Star Trekis one of the most iconic science fiction TV franchises of all time, but Prime Video’s upcoming space opera based on a bestselling book series can temporarily replace it. There’s nothing quite like Star Trek. The franchise, which started in 1966, has reinvented itself many times while still staying true to the heart of the original show.
The first two Star Trek TV shows were my first real introduction to science fiction, so they hold a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, we fans might be going through a Star Trek drought on TV pretty soon.
Currently, Star Trek is killing it with comic books. The big screen has potential, with Star Trek: Origins still in the works. On the small screen, the franchise is floundering, though. Every active Star Trek show has been canceled. For the first time in almost a decade, there are no new Star Trek TV shows on the way. Luckily, one show could tide us over.
Stardate 47988.1 · Crew Assessment The Final Frontier Trivia Challenge
🚀ShipsEnterprise!
⭐CrewMake it so
☠EnemiesResistance is…
⚡TechWarp speed!
📖LoreLive long…
01
The USS Enterprise is the most iconic starship in science fiction. What is the registry number of Captain Kirk’s original Enterprise from The Original Series?
✓ Correct! NCC-1701 is the registry of Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise. The “-D” suffix belongs to Picard’s Galaxy-class ship, NX-01 is Archer’s Enterprise, and NCC-74656 is Voyager.
✗ Red alert! The answer is NCC-1701. Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise carried this now-legendary registry. NCC-1701-D is Picard’s Enterprise from TNG, NX-01 is Captain Archer’s, and NCC-74656 belongs to Voyager.
02
Kirk’s most trusted officer is a half-human, half-Vulcan science officer famous for his logic and iconic salute. Who is this legendary character?
✓ Correct! Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, is the half-Vulcan science officer whose “Live long and prosper” salute became a cultural icon. His struggle between logic and emotion defines the heart of the Original Series.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Spock. Data is an android from TNG, Tuvok is Voyager’s Vulcan tactical officer, and Sarek is Spock’s Vulcan father. Only Spock is the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of Kirk’s Enterprise.
03
Starfleet’s most important regulation forbids interference with the natural development of alien civilizations. What is this guiding principle called?
✓ Correct! The Prime Directive (also known as General Order 1) is Starfleet’s most sacred law. It prohibits interfering with less-developed civilizations — though Kirk, Picard, and Janeway have all famously bent or broken it when lives were at stake.
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Prime Directive. While “General Order One” is technically another name for it, the Prime Directive is the universally known term. The Omega Directive and Temporal Accord are separate, more specialized Starfleet protocols.
04
“Resistance is futile.” This chilling declaration belongs to a cybernetic collective that assimilates entire civilizations into its hive mind. What is this fearsome species called?
✓ Correct! The Borg are Star Trek’s most terrifying villains — a hive-mind collective that forcibly assimilates species and technology. Captain Picard was famously assimilated and transformed into Locutus in the landmark TNG episode “The Best of Both Worlds.”
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Borg. The Dominion is the Gamma Quadrant empire from DS9, the Romulans are a rival empire, and Species 8472 is actually one of the few species that the Borg themselves fear. Only the Borg declare “Resistance is futile.”
05
Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the Enterprise-D in The Next Generation and later received his own series, Star Trek: Picard. Which acclaimed actor portrays him?
✓ Correct! Sir Patrick Stewart brought gravitas, Shakespeare, and Earl Grey tea to the captain’s chair for seven seasons of TNG, four films, and three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. His “Make it so” is one of TV’s most iconic catchphrases.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Patrick Stewart. William Shatner plays Captain Kirk, Avery Brooks is Captain Sisko on Deep Space Nine, and Scott Bakula captains the NX-01 Enterprise. Only Sir Patrick Stewart portrays the legendary Jean-Luc Picard.
06
Starfleet vessels travel faster than light by bending space around them using a matter-antimatter reaction. What is this propulsion system called?
