For all that the streaming period has given us, there are nonetheless a whole lot of genuinely annoying issues about it, most notably when it comes the enterprise and manufacturing of TV. Now, six to eight-episode seasons of well-liked collection are commonplace, often dropped as single-release binges as a substitute of unfold out over weeks, and it’s not unprecedented for it to take a number of years for brand spanking new batches of episodes to reach. Gone are the times of prolonged seasons, common launch schedules, and weekly watercooler debriefs on-line (or in individual, what an idea) with mates.
Even a franchise big like Star Trek isn’t unaffected by these adjustments. Whereas we’ve had extra Trek properties than ever earlier than lately, the collection has struggled to adapt to the streaming format, and the trendy period of the present seems fairly a bit completely different than its predecessors as soon as did. Ten-episode seasons are actually the brand new regular, and no Paramount+ collection has but managed to air greater than 5 of them.
Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds, probably the most critically acclaimed installment of the franchise in a really very long time, will finish with a truncated fifth season of six episodes. Because of this it’ll barely eke previous the extra universally criticized Star Trek: Enterprise by way of runtime. (And can fall nicely brief for those who contemplate complete episode rely.) And it’s most likely time to query that reality. Certain, the Trek franchise seems higher than it ever has. However what are we shedding on this transition to shorter seasons and decrease episode counts? Is it time to consider whether or not the present ought to return to producing longer seasons?
Brannon Brega says sure. And he ought to know, since he’s written extra episodes of Trek than anybody else. He has writing credit on over 100 episodes and two function movies. He started his profession as an intern on Star Trek: The Subsequent Technology, served as showrunner on Star Trek: Voyager, and was one of many creators of Star Trek: Enterprise. If anyone is in a singular place to weigh in on how the franchise has modified over time — and within the swap from broadcast to streaming — it’s him. And in his view, one thing has to provide.
