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Star Trek Generations not only passed the big screen torch from the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series to the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation , it also featured the controversial death of franchise icon Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner). After a largely successful six-movie run that lasted from 1979 to 1991, the cast of TOS finally hung up their spacesuits for good after Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country , making way for the younger - and increasingly popular - crew of TNG , which was wrapping up a wildly successful seven-season run in syndication.

After a prologue set in the late 23rd century that features Captain Kirk seemingly perishing aboard the USS Enterprise-B while rescuing El-Aurian refugees, Star Trek Generations shifts to the 24th century era of Star Trek: The Next Generation , where Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D are forced into a conflict with one of the El-Aurian refugees, Dr. Tolian Soran (Malcolm McDowell), who has become obsessed with re-entering the interdimensional ribbon known as the Nexus. After a calamitous battle with the Klingon Duras sisters that results in the destruction of the Enterprise-D over Veridian III, Picard and Soran are pulled into the Nexus, where Picard finds Captain Kirk alive and well.

Star Trek Generations' Ending & Soran's Nexus Plan Explained

Dr. Tolian Soran spent nearly a century planning his return to the Nexus. He attempted to divert the Nexus to the planet Veridian III by destroying a star that would have resulted in the deaths of millions. Soran was confronted by Picard, but he was ultimately successful, re-entering the Nexus, though with Picard along for the ride. The Nexus sweeping into Veridian III destroyed the planet and the crashed USS Enterprise-D saucer section . After shaking off his personal paradise inside the Nexus, Picard finds that Kirk is in fact still alive inside his own customized heaven and enlists his help to go back in time and stop Soran's plan.

While Picard battled Soran on the surface of Veridian III, the USS Enterprise-D found itself in a pitched battle with the Klingon Duras sisters, who were working with Soran. Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) was kidnapped by Soran early in the film, and the Duras sisters were able to hack into his VISOR which allowed them to view the Enterprise-D's shield frequencies when they returned Geordi to the ship. The Klingon torpedoes broke through the Enterprise's shields, critically damaging the Federation flagship. The Duras sisters were ultimately defeated, but the Enterprise-D suffered a warp core breach and the destruction of the drive section. The saucer section made an emergency crash landing on Veridian III with thankfully few casualties.

Once Picard and Kirk exited the Nexus, they returned to thwart Soran on Veridian III minutes before his missile launched and destroyed the Veridian star. Just before falling to his death, Kirk was able to lock the missile to its launcher, neutralizing the threat to the star and killing Soran in the process. Kirk died with Picard by his side, satisfied that he'd made a difference one last time. Picard eventually made his way back to the wrecked USS Enterprise-D hull, where he and Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) bid the beloved ship a fond farewell.

Star Trek Generations is ultimately a movie about time, mortality, and fate. Picard finds himself dealing with the fallout from the tragic deaths of his brother and nephew, at that point believing himself to be the final member of his much-celebrated family line. The retired Kirk finds himself grappling with a lack of purpose, which he ultimately finds one last time by teaming up with his fellow Captain of the Enterprise. The tragic figure of the story is really Soran, a formerly peaceful man driven mad and violent by the loss of his family at the hands of the Borg. Not everything about Generations works, but it's a thematically resonant story.

Why Star Trek Killed Off Captain Kirk

Paramount Pictures mandated that Star Trek: The Next Generation 's inaugural film should feature some sort of meeting between Captain Kirk and Captain Jean-Luc Picard. A more robust TOS reunion including Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) was originally planned, but ultimately only Shatner returned in a major way, with TOS supporting characters Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) and Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) enjoying small roles in the movie's opening scene. While meant to honor what had come before, Star Trek Generations ' treatment of Kirk was immediately controversial and remains so decades later.

Screenwriters Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga eventually hit on the idea of killing off Kirk as the film's biggest emotional climax. To their surprise, they experienced essentially no pushback from Paramount or William Shatner when the idea was suggested. With the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast moving to the big screen and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager on television, Paramount realized it was likely time to retire the Star Trek: The Original Series era and Shatner himself was largely ready to move on after playing Kirk for over 25 years.

Why Generations' Original Kirk Death Plan Was Changed

In the original version of Star Trek Generations , Captain Kirk met his end while fighting Soran alongside Captain Picard on the surface of Veridian III. Kirk died when Soran shot him in the back with a phaser. Test audiences had a strongly negative reaction to this initial version of Kirk's death, feeling it was abrupt and not particularly heroic. It is a bit baffling that Moore and Braga thought getting shot in the back was a fitting end for such a legendary character.

Kirk's death was later revised and reshot, with Kirk being fatally injured after he fell from a broken railing. He died with Picard by his side, allowing Shatner a pretty moving final moment as Kirk , as well as a solid version of the torch-passing moment everyone involved in the film's production wanted. For his part, Malcolm McDowell was deeply disappointed that Kirk's death was changed, as one of the reasons he signed on to Star Trek Generations in the first place was that he wanted to be known as the man who killed Captain Kirk.

Star Trek: Picard Updated Kirk’s Generations Death

In Star Trek: Picard season 3 - set decades after the events of Star Trek Generations - Picard's crew Captain William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Captain Worf (Micheal Dorn), and Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd) break into the mysterious Section 31 installation called Daystrom Station to retrieve vital information about a Changeling plot against the Federation. While they traverse through the station Riker, Worf, and Raffi glimpse some of the classified projects Section 31 has been hiding away. However, the most intriguing item on Daystrom Station is Captain Kirk's body, retrieved by Section 31 from the Veridian III rocky mountaintop where Picard buried his remains.

Kirk's corpse is held in Daystrom Station under a Section 31 program ominously dubbed 'Project Phoenix.' It's not a huge surprise that Kirk's body was retrieved from Veridian III; like the similarly retrieved hull of the USS Enterprise-D, Starfleet made sure not to leave any trace of their presence on the planet to stay in line with the Prime Directive . It's a much bigger surprise that Section 31 would still have his body in some sort of stasis so many years later. There's no guarantee anything will come of Kirk's body being preserved - it could very well just be a fun little Easter egg for fans. However, it could potentially mean that Kirk's story didn't necessarily end with Star Trek Generations .

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William Shatner explains why Star Trek's Captain Kirk was killed off

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James T. Kirk had to go, William Shatner was told.

Klingons and Khan couldn't kill off Captain James T. Kirk, but big money can bring anyone down. 

William Shatner, who played Kirk in the original Star Trek , said Saturday that the character's death was all about the Benjamins, according to CNET sister site comicbook.com .

Spoilers for a 1994 movie ahead: Kirk, played by Shatner, dies in the feature film Star Trek Generations while working with Star Trek: The Next Generation captain Jean-Luc Picard to stop a deadly missile. 

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Shatner said he was told the character would die whether or not he appeared in the movie. And if he didn't come back, Kirk would die offscreen. He agreed, but not until pressing the point of why this had to happen.

"So the producer said, 'We're going to kill Kirk because we think that The Next Generation will make more money at the box office,'" Shatner explained. 

But that wasn't enough for Shatner, who wanted to know why this couldn't happen with the character alive. The answer he was given is rather unsatisfying.

"'Ah, the box office, expenses, the budget, and the box office,'" Shatner says he was told. In short, the producers were ready to move on with focusing solely on the TNG cast, and felt the money tree for TOS was empty.

In August, CBS announced that Patrick Stewart, who played Picard, will return to that role in a new show on the streaming service CBS All Access. (Editors' note: CNET is owned by CBS.)

Shatner, 87, told the Toronto Star in August that he doesn't want to pull a Stewart and star in his own series, but he wouldn't rule out a guest appearance.

"It will have to pass through enormous hurdles including permission from Paramount and then they'll have to get back to me and see where things are at," he said.

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Star Trek: Generations

With the help of long presumed dead Captain Kirk, Captain Picard must stop a deranged scientist willing to murder on a planetary scale in order to enter a space matrix. With the help of long presumed dead Captain Kirk, Captain Picard must stop a deranged scientist willing to murder on a planetary scale in order to enter a space matrix. With the help of long presumed dead Captain Kirk, Captain Picard must stop a deranged scientist willing to murder on a planetary scale in order to enter a space matrix.

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• Trivia The producers asked George Takei to come back and play Sulu one more time, and take the helm of the Enterprise-B. But Takei refused, because if Sulu had taken the helm, this would have meant temporarily reducing Sulu's rank, so that he could serve under Captain Kirk again. He felt that Sulu had worked too hard to earn his command to allow even a temporary reduction. A new character, Demora, daughter of Sulu, was created to speak Sulu's lines.
• Goofs As Worf climbs up the side of the 19th century ship, his right knee is red either from bleeding or from touching a part of the ship that may have been freshly painted. When he enters the bridge, the red color is missing.

Kirk : Captain of the Enterprise, huh?

Picard : That's right.

Kirk : Close to retirement?

Picard : I'm not planning on it.

Kirk : Well let me tell you something. Don't! Don't let them promote you. Don't let them transfer you. Don't let them do *anything* that takes you off the bridge of that ship, because while you're there... you can make a difference.

Picard : Come back with me. Help me stop Soran. Help make a difference again!

Kirk : Who am I to argue with the captain of the Enterprise? What's the name of that planet? Veridian III?

Kirk : I take it the odds are against us and the situation is grim?

Picard : You could say that.

Kirk : You know if Spock were here, he'd say I was an irrational, illogical human being for going on a mission like that.

Kirk : Sounds like fun!

