Date: 17 Nov 1993 08:13:52 -1000
From: "BIESECKER" <BIESECKER@CIDSS.AF.MIL>
Subject: Dateline #41

Here is the latest and greatest edition of the Star Trek Newsletter.  This file
is uploaded with the permission of the editor (Bill Mason).

I know that the Datelines used to be in this archive prior to the
reconfiguration, but I have not been able to find them since.  I will attempt
to gather all prior editions, and upload them as well.

For all you Trekkies/Trekkers/Trek-Nuts out there that are thinking of
downloading this, DO IT!!!  A lotta info about the new Star Trek series, and
some information on the upcoming ST-TNG movie!

Happy reading...

Aloha from Hawaii!!!
-Ted
(biesecker@cidss.af.mil)

<<<<<< Attached TEXT file follows >>>>>>
9311.15                 DATELINE:  STARFLEET                      #41

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                         From the Big Chair
                         ------------------
     Greetings also to the good folk at Nationwide Insurance, Lotus Notes,
and Wordperfect!  |)
     In case it looks like I've gone the endorsement route, let me hasten to
point out that my insurance is not with Nationwide, and I do not compose
these issues on Wordperfect.  (This is written on Lotus Works, for what
that's worth.)  ;)
     --Bill


             News from Over the Hailing Frequencies....
             ------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: VOYAGER
     The new spinoff was finally confirmed and announced on October 26th.  A
press release ran as follows:
     "Paramount Communications & Chris-Craft Industries to form fifth tv
network NEW YORK, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Communications Inc.
(NYSE: PCI) and Chris-Craft Industries, Inc. (NYSE: CCN) today announced the
formation of The Paramount Network, a fifth broadcast
television network to be launched in January 1995.  The new network will be
jointly owned and operated by Paramount and Chris-Craft. 
     "The new network will initially present four hours of original
programming over two nights featuring the introduction of a new, hour-long
action/adventure series, STAR TREK: VOYAGER.  The network also will acquire
additional original programs from Paramount and
other leading television producers.  The introductory prime-time programming
blocks presented by the network will be carried  by a group of affiliated
stations that will include the six independent stations owned by Chris-Craft
and the four independent stations owned by Paramount. Together, these 
stations reach more than 27 percent of U.S. television households.
     "Martin S. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount
Communications, said, 'Under our merger agreement, the launch of The
Paramount Network has been approved by Viacom.  They share our enthusiasm for
the vast opportunities created by this bold venture with Chris-Craft.  The
Paramount Network will benefit substantially from the combination of
Paramount's programming expertise with Viacom's outstanding capabilities in
the television business, particularly in creating immensely popular
networks.'
     "Kerry McCluggage, chairman of the Paramount Television Group, said,
'Paramount brought network quality to first-ran syndication with STAR TREK:
THE NEXT GENERATION, STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE and THE UNTOUCHABLES.  Now,
we are taking it to the next level by creating a quality network;
Chris-Craft's expertise in television station operations makes them a perfect
partner in The Paramount Network, ensuring a successful network that will
maximize its affiliate stations' value.'
     "Evan Thompson, president of Chris-Craft  broadcasting, said, 'We are
extremely pleased to join Paramount in the creation of a new national
television network.  We both believe that The Paramount Network represents
the most exciting opportunity to provide
independent stations with distinctive, original  programming with which they
can differentiate themselves from other independents and cable channels above
and beyond their current slate of off-network
programs.  By aligning themselves with The Paramount Network the affiliate
stations around the country will create a valuable franchise in their markets.'
     "The Paramount Television Group is a leading producer of both network
and first-run programming, supplying 30-1/2 hours of programming per week to
the CBS, NBC, ABC AND USA networks, as well as stations across the country
and worldwide.  Paramount is producing ten network series for the current
season including WINGS, FRASIER, BOB, SOUTH OF SUNSET, THE MOMMIES, JOHN AND
LEEZA, VIPER, SISTER SISTER, DUCKMAN and ITSY BITSY SPIDER.  The pioneer of
the first-run syndication market, Paramount's first-run series are STAR TREK:
THE NEXT GENERATION, STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE,  ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, THE
UNTOUCHABLES, THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW, THE MAURY POVICH SHOW and HARD COPY.
     "The Paramount Stations Group is comprised of seven stations covering
more than 11 percent of all U.S. television households: the independent
stations are WTXF in Philadelphia, WDCA in Washington, D.C., KTXA in
Dallas/Ft. Worth and KTXH in Houston; the FOX Network-affiliated stations are
WLFL in Raleigh/Durham, KRRT in San Antonio and WKBD in Detroit.  Paramount
Communications also has significant operations in motion pictures and home
video, cable television networks, motion picture theaters, theme parks and
live and televised sports and entertainment events, as well as global
publishing operations serving the educational, consumer, and business,
technical and professional markets.
     "Chris-Craft through its 70 percent-owned subsidiary BHC Communications,
Inc., owns and operates an eight-station group covering approximately 20
percent of all U.S, television households- BHC owns independent  stations
KCOP in Los Angeles, WWOR in New York and KPTV in Portland, Ore.  BHC's 55
percent owned  subsidiary, United Television, Inc., owns independent stations
KMSP in Minneapolis, KBHK in San Francisco and KUTP in Phoenix, as well as
ABC affiliate KTVX in Salt Lake City and NBC affiliate KMOL in San Antonio."

