A Five Year Mission

"What rock have I been living under?" was the exact question I asked myself when I discovered the extraordinary independent, fan-made web series Star Trek New Voyages (formerly Star Trek: Phase II).

Created by James Cawley in 2003 (the first episode went online in 2004!), the web series continues the five year mission of the original Star Trek series as if the show was never canceled after its third season in 1969.

In accomplishing that mandate, the production crew achieves astonishing results in recreating both the look and feel of the original series, including:

An exact 360° reproduction of the Enterprise bridge

Replication of audio cues, sound effects, and musical interludes used throughout the original series run

Visual effects that mimic the originals, yet still look dynamic on modern screens

Detailed facsimiles of costumes, and popular alien designs

Stories featuring original crew members Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Chief Engineer Scott ("Scotty"), Lt. Uhura, Lt. Commander Sulu, and Lt. Chekov

However, STNV's most notable achievement is the recapturing of the tone and focus of the original show.

These Are The New Voyages

The late Gene Roddenberry conceived Star Trek to be morality plays disguised as futuristic adventure.

In fact, its most prominent signature is its thinly veiled social commentary.