Today, the webisode "Homecoming" debuted at Star Trek: Excalibur. This production originates out of Las Vegas, Nevada and it is a project that has been in the works for several years, several long years. I won't get into the details of the entire journey, but it is worth noting that all that this production has had to endure, it says a great deal about these people that they never gave up.
It is interesting to note, one could say, part of the history of this endeavor, that we begin our story at a point in time, well known to future-historians: The disastrous testing of the M-5 computer, built by Dr. Daystrom. We know the history, the machine wrecked havoc during the war game and left several ships in bad shape, very bad shape. One ship, the U.S.S. Excalibur was not destroyed, was salvaged and now serves (or will serve) as they name sake to this series.
NCC-1705, U.S.S. Excalibur is a constitution class starship, one of the original 12 that formed the backbone of the Federation's star fleet.
It is not my intent to cover the story in detail, as many may not have seen this episode and I will do my best not to spoil the happenings for anyone.
First and foremost, this is a fan production. One that has finally made it to the screen, as we know, so many programs were offered and few saw fruit. We know, that as a fan production, not too many credits are available for production, writing, etc. As with all fan productions, they are labors of love. Frankly, this is what we are talking about: a labor of love done in honor of the greatest of loves in our life: Star Trek.
Star Trek brings us a familiarity, a common ground, if you will: a place, in the not-too-distant future where humanity has progressed a great deal, and paradise is born anew (Earth), many of our problems have been resolved and we have joined with other space-faring aliens to form a galactic federation, one that is devoted to peace and prosperity. It is a good place to visit and place that many of us yearn to live ourselves. Since we can't get to the 23rd Century, we make the 23rd Century happen today: U.S.S. Excalibur.
This story is all about setup. How did we get here or more likely, why we are here and what we can look forward to. This adventure is all about story and that is what is of interest: the story. As with most fan productions, you get amateurish results: bad special effects, bad acting, bad stories and frankly, a freaking waste of time.
U.S.S. Excalibur can certainly be blamed as having some of that on the surface. One needs to take a deeper look. The special effects are really neat. The production, such as the uniforms and sets are creative and good. The delivery by the actors is decent, across the board. Music? Well, I am glad they have a theme and it is well done, but not to my liking. Doesn't matter if I like it, it matters if you, the fan likes it. Again, s-t-o-r-y. Is there one? Sure, but as many fan productions tend to over due is on familiarity. Or frankly, doing something that has already been done. The major fault with this production, is their attempt to remind us of what we are watching: Star Trek. Too many phrases and too many reminders of what has come before us. If a fan production wants to tell their own stories and they must, it should be one where the viewer is acknowledged to be versed in the universe and invite them to take a journey, a new journey.
If you look at what this production is doing, it is fantastic. Just enough of a teaser to do exactly what it is supposed to: tease you. Homecoming delivers on that tease. My only worry is: we'll we see much of the same that has come before or will we be taken to places where we have never gone, and doing that which we haven't? Having cliches and reminders of favorite moments of Star Trek history is nice, but it gets old real quick. Tell your own story and tell it your own way.
U.S.S. Excalibur has a great deal of history that has yet to be written - make it one where it makes its own, not a reminder of the neat stuff that came before.
Good start. You have my attention.
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Review and Commentary By Roger D. Noriega
www.ndbmedia.net
Edited on 8/9/2013 11:00 A.M PDT