• Alternate versions Fox-TV version removes some footage: During the crisis on the Enterprise B, Kirk starts to stand a number of times to offer a suggestion and then thinks better of it, sitting back down. Scotty leans over after this happens a few times and asks if there's something wrong with his chair. Scotty's remark is deleted. After Riker orders the computer to remove the plank, causing Worf to be dumped in the water, his follow-up exchange with Picard is missing - Picard: "Number One, that's 'retract' the plank, not 'remove' the plank." Riker: "Of course, sir. [shouting over the rail] Sorry!"
• Connections Edited from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
• Soundtracks Theme from 'Star Trek' TV Series from Star Trek (1966) Music by Alexander Courage Arranged and Orchestra Conducted by Dennis McCarthy (uncredited)

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• November 18, 1994 (United States)
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• Valley of Fire State Park - Route 169, Overton, Nevada, USA (Veridian III surface)
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• $35,000,000 (estimated)
• $75,671,125
• $23,116,394
• Nov 20, 1994
• $118,071,125

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• Runtime 1 hour 58 minutes
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• Dolby Surround 7.1

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Published Jun 2, 2011

Malcolm McDowell Killed Kirk… But Hated It, Part II

Malcolm McDowell did the deed. As the villainous Dr. Tolian Soran in Star Trek: Generations , he killed the beloved Captain Kirk . Yesterday, in part one of our interview with him, McDowell discussed his role as Soran and expressed his feeling that Kirk’s demise didn’t do the iconic character justice. Now, in the second half of our conversation, McDowell talks more about his thoughts on Generations , looks back at A Clockwork Orange and previews several of his current projects.

Returning to Generations , there were reportedly calls to the studio from the set – by Shatner, Stewart, Carson, – arguing that the original death just wasn’t working and that the scene should be rewritten, but it wasn’t until a test screening that the studio gave the OK to changing the ending…

McDowell: I don’t care whose fault it was. Whoever came up with his death at the end, I thought it was really cheesy. I just think the man, whether you like him or not, should have been given a blazing death. And I, course, would have been happy to have supplied that. Look, I just think it was a missed opportunity for this great, iconic figure that everybody loved or everybody loathed. He was one of those great figures that caused dissention and debate and arguments.

What happened next is pretty well known to Trek fans…

McDowell: As soon as I’d killed him, Bill Shatner pulled up his chair and said, “Do you mind if I do a little interview?” I said, “What on earth for?” He goes, “I’m writing the book.” I thought, “My god, he’s really going to get every buck out of this that he can. And I don’t blame him.” Then his first question to me was, “What does it feel like to have killed this television icon?” I went, “Well, he’s serious about this.” So I said, “Well, Bill, as far as I’m concerned 50 percent of the people are going to love me for it and 50 percent of the people are going to hate me.” And he goes, “Who is going to love you?” I went, “Well, the people who’ve had it up to here with 35 years of you, Bill, that’s who!” And he roared with laughter. I was teasing him, of course, but what could you say? What could you say?

Was it true that you got death threats after the film?

McDowell: It is true. It was the infancy of the Internet, so it was easy to make a hollow threat. No one could check it, really. But, yes, that’s what happened.

A Clockwork Orange is just out now in a fully loaded 40th anniversary Blu-ray set. Back when you made it, even in the moment, what sense did you have that it might be something special?

McDowell: It was Stanley Kubrick. It was a great honor to be asked to be in one of his movies. I suppose it would be like Spielberg or Marty Scorsese today asking you to be in one of their movies. He was the best there was. We knew were making something special, but not special to last 40 years. Nobody can predict that. Nobody could have predicted that the film would still be so relevant all this time later.

How would you say the film holds up? And, if you can separate yourself from it enough to comment, how do you think your performance holds up?

McDowell: I’m not really the right person to ask. The audience, who packed Cannes and packed a screening here (in New York City) at the Museum of Modern Art, they seemed to love it. The word is that it hasn’t dated at all and that everything is still very modern, including my performance. But, listen, I’m only quoting what people tell me. So people should see it for themselves and make up their own minds.

If people are entertained by A Clockwork Orange , is there something wrong with them?

McDowell: No, not at all. It is an entertainment. It’s a black comedy. Of course, it has a warning in it. Like all good films, it has to have something to say about the society we live in. But it is an entertainment firstly, and Kubrick was a showman as well as everything else. So, no, I think people should be entertained.

What is the question you’re most often asked about A Clockwork Orange ?

McDowell: Oh, that’d be “Tell me about the eyes…” And you’re not going to ask that one, are you?

Nope. But let’s ask this: If Kubrick were alive today and he called you to say, “Malcolm, it’s time to revisit Alex and see what our favorite hooligan is doing today,” what would you say? Could you/would you have any interest in revisiting the character if the pieces had fallen into place, which, obviously, they no longer can?

McDowell: It’s highly unlikely that it ever would’ve happened, and of course it won’t happen now because Stanley is no longer with us. But if Stanley was and he said, “Let’s revisit,” I would be an idiot not to say, “Hey, let’s do it again.” I’d love to have worked with him again, just because he was such a master. But I’d rather not have done Alex again. I’d rather I’d worked with him on a movie about another subject. I never really like to do sequels or remakes. I’ve only really done it once, and that was Halloween , but I played the character in the second one completely differently from what I’d done in the first one.

Let’s get everyone caught up on your current projects. Franklin & Bash premiered last night on TNT. Give us the set up of the series and an introduction to your character, Stanton Infeld.

McDowell: Stanton is the head of (the law firm) Infeld & Daniels, and I hire these two renegade, 30-something lawyers (Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar) to come in and give a different viewpoint, an of out-of-the-box vision of what’s going on, in order to give a new energy to the firm. And we have all the shenanigans that go on. It all will rest on whether audiences will like these two guys. I think we’ve got the right two guys. They’re great. I like the writing. I think it’s a wonderful show. I’m not saying it’s going to be popular. Who knows? I’m not a prophet. But I’m saying it’s a good show.

Let us read you a list: Kill Zone 3 , LA Phil Live , The Artist , Suing the Devil , L.A. , I Hate You , Vamps , The Unleashed , Mischief Night , Death Method , Zombex , Silent Hill: Revelation 3D and Mind’s Eye . That’s what IMDB has down for you as completed or currently filming projects for 2011. Does that list sound right, and are there a few in there that you’re particularly intrigued by?

McDowell: Yeah, that’s about correct. Kill Zone 3 is a great game. That’s out already. I love Suing the Devil . It’s a fabulous script. Death Method ; very interesting script. The Artist is an incredible movie. It has nothing to do with me. It’s just a brilliantly directed and acted movie. It’s a silent movie made in black and white and it’s absolutely charming. I think it will charm audiences in a big way, I really do. It was a sensation at the Cannes Film Festival.

What do you have that you’re about to start work on?

McDowell: I’m doing a movie called Monster Butler . It’s a movie I’ve wanted to do for many, many years and I’ve finally found the way to do it and the people that I want to do it with. It’s been in the back of my mind. It’s the Roy Fontaine story. We were going to do it this summer, but because of Franklin & Bash and because I’ve got to be back for the show if it goes a second season, we’re going to do it next spring. So I want to do Monster Butler , but I want to do it right, and so I’ve decided to push it to the spring. Peter Medak is going to direct it.

Last question: would you trade your career for anything in the world?

McDowell: No. Absolutely not. I’m still working away now after God knows, almost 50 years of being in the business. I’m still having fun. I’ve made some good movies along the way and some sh—ty ones, but, hey, that’s life. It can’t all be a bed of roses.

To read part one of this interview, click HERE .

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William Shatner Explains His Approach To Filming Kirk’s Unusual Death In Star Trek Generations, And It Makes A Lot Of Sense

Star Trek Generations was William Shatner’s final hurrah as James T. Kirk.

Although 1991’s Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country marked the last hurrah for The Original Series cast together, William Shatner ’s James T. Kirk had one more cinematic adventure left in him. Three years later, Shatner reprised his most famous role for Star Trek Generations , which ended with Kirk during his team-up with Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard. While the manner in which Kirk died is a polarizing topic among Star Trek fans, Shatner has explained how he approached filming this emotional moment in the franchise’s seventh movie.

In an interview with Variety , William Shatner addressed that he had some “say” in how James T. Kirk perished in Star Trek Generations , namely that the character he’d played for over 25 years by that point would face death with a sense of wonder, which makes a lot of sense. As he explained:

I’m of the opinion that you die the way you live. I thought Kirk would die with a ‘Wow, look at that coming at me. There’s a guy with a scythe. Holy shit!’ He’d seen all these weird aliens before. Here comes death and he meets it with awe and a sense of discovery.

For those who need a refresher, William Shatner’s James Kirk was fatally injured when he fell from a collapsing metal catwalk after de-cloaking the missile that Malcolm McDowell’s Soran, Star Trek Generations ’ main antagonist, planned to launch. You can stream Generations with your HBO Max subscription to remind yourself of the full scope of Soran’s grand plan involving the Nexus, but ultimately he was defeated, and before he died, Kirk told Picard that helping his fellow captain of the Enterprise save the day was “fun.” Kirk’s final words were, “Oh my,” and Picard then retrieved the body and gave it a proper burial on Veridian III. 

Although William Shatner later wrote a series of novels where James T. Kirk was resurrected thanks to an alliance between the Romulans and the Borg, within the official canon, Generations marked the end of his journey. As Shatner saw it, taking into account all the amazing things Kirk saw and did during his years exploring strange new worlds and seeking out new life and new civilizations, of course he would be captivated by the presence of death and embrace walking into the great unknown. For Kirk to face something that grand any differently would feel out of character.

We’re coming up on three decades since William Shatner last played James Kirk, and although the actor was given an opportunity to cameo in 2009’s Star Trek , he turned it down, calling what was written “the stupidest scene I have ever heard of” in 2017. By 2021, Shatner said he would consider playing Kirk again if “they could explain the 55-year difference,” but otherwise he’s keeping busy enough and is comfortable with Star Trek being in his past. Along with sharing his comments about Kirk’s death scene, Shatner has been in the news lately for explaining why he skipped Leonard Nimoy’s funeral and calling Elon Musk out on Twitter .

