A Star Trek: A New Frontier on the horizon

I just saw the new Star Trek trailer (yeah, I know its old news - November 18th) and I am thrilled to say it looks, and sounds, like a winner. The version begins at the most appropriate time - from their youth - and with the wild days of the early space conquests and battles.

Director J.J. Abrams takes over this incarnation of the 11th movie in the historic franchise. While using the Star Wars formula, going back in time to fill in the details (and make more Hollywood cash), this looks more visually stunning (as well it should) and with a wild streak that may turn this character line into a 3-5 movie arch.

Zachary Quinto (Heroes' Gabriel) plays Spock and looks very much like Mr. Nemoy's younger self. But it also seems this Spock will be an action-filled role, with a maturing Vulcan that we can find appealing on many, many levels.

Zoë Saldana (Drumline beauty and Ashton Kucher's girl in Guess Who with the late Bernie Mac) plays Uhura and will definitely spice up the role as a sexy lady on the set...(the trailer gives you a peak of that.)

For James T. Kirk, a relative newcomer, Chris Pine, may be the wildcard, though his credentials on an array of differing projects gives one hope that he can be many faces on a classic character.

To the side, I grew up a Star Trek fanatic. The original movie with V-ger (Voyager, that now fabled satellite the U.S.A. sent up, as the quest), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home with the call of the whales needed to save Earth. (Not necessarily considered a very good movie, but it had its moments, like Mr. Scott talking to the computer, and then having to type really fast to come up with the formula for clear plexiglass made out of titanium or some such item.)

It is my hope that all Star Treks will turn out well. We need a new frontier to roam in these unsettling times.

Heroes: Final Two episodes, nah! Season Two

Just finished watching a guilty pleasure, that being Heroes on NBC. As the season has progressed, we have seen the groups of characters (those with powers) become more intertwined into groups who are motivated to advance their futures or stop the future, as Isaac, the now departed artist-seer has envisioned.

Two characters, Sylar (aka Gabriel) and Peter, are gathering powers from all they contact. They are in the last flashforward episode engaged in an apocalyptic showdown. This is supposed to be prevented by stopping events that took place 5 years prior.

I believe the events that will take place have to moderated - in order for the show to continue. But battles are going to take place, but Sylar and Peter will have to go on, with their motivations, growth and development as characters altering as time, and new connections are made.

Certain characters can and will disappear; only to be replaced by new ones, with new powers. The idea of powers being special, as Sylar's objective has been, will be soon replaced as persons involved realize they are all special, unique and gifted in some way. But it will take about 3-4 seasons to discover that.

This is a show about the journey more than the inevitable conclusions, via the Heroes plot twists. It deals subtlety with the grander issues of our society, good v. evil, as the character's names reflect to a small degree. Surprisely little interaction has taken place in a religious context, but they exist...

No predictions as to the ending of season one. We may see a compromise on the huge doom of blowing up NYC. Certain characters will have to pass, others will come to light as new Heroes (like the little girl that can find anything by thinking of them) either supplant or assist in the journey to....will see.