I see the first episode as introducing a new holodeck at Starfleet being opened and the first character being brought online. It would be a professor of the sciences or something. While online there would be an accident with the replicator near by and the whole system would crash. But instead of disappearing the professor would still be standing there. He steps off the holodeck and the series would be how he fits into society on and off earth.

The past series of star trek the audience has fallen in love with characters who have over come personal demons and faced off against armies of evil empires. However we have yet to have a series where the characters fail to overcome these demons, or how the events surrounding the character brings out their darker side and leads them to their downfall.

In the darkest series of star trek we would have characters that not only show their strengths and nobility but also their weaknesses, such as alcohol or other addictions. As events in the series affects the characters evolutions and turning the most loyal men traitorous.

This series would be different in the sense that where seven seasons of voyager was set over seven years in that timeline. This series would be set over a much longer period with many gap years in between seasons. We would have some major and minor cast changes due to promotions, deaths and transfers throughout the series, promotions would happen mainly between seasons due mainly to the gap years in between.

To highlight the major points of this series:
- Much darker than any other
- Be set over a larger period of time
- periodic major and minor cast changes
- Instead of having that confidence that the main characters will survive all dangerous situations, there will be times when characters are killed off. Keeping the audience on edge
- The series will have an overall story, with each season having its own story arc and each episode focused on certain characters at a time.
- Character development will be a huge part of the series.

The setting
*Please note that the following does not take in any cannon, such as the novels, games or the upcoming star trek online. It may take from previous movies or series and I’m not against it being modified.*
With the absorption of many new worlds into the federation, it was necessary to create a faster form of travel. The reopening of trans-warp drive research lead to disaster with the prototype destroyed with all onboard, instead large trans-warp conduits were build which propel a ship into trans-warp space. This technology was used to cause the greatest cataclysm in history, which resulted in the federation being split in two by a massive nebula, impassable and unable to communicate the two sides were left to fend for themselves, This series takes place decades later onboard the run down starship the USS Phoenix, focusing on the crew from the command deck to NCOs and enlisted. Just prior to the event Starfleet received intelligence on a large fleet of unknown origin near Federation space and dispatched several armadas to intercept. Just after arriving at the co-ordinates the admirals discovered there was nothing there, not even on long range sensors. Several hours later the Cataclysm took place, a massive explosion that caused unimaginable levels of energy to travel through several Conduits, destroying them as it continued and creating a massive nebula.
The series is about survival of the crew, the ship, the Federation. Member worlds have seeded and formed there own alliances. While there are many worlds who are still loyal to the Federation they are still recovering and are beginning to doubt the Federation can be salvaged or reformed. Minor races in the series are now major players in the quadrant and are not missing the opportunity to ally, manipulate or take advantage of the Federations weakened state.

Had an idea several years ago for a spinoff, since they seemed to be running out of inspiration.

It was to have a handful of Starfleet officers, probably led by Worf, to be placed upon a Klingon Battlecruiser for research/observation. Kind of like an exchange program with Starfleet.

This whole series would look and feel different because 90% of it would be seen through the eyes of Klingon exploration. They are much more aggressive, obviously. The whole tone of the show would be much darker…much more confrontational. More battles. More anti-Starfleet perspective. It would be Klingon adventures…

…as seen through the eyes of the few humans (and Worf) that are constantly struggling with the Klingon crew. Klingon tactics. Klingon missions. Klingon over-aggressive engagements.

Obviously, there would be cameos on occasion by Picard & Co. All kinds of Starfleet related storylines as well, but not neccessarily. There might even be Klingons we come to know and respect on the ship, etc.

Don’t think the powers that be in creating the television series would ever go for it though. Unfortunately, they keep reproducing the same stories over and over. Not that Star Trek doesn’t have great episodes…it’s the recycling that kills them in the end.

Frank