Captain Riker Has Spoken: Star Trek Isn’t Going Anywhere!

Hey Trekkies and sci-fi buffs of Pakistan! Grab your Romulan Ale, because we’ve got some interesting updates on the Star Trek universe that’s got fans buzzing, and not always in a good way. It seems like our beloved franchise is currently navigating some pretty turbulent nebulae, facing a bit of an uncertain future.

For the first time since 2017, there isn’t any new Star Trek show actively being filmed. Think about that for a second – a franchise known for its endless exploration, currently in a holding pattern! On top of that, Alex Kurtzman, who’s been steering the Trek TV ship for a while, is nearing the end of his contract with CBS Studios and Paramount. So, his role in the future of the franchise is a big question mark. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s been a major corporate shake-up: Skydance Media has now merged with Paramount, meaning Gene Roddenberry’s iconic creation is now in the hands of new corporate bosses. Talk about a cosmic shift!

This all comes at a time when the recently cancelled show, *Starfleet Academy*, was, let’s just say, not exactly showered with love from some corners of the fanbase. In fact, Trek legend Jonathan Frakes, who you probably know best as Commander Riker from *The Next Generation*, recently shared how the fan backlash these days feels “dimensionally more painful” compared to his TNG days. Ouch!

But fear not, fellow travelers! Our very own Jonathan Frakes isn’t one to shy away from speaking his mind, and he’s got some hopeful words for us. While promoting a charity walk for pancreatic cancer research, he weighed in on the current state of affairs and the “trolls” who sometimes make things difficult online.

Frakes expressed a bit of disappointment, saying, “I think, sadly, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our incredible franchise, it seemed very unfortunate that they’ve chosen this moment to not have any new Trek in production.” He added, “It seems like a very unfortunate irony. I’m sure that Trek will resurface, it always has, and it always will. And the power that Roddenberry invested in it seems to have made it through six decades.” That’s the kind of optimism we need!

Regarding the cancellation of *Starfleet Academy*, a show he even directed an episode for in its first season (and don’t worry, its second, already-shot season is still coming!), Frakes admitted he wasn’t entirely sure about the studio’s exact reasoning. He speculated, “Perhaps it’s the changing of the guard at Paramount+ and CBS [Studios]. Perhaps it’s indecision. Perhaps it’s the amount of money it costs to make how beautiful the show is…” And he’s right; modern Star Trek shows really do go all out with cinematic visuals, which definitely doesn’t come cheap!

He also touched upon the issue of online critics, especially those who apparently didn’t even bother to watch shows like *Strange New Worlds* before dishing out negativity. “Yeah, isn’t that unfortunate?” Frakes responded. He even mentioned that Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, *Starfleet Academy’s* co-showrunner, cited these “trolls” as a factor when they had to deliver the news that the show was being put “on ice.” It seems even Starfleet captains can’t escape the internet’s dark corners!

So, while the future might feel a bit hazy right now, there’s still plenty to look forward to. We’ve got the second season of *Starfleet Academy* and the final two seasons of *Strange New Worlds* already in the can and waiting for release. Plus, there are whispers of a new Star Trek movie being discussed by Paramount/Skydance. As Commander Riker once famously said he planned to live forever, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Star Trek does the exact same. Keep your comm-badges charged, Pakistan, the journey continues!