NCC-1701 Movie Enterprise

[Mikey]

Was just watching TMP

There's no way Kirk thinks this totally new Enterprise was built around his classic 1701.

I mean EVERYTHING is totally different.

If Starfleet really did do this they're pretty stupid

[Nostalgiabuff]

yeah, that was a suspension of disbelief moment. kind of the same as ignoring the fact that Klingons now looked totally different

[Hedji]

One of the prettiest spaceship models to ever grace the screen. That thing is luscious. Yes, the shuttle pod scene goes on unashamedly, but the Goldsmith score is beautiful, and the model is so well done, you don't mind the camera lingering on all the details and intricacies.

[knight errant00]

The finest and most perfect iteration of the Enterprise ever. Balanced and streamlined (but not so much as to lose the interstellar who-need-aerodynamics look of a starship). it looks like it's in almost motion even standing still. Eschewing the post-Star Wars "layer the hull in as much junk as possible to get details" approach, the paint job with all the individual hull plates is just amazing. I know the drydock scene goes on too long, but I still remember the Sunday afternoon I saw it in 1979 and I was just as enchanted as Kirk was.

[emeraldknight47]

I didn't mind that long tour of the refitted ENTERPRISE. It really gave you a chance to take in all the grace and beauty of the new design, plus it acted as both an introduction (for ST newcomers) and a reintroduction (for past Trekkers) to the Enterprise, which is as much a character in the show as any of the actors. Plus, I bet all the model makers and craftsmen who worked on that were tickled s***less to see their work so lovingly displayed on the big screen.

[number 6]

Was just watching TMP

There's no way Kirk thinks this totally new Enterprise was built around his classic 1701.

I mean EVERYTHING is totally different.

If Starfleet really did do this they're pretty stupid

When Paramount released this film, I don't think they intended for fans to draw a straight line from the T.V. series to TMP. In fact, some of the things I've read in the last few years give me the impression that Paramount wanted to discard the T.V. series continuity in favor of the movie continuity. Basically, TMP becomes the bible on what officially "is" Star Trek.

Take what Nostalgiabuff mentioned earlier as an example: the Klingons. TMP Klingons look completely different than the T.V. show Klingons and there's not even an attempt in the film to explain why. And aside from a joking, half-hearted "explanation" by Roddenberry and a jab in the Tribbles episode in DS9, I don't think there's ever been an Official explanation for the change.

I've only read portions of The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture book, I need to get that book and read the whole thing. And it's been several years since I've watched the documentaries on the Directors Cut of TMP. So I don't really have anything factual to back up what I'm going to say, it's just supposition on my part.

But I suspect the Klingon change issue was simply a matter of Roddenberry (and the rest of the creative team) finally having a substantial budget at their disposal and creative leeway to do (or re-do) some of the things they wanted to do in the T.V. series but couldn't because of the restrictions. TMP was their opportunity to finally depict the Klingons as an actual alien race, not just a bunch of guys in grease paint and goatees.

I think the attitude going forward was basically "This is what we always wanted to do, the way things should have been so we're just going to act like the cheap, low-budget stuff from the T.V. show never happened".


So if you take that line of reasoning with the Klingons and apply it to the Enterprise, it's possible that in TMP continuity the pre-retrofit Enterprise looked different than the one in the T.V. show.

[LonnieFisher]

Parallel universe, not ours.

[Allie Fox]

When Paramount released this film, I don't think they intended for fans to draw a straight line from the T.V. series to TMP. In fact, some of the things I've read in the last few years give me the impression that Paramount wanted to discard the T.V. series continuity in favor of the movie continuity. Basically, TMP becomes the bible on what officially "is" Star Trek.

Take what Nostalgiabuff mentioned earlier as an example: the Klingons. TMP Klingons look completely different than the T.V. show Klingons and there's not even an attempt in the film to explain why. And aside from a joking, half-hearted "explanation" by Roddenberry and a jab in the Tribbles episode in DS9, I don't think there's ever been an Official explanation for the change.

I've only read portions of The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture book, I need to get that book and read the whole thing. And it's been several years since I've watched the documentaries on the Directors Cut of TMP. So I don't really have anything factual to back up what I'm going to say, it's just supposition on my part.