Meanwhile, Chris Pine played James Kirk in the three movies set in Star Trek ’s Kelvin timeline, but given the numerous setbacks Star Trek 4 keeps facing , it’s hard to say if we’ll ever see him return to that role either. Then in the TV realm, Paul Wesley debuted as a younger version of the main Kirk in the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1 finale, and he’ll be back for Season 2, which premieres to Paramount+ subscribers on June 15.

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William Shatner Shares Regrets Over Captain Kirk's Death Scene in Star Trek: Generations

William Shatner believed he 'never quite hit' Captain Kirk's death scene in Star Trek: Generations.

• William Shatner aimed to convey Kirk's final moments with a sense of curiosity and courage, seeking a nuanced interpretation.
• The actor felt his ad libbed line, "Oh my," should reflect dread and adventure in facing the unknown and death.
• Shatner's main concern is not Kirk's death but the execution of the character's last words with wonder and exploration.

The character of Captain James T. Kirk, portrayed by the venerable William Shatner , stands as a towering figure in Star Trek's history. As the original captain of the Starship Enterprise, Kirk's adventures and leadership have been a cornerstone of the franchise. However, it is his final moments in the film Star Trek: Generations that have recently resurfaced in discussions, particularly his last words: "Oh my."

I never quite hit it. I never quite got that nuance that I was looking for.

In an interview with Screen Rant promoting the documentary, Shatner shared his thoughts on Kirk's death scene in Star Trek: Generations . He explained that he sought to capture a sense of curiosity and courage in Kirk's final words. Shatner aimed to convey a blend of apprehension and eagerness for the unknown, a characteristic he believed defined Kirk throughout the series. However, he feels that he didn't fully achieve the nuance he was striving for. Shatner shared:

William Shatner: The thing an actor can bring to a written word is the interpretation of how to say it. I love you. I love you. I love you. Variations on the words. So if the writer has written I love you, and the actor gets a hold of it and does something totally unthought of, that's a big deal. The director either gets upset or goes with it. In this case, I thought of Kirk as being so courageous in life that when he faced things that he didn't know about, like the strange, the weird... the entities that the writers thought up, when he faced death, he would face death with a sense of adventure. 'Oh, what's going to happen now?' So I ad libbed, Oh my.' And I wanted that 'Oh my' to be 'Oh my,' like, dreading it but, but looking forward to the adventure - somewhere in between, you know, and it would be very obvious to you what he was thinking. And I never quite hit it. I never quite got that nuance that I was looking for. I had another couple of takes, but they they didn't understand what I was doing. Screen Rant: I've seen that scene so many times. I do feel it. I feel Kirk seeing the great beyond, the great mystery. And I do feel that he meets it with that curiosity... William Shatner: And awe and wonder. Every time he faced an animal, an entity, he didn't say, 'Oh my' [with fear or disdain], he would say, 'Oh, my look at that. I wonder if it's going to eat me?' You know? I think that was his attitude.

Star Trek: Captain Kirk's 15 Best Quotes, Ranked

At the age of 93, Shatner remains a dynamic presence in the entertainment industry, with a career spanning over seven decades. His journey and contributions are showcased in the new documentary "William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill," directed by Alexandre O. Philippe. The film offers a deep dive into Shatner's life, with a significant focus on his iconic role as Captain Kirk .

The death of Captain Kirk served as a pivotal moment in Star Trek lore, signifying the transition from the original series to Star Trek: The Next Generation . The aim was for Kirk to hand over leadership to the new generation's Captain Jean-Luc Picard, portrayed by Patrick Stewart. However, despite Shatner's iconic performance, the studio's decision to eliminate Kirk stemmed from a desire to concentrate on the franchise's new phase.

Debating Kirk's Death and William Shatner's Quest for the Perfect Last Words

Throughout the decades, there have been various talks about potentially reviving Captain Kirk, featuring a concept for Shatner to represent an alternative version of the character in Star Trek: Enterprise . Nonetheless, these concepts never materialized. Yet, these ideas never took shape. The approach to Kirk's death has been a point of debate among enthusiasts, with some, including Shatner's fellow cast member Walter Koenig, finding it unsatisfactory .

Despite the ongoing debate surrounding Kirk's final scene, Shatner's main concern is not the character's death itself, but rather the execution of his last words. He wishes he could have imbued "Oh my" with the sense of wonder and exploration that he believes epitomized Captain Kirk.

As Star Trek continues to evolve and captivate new audiences, the legacy of Captain James T. Kirk, as portrayed by William Shatner, remains an integral part of the saga's rich tapestry. Shatner's reflections on Kirk's final words offer a glimpse into the actor's deep connection to the character and his desire to leave a lasting impact on the storied franchise.

Star Trek: Generations

Star Trek: Captain Kirk's Controversial Generations Death Was Actually Later Undone

Captain James T. Kirk met his end in the 1994 film Star Trek: Generations, but a later novel brought the iconic character back for more adventures.

Captain James T. Kirk seemingly met his end in the 1994 feature film Star Trek: Generations. However, thanks to the expansive world of Star Trek  tie-in novels, Kirk's death would go on to be undone by William Shatner himself in a series of books that gave Kirk a second chance at life.

The marketing of  Generations teased an epic team-up and passing of the torch from Kirk to Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard, but the two characters only meet in the third act of the film. Most of  Generations  follows Picard's efforts to stop the villainous Doctor Soran's destructive attempts to get back to a temporal "nexus" that exists outside of space and time that offers paradise to anyone who enters it. Kirk, who was pulled into the Nexus in the opening of the movie, is recruited into helping Picard in the final struggle against Soran, and he is fatally wounded as a result.

Related: Untitled Star Trek Film Announced for 2023

Generations  received mixed reviews upon its release and still divides fans today, with many seeing it as  an underwhelming send off to the legendary captain . Shatner was equally  unhappy with how his character was killed off ,  and in 1996, alongside co-writers Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, he resurrected Kirk in a novel called The Return .

In the book, Kirk is resurrected by Romulans who have teamed with the Borg to wipe out The United Federation of Planets once and for all. Brainwashed to act as a sleeper agent, Kirk's mission is to get close to Picard and assassinate him. Picard, Spock and other characters from Star Trek: The Original Series, The Next Generation  and Deep Space 9  are able to free Kirk from the Borg's control, and the novel ends with a mission to the Borg homeworld and ties the villainous hive-mind back to the first  big screen adventure of the Enterprise crew . Kirk seemingly sacrifices himself to save Picard, but Spock senses that his old friend may have survived this second brush with death.

RELATED: Star Trek: The Origin of the Enterprise's Name Is Absolutely Wild

The Return  reached number four on the New York Times bestseller list, and a year later Shatner and the Reeves-Stevens brought Kirk back for another novel called  Avenger,  revealing that he did indeed survive the ending of  The Return.  Six more books followed after this, with the final one, Captain's Glory , releasing in 2006. This series, which existed in its own continuity outside of established Trek canon, was even dubbed "The Shatnerverse" by fans.

Though Shatner  is open to a return  as the iconic character, these books gave him the final word in on Kirk while also giving the character the send-off fans think he deserved. Generations may have been a disappointment to many, but "The Shatnerverse" made up for the film's shortcomings by telling stories of two captains from different  Trek  shows working together to save the galaxy, and by existing in their own canon, they were able to boldly go where no Trek  novel or film had gone before.

Keep Reading:  Star Trek: Picard: Does the Season 2 Trailer Hint at a Time Travel Story?

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Watch William Shatner get a second chance at Captain Kirk's Star Trek Generations death scene

The actor believed his death scene performance came off more "fearful" than full of "wonder."

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at  Entertainment Weekly  with over five years of experience covering the latest in entertainment. A proud Kingston University alum, Emlyn has written about music, fandom, film, television, and awards for multiple outlets including MTV News,  Teen Vogue , Bustle, BuzzFeed,  Paper Magazine , Dazed, and NME. She joined EW in August 2022.

William Shatner is getting another shot at Captain Kirk’s Star Trek Generations death scene. 

One week after the actor revealed that he wasn't pleased with Kirk’s final line delivery in the 1994 film, Shatner was offered a chance to recreate the dramatic the scene while visiting Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday. 

Shatner explained on the talk show that his problem with his original performance — which sees a bloodied Kirk say, “oh my,” before dying — was that the USS Enterprise captain sounded afraid of dying, rather than full of wonder at the prospect of the next adventure.  

“I think you die the way you live,” he said. “So, Captain Kirk always had these grotesque things happening, 'Oh, look at that! It’s an animal! I think it’s going to eat me,' you know? But without fear… with joy and love and opportunity to see what’s better.” 

So he attempted to see death through Kirk’s eyes. “I thought I had lived the ‘Oh my,’” he said. “I thought that he would see death — old man with a scythe on his shoulder — and look at it and wonder.” 

Instead, Shatner said that his take in the film “sounded fearful,” adding, “and I didn’t want to be fearful.”

Host Jimmy Kimmel then asked Shatner if he'd like a “do over,” before grabbing some fake rocks and debris to scatter around the 93-year-old as he got comfortable in his chair. Kimmel also offered Shatner some “ketchup as blood” if he’d like, but was swiftly turned down. 

Turned towards the camera, Shatner then performed a dramatic new rendition of Kirk’s “Oh my” scene, this time decidedly less fearful. To show his performance was over, he remarked, “...And he dies.”

“Wow,” Kimmel said as the audience cheered. “That was good.”

Earlier this month, Shatner admitted in an interview with ScreenRant that he “never quite hit” what he was trying to accomplish with the tragic scene.

