Warning: contains spoilers forStar Trek: Lower Decks#5!
After 36 years,Star Trekis finally calling out its most controversial movie. After the classicStar Trekwas canceled in 1969, it returned in a series of feature films running from 1979 to 1991. These movies were successes at the box office and with fans, but were not without controversy.Star Trek V: The Final Frontierwas one, and its contentious nature is called out inStar Trek: Lower Decks#5.
Star Trek: Lower Decks#5 was written by Ryan North and drawn by Jack Lawrence. TheCerritoscrew is enjoying some downtime on Arakia Base while the ship undergoes a baryon sweep. Some of the ship’s officers are watching a puppet re-enactment of the conclusion ofStar Trek V: The Final Frontier, in which Spock confronts “God.” The dialogue is different from the movie, as are Spock’s actions, leading T’Lynn to conclude “this puppet-based play is, at best, of dubious canonicity.”
Star Trek VIs One of the Franchise’s Most-Maligned Movies
T’Lynn’s remark might seem to be nothing more than a snarky brush-off, but in fact it is a very subtle reference to one of the most controversial movies in theStar Trekfranchise.In 1989, Paramount Pictures releasedStar Trek V: The Final Frontier. Directed by William Shatner, the movie introduced Spock’s half-brother Sybok, a Vulcan who embraced emotions. Sybok was on a quest to find “Sha-Ka-Ree,” a mythical world that could be compared to the Garden of Eden. Sybok hijackedtheEnterpriseand took itto the center of the galaxy, where he believed Eden lay.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldshas teased Sybok’s arrival, but he has not made a full appearance as of the end of Season Two.
Arriving at the center of the galaxy, the crew meet “God,” only to find out he is nothing more than a cosmic being seeking to escape his captivity. Kirk, Spock and the crew succeed in stopping the creature, but are no closer to finding Sha-Ka-Ree, if it ever existed at all. The film raised serious questions about the nature of God and faith. It was also a celebration of the Kirk-Spock-McCoy dynamic that made the classicStar Trekso great. The film was a success at the box office, but took a beating from critics and some fans.
Apparently, Roddenberry was so incensed with elements of the movie he tried to get them declared non-canon, to no avail.
Star Trek: V: The Final Frontierhad its detractors from all sectors, including franchise creator Gene Roddenberry. After the first two seasons ofStar Trek: The Next Generation, Roddenberry had been “promoted” to Executive Producer, but had very little power or control over what was made. According toStar Treklore, Roddenberry took issue with several parts ofThe Final Frontier, including Spock having a half-brother. Apparently, Roddenberry was so incensed with elements of the movie he tried to get them declared non-canon, to no avail. Gene Roddenberry would pass away two years afterThe Final Frontier’srelease.
To be fair, there were other aspects of theStar Trekfranchise Roddenberry voiced displeasure with. After the lukewarm reception by fans and critics toStar Trek: The Motion Picture, Roddenberry was kicked upstairs, and creative control was handed off to Harve Bennett, who would produce the remaining films featuring the Original Series cast, includingThe Wrath of Khan. Roddenberry was apparently displeased with that movie as well,fearing it cast Starfleet as a strictlymilitary organization, which he felt ran counter toStar Trek’svalues. Roddenberry was also not happy with later seasons ofStar Trek: The Next Generation.
Star Trek: Lower DecksCalls Out Gene Rodenberry’s Reaction toThe Final Frontier
Star TrekV: The Final Frontieris a mess of a movie, one that promises a big story but ultimately fails to deliver. It also takes liberties with some of the character’s backstories, which Roddenberry had issues with, to the point that he tried to use his remaining clout at Paramount to get it struck from the canon. His relationship with his creation in later years was somewhat contentious, leading to declarations such asThe Final Frontiernot being in continuity. Now, 36 years later, Roddenberry’s displeasure with the film gets a subtle callout.
Star Trek: Lower Decks#5 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