     In a "USA Today" article on November 3, Rick Berman revealed some facets
of the new series:
     Basic plot: the crew of the USS Voyager, while chasing a crew of former
Starfleet officers turned renegades, falls into a strange astronomical
phenomenon that maroons both groups at the edge of the Galaxy.  By the end of
the first episode, the two groups have joined forces to find their way home.
     Characters: a middle-aged Vulcan, a half Human/half Klingon female, a
character who is a hologram, and a Native American character.  None of these
characters is the captain, whose background has not yet been decided.
     A "TV Guide" story added four characters to the list: an Asian, two
aliens (of two new-to-Trek species), and a young Starfleet officer who had
been dishonorably discharged but was back in Starfleet because of his
specialized knowledge of the renegades.

TNG MOVIE TALK
     Also in USA Today, Berman noted:
     "Some" of the original [TOS] characters are in the film, and there is
"some interaction between both crews, in a believable fashion, considering
they are 90 years apart."
     A director for the film has been chosen.  His/her identity was not
revealed because the contract had not yet been signed.
     All TNG characters will definitely be in the film.
     The film, written by Ron Moore and Brannon Braga, still has no title. 
(Sigh....)
     Thanksgiving 94 is now the targeted release date for the film.

QVC VS. VIACOM CONTINUES
     As I write this (November 12), QVC had just raised their bid for
Paramount to $90/share, as opposed to Viacom's current $85/share bid.

TNG AND DS9 SCHEDULES
     With thanks to Mage655696 for these.
     TNG (dates are week of dates)
     11/07: "Attached" (a Picard/Beverly story; Patrick Stewart describes it
as TNG's take on "The Fugitive")
     11/14: "Force of Nature" (environmental theme episode; LaForge discovers
that warp drives can be damaging to the space-time continuum)
     11/21: "Inheritance" (a story with Data's "mother" -- Dr. Soong's wife)
     11/28: "Parallels" (Worf finds himself moving through alternate
realities; Wil Wheaton guest-stars as Wesley)
     12/05: "Descent, Part II" (rerun of season premiere)
     12/12: "Liaisons" (rerun; alien liaisons cause problems for the
Enterprise crew)
     12/19: "Gambit, Part I" (rerun; Picard and Riker undercover on a
mercenary ship)
     12/26: "Gambit, Part II" (rerun)
     01/02: "Interface" (rerun; introduces Geordi's mother and father)
     01/09: "The Pegasus" (plot unknown; directed by LeVar Burton)
     01/16: "Homeward" (plot unknown)
     01/23: "Phantasms" (rerun; Data's nightmare)
     01/30: "Sub Rosa" (plot unknown)

     For DS9 (again, week of dates):
     11/07: "Rules of Acquisition" (with the long-awaited debut of a female
Ferengi)
     11/14: "Necessary Evil" (Odo is re-involved in a 5-year-old murder case
that has Kira as a prime suspect)
     11/21: "Second Sight" (a Sisko love story)
     11/28: "Sanctuary" (an alien race claims Bajor for their
homeworld, based on their legends)
     12/05: "The Homecoming" (rerun of season premiere)
     12/12: "The Circle" (rerun)

     Andrew Koenig, Walter Koenig's son, will be playing an alien in an
upcoming DS9 episode.