“I never quite got that nuance that I was looking for,” he said. “I had another couple of takes, but they they didn't understand what I was doing.”

Watch Shatner get a second chance in the clip above.  

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Star Trek Generations

Star Trek Generations ( Paramount Pictures , 1994 ) is the seventh feature film based on the popular Star Trek science fiction television series . It is often referred to as just Generations . It is the first film in the series to star the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation , and is a symbolic passing of the torch of the film series from the original series cast to the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast.

• 1 Dr. Tolian Soran
• 4 External links

Dr. Tolian Soran [ edit ]

• You know, there was a time when I wouldn't hurt a fly. Then the Borg came, and they showed me that if there is one constant in this whole universe, it's death. Afterwards, I began to realize that it didn't really matter. We're all going to die sometime. It's just a question of how and when. You will, too, Captain. Aren't you beginning to feel time gaining on you? It's like a predator. It's stalking you. Oh, you can try and outrun it with doctors, medicines, new technologies, but in the end, time is going to hunt you down and make the kill.
• They say time is the fire in which we burn . Right now, Captain, my time is running out. We leave so many things unfinished in our lives... I know you understand.

Dialogue [ edit ]

Cast [ edit ], external links [ edit ].

• Star Trek: Generations quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Star Trek Generations web site

• Science fiction films
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Chris Pine’s Best Moment As Star Trek’s Captain Kirk Isn’t the One You Think

Hint: It doesn't involve the Kobayashi Maru test.

The Big Picture

• Chris Pine's portrayal of James T. Kirk in Star Trek showcases a journey from selfishness to selflessness, reflecting growth and heroism.
• The film reboots the iconic sci-fi franchise with action-packed sequences and a new timeline that sets up the origins of Kirk and Spock's friendship. Pine's best moment as Captain Kirk is in the final sequence of the film where he and Spock work together to infiltrate the Narada .
• Pine brings sensitivity to Kirk's character, fulfilling his father's legacy and showcasing a vulnerability that highlights his heroic transition.

There really should not be a debate over who is Hollywood’s “Best Chris,” as Chris Pine has easily proven himself as an actor of real depth . Between his steely role in the neo-Western Hell or High Water and his charismatic romanticism as Steve Trevor in the Wonder Woman films, Pine has shown that he’s capable of standing out within talented ensembles. However, the challenges he faced when stepping into the role of James T. Kirk in the reboot of the Star Trek franchise were immeasurable. While William Shatner’s performance has been cited as the gold standard of overacting, Pine brought a surprising sensitivity and nuance to his role as the younger Captain Kirk.

The mythology of Star Trek is quite dense, but director J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot serves as a great entry point for newcomers to the franchise. By taking place within an alternate universe known as the “Kelvin Timeline,” the new trilogy was able to forge a new direction and show the events leading up to the iconic episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series . Longtime fans may have struggled accepting a new actor in Shatner’s iconic role, but Pine gave Kirk a complete character arc during the action-packed conclusion of 2009’s Star Trek when he and Spock worked together to infiltrate the Narada.

Star Trek (2009)

J.J. Abrams' 2009 movie Star Trek rebooted the iconic sci-fi franchise in a totally new timeline. When a Romulan ship travels back in time and alters the past, the lives of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the future crew of the USS Enterprise are drastically changed. In this new timeline, the Romulan Nero (Eric Bana) sets out for revenge on Spock, setting off a chain of events that reshape the entire universe.

Chris Pine's Best Moment as Kirk Comes in 'Star Trek's Final Act

While the original Star Trek series took place in an established universe, the reboot film examines how Kirk rose from a humble background to become one of the bravest and most accomplished captains in the history of Starfleet . Bravery is always in his wheelhouse, but Kirk starts off the film as a selfish jerk who only uses Starfleet to advance his own ego. Kirk essentially decides to enlist in Starfleet Academy in order to win a bet with Captain Christopher Pike ( Bruce Greenwood ). Following this, he seems more interested in starting feuds with Spock ( Zachary Quinto ) and flirting with Lieutenant Uhura ( Zoe Saldaña ) than he is fulfilling the Prime Directive. However, a pivotal conversation with Spock Prime ( Leonard Nimoy ) indicates to Kirk that he has a greater legacy to fulfill.

Pine shows in Star Trek's conclusion that Kirk has grown more responsible. His mission is a critical one; the ruthless Romulan, Captain Nero ( Eric Bana ), has already destroyed the planet Vulcan, and is intent on leading an attack on Earth. While Pine has always done a great job at showing that Kirk has a keen sense of humor, his complexion grows far more grave when he informs his crew about the impending mission. Kirk realizes that everything he came from, including his family and friends on Earth, is at stake. It’s the first instance in the film where he develops a knack for heroism that is entirely selfless, and not out of a desperate attempt to prove himself worthy to the other characters.

What Happened to the 'Madame Web' Director's Star Trek Movie?

While the final sequence includes the type of kinetic action that is common in Abrams’ films , Star Trek shows how Pine’s Kirk has learned from his eclectic experiences . Kirk has spent a majority of the film sneaking around Starfleet facilities in order to solidify his place within the crew of the Enterprise ; it's fitting that his finest hour involves infiltrating an advanced spacecraft in a daring and heroic mission that doesn’t follow official protocols. Kirk’s final brawl with the ruthless Romulan villain Ayel ( Clifton Collins Jr. ) shows how his checkered past ends up benefiting him. Although he started the film getting into a bar brawl with haughty Starfleet officers, Kirk finally puts his nasty hand-to-hand combat skills to good use.

'Star Trek' Shows the Origin of Kirk’s Friendship With Spock

One of the most interesting revisions that 2009’s Star Trek makes to the core mythology of the franchise is positioning Kirk and Spock as rivals. Although the two eventually grow into close friends throughout the original series , Spock’s insistence on sticking to procedures initially rubs Kirk the wrong way. The ending of Star Trek teases the eventual bond that will develop between Kirk and Spock, as they are forced to work together in order to sneak aboard the Narada . Pine is more cheerful in his interactions, indicating that Kirk has taken Spock Prime’s words about their respective destinies to heart. As unlikely as it seems to him initially, he’s grown to accept the idea that he and Spock could be friends.

Although he makes a few jokes at his new ally’s expense, Pine shows that Kirk has come to acknowledge Spock’s feelings . Kirk has been so infuriated with Spock’s attitude that he has overlooked the fact that Vulcan has been destroyed; Spock lost much of his family and cultural heritage. Kirk is well-aware that Spock is half-human , and that Earth is the only planet he has left to call home. There’s a sensitivity to how Pine characterizes Kirk’s attitude; he recognizes the pain that Spock feels upon losing a parent, as it’s one that he knows all-too well.

Kirk Fulfills His Father’s Legacy at the End of 'Star Trek'

Star Trek begins with a harrowing opening sequence featuring Chris Hemsworth as Kirk’s father, George , who sacrifices himself in order to save the crew of the Kelvin from a Romulan attack. Pine gives Kirk the chance to mirror his father’s heroic action , as he goes into the mission with an acknowledgment that he could easily perish. Although the Romulans were responsible for his father’s death, Pine doesn’t turn Kirk into a vengeful character; rather, his heroic endeavors indicate that Kirk has learned to take pride in his family name.

2009’s Star Trek was a surprise hit at the box office , and spawned two direct sequels that faced Kirk off against even more ruthless villains . Pine turned Kirk into an empathetic hero whose vulnerability was an attribute; it was in Star Trek ’s finest hours that he made the steady transition into the hero fans knew he would become.

Star Trek is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.

Watch on Paramount+

All 10 Star Trek Episodes Filmed At California's Vasquez Rocks

• Vasquez Rocks Natural Area has been a popular filming location for numerous TV shows and films, including Star Trek classics.
• The iconic fights and scenarios in Star Trek episodes were shot at Vasquez Rocks, solidifying its association with the franchise.
• From Captain Kirk's battle with the Gorn to Dr. McCoy's encounters, Vasquez Rocks has been a backdrop for many memorable Star Trek moments.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area in Los Angeles, California has been used as a filming location for several episodes of various Star Trek series. Because of its location around twenty-five miles from downtown LA, numerous television series have been filmed at Vasquez Rocks such as 24, The Big Bang Theory, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, and The Twilight Zone , among many others. The park has also popped up in many films, including Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, Blazing Saddles, Galaxy Quest, and the 2001 adaptation of Planet of the Apes.

Although Vasquez Rocks is a common filming location for many productions, they have become particularly associated with Star Trek . From Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) iconic fight with the Gorn to Dr. Leonard McCoy's (DeForest Kelley) encounter with the White Rabbit, Vasquez Rocks has served as the backdrop for many classic Star Trek moments. One prominent rock formation has even earned the nickname "Kirk's Rock," due to its association with Star Trek: The Original Series . Some of the films and television shows mentioned above filmed at Vasquez Rocks because of its connection to Star Trek, using it for a comedic spoof or parody.

Vasquez Rocks also served as the planet Vulcan in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009).

How To Watch All Star Trek TV Shows In Timeline Order

The Star Trek TV franchise has existed for 57 years and consists of 12 shows (and counting). Here's how to watch them all in timeline order.

Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 15 - "Shore Leave"

Shore leave planet, star trek: the original series.

Cast Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, George Takei, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan

Release Date September 8, 1966

Showrunner Gene Roddenberry

Where To Watch Paramount+

When the USS Enterprise arrives at a planet that looks perfect for shore leave, Captain Kirk and some crew members beam down. Soon after they arrive, the crew making up the landing party begins experiencing strange encounters they cannot explain. Soon, Kirk, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and the rest of the survey team are stranded on the planet with no way to communicate with the Enterprise.

