend Roddenberry. I said:” Rodenberry is dead! “And he had a sense of humor. So, how can you say [slyly]I am not leaning at all. “

Despite the nerves behind the scenes, the episode has landed as one of the most memorable voices of the show. His success lies in the way the writers understood the story of Trek, transforming it into a mystery of murder of intelligent Holodeck in which the “cancellation” of a television show has become the crime to be solved.

Strange new worlds It will end with season 5 and, while the Akiva Goldsman showrunner float the idea of ​​a spin -off focused on Kirk’s first year as a captain of the company, fans may need to temperate expectations. Paramount was not exactly fast to clarify the spin -offs. The spectators asked.

However, if this episode has shown something, it is that Trek can honor his past, also laughing, and that balance could be exactly why Strange new worlds He resonated so strongly with fans.

Source: CinemaBlend