ALSO ON THE KOENIG FRONT
     The Associated Press reported that Walter started filming on a "Babylon
5" episode on November 1st.
     More immediately, Walter will be on a QVC Star Trek special on November
18th.  (Thanks to Mage655696 for that bit.)

TEK TO TV
     On November 9th, "USA Today" reported that the "TekWorld" series (based
on William Shatner's Tek novels) would debut January 19, 1994. Greg Evigan
has been cast as Jake Cardigan.  (Thanks again to Mage!)

LATER ON SHOWTIME
     LeVar Burton will be in an upcoming movie special on Showtime, "Parallel
Lives."

NAMESAKES
     The Woods Hole Oceangraphic Institution has a new robot submarine for
deep-sea exploration: the Enterprise, complete with NCC-1701 stenciled into
her hull.  |)  (More Mage!)


                  Editorial: These Were the Voyages
                            by Bill Mason
                  ---------------------------------
     I was thinking a thought -- it's on the AOL "Voyager" bulletin board
somewhere -- that I wanted to share this month.
     First, a small bit of background material (it'll be painless).
     I was a tad too young (born in 1966) to care much about the birth of the
ST phenomenon: the campaign to keep the series on the air, the second
campaign, the drive to bring the show back, the birth of the convention
scene, etc.  Basically, a lot of that part of ST is part of the "history
books": things I've had to read about.
     Keeping a little historical background is always helpful, I think.  I
still grimace at an article in a past Starfleet International "Communique,"
that in part recapped a tale of two TNG fans.  When they saw "Star Trek: The
Motion Picture" for the first time, they were reportedly very dismayed that
STTMP had "ripped off" the TNG music -- when of course the movie came first.
     I think of ST history now, because of the announcement of "Star Trek:
Voyager".  It doesn't seem like too many years ago that where new Trek was
concerned, I think most people would have been happy with TNG, TNG, and some
more TNG on television.  If another TOS movie was done, well that'd be cool
too.
     But not one but now two new TV series tossed our way in the past few
years?  TNG going to the big screen without a ten-year hiatus first?  Kind of
mind-boggling.
     Obviously this all has a lot to do with the almighty dollar.  Paramount
knows that Trek brings it in.  But I'm not fussing about that today. 
(Personally, as long as the overall quality of Trek stays high -- and I've
had no cause for complaint -- I don't care if Paramount makes enough money
from it to buy Viacom, QVC, and put in a bid for Ross Perot.)
     I just don't want us fans to be spoiled by all this.  It can't hurt us
to remember the good fights.  |)  Learn!  Read!  It's good for you.  There's
plenty of reading material out there: "The Making of Star Trek," "The World
of Star Trek," the TOS "Compendium," the TNG  "Companion."  Who knows, maybe
even Shatner's "Star Trek Memories."  (To be fair, I have not read the book
yet.)
     It never hurts to learn.  With the new generations of fans coming into
the picture, we don't want to forget where that Trek music is coming from. 
We don't want tales of letter campaigns to become mythological, because the
fans have had umpteen ST sequels handed to them.  After all, who knows what 
we might have to get on Paramount's case about tomorrow?  ;)