As they work to find a way out of their situation, a Medieval knight appears and seems to kill Dr. McCoy. Kirk and Spock then realize that the planet creates scenarios based on the Enterprise crew members' imaginations . As the Starfleet Officers try to refrain from thinking, an elderly "Caretaker" appears, explaining that the planet is a sort of amusement park that does not cause permanent harm. Dr. McCoy is restored, and the Caretaker apologizes for the misunderstanding.

Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 18 - "Arena"

Metron planet.

In one of the most memorable episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, Captain Kirk finds himself stranded on a desert planet with a dangerous Gorn. An advanced species known as the Metrons have left Kirk and the Gorn on a barren unnamed planet, forcing them to battle to the death. Vasquez Rocks serves as the backdrop for Kirk's iconic fight with the Gorn , as the Enterprise Captain uses the resources found on the planet to create a cannon-like device.

Complete History Of The Gorn In Star Trek

The Gorn have become one of the Federation's most formidable foes in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Here's everything we know about them.

The Metrons allow Kirk's crew to watch their Captain from the safety of the Starship Enterprise, as Kirk first tries communicating with Gorn before the two fight for their lives. In the end, Kirk outsmarts the Gorn, but ultimately allows him to live, which impresses the watching Metrons. The Metrons conclude that there is hope for humanity, and they send Kirk and the Enterprise back to their own area of space.

Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 27 - "The Alternative Factor"

Lazarus' planet.

When Captain Kirk and Spock investigate a strange anomaly on an unknown planet, they encounter a man named Lazarus (Robert Brown), who fades in and out of existence. Sometimes, Lazarus appears rational and well-kept, while other times, he is crazed and wounded. Kirk and Spock eventually realize that there are two versions of Lazarus — one from the normal universe and one from the anti-matter universe.

The rational Lazarus explains that Kirk must destroy his time-traveling spaceship in order to save both universes. Vasquez Rocks serves as Lazarus' home planet, and the setting for much of the action as the two Lazaruses chase one another. "The Alternative Factor" is generally considered one of Star Trek's weaker episodes, as neither the storyline nor the science makes sense.

Previous Star Trek: TOS episodes established that the Enterprise itself is propelled by a reaction between matter and antimatter, and yet "The Alternative Factor" suggests the universe will be destroyed if matter and antimatter come together.

Star Trek: The Original Series Season 2, Episode 11 - "Friday's Child"

In Star Trek 's "Friday's Child," Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam down to Capella IV to negotiate with the inhabitants, but find that the Klingons have also sent a representative. After the Capellan leader who favored the Federation is killed, the new leader, Maab (Michael Dante) orders the death of the previous leader's wife, Eleen (Julie Newmar). Since Eleen is innocent and very pregnant, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy help her escape into the nearby hills.

Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Eleen evade capture in the desert landscape of Capella IV, represented by Vasquez Rocks. McCoy helps Eleen give birth to her son, and Eleen later takes control of her people while acting as her son's regent. She reestablishes the deal with the Federation and names her son Leonard James Akaar, after McCoy and Kirk.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, Episode 4 - "Who Watches the Watchers"

Mintaka iii, star trek: the next generation.

Cast Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden

Release Date September 28, 1987

Showrunner Jeri Taylor, Michael Piller, Rick Berman

As the USS Enterprise-D provides assistance to a hidden Federation outpost on Mintaka III in Star Trek: The Next Generation , a local named Liko (Ray Wise) sees the outpost. When Liko is injured while trying to get a better look, Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gate McFadden) has him beamed up to the Enterprise for treatment. Liko regains consciousness and observes the Enterprise and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart).

In order to avoid further breaking the Prime Directive , Crusher attempts to wipe Liko's memory, but the procedure doesn't work properly. Liko remembers Picard as a god and spreads this news to the other Mintakans, forcing Picard to beam down to the planet to correct the mistake. The familiar landscape of Vasquez Rocks stands in for Mintaka and serves as a nice callback to Star Trek: The Original Series .

Star Trek: Voyager Season 2, Episode 2 - "Initiations"

Star trek voyager.

Cast Jennifer Lien, Garrett Wang, Tim Russ, Robert Duncan McNeill, Roxann Dawson, Robert Beltran, Kate Mulgrew, Jeri Ryan, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo

Release Date May 23, 1995

Showrunner Kenneth Biller, Jeri Taylor, Michael Piller, Brannon Braga

Streaming Service(s) Paramount+

In Star Trek: Voyager , Vasquez Rocks also make its way all the way to the Delta Quadrant, standing in for Tarok, a moon orbiting a gas giant. When Commander Chakotay (Robert Beltran) is captured by the Kazon, he escapes onto the nearby Tarok . Tracking his signal, Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), Lt. Tuvok (Tim Russ) , and Kes (Jennifer Lien) later arrive on the moon to rescue Chakotay.

10 Star Trek: Voyager Alien Villains Ranked, Worst To Best

New alien villains fought against Captain Kathryn Janeway and the USS Voyager in the Delta Quadrant, but some foes were more successful than others.

With help from a young Kazon named Kar (Aron Eisenberg), Chakotay reunites with his crew members. Despite having the chance to shoot Chakotay, Kar instead kills the Kazon commander , Razik (Patrick Kilpatrick). Kar and the remaining Kazon then allow the Voyager crew members to leave peacefully.

Aron Eisenberg played the Ferengi Nog in 45 episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Star Trek: Voyager Season 5, Episode 13 - "Gravity"

Subspace sinkhole planet.

In Star Trek: Voyager 's "Gravity," Tuvok, Lt. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) , and The Doctor (Robert Picardo) find themselves stranded on a desert planet where time moves faster than it does elsewhere. While on the planet, they encounter a woman named Noss (Lori Petty), who helps Tuvok and Paris survive on the inhospitable planet. As Captain Janeway and the USS Voyager's crew work to retrieve their crewmates, Noss develops feelings for Tuvok that the Vulcan cannot reciprocate.

Captain Janeway is eventually able to communicate with her stranded officers and beam them back to Voyager. While only two days have passed on the ship, it has been over two months for Tuvok and Paris. Tuvok shares a mind-meld with Noss, showing her that he cares for her even if they cannot be together romantically.

Star Trek: Enterprise Season 1, Episode 5 - "Unexpected"

Xyrillian homeworld, star trek: enterprise.

Cast Dominic Keating, Connor Trinneer, Linda Park, John Billingsley, Scott Bakula, Jolene Blalock, Jeffrey Combs, Anthony Montgomery

Release Date September 26, 2001

Showrunner Manny Coto, Brannon Braga

When the Enterprise NX-01 discovers a cloaked Xyrillian ship traveling in its wake, Commander Trip Tucker (Connor Trinneer) travels to the vessel to help with repairs. Once there, he works with the Xyrillian engineer Ah'Len (Julianne Christie), and the two grow close, eventually playing a telepathic game. Ah'Len takes Tucker to the holodeck to show him her home world, which is made up of shots of Vasquez Rocks combined with CGI.

When Tucker returns to the Enterprise, he notices a strange growth on his wrist, and Dr. Phlox (John Billingsley) informs the engineer that he is pregnant. Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) orders his crew to locate the Xyrillian ship, and Tucker returns to inform Ah'Len about what happened. She apologizes, not realizing that pregnancy is possible with a different species, and transfers the embryo to a Xyrillian host.

Star Trek: Picard Season 1, Episode 2 - "Maps & Legends"

Vasquez rocks, earth, star trek: picard.

Cast Orla Brady, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Jeri Ryan, Patrick Stewart, Alison Pill, Isa Briones, Evan Evagora, Marina Sirtis, Amanda Plummer, Whoopi Goldberg, Gates McFadden, Todd Stashwick, Santiago Cabrera, Michelle Hurd, John de Lancie, Ed Speleers

Release Date January 23, 2020

Showrunner Akiva Goldsman, Terry Matalas, Michael Chabon

Star Trek: Picard season 1 marks the first time Vasquez Rocks appears in Star Trek as the actual location on Earth rather than as a stand-in for an alien planet. As Jean-Luc Picard sets out to look for Soji Asha (Isa Briones) , the android "daughter" of the late Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), he visits Starfleet Headquarters to request a ship and crew.

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Star Trek: Picard season 1 had its flaws, but there were many good things about how it updated the story of Patrick Stewart's TNG character.

After Starfleet refuses Picard's request for a ship, he seeks out his former colleague, Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd). Raffi had served with Picard during the evacuation of Romulus but had since left Starfleet. Now living in a small home situated in Vasquez Rocks, Raffi reluctantly agrees to meet with Picard.

Star Trek: Picard Season 1, Episode 3 - "The End is the Beginning"

Star Trek: Picard 's "The End is the Beginning" picks up right where the previous episode left off, as Jean-Luc works to convince Raffi to join him on his search for Soji, with Vasquez Rocks looming behind them. As revealed in a flashback, Raffi was kicked out of Starfleet after Picard resigned in protest after the synth attack on Mars. Raffi has come to resent Picard, especially since he did not help her during the intervening years.

Raffi refuses to accompany Picard, but she does offer to connect him to a pilot named Cristóbal Rios (Santiago Cabrera). However, after hearing what Picard had to say, Raffi begins doing her own research into the location of Dr. Bruce Maddox (John Ales) , who created Soji and her twin sister Dahj. In the end, Raffi leaves her home at Vasquez Rocks and joins Picard and his makeshift crew for a new Star Trek adventure.

All of the Star Trek series mentioned above are available to stream on Paramount+

Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard in "All Good Things..."

Writer Brannon Braga

Star trek: the next generation 's series finale at 30 (exclusive), "all good things..." co-writer brannon braga on how he and former writing partner ronald d. moore made tv history..

