I’ll be the primary to confess that I got here late to Star Trek: Deep House 9. I got here a few quarter century late to the story, as I solely just lately watched the entire sequence for the primary time. Nonetheless, like many, those that cherished it initially and those that got here late, like me, I really like the present. Whereas I had some points with the Deep House 9 finale, the present on the entire is unbelievable.
As a fan of all issues Star Trek, I’ve been utilizing my Paramount+ subscription to additionally take pleasure in all the brand new reveals which have come out over the previous few years. It’s been nice to see the Unique Collection period continued with Unusual New Worlds and to see what occurred after The Subsequent Technology with Picard. However, grasp on one second. Why has there been no follow-up sequence to Deep House 9?
Deep House 9 Pioneered Serialized Star Trek
As we speak, serialized storytelling is the norm; a purely episodic dramatic sequence is the outlier. Twenty-five years in the past, after all, issues had been very completely different. Star Trek itself was nearly solely episodic storytelling, coming throughout an period when having the ability to watch each single episode wasn’t almost as simple as it’s as we speak.
However, talking as anyone who just lately binge-watched all of Deep House 9 over a interval of weeks, the present was forward of its time on this manner. It was the primary really serialized Star Trek sequence, making it the right candidate for a contemporary follow-up that might proceed the story. And but, that is the sequence that has seen the least love on streaming.
Actual Connections To Deep House 9 Have Been Restricted In New Star Trek Content material
We’ve seen 4 new Star Trek TV sequence, with a fifth on the way in which, and a film, all on Paramount+ because the streaming service launched. These numerous reveals have straddled timelines, genres, and even mediums. No matter your favourite Trek present had been earlier than this period, there’s one thing to scratch that itch, besides DS9.
Technically, DS9 as a sequence has had a big affect on trendy Trek, because the present originated the idea of Part 31, the covert department of the Federation that has performed a key function within the film of the identical identify and Star Trek: Discovery. That connection to DS9, nevertheless, has by no means been significantly related to the brand new tales being advised.
Storyline-wise, probably the most vital connection to Deep House 9 didn’t come till the third season of Picard when a gaggle of renegade Changelings turned the primary adversary. Nonetheless, that season was additionally all about reuniting the unique The Subsequent Technology forged, so whereas it may need made sense to usher in DS9 characters, there was certainly no room for them.
Aside from that, past just a few references in Star Trek: Decrease Decks, DS9 has largely been ignored, though there are a variety of actually fascinating locations for a follow-up sequence to go.
Picard Received Three Seasons However What About Sisko?
I really like Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard as a lot as anyone. I watched all three seasons of Picard, and in the event that they made six extra, I’d watch all of them. Nonetheless, Subsequent Technology had arguably probably the most satisfying finale of any Star Trek sequence to this point, making the necessity for one more present, at the least from a storytelling standpoint, much less vital.
In the meantime, the Captain of Deep House 9 is a personality whose story was left very open-ended, creating an actual cause for a brand new present and a course for it to go. Simply what has Benjamin Sisko been as much as for the final quarter century?
I didn’t love the choice to depart Sisko’s character in a type of limbo on the finish of DS9, however that’s what occurred, so let’s use it to do one thing fascinating with the character. Did he return to the station shortly after the finale aired, or has he been gone your complete time? What did the time that he spent with the Bajoran prophets do to him, and what has it meant to the Federation at massive?
These are questions I’d like to get solutions to, and I’m positive there are different followers who would really feel the identical manner.
A Strong Thought For A New DS9 Collection Has Already Been Pitched
There’s another excuse that the truth that a follow-up doesn’t exist is wild, and that is as a result of the concept for one already exists, and it’s a strong begin.
As a part of the 2019 documentary What We Left Behind: Trying Again At Star Trek: Deep House 9, a number of of the present’s authentic writers acquired collectively and talked out an concept for what would have primarily been Episode 1 of Season 8 of the sequence. Importantly, this wasn’t an concept for what the following episode would have been, had it been made 25 years in the past, however how they might make a brand new episode in the event that they had been making it now.
The main points of what they do aren’t essential, so I am going to keep away from spoilers. What’s essential is that it’s precisely the type of sequence that we’re getting as we speak as continuations of different fashionable franchises. It’s the DS9 model of Picard or Cobra Kai. Even when we did not get precisely this concept, the writers have already been considering what would occur if the present had been to return.
Why A Deep House 9 Could Not Have Occurred But
Whereas it’s simple sufficient to inform Paramount they’re lacking the boat on a Deep House 9 sequence, there are some actual causes such a present might not have occurred but. Firstly, there’s the truth that, whereas the present was and is clearly fashionable, it will not be fashionable sufficient.
It was forward of the curve with serialized storytelling, however there’s little argument that the choice to make the present that manner had its prices. The sequence did bleed viewers all through its run. It’s potential that lots of people, even individuals who think about themselves Trek followers, simply haven’t seen all of it. That was actually the case for me for a very long time.
There’s additionally the truth that, within the final 25 years, we have sadly misplaced some key members of the forged. Rene Auberjonois, who performed station safety chief Odo, handed away in 2019. His loss can be keenly felt by any tried reboot. Aron Eisenberg, who performed the Ferengi Nog, additionally died in 2019
On high of all that, there’s some query as to how Avery Brooks can be in returning to play Captain Sisko once more. He’s executed little or no performing since ending the present and is basically retired now. He may not have a lot curiosity in doing even an eight or ten-episode TV season, by no means thoughts a couple of, and a DS9 sequence with out Sisko is basically a non-starter.
To make certain, Star Trek is much from over, and it appears probably that eventually anyone goes to see potential in doing one thing with Deep House 9. It’s simply very odd that it hasn’t already occurred.