Book Review: "The Nitpicker's Guide for Next Generation Trekkers"
by Bob Flaminio (flaminio@aol.com)
----------------------------------------------------
     The Guide provides an episode by episode description of TNG "bloopers,
flubs, technical screw-ups, and picayune plot discrepancies" for every
episode (except one!) through season six.  These include mundane stuff such
as "Riker didn't tap his communicator" to serious continuity breaks (such as
Troi's on-again, off-again ability to read Ferengi minds).  Additionally,
there are two trivia questions for each episode; plus "triathlon" trivia 
between chapters.
     First, I must commend author Phil Farrand for such an effort.  It takes
a lot of Trek watching for him and his comrades to come up with about a page
of errors per episode.  Mr. Farrand is clearly a fanatic, and his love for
all things Trek shows through his writing.
     I read through the book in one night, and plan to keep it on hand for
old episode viewing.  One thing in particular that gripped me was the change
in the Borg's mission between "Q Who" and "Best of Both Worlds".  In "Q Who",
the Borg are the "ultimate users", intent on acquiring technology and
ignoring the E-crew.  But in BOBW, their
mission changes from one of acquisition to one of  assimilation.  While this
is the most profound discrepancy noted in the book, there are hundreds of
others.
     Since Mr. Farrand is a self-proclaimed nitpicker, I suppose he won't
mind me picking a few nits in his book.  First, the book is weighted toward
the first few seasons rather than the last few, with especially light
material from the sixth.  This is to be expected, as the earlier episodes
will have been viewed over and over, while a sixth season episode may have 
been viewed only once or twice.  For example, he completely misses the guy 
sitting on the floor in Data's dream in "Birthright I".  Second, Mr. Farrand 
is clearly a devout Christian (one of his acknowledgements is Jesus Christ), 
which I have absolutely no problem with, except that occasionally he gets a 
little preachy, which has no place in a book such as this.  But I should 
emphasis that this is the exception rather than the norm.  Third, get on-
line Mr. Farrand!  After each episode there are extensive critiques on AOL, 
and Mr. Farrand would be well advised to tap into that knowledge base.  It 
would certainly make publishing his next revision easier.
     Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in all the
little nuances of TNG and how they often don't fit together.  It is always
enjoyable to read the work of a true fan.


Book Review: ST:TOS Novel #67, "The Great Starship Race"
By Kasey Chang (Ksc1))0
----------------------------------------------------
     The latest TOS novel bears a familiar author on the front cover: Diane
Carey, whose last novel, "Best Destiny," was one of the hardback giant Trek
novels from Pocket.  This novel is a must read for all Star Trek fans,
especially fans of Diane Carey.  With a solid plot and high suspense up to
the very end, this book is a great page
turner that you cannot put down.
     The story started 86 years before TOS, aboard the Romulan Cruiser
Scorah, which has encountered a very primitive scout ship from a previously
unknown race.  Somehow, in the Romulans' excitement of finding a new planet
to subdue, the entire crew went crazy and started fighting each other, and
the ship was destroyed.  Only Subcenturion Valdus escaped.  This new world, 
Gullrey, was found by USS Hood 74 years later, and called themselves the 
Rey.  They are extremely happy to meet other aliens.  After twelve years, 
they came up with the idea of hosting "The Great Starship Race", and invited
ALL parties to participate, civilian and governments alike.  This would give
them an even better chance to meet new species and learn about them.
     Over thirty ships from as far as Tholus (Tholians) participated,
including four Starfleet vessels, Enterprise among them.  The race was
organized as a rally, with sequential beacons.  As the ship approaches close
to the first beacon, it will transmit the coordinates of the second beacon, 
and so on.  What made it difficult was the strange stellar conditions in the 
area, which includes turbulences, nebulas, gravitational anomolies, and much 
more.  Just before the game is about to start, a Romulan ship showed up, and 
demanded to join the race.  Its commander is none other than Valdus.
     It appears Valdus have a secret agenda in mind.  He is convinced that
the Rey's effect on Romulans is dangerous, and he have plans to eradicate the
entire race off the world, to prevent the Federation from ever harnessing
that power.  Of course, he kept his intentions
secret, and played along until he can pull off his genocidal plan.  Kirk
suspected that something is up, and as the race goes on, after surviving a
couple of Valdus' backstabbing attempts, Kirk figured out Valdus' plan, and
the race is on toward Gullrey, both ships going beyond warp nine, well past
redline.  Can Kirk stop Valdus and save the Reys?  Or will Valdus succeed in
his lifelong dream?
     The technical details are excellent, and the character details are just
great, with all sorts of ships and captains around.  The only thing wrong
with the book was the cover, as obviously no one had checked the cover to see
if it matched the story.  A must read for all Star Trek fans, especially
Diane Carey fans.  This is a 9 out of possible 10, for excellent.