Thirty years ago today, Star Trek writers Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore found themselves shouldering the unique responsibility of simultaneously writing The Next Generation cast's first Trek movie while also scripting their last episode of television.

For others, the dual writing duties would likely feel (at best) overwhelming. But that wasn't the case for Braga.

"We didn't flinch," Braga tells the Television Academy in an exclusive interview celebrating the 30th anniversary of TNG 's series finale, "All Good Things...," which aired in syndication on May 23, 1994. "I can't speak for Ron, but I don't recall us ever saying, 'Should we be doing this?' We were deeply immersed in these characters. And I think there was something cool about doing a two-hour finale and the movie at the same time, because they were very different stories."

But both "All Good Things..." and what would go on to be the seventh Star Trek feature film, Generations , were similar in that they dealt with one of Trek 's most popular plot and thematic devices: time. Ironically, time was also foremost on the then–writing team's minds as they juggled both scripts — with roughly three weeks allotted to write the series finale. Moore and Braga were in the middle of rewriting a draft of Generations when they were tapped by the late TNG showrunner (and Braga's mentor) Michael Piller to script "All Good Things...." The riveting two-part episode features Captain Picard (Sir Patrick Stewart) moving back and forth across three different time periods — with the help of his omnipotent nemesis, Q (John de Lancie) — on a mission to save the galaxy from an anti-time anomaly. As Picard struggles to restore temporal order to the universe, he must interact with three different versions of his beloved Enterprise-D crew — past, present and future — in ways that remind the considerate and accomplished starship captain to better appreciate how vital the here and now is, even in the time travel–heavy world of Star Trek .

Whereas Generations would garner mixed reviews from both audiences and critics upon its release in November 1994, "All Good Things..." quickly became a fan-favorite and is regarded by many as one of the most creatively successful series finales in TV history.

"It proved ultimately to be what the movie should have been," Braga explains. "The movie had a lot of cooks in the kitchen. There were many studio mandates. It was conceived to be a 'passing of the baton.' On 'All Good Things...,' [Paramount] largely left us alone. We were left to do what we do, and I think you can feel the benefit of that in the final product."

In honor of the 30th anniversary of "All Good Things...," Braga takes us behind the scenes of the writing process, shares which pivotal scene he and Moore watched being filmed and why a fourth timeline featuring the Borg was ultimately cut from the story.

Television Academy: Traditionally, the showrunner writes the series finale, but not in TNG 's case. Do you recall when you and Ron were assigned the finale, and maybe what Michael's thinking was at the time with that assignment?

Brannon Braga: I don't know the exact timeline. But I do know that we received the movie assignment sometime in the seventh season of Next Gen . Because I remember we were pretty much in the throes of our 26-episode season and how excited we were. And that's a much longer development process, a movie. It's slower and bigger and more complicated. And, in the meantime, you're racing along with the TV show. I also remember not being too worried about [writing both the movie and the finale] because the TV schedule was such that the movie was a marathon, and the TV show was a sprint. And you just had to get the TV episodes written. So in some ways, I don't think we lost a step.

As for why we were chosen, I think [ TNG executive producer] Jeri Taylor was probably already working on Star Trek: Voyager . And Michael, I believe, was also developing Voyager , but he still had a hand in Deep Space Nine .

When during TNG 's run was it discussed that the seventh season would be its last, at the height of its ratings popularity?

Those conversations were happening really early. And the reason I remember that is because Michael Piller asked me to go [write on] Deep Space Nine at the end of season six of Next Gen . Piller wanted me to come over, and he really thought I would fit well with the concept. And I really liked Deep Space Nine . I love its concept, and I was really enchanted with the idea of working on that kind of Star Trek . But because he gave me the option, I declined. And the reason I gave him was, "I want to see Next Gen through to the end." And that's because I knew, at that point, that season seven was going to be the last season. But I didn't know about "All Good Things..." at that point. I didn't know that I would be working on the final episode. I just knew that I had to see Next Gen through, emotionally.

You and Ron seem to have taken the news rather well, of writing the last episode of Next Gen while in the middle of writing that cast's first movie.

I remember feeling excited. We didn't flinch. I can't speak for Ron, but I don't recall us ever saying, 'Should we be doing this?' We were deeply immersed in these characters. Ron had been writing the show for five seasons. I'd been writing it for four. That's nine seasons, collectively. And we were just in the middle of it. And I think there was something cool about doing a two-hour finale and the movie at the same time, because they were very different stories. For the finale, we were going to tell a movie-sized story with significant developments in the characters.

It's funny that "All Good Things..." was the easiest of the two. We wrote that much more quickly, I think we had three weeks on that script. It felt easier, because the movie had [input from] William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, the studio and [ TNG producer] Rick Berman. The movie had a lot of cooks in the kitchen. A lot of mandates. It was conceived as a "passing of the baton." It had to have [Captain] Kirk, it had to have the Klingons. And Leonard Nimoy, at one point, crossed paths [with directing Generations ].

What was the notes process like on the finale, or did the studio pretty much leave you alone?

[Paramount] largely left us alone. The studio wasn't giving us notes. We were left to do what we do, and I think one can feel the benefit of that in the final product. Rick gave us notes, I'm sure, but not many. And it was his suggestion for Picard's last line, in the poker scene, the "sky's the limit" line.

Speaking of that last scene, where Picard joins the crew's traditional poker game for the first time, I know that also was the last scene shot for the show. Were you able to go to set for that?

That was the one time Ron and I went to the set. We didn't go to the set often, because there was usually no time when you're doing 26 episodes. You're either writing or in the writers' room. But we went down for certain scenes. We went down to meet Stephen Hawking, who was in another poker scene [the season six episode "Descent, Part I"]. But for the finale's poker scene, we just wanted to be there, because we knew it was the final scene. It was the last scene to be shot. It was a strange mixture of emotions, because there were tears. Some people were very moved, because this was the end of seven years. The show was enormously popular at the time. It was taken off air at the height of its popularity, which was a smart move in some ways.

But despite the bittersweetness of it all, they were reconfiguring the sets for the movie. The movie started shooting in a week. There was a compartmentalization going on. The show was the show, and the movies were the movies. They were just different. But it was a very emotional moment. And I think that almost always comes across on-screen. I think you sense the authenticity of what the actors are going through in that scene. To me, that scene boils down to the subtlety of Patrick's performance. And I would credit Marina Sirtis [who plays the Enterprise 's empathic counselor Deanna Troi] with her delivery of the "You were always welcome" line to Patrick. It was very moving. Marina's a great actress, very instinctive.

The anomaly Picard and the Enterprise crew must stop concerns anti-time, which is a very clever concept and plot twist. How did you and Ron come up with that?

I distinctly remember sitting in Ron's office and coming up with the phrase "anti-time." That came out when we were writing; I think I was typing and Ron was pacing, which was usually the case. We hadn't really figured out all the particulars or what we sometimes called "technobabble," but in this case, I think it was conceptual. The conceit was coming up with the anti-matter equivalent of time. And it was just one of those things where you suddenly had something to hang your hat on, like, "If it's like anti-matter with time, I think I know how we can explain what's happening and why it's dangerous, because you don't want time and anti-time to collide, much like you don't want matter and anti-matter to come together, either.

In an early version of the story, instead of using Dr. Beverly Crusher's (Gates McFadden) medical ship, the Pasteur , the crew in the future timeline were going to take the mothballed Enterprise from a museum—  

Yes, and that was cut from an early draft. We really wanted to do it, too, but we ended up on Beverly's medical ship instead. But that's not what it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be stealing the Enterprise out of a museum, which I think Terry [Matalas, Braga's former writer's assistant] ended up doing a version of on [the final season of] Picard . By the way, if you think about it for a second, it's much better, because you've got the three Enterprise s working together. That's perfection. With all due respect to Beverly's medical ship, it would have been more emotionally satisfying if it were the Enterprise .

There was a fourth timeline involving the Borg that stemmed from the events of TNG 's third season finale, "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I." Do you recall any scene specifics?

I may be misremembering, but it may have had to do with an assimilated Earth.

I believe it was a timeline where the Borg had won. But I know we added it because we thought we needed additional stakes, that the time anomaly might be too abstract. And we were eager to bring the Borg back, because we hadn't really dipped our toe into the Borg, full throttle, like we did with "Best of Both Worlds." I don't remember specific scenes, unfortunately. But I do remember it didn't last long. It wasn't working. Michael didn't want it. It became pretty clear, pretty quickly, that three was the right number. But that was something Ron and I carried into the development and script for Star Trek: First Contact [the 1996 sequel to Generations ].

I am surprised you didn't ask me about the "people getting younger" subplot that Michael Piller wanted to do.

Whoa, I didn't even know that was a thing, and I've watched this episode a ton. Can I ask you about that now?

I'm going to tell you about it. So there was a subplot that took place in the present-day storyline, where we were going to have all these ships that came and gathered around the anomaly, because it turns out that the anomaly had some anti-aging effect. It was de-aging people, and ships were gathering from all over to soak in the rays of the anomaly.

So that explains, in part, where a pregnant nurse on the Enterprise becomes "un-pregnant" and loses her baby. And why Geordi LaForge's [the blind engineer played by LeVar Burton] eyes start acting up.

Right. Those are little remnants of the storyline that got cut. And I think the reason it got cut out was it didn't have to do anything with anything. Ron and I were resistant to it, because we didn't think it really serviced the main plot of the episode, the emotional story for the characters. And, of course, Michael Piller would end up taking those ideas and using them in [the 1998 feature film] Star Trek: Insurrection .

How was it when you first watched the final episode? Do you remember where you were?

I had seen early cuts of the episode, but the first time I saw it was at the premiere on the lot that Paramount did. And Michael wasn't generous with his compliments. So when he did compliment you, it really meant something. And I remember every one, because he was a real mentor to me. And I owe so much to him. And he complimented us at the after-party. He was happy. And it was his legacy, too.