✓ Correct! Warp Drive is the standard faster-than-light propulsion in Star Trek, powered by dilithium-regulated matter-antimatter reactions. Zefram Cochrane invented it in 2063, which led to humanity’s first contact with the Vulcans.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Warp Drive. Transwarp is an advanced Borg technology, Slipstream is an experimental quantum drive, and the Spore Drive uses mycelial network navigation (from Discovery). Standard Starfleet vessels use Warp Drive.
07
At Starfleet Academy, cadets face a notorious no-win scenario designed to test their character under impossible circumstances. James Kirk is the only cadet who ever beat it — by cheating. What is this test called?
✓ Correct! The Kobayashi Maru is an unwinnable rescue simulation that tests how cadets handle certain death. Kirk reprogrammed it so he could win — earning a commendation for original thinking. It was memorably featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Kobayashi Maru. The Corbomite Maneuver is a TOS episode, not an Academy test. The Kobayashi Maru is the famous no-win scenario that Kirk defeated by reprogramming the simulation — because he doesn’t believe in the no-win scenario.
08
In the widely regarded greatest Star Trek film, a genetically enhanced superhuman from Earth’s past seeks revenge against Captain Kirk. “KHAAAAN!” Who is this iconic villain?
✓ Correct! Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalbán, is Star Trek’s greatest villain. First appearing in the TOS episode “Space Seed,” he returned in The Wrath of Khan (1982) for a devastating revenge plot that cost Spock his life.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Khan Noonien Singh. General Chang is a Klingon from Star Trek VI, Q is TNG’s omnipotent trickster, and Gul Dukat is DS9’s Cardassian antagonist. Only Khan inspired Kirk’s legendary scream across the cosmos.
Mission Complete Your Starfleet Record
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Are you an Admiral — or still a cadet on deck-scrubbing duty?
Consider Phlebas Has Enough In Common With Star Trek To Replace It
Consider Phlebas book cover
I want to be very clear; I do not think that Star Trek will ever be truly replaced. If history’s any indication, the franchise will always come back to life at some point. Plus,Star Trek’s influence on science fiction TV is profound. That will never change.
However, we might have to turn to other shows to fill the void. The best choice will be the TV adaptation of the space opera Consider Phlebas, which will bring the Culture series by Iain M. Banks to life.
Consider Phlebas and Star Trek share many narrative similarities, making the upcoming show the perfect temporary replacement. The Culture civilization brings many species together in a collective post-scarcity society. This functions similarly to the United Federations of Planets in Star Trek.
Both Star Trek and the Culture books feature sentient AIs. The stories also feature a wide range of species with distinct cultures and varying levels of advancement. The technology is quite similar between the Culture books and Star Trek. Plus, the conflict between the Idrians and the Culture in Consider Phlebas is extremely similar to the Dominion War from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
That being said, the two will have distinct tones. Star Trek is significantly more optimistic than Consider Phlebas. The franchise typically boasts in the inherent goodness of folks and promotes cooperation. The stories generally convey a feeling of curiosity and wonder. Meanwhile, Consider Phlebas is much more cynical about whether people are good or evil.
The good news is that the Culture series has so much source material to work with. The book series includes ten novels, meaning it could go on for years without taking a break. It won’t have to take the risk of continuing past the books for at least a decade, if not more.
Prime Video Has An Impressive Lineup Of Sci-Fi Shows In Development
The Mercy of Gods poster shows the Carryx Empire. The Captive’s War
Consider Phlebas is just one of the many exciting science fiction TV shows on the horizon for Prime Video. This year, Blade Runner 2099, Spider-Noir, and the new Ghost in the Shell anime will debut on the streaming site. All of these shows are highly anticipated and could help shape their respective subgenres.
The powers that be have also renewed Fallout for season 3, which has been a certified hit for Prime Video. The show is so beloved that Fallout is getting a rare physical release ahead of its upcoming season.
They’re currently developing the space operas The Captive’s War and Consider Phlebas. The writer’s room is active for the highly-anticipated Stargate reboot, as well. If Prime Video continues to bring great science fiction stories to life, it may eventually rival Apple TV for the best sci-fi streamer.
