Review: Star Trek Continues (Episodes 1-9)

What is Star Trek Continues?

Official Site

Star Trek Continues is a high production value fan-made continuation of The Original Series of Star Trek, bridging the gap between the end of season 3 and where we find Kirk and his crew at the start of the first movie.

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1 –  Pillars of Eternity

Official Summary: Apollo returns to wreak havoc on Kirk and the Enterprise in the first episode of the new series.

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This episode is a sequel of sorts the the TOS episode “Who Mourns for Adonais?” (episode No. 31). Apollo returns in this. Its a solid start to the series – it feels like Star Trek.

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2 –  Lolani

Official Summary: A survivor from a distressed Tellarite vessel pulls Captain Kirk and his crew into a moral quandary over her sovereignty.

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This episode definitely feels like Star Trek. Solid, solid episode.

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3 – Fairest of Them All

Official Summary: In the Mirror Universe, Spock faces a choice that determines the future of the Terran Empire.

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Another direct sequel to a TOS episode, this one is a sequel to Mirror, Mirror, showing the fallout of the episode back in the Mirror universe. They did a great job with this episode, making it feel like a real continuation. Best to watch Mirror, Mirror right before to catch all the continuity.

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4 – The White Iris

Official Summary: Captain Kirk finds himself haunted by guilt from his past as the fate of an alien world hangs in the balance.

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One of my favorites of the series. This one makes heavy references to TOS episodes – you really have to know Star Trek to get it all. Kirk is haunted by “ghosts” of people whom he has loved who have died. Episodes referenced are:  “Requiem for Methuselah”,  “Obsession”, “The City on the Edge of Forever”, “The Paradise Syndrome”.

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5 – Divided We Stand

Official Summary: Kirk and McCoy are trapped in time while an alien infestation threatens the Enterprise.

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This is one of my favorites of the whole season – possibly my favorite. Great Kirk and McCoy bonding and American Civil War drama.

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6 – Come Not Between The Dragons

Official Summary: A troubled creature pierces the Enterprise hull, pitting the crew against a pursuer that threatens to tear them apart.

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The monster episodes aren’t my favorite type of TOS episode, so this wasn’t my favorite, but it was still good.

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7 – Embracing The Winds

Official Summary: While the Enterprise is sent on a seemingly routine mission, Kirk is recalled to starbase where he faces an ethical dilemma that challenges the very core of Starfleet Command.

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This one is super relevant for today – as Star Trek is known for. All about sexism, equality, and how constitution class starships have never had a female captain. Great Kirk and Spock interactions.

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8 – Still Trends The Shadow

Official Summary: The Enterprise discovers a lost starship… with an unlikely passenger.

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A little slower as an episode – but WOW. Great story/dialogue. Really great study into Kirk as a character.

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9 – What Ships Are For

Official Summary: Kirk struggles with aiding a society whose inhabitants view their isolated world in a very unique way.

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I actually saw the premiere of this episode at Supercon in 2017. Vic (who plays Kirk) was there and did a Q&A after, and he signed my episode poster, it was great.

This is a really great episode – Kirk’s speech towards the end (where the episode gets its its title) about the goals of exploration and the dangers of isolation captures TOS Kirk perfectly. Very creative with the alternating between black&white and color too.

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The first part of the two part finale “To Boldly Go” airs October 18, 2017, and the second part airs November 13, 2017.

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Final Thoughts:

I LOVE this series. I love the actors (many of which are anime voice actors, guest stars from famous sci-fi, Scotty is the original Scotty’s son, etc.). Its a great, super well done continuation. gene Roddenberry’s son said its canon as far as he’s concerned – so you know its great.

I haven’t watched the final – I don’t want it to end.