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A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Multiverse: How to Understand Timelines in the MCU, DC Universe, Star Trek and More

Multiverses are so hot right now.

The concept of multiple — possibly infinite — alternate realities unfolding alongside our own is decades old; physicist Hugh Everett III is widely credited for developing the theory at Princeton in the 1950s. The multiverse has cropped up in science fiction and comic books ever since, and it’s most often been employed in time-travel stories like “Back to the Future,” where a timeline has been split or changed and needs to be repaired.

But the head-squeezing metaphysics of parallel timelines intersecting and influencing each other has largely kept the idea on the fringe of mainstream popular culture.

Then, ’round about 2016, the idea that we are “living in the worst timeline” began to take a rather fearsome hold on social media, accelerating in 2020 with the COVID pandemic. In that potent environment, Hollywood has embraced the multiverse utterly. This has been especially true for the comic book adaptations championed by Disney, Warner Bros. and Sony, as each has reached a kind of critical mass in the face of the astronomic success of the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe. There have simply been so many Marvel and DC movies over the last 40 years that the only way to link them all, and be fresh while doing it, is to scream “Multiverse!” and hope for the best.

OK, yes, it’s a bit more — or way more — complicated than that. But that complication can also be thrilling, as anyone who has seen the indie adventure “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” starring Michelle Yeoh, can attest.

Still, keeping track of how all of these multiverses are supposed to work can be overwhelming — so we’ve done it for you! Below, you will find a handy guide for all the biggest multiverses currently unfolding in film and TV, and how to make sense of them.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe

What Are the Relevant Titles? The feature films “Avengers: Endgame” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” and the Disney Plus series “Loki” and “What If…?”

What Is Its Multiverse? The Marvel Cinematic Universe is what comic book fans have always dreamed of — a world in which Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Thor and plenty more superheroes all co-exist, defeat world-ending threats and chow down on shawarma together. From 2012’s “The Avengers” through 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” there were dozens of MCU characters who headlined their own standalone films while existing together in a single, unified timeline.

Today, however, there are  multiple timelines within the MCU, which means multiple Spider-Mans, Lokis, Captain Marvels and Doctor Stranges, all occupying their own unique (if quasi-familiar) alternate storytelling universe. Sometimes the differences are small; other times, they’re massive, like Peggy Carter taking the supersoldier serum instead of Steve Rogers, as first introduced in the Disney Plus series “What If…?”

How Does It Work? The time-travel heist in “Avengers: Endgame” sent the first crack through the multiverse after Steve Rogers traveled back in time, reunited with Peggy in the 1940s, and spent a lifetime with her. The events of “Loki,” however, shattered the whole thing: By the end of Season 1, an infinite number of timelines began dangerously branching off of the main, sacred timeline, leading to universe-crossing chaos illustrated in the animated series “What If…?”

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” further shattered the timestream when a Doctor Strange spell backfired and caused the versions of Spider-Man played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield (as well as many of their villains) to zap inside the MCU and team up with Tom Holland’s web slinger. By the end of the film, Strange had (seemingly) repaired the damage and sent anyone who didn’t belong in the MCU back to their correct universe. But it meant that everyone in the MCU had to forget they ever knew Holland’s Peter Parker.

What More Is In Store? “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” as the title implies, will further scramble the MCU’s timelines. But the real question mark is how the MCU will integrate the Marvel properties inherited from Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox: X-Men, Deadpool and the Fantastic Four. Development is already underway on “Fantastic Four” (with director Jon Watts ) and “Deadpool 3” (with director Shawn Levy ), and in November, Marvel Studios announced it was producing an animated series set within the world of the 1990s “X-Men” TV show — which likely means it won’t crossover with the MCU.

And yet, the Super Bowl trailer for “Doctor Strange 2” included a character who sounded a great deal like Patrick Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier , so who knows who else from the greater world of Marvel adaptations will show up in Strange’s multiversal adventure?

DC Universe

What Are the Relevant Titles? In movies, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “Joker,” “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “The Batman.”

In television, “The Flash,” Season 2, Episode 2 (“Flash of Two Worlds”) and Episode 13 (“Welcome to Earth-2”), and the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event on “Supergirl,” “Batwoman,” “The Flash,” “Arrow,” and “Legends of Tomorrow,” from Dec. 8, 2019 through Jan. 14, 2020.

What Is Its Multiverse? In the movies based on DC Comics, the multiverse is still in its infancy. Originally conceived as a single storytelling universe starting with Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel,” the DC Universe effectively fractured after Snyder left the franchise with 2017’s “Justice League” and Warner Bros. (kind of, sort of) went back to square one. While movies like “Wonder Woman,” “Aquaman” and “The Suicide Squad” do share the same timeline, “Joker” and “The Batman” are in their own separate universes, and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” is effectively a storytelling blind alley.

On television — aka the Arrowverse — the multiverse has been a thing since a 2015 episode of “The Flash,” in which Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) meets another Flash named Jay Garrick (Teddy Sears) professing that he’s from a parallel universe called Earth-2 (though it turns out that the real Jay is actually from Earth-3, but let’s not get too into the weeds here). The existence of alternate Earths became a regular phenomenon within several shows in the Arrowverse, culminating in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event in late 2019 and early 2020.

How Does It Work? At this point, it’s a bit unclear how the multiverse will work in the DC movie universe, but we at least know that the ability of Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), aka the Flash, to run so fast he pierces the boundary between universes is the central catalyst for it. In “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” Barry appears from the future to warn Batman (Ben Affleck) about a horrible event involving Superman (that never ended up happening once Snyder left the franchise).

On TV, Barry’s speedster powers are also crucial to the ability to cross between universes, but it’s ultimately tied to the fact that Earth-1 serves as the central hub from which all known alternate Earths (at least 53 of them) emanate. The particulars of how this is all supposed to work are labyrinthine and not always internally coherent — so much so that the Arrowverse destroyed its multiverse in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover. When the dust settled, the DC TV multiverse was re-formed and simplified, combining the “Supergirl” and “Black Lightning” universes with the one holding “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Batwoman,” “Legends of Tomorrow” and “Stargirl,” now called Earth Prime. There are still alternate DC universes (that are home to everything from the DC series “Doom Patrol” to the 2011 “Green Lantern” movie), but the mechanism used to find them on the Arrowverse shows — i.e. vibrational frequencies — doesn’t work anymore.

The DC movie and TV multiverses were also (loosely) tied together during the “Crisis” miniseries, when Miller’s Barry Allen suddenly appeared in front of Gustin’s Barry Allen — how this happened and what it means, beyond the sheer fun of it, has never been explained.

What More Is In Store? The many different, unrelated DC movie franchises are expected to be tied together through the DC movie multiverse in 2023’s “The Flash,” in which Barry goes back in time to prevent his mother from being murdered, and finds himself inside the timeline in which Michael Keaton plays Batman, not Ben Affleck.

On the Arrowverse, the multiverse is basically in cold storage — whether, or when, it could be revived remains unknown.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

What Is Its Multiverse? Directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known collectively as Daniels, didn’t need superheroes for their multiverse, just a lot of googly eyes, hot-dog fingers and butt plugs. The A24 movie follows Michelle Yeoh’s Evelyn, a laundromat owner who soon learns about the existence of infinite other realities and countless other Evelyns. However, the multiverse is threatened by an all-powerful being named Jobu Tupaki, an alternate version of Evelyn’s daughter who wields a black hole — which resembles an everything bagel, naturally — that could destroy all of existence. To defeat Jobu Tupaki, Evelyn must learn how to harness the strange powers within each world.

How Does It Work? Evelyn accesses different worlds by verse-jumping, which lets her briefly inhabit another universe and tap into a different Evelyn’s skills. The other Evelyn could be a martial artist, hibachi chef or a person with long, hot-dog fingers, and all of those abilities come in handy against Jobu Tupaki, who can do the same thing. In order to verse-jump, Evelyn and other universe-hoppers must use advanced technology from the main Alphaverse while also doing something bizarre, like wearing shoes on the wrong feet, splashing hand sanitizer in one’s eyes or shoving a cylindrical trophy where the sun doesn’t shine.

What More Is In Store? After premiering at SXSW and enjoying a successful limited release, “Everything Everywhere” is opening wide this weekend. The fresh take on multiverses has proved to be a critical darling — it’s become the highest-rated movie of all time on Letterboxd.

What Are the Relevant Titles? In television, Season 2, Episode 4 of “Star Trek” the original series (“Mirror, Mirror”) as well as several episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and “Star Trek: Discovery.” The second season of “Star Trek: Picard” also deals with a fractured timeline that operates essentially as a separate universe. (There are also countless episodes of “Trek” involving space-time distortions and anomalies that bend, break, or shatter the natural flow of time — and then fix it.)

In movies, all the recent “Trek” features, starting with 2009’s “Star Trek.”

What Is Its Multiverse? Known as the “Mirror Universe,” it contains all the individuals in the main “Trek” universe, but within the totalitarian Terran empire ruled with fear, distrust, violence and conquest.

On “Picard,” after the main characters are seemingly destroyed in a cataclysmic battle with the Borg, they all wake up in an alternate universe that operates quite similarly to the Mirror universe: a fascist state centered on Earth. Quickly, Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his compatriots realize they’re not in an alternate universe, but a fractured timeline.

The 2009 feature film “Star Trek” branches away from the main “Trek” timeline starting on the birthday in 2233 of James T. Kirk, known as the “Kelvin” timeline. Similar to “Picard,” this is technically not a fully alternate universe, but after 2233, it behaves as one.