But I suspect the Klingon change issue was simply a matter of Roddenberry (and the rest of the creative team) finally having a substantial budget at their disposal and creative leeway to do (or re-do) some of the things they wanted to do in the T.V. series but couldn't because of the restrictions. TMP was their opportunity to finally depict the Klingons as an actual alien race, not just a bunch of guys in grease paint and goatees.

I think the attitude going forward was basically "This is what we always wanted to do, the way things should have been so we're just going to act like the cheap, low-budget stuff from the T.V. show never happened".


So if you take that line of reasoning with the Klingons and apply it to the Enterprise, it's possible that in TMP continuity the pre-retrofit Enterprise looked different than the one in the T.V. show.

1. The Enterprise in TMP is the same Enterprise as the TOS. It is explained that Decker oversaw the refit along with Mr. Scott. Among the changes were: different vertical warp core assembly, new and heavier warp engine nacelles atop swept-back pylons and integrated with the impulse engines. The changes to the engines allowed for the expansion of the cargo and shuttle bay in the secondary hull. As Mr. Scott told Kirk, ". . .the Enterprise has just finished eighteen months redesigning and refitting. The crew hasn't had near enough transition time with all the new equipment. And the engines, Admiral: they've yet to be even tested at warp power."

There are also several music cues that tie it directly to TOS. Notably, during Kirk's first log entry.

2. There is an explanation in ST:E for the differing appearance of Klingons. While attempting to create super soldiers, Klingon scientists used human genetic material in their subjects. This caused a viral epidemic that resulted in the more human-like appearance. Phlox was able to develop the vaccine/cure but the genetic damage had been done to some and the appearance is now part of the Klingon DNA. The Klingons of TOS were more closely related to the genetically bred soldiers while the movie Klingons are purer genetically clean Klingons. The "defect" can be seen all the way through to ST:VI with the appearance of General Chang who's head is nearly smooth.


But yes. . . budgetary constraints were not the issue with the films as they were with the movies. Therefore, better costumes, makeup, Enterprise models, etc.

[Bruce Banner]

I always liked the TMP refit Enterprise, but I still prefer the overall look of the TOS one.

[Allie Fox]

I mean tv series instead of movies.

As for the line from TOS to the movies as seen by Paramount...

TMP was originally started as a tv series continuation of TOS. It was planned to be called ST: Phase Two. The costumes and sets were used when it went into production as TMP after the Post-Star Wars sci-fi boom.

[Nostalgiabuff]

yes, all true Allie, and Decker and Ilia were to be new characters on phase two. as was the Vulcan who got killed in the transported accident with Kirk's ex wife in TMP. again, the ex wife bit was cut from the movie but that is who she was

the Klingon change was definitely a budget thing, and yes, I had forgotten about the explanation given on Enterprise. of course that is all revisionist history to make things fit, but all good in the overall context. I loved Worf's line in the DS9 episode that they do not discuss it

the reality is that there are so many inconstancies between the original show and the movies and the various spinoffs that you just have to overlook it and enjoy each for what it is

[emeraldknight47]

the reality is that there are so many inconstancies between the original show and the movies and the various spinoffs that you just have to overlook it and enjoy each for what it is

Especially if you've watched any episodes of "ENTERPRISE" (a show I actually enjoyed quite a bit) and noted that Archer's "first" Enterprise was technologically far more advanced than Kirk's NCC-1701 with the exception of, I think, deflector screens and high caliber phaser banks...

[Klosterheim]

'NCC-1701 Movie Enterprise'

The Enterprise refit made sense to me. I really liked the design.
It also showed scale better by using those shuttles, docking into the ports.

One thing, I feel Shatner was closest to playing TOS Kirk in TMP than he does in all the sequels. He is different from II on.

It's hard to believe they made TMP without having a Klingon disruptor outside a holster. All that beautiful new Klingon armor and no scene for hand-to-hand combat.

Watching TNG again shows me how 1st season was close to TMP.

Will and Deanna. Riker instead of Decker.

Decker family are unusual in Starfleet, one went mad the son ran away, from his Earth lifestyle, with a new alien lifeform. Where are the offspring now? Next step in evolution? Never showed up in TNG.