Star Trek: Captain's Log Fan Collective

I found it a bit of a surprise that what happened to arrive in my mailbox was none other than the fifth installment in the Fan Collective DVD sets, CAPTAIN’S LOG. With all of the different series and films now on DVD in complete sets, what else could be done to further mine the TREK property? Enter the Fan Collectives, where fans could vote on StarTrek.com for their favorite episodes. When I reviewed BORG, the first of the Fan Collective sets, I wasn’t too happy with the concept to begin with. To simply rehash common threads from the different series into sampler sets just didn’t thrill me at all. It didn’t thrill me a few years back with the release of the JEAN-LUC PICARD COLLECTION (while technically not a Fan Collective but still a sampler set), and it still doesn’t thrill me to this day. The only perk it does have in its favor is that it does provide a nice cost-effective way for fans to sample the different series without having to shell out hundreds of dollars for each set.

CAPTAIN’S LOG has a unique twist to it, in that all five captains from the different series – William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, and Scott Bakula – have chosen their personal favorite episodes, in addition to commenting on the fans’ picks for the preferred episodes for inclusion in this new set. It’s a novel concept, to be sure.

CAPTAIN’S LOG presents 17 different episodes spread out over five discs. Representing the Original Series on Disc One is Shatner’s pick “The City on the Edge of Forever”, along with the fan choices “The Enterprise Incident” and “Balance of Terror”. On Disc Two, representing THE NEXT GENERATION, are Stewart’s choice “In Theory” (his directorial debut), along with the intense two-parter “Chain of Command” and the moving tale “Darmok”. DEEP SPACE NINE dominates Disc Three with Brooks’ selection “Far Beyond the Stars” (one of his directorial segments for the series), along with the rule-breaking segment “In the Pale Moonlight” and the series finale “What You Leave Behind”. On Disc Four, VOYAGER is represented with Mulgrew’s pick “Counterpoint”, along with the fan picks “The Omega Directive” and the popular segment “Flashback” (with George Takei returning as Captain Sulu). Finally, Bakula leads off Disc Five with his favorite ENTERPRISE segment “Judgment”, along with the fan picks “First Flight” and the series finale “These are the Voyages”.

All of the episodes are reproduced from their original masters and presented in their original broadcast aspect ratios, with the first four series in full-frame format and the ENTERPRISE segments in 1.78:1 widescreen format. Sound-wise, all of the episodes are presented in English Dolby 5.1 surround, English and Spanish 2.0 sound, and, in the case of DS9, Brazilian Portuguese 2.0 sound, with optional English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles and optional English closed captions. All of the episodes are crisp and sharp-looking, though I have to admit that in watching the Original Series, and looking back at the early seasons of TNG, the visual effects are severely dated. Call me spoiled on modern-day CGI effects that became prominent in later series and films. That’s one of the reasons why the thought of “TREK Remastered” interested me, though I’ve never seen a single segment.

Furthermore, all of the episodes presented have better chapter marks placed at appropriate points throughout each episode. While there is no specific chapter selection process on the set, you can access each individual chapter during the respective episodes. This is definitely a step up from their original presentations on each individual season set, which haphazardly placed chapter stops in random places throughout the episodes. This way, the chapters fall into very logical places during an episode.

The packaging of the CAPTAIN’S LOG set is presented in three dual-disc slim-case packages with two discs per case and the ENTERPRISE disc in a single-disc case. These slim-disc cases seem to be the norm with a lot of series on DVD these days. All of the packages have the specifics on each disc’s content, with colorful artwork on the inside.

The menus, however, are extremely static and uninspired, with only three menu screens available for the main episode selection, sound and subtitle options, and extra features selections. Having seen all of the CGI-animated menu screens for each of the different series and films, this is quite a bit of a step back if you ask me.

The only significant extras in CAPTAIN’S LOG are new interviews with Shatner, Stewart, Brooks, Mulgrew, and Bakula, respectively, on each disc. All of the actors offer their thoughts on working on TREK and remembering what they brought the table as Captains Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, and Archer, respectively.

Beginning with Disc One, we have a 16-second introduction by Shatner to the Fan Collective. We then proceed into the introduction to “City on the Edge of Forever”, which is the longest of the interview segments at 12:45 in length. Shatner discusses the complexities Kirk, like any of us, faced in making one decision over another. He also discusses how the time travel element worked in this episode because of the elements of emotion and regret over terrible things happening at some point in life. The introduction continues as Shatner and surprise guest Joan Collins discuss working together on the episode, as they recall how Collins brought an understated sensuality to the simplistic appearance of Edith Keeler. Collins also reflects how she brought a back story to her character, how Edith had no interest in men until Kirk arrived on the scene.