How Does It Work? In “Mirror, Mirror,” Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) travels to the Mirror Universe through a transporter malfunction; on “Deep Space Nine,” it’s through a worm hole; and on “Discovery,” it’s using the Spore Drive. (The “Enterprise” episodes are set exclusively within the Mirror Universe, with no characters crossing over.) People from the the Mirror universe look like their doppelgängers, but behave as twisted inverses — Spock even has a goatee!

On “Picard,” the characters are transported to their alternate universe by the omnipotent being known as Q (John de Lancie) with their memories of their actual past fully intact. They learn that this new reality was caused by an unnatural split in the timeline in 2024, so they go back in time to fix it.

In 2009’s “Star Trek” feature, the “Kelvin” timeline is created when a space-time wormhole sends a Romulan ship from the 24th century back to the 23rd century, and it appears in front of the U.S.S. Kelvin, where James Kirk’s father George (Chris Hemsworth) and pregnant mother Winona (Jennifer Morrison) are stationed. Twenty-five years later, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) arrives through the same space-time wormhole. After this event, however, there have been no further exchanges between the Kelvin timeline and the main (or Prime) timeline.

What More Is In Store? Season 2 of “Star Trek: Picard” is still unfolding on Paramount Plus, but the streamer has already announced that Season 3 will reunite Stewart with the main cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” so one can expect that the events of Season 2 will be resolved and the timeline restored to its rightful place.

Paramount Pictures announced in February that a fourth “Star Trek” movie is in the works, but all other plot details have been kept under wraps.

The Mirror Universe last showed up in Season 3 of “Star Trek: Discovery,” when Terran Emperor Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), who has been living in the Prime universe since Season 1, is zapped back to the Mirror Universe, where she tries to change the course of history of the Terran Empire. She’s then sent to “another time and place” where her displacement from her own universe won’t kill her. Paramount Plus has been developing a new show for Yeoh based on her character, but nothing has been officially announced yet.

The Sony Marvel Universe

What Are the Relevant Titles? “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Morbius,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”

What Is Its Multiverse? Not to be outdone by Disney and the MCU, Sony has started developing its own shared world of Marvel characters, pulled from its decades-long claim to the movie rights to Spider-Man and roughly 900 other characters who’ve appeared in Spidey comics. Spider-Man villains like Venom, Morbius and Kraven the Hunter are getting their own origin-story spinoffs produced exclusively by Sony, populating what the studio has been calling the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters. But for simplicity’s sake, let’s just call it the Sony Marvel Universe, or SMU. Think of it as a cousin to the MCU that gets to visit during Christmas, only with millions of dollars involved and A-list IP on the line.

The one exception has been the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies, which are produced by Disney’s Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures in an unprecedented agreement to share the character; until 2021, Holland’s Peter Parker resided exclusively within the MCU, and there was zero crossover between the MCU and the SMU.

But then “No Way Home” happened, and Holland’s Peter came face-to-face not just with Tobey Maguire’s and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men, but their villains, too, transported from their respective Sony universes by a Doctor Strange spell.

Also floating around, and so far unconnected to the MCU or SMU, is the 2018 animated feature “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” which was the first movie to introduce alternate Marvel dimensions and different versions of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

How Does It Work? In a word, magic. Though the SMU multiverse is still in its infancy, there is some vague, connective webbing between the “Venom,” “Spider-Man” and “Morbius” films thanks to Doctor Strange. The post-credits scene of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” dropped Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his alien symbiote into the MCU, but all Eddie and Venom ended up doing was learning about the MCU at a bar before they were promptly transported back to the SMU — although Venom did leave behind a piece of black, symbiotic goo.

The boundaries between the SMU and MCU are getting more porous, however. In post-credit scenes in “Morbius,” Michael Keaton’s high-flying Vulture — who we last saw incarcerated in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” part of the MCU — was magically plopped into Sony’s universe, where he offered to team-up with Jared Leto’s Morbius.

In “Into the Spider-Verse,” the multiverse is breached by a super-collider created by Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber), which ends up bringing Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) into contact with several different Spider-People, including Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Ham (John Mulaney) and Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage).

What More Is In Store?  Its unclear whether Vulture and Morbius will end up actually teaming up in a movie down the road, but Sony is moving ahead with several other SMU films. Next in line is “Kraven the Hunter,” starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the big-game hunter who sets his sights on Spidey, and Dakota Johnson’s “Madame Web,” who, in the comics, has connections to the multiverse of wall-crawlers. In some future MCU/Sony movie, Tom Holland will surely have to deal with that leftover piece of the Venom symbiote, which could eventually debut the iconic black Spider-Man suit.

“Into the Spider-Verse,” meanwhile, will continue with “Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse” — with Issa Rae voicing Spider-Woman and Oscar Isaac voicing Spider-Man 2099 — which is so ambitious that Sony has split it into two parts, with the first debuting this October.

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'Star Trek: Discovery' season 5 episode 9 offers a tense but questionable cliffhanger

It's the old enemy infiltration by way of cunning disguise chestnut, but once you've seen The Orville's take on this, it's hard to take seriously.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Star Trek: Discovery" season 5, episode 9

Here we are then, just two episodes away from the very end of "Star Trek: Discovery," but we'll save the nostalgic look back over the last six years, eight months, one week and two days for next week. And no doubt there will be some kind of emotional farewell at the end of next week's installment, but just how cringeworthy that will be remains to be seen. 

Best non-cancellation last episode of a TV sci-fi show ever, in the "Five Seasons or More" category? Well, it certainly isn't " Enterprise ," sadly, and let's face facts, it's got to be the " The Next Generation " episode "All Good Things" (S07, E25) with "Unending," the "Stargate SG1" episode (S10, E20) in second place. 

And as we've seen, the quality of writing on this fifth and final season of "Discovery" has picked up, arguably an improvement the last three seasons, but unquestionably over the last season, which was the switching off point for many who had given "Discovery" the benefit of the doubt for so very long. And, despite this installment, entitled "Lagrange Point," being directed by Jonathan Frakes, it's not terrible. 

Watch Star Trek on Paramount Plus: Get a one month free trial  

Get all the Star Trek content you can possibly handle with this free trial of Paramount Plus. Watch new shows like Star Trek: Discovery and all the classic Trek movies and TV shows too. Plans start from $4.99/month after the trial ends.

While Frakes has some excellent examples of episodic television under his belt, including "Falling Skies," "The Orville" and even "V," plus both "The Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine" and "First Contact" of course, he has also helmed a few episodes –— almost always of "Star Trek" — that are...well, the sci-fi TV franchise equivalent of the Roger Moore Bond movies. And let's leave it at that. 

Not knowing more about the writing and production procedure employed on "Discovery," it's hard to know if the writers know what director will be assigned to which episode and whether or not they therefore cater for that individual, or if the director just takes the script and alters it as much or as little as they like. That's ultimately what contributes to the often-seen inconsistency that we talked about a week or so ago.

This week, a few select members of the command crew of the USS Discovery attempt to infiltrate a Breen dreadnought. And to be perfectly honest, after having watched the epic "Orville" episode "Krill" (S01, E06) it's a little hard to take this somewhat clichéd tactical approach seriously. But, for the most part, it's carried off with too much of a hitch. 

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The Breen have successfully snuck in under the nose of the USS Discovery and half-inched the Progenitors Puzzle. You know, like Belloq in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and we get to see them attempting to open the final clue, a little like the wonderfully hilarious slaves-get-killed-horribly-first approach that was used to great affect in "The Mummy." Missed opportunity there for a couple of really creative and horrific sacrificial deaths Frakes. Being dragged into an unknown dimension just wasn't unpleasant enough. Also, Wilhelm Scream?!

That said, there is some nice, creative choices of edits and a Starfleet commendation should be awarded to whichever writer championed a line of dialogue where Captain Rayner (Keith Rennie Callum) finally tells Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) to shut up . Sure, some fans adore her innocent, bumbling, comedy relief-style appeal, but it's not always conducive to Every Single Scene. 

And finally, breaking news this week as, according to The Hollywood Reporter , longtime "X-Men" producer Simon Kinberg is in talks to produce a "Star Trek" movie franchise for Paramount. Toby Haynes, who directed episodes " Andor " is on board to direct the new feature, with Seth Grahame-Smith writing the script. The project is said to be set decades before the events of the dreadful 2009 movie that was directed JJ Abrams, likely around modern times.

It is said to involve the creation of the Starfleet and humankind’s first contact with alien life. This is music to the ears of all fans who believe that keeping Trek ridiculously far flung into the future is an awful, awful idea. Also, someone other than Alex Kurtzman and Akiva Goldsman calling the shots is an excellent, excellent idea. 

And while this period in Trek history is so very interesting as we saw in the vastly underrated "Enterprise," it does feel like everyone either wants to fast forward into the future or slam the franchise into reverse and go all the way back...but always, always leapfrogging over the most underutilized period, which is "The Wrath of Khan" movie era: Monster Maroons, Admiral Kirk, the USS Excelsior ... and all of that unexplored wonder. 

The fifth and final season of "Star Trek: Discovery" and every other episode of every " Star Trek " show — with the exception of "Star Trek: Prodigy" — currently streams exclusively on Paramount Plus in the US, while "Prodigy" has found a new home  on Netflix.  

Internationally, the shows are available on  Paramount Plus  in Australia, Latin America, the UK and South Korea, as well as on Pluto TV in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland on the Pluto TV Sci-Fi channel. They also stream on Paramount Plus in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In Canada, they air on Bell Media's CTV Sci-Fi Channel and stream on Crave.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

When Scott's application to the NASA astronaut training program was turned down, he was naturally upset...as any 6-year-old boy would be. He chose instead to write as much as he possibly could about science, technology and space exploration. He graduated from The University of Coventry and received his training on Fleet Street in London. He still hopes to be the first journalist in space.

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