                           Happy Birthday!
                           ---------------
     November 24: Denise Crosby
     November 25: Ricardo Montalban
     December 9:  Michael Dorn


                  Trek-related Products/Happenings
                  --------------------------------
     Comic book info:
     "William Shatner's Tekworld" #17 (Marvel): the adaptation of "TekLords"
concludes.
     "Star Trek" #56 (DC): Still more time-travel, as the  Enterprise heads
back into Klingon history.  Written by Howard Weinstein.
     "Next Generation" #56 (DC): Trouble's afoot for Worf, Alexander, Deanna,
Lwaxana, and Dr. Selar (what a combination).  Written by Michael Jan
Friedman.
     (DC has been running late with some ST issues lately, so things may not
be getting to the newsstand right on schedule.)
     (From "The Westfield Newsletter")

     "Starlog" #198 was scheduled to include an article about the Animated
Trek series.  (Also from "The Westfield Newsletter")

     Coming in January or February 1994 is the TOS hardcover "Sarek" by A.C.
Crispin, spanning the life of one of our favorite Vulcans.  |)

     In December, Diamond Distributors will deliver *EIGHTEEN* different sets
of Star Trek cards to wholesalers.  These cards came into Diamond's  hands
through American Liquidators.
     According to their advertising hype: "...these cards were created by
Gene Roddenberry himself for his wife's merchandising company..." 
Apparently, these cards were advertising for Lincoln Enterprises.
     The titles, as listed in the October issue of Diamond Ordering Packet:
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Captain Kirk Set
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Mr. Spock Set
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Costumes Set 1
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Costumes Set 2
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Costumes Set 3
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Television Series Set 1
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Television Series Set 2
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry Television Series Set 3
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry 1979 Motion Picture Set 1
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry 1979 Motion Picture Set 2
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry 1979 Motion Picture Set 3
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry The Wrath of Khan Set 1
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry The Wrath of Khan Set 2
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry The Wrath of Khan Set 3
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry The Wrath of Khan Set 4
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry The Search For Spock Set 1
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry The Search For Spock Set 2
     Star Trek/Gene Roddenberry The Search For Spock Set 3
     Each set consists of 16 cards each, and each set will retail for about
$8 a piece.
     (Thanks to Mage655696 for this info!)

     At the Boston CD-ROM expo, IBM Multimedia Publishing debuted (among
other multimedia products) the TOS Personal Multimedia Collection, as well as
a separate TNG collection.

                    Personal Logs, Stardate Today
                    -----------------------------
     "I've become much more aware of the need to protect myself, to protect
my family.  But I do not and I have no intention of [carrying a gun].  That
would be, for me, a tacit involvement with violence itself."
     [Patrick Stewart, on the merits of owning guns as protection from crime.
 From "TV Guide"]

     People were dying....  Gene Roddenberry is gone.  So are some of the
unsung heroes like producer Gene Coons [sic], makeup artist Freddie Phillips
and costume designer Bill Theiss, who made "Star Trek" what is was.  And some
well-known people associated with the show are terminally ill.  I saw history
losing its grasp.  The stories that were to be told would be lost, and I 
thought it was imperative to do it now.
     [William Shatner, discussing why he wrote "Star Trek Memories."  From
the "New York Daily News"]

     "Wil Wheaton is AWOL from Starfleet, and was reported living in Topeka,
KS, where his activities include producing videos, listening to Primus,
cow-tipping and 3D animation."
     [From the Oct/Nov "Video Toaster User."  Thanks for JeffrySG for the
quote!]
     (Wil will be in the HBO made for TV film "Deadly Secrets" later this
year.  Thanks to Mage655696 for the info!)


                    Credits where Credits are Due
                    -----------------------------
     "Dateline: Starfleet" -- edited by Bill Mason.  Comments and submissions
are invited via any of these avenues: America Online (E-Mail to Data1701D),
Internet (send to 'data1701d@aol.com'), or the US Postal Service (753 Rively
Ave, Glenolden PA, 19036-1118)
     The Away Team of Contributors -- Kasey Chang, Bob Flaminio 
     Copyright and Trademark Notice: In no case is use of any copyrighted
material and/or trademarks without identifying symbols intended as a claim of
ownership to those copyrights and/or trademarks.  "Dateline: Starfleet" is a
non-profit production reporting and commenting on the universe of Star Trek.
     STAR TREK is a Registered Trademark of Paramount Pictures.  All other
copyrighted material, trademarks, and/or service marks cited herein are
registered to their respective owners.
     Readers are granted permission to reproduce this file wherever they
think there's an interest.  I make no copyright claims on this file and
encourage public distribution.  Just tell 'em where you got it from!
     If you read all this, happy Thanksgiving!
     Dateline #42 will be out December 15th.
============================================================