Continuing on Disc One, we also have the first installment of WHAT MAKES A GOOD CAPTAIN? At 3:40 in length, Shatner discusses how a captain should not have the appearance of doubt in his command decisions, trusting in the decisions he makes and relying on intuition, fearlessness, and working around dilemmas to make the right choices. Next is the first installment of THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAPTAIN’S LOG (1:41), as Shatner describes it as a good dramatic device for recording his inner personal thoughts and command decisions. Finally, Shatner reflects on CAPTAIN KIRK’S LEGACY (2:27), about how he wanted to play Kirk’s death scene in GENERATIONS. He recalls the restless night before the shoot, asking questions about what happens when people die, and ultimately giving Kirk the same qualities of awe and wonder about death as he did throughout life.

Moving to Disc Two, we have Stewart’s introduction to “In Theory” (2:48), in which he owns up to a bit of personal bias toward this episode because it marked his directorial debut on TNG. He gives high praise to Brent Spiner’s work as Data in the episode and to the complex story about how Data was ill-equipped to handle a romantic relationship with a female crewmember. Stewart also provides introductions to “Chain of Command” and “Darmok”, each running 1:17 apiece. He recalls how he relished working with Amnesty International in studying how prisoners are brutally and sometimes wrongfully tortured and incarcerated without trial, something that is still extremely relevant in today’s times in the recent light of Iraqi prisoners freed from al Qaeda torture chambers, making “Chain of Command” just as timely today as it was back in 1992. He also recalls how “Darmok” helped reenergize interest in the mythical tale of Gilgamesh on the academic scene, and how the episode focused on the relationship between two men who are unable to understand one another because of the lack of common communication grounds.

From there Stewart goes into the second installment of THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAPTAIN’S LOG (1:06), reflecting how it was a good thematic device of moving the story forward without having to shoot lots of scenes. In PLAYING A CAPTAIN (1:32), he recalls his father and how he was the only one of the three sons who did not pursue the military as a career. Stewart also comments on how, 20 years after TNG, he doesn’t mind being called “Captain”, and he also shares how, during a recent stage production of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, he got lots of laughs from the audience after referring to his sidekick as “Captain”. In LOOKING BACK (2:15), he reflects on the friendships he made with his cast members over the course of the series and the four films, cherishing those friendships all the more since his recent move from Los Angeles to the U.K., seeing those friendships drift further away as he gets older, and finding himself missing Jonathan Frakes at a recent Christmas party that reunited him with his TNG cast mates. Next, in STAR TREK AND THE STAGE (2:06), Stewart comments on how he always viewed TREK as a sidestep in his career in classical theater, and how in between matinee performances of THE TEMPEST he received cheers and applause from his co-workers because of his work in the campy “Q-Pid”. Finally, he reflects on PICARD’S FUTURE (:51), musing how Picard needed more human connections in his life and how he probably never made admiral.

On Disc Three, in his introduction to “Far Beyond the Stars” (1:46), Brooks comments on how he got the script from Ira Steven Behr and wanted to direct the episode but also had to find the connection between directing and acting on screen. He also enjoyed the chance to direct his DS9 cast mates without makeup, and he relished how the episode dealt with the timeliness of racism and sexism in the 20th century, something not implausible in the world of writing. In A CAPTAIN AND A FATHER (1:05), Brooks briefly discusses the importance of juggling his responsibilities as a Starfleet captain and as a single father, nothing how in today’s society many young black boys and girls don’t have that father figure in their lives. In SISKO AS EMISSARY (1:10), he comments on how uncomfortable Sisko was in being seen as a religious figure, but he also notes the relationship between the spiritual and the divine in many African Americans’ lives. Brooks also notes in DIRECTING (1:21) how he wanted to direct in earlier series he had appeared in, among them SPENSER FOR HIRE and HAWK, but never had the chance until DS9 came along. He also comments that he doesn’t find directing and acting, not only other cast members but also himself, that much of a stretch, since he has a MFA in directing and acting.

Brooks muses on IMAGINING THE FUTURE (:45) how if mankind can imagine it, it will happen, and he’s all for it. Brooks further adds in SOCIAL COMMENTARY (1:04) how all of the different incarnations in TREK are infused with allegories about real life, and how the overall riding theme in the franchise is peace on Earth. He further reflects on these themes in ASPIRATIONS (:58), nothing that he wants to be remembered not so much for his work on DS9 but for something bigger in this world, the chance to be part of the equation of saving and giving life to those around him. Finally, in STAR TREK’S IMPACT (1:57), Brooks notes how he’s done fewer conventions than his counterparts, but he also notes how during a dinner date with an actress friend, he found that people around him connected more with the roles they as actors essayed on television than with themselves as individuals.

Moving to Disc Four, in her introduction to “Counterpoint” (1:59), Mulgrew talks about how she had dealt with being the first female captain to lead a TREK series, and how the fifth season VOYAGER episode was her personal favorite because Kathryn Janeway found herself torn between love and duty. In her introduction to “The Omega Directive” (:48), Mulgrew discusses how Janeway worked well with Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) because of their mutual appreciation for science. Finally, in her introduction to “Flashback” (:59), she comments on the fun factor it was in working with both Tim Russ and George Takei.

In the next installment of THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAPTAIN’S LOG (1:13), Mulgrew comments on Janeway’s necessity to record everything that happened thousands of light-years away from Starfleet territory. In CAPTAIN JANEWAY’S BEST QUALITIES (1:47) and the next installment of WHAT MAKES A GOOD CAPTAIN (1:35), she explores the woman’s perspective of being a woman, a strong leader, and a starship captain. In JANEWAY’S FUTURE (1:11) she notes how Janeway made a career for herself as a Starfleet admiral. Finally, in the second part of LOOKING BACK (:46), Mulgrew reflects on her seven years on VOYAGER and the friendships she made during the series’ production.

On Disc Five, Bakula introduces his personal pick “Judgment” (2:47), talking about working with J.G. Hertzler and delivering a solid performance as Jonathan Archer in the segment. From there he adds an introduction (1:40) to the fan-picked episode “These are the Voyages”, but I have to strongly disagree with his comments that final episodes are often disappointing but that the fans warmed up to the final ENTERPRISE segment. DUH!!!!! How sorely misinformed he is! Wake up, Scott! You had your chance to be completely honest about what you really felt about the segment, and you royally blew it!

From there Bakula muses on the final segment of WHAT MAKES A GOOD CAPTAIN? (3:26) and CAPTAIN ARCHER’S BEST QUALITIES (3:30), noting that a captain like Archer should be accessible to his crew but also strong and determined in his command, in addition to his no-nonsense attitude of taking no prisoners in getting the mission accomplished. In the last segment of THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAPTAIN’S LOG (1:36) Bakula adds his two cents’ worth on the necessity of recording his thoughts and actions at any given point during a mission. In the final segment of LOOKING BACK (3:16) Bakula reflects on the friendships with his fellow cast members and notes that he didn’t get a solid grasp of the STAR TREK franchise and universe until he was a part of it. Finally, the set is rounded out with a 39-second closing statement to the fans.

In addition, while unadvertised, we have two DVD trailers at the star of Disc One. The first is a generic spot for all of the TREK series and the first four Fan Collectives on DVD, while the other is a generic spot for MACGYVER, WALKER TEXAS RANGER, and THE SENTINEL on DVD. Thankfully, these are not forced trailers, so you have the option of skipping through these promos and getting to the main menu screen.

I’ve got two major concerns with the CAPTAIN’S LOG set. First, “Chain of Command” has been altered from their original TV presentations for this DVD release. For the first time the main title credits have been condensed and isolated to the start of Part 1, while the end credits for Part 1 have been removed, along with the Part 1 recap, main titles, and episode credits for Part 2. The result is one seamless movie-length segment. This is certain to bother some fans, who clearly remember “Chain of Command” airing as a two-part episode back in 1992 and appearing intact on the sixth season TNG set. Yet nowhere on the packaging is this alteration listed. I hope this is not a sign of things to come in any future condensed re-releases.

Second, if memory serves, didn’t “These are the Voyages” tarnish a lot of fans’ mindsets when it came to the end of ENTERPRISE and the TREK franchise at that point? As bad as it was, and following such a wonderful two-part tale in “Demons” and “Terra Prime” that could have effectively ended the series, why in the world was this episode chosen for the Fan Collective to begin with? All this episode serves is to remind us of the big middle finger that Rick Berman and Brannon Braga gave to the fans who had loyally stuck through a declining series, not to mention franchise, with a mediocre subplot, piss-poor generic thugs, and an ineffective end for one of the main cast members (which Michael Martin and Andy Mangels have seen fit to correct in recent Pocket Books novels). If anything, I would have chosen a far better episode like “Zero Hour” or the highly entertaining two-part “In a Mirror, Darkly”, anything that was infinitely better than this major clunker.

My initial thoughts on the Fan Collective sets remain consistent with this latest release. I for one am not impressed with the concept of the Fan Collectives, since it seems pointless to continually re-release the respective STAR TREK series’ episodes on DVD. As I said earlier, the only benefit of this set is to provide a cost-effective way to introduce a newcomer to the franchise without having to break his or her pocketbook. Furthermore, with just new interview segments as the only significant extras on this set, not to mention an altered version of one of the most acclaimed TNG segments, and the inclusion of the worst clunker in TREK history this side of “Spock’s Brain” or “Shades of Gray”, there’s not much else to interest me. Your mileage, however, may vary.