WI: The Enterprise completes its five year mission (Star Trek survives for 5 seasons)
Let's hope it's not anything like the travesty that appeared on TV in 2022.
Chapter 232: December 1987
Finally at the end of 1987. I'm going to use a couple of stories that the timeline's fans wrote me for this update.
DWIGHT SCHULTZ THRILLED WITH HIS CHIEF ENGINEER'S ROLE ON STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Last month we reported that Marina Sirtis, currently playing Nurse Deanna Troi, and Denise Crosby, currently playing Counselor Tasha Yar, were discontent with their roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Dwight Schultz, who plays Chief Engineer Reginald Barclay, is delighted. "I was Captain Murdock on the A-Team, and I'm even more excited with the material given to me in Star Trek," Schultz said. "I always wanted to be Scotty on the Enterprise when I was growing up, and it's a dream come true to be following in James Doohan's footsteps." Engineer Barclay is characterized as a shy guy who has difficulties with social relationships, but a completely brilliant chief engineer, far and away the best in Starfleet. Barclay's best friends on the ship are Lieutenant Riker, the security chief, and Lieutenant Commander Data, the android science officer. "Barclay wants to talk to Riker to become more outgoing, but he is more comfortable with his relationship with Data because they both have analytical minds and do not read human emotions well," Schultz said. Schultz dropped a couple of hints regarding his future role in The Next Generation. "Barclay is going to save the ship a few times, just like Scotty in the original Star Trek," Schultz said with a beaming smile. "Captain Picard considers Barclay as one of his most trusted officers, and Picard helps Barclay through his anxiety."
Showrunner David Gerrold also dropped hints regarding future episodes in The Next Generation's premiere season. "We figured out the Troi and Yar situation. Marina Sirtis and Denise Crosby will get their just due later in the season. We have two episodes that focus on Yar and one, possibly two episodes that focus on Troi. We fixed the issue just before the end of the season, because we're still shooting a couple of episodes, including a two-parter where Denise Crosby will be the main focus." When asked about potentially killing one of the characters off before the season ends, Gerrold demurred. "We have no plans to kill off Yar or Troi, although Yar literally gets into a very sticky situation where the crew have to save her." Gerrold also answered criticism regarding Captain Picard's character development in relation to Captain Kirk on the original Star Trek. "Picard has a very different leadership style from Kirk. You have to remember that Star Trek: The Next Generation is set in the 24th century, and Starfleet is very different almost one hundred years into the future as opposed to Kirk's era. It would be logical for the captain to behave differently, perhaps be a little more collaborative with all of his senior officers, than Kirk was in the original Trek."
WRITERS STILL DISPLEASED WITH STUDIOS
NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING TO AVERT WGA STRIKE
The Writers Guild of America is still at an impasse with Hollywood studios over pay issues stemming from residuals to writer displeasure over actor and actress casting and money owed over foreign distribution of American television programming. With two months before the WGA contract expires, there appears to be only one silver lining. Paramount proposed a potential deal that the WGA is considering keenly. Paramount's offer includes a 15 percent increase in writer residual pay, including American programs televised in foreign markets, and a stipulation that the chief writer on a major series will be given leeway to cast actors and actresses for various parts in combination with the producers. Rumors around Hollywood circles indicate that David Gerrold, the showrunner on the new hit series Star Trek: The Next Generation, is leading a group of producers with credibility in WGA circles as an intermediary in negotiations with the studios. "Paramount has a very good relationship with Gerrold, and this is allowing them to soften their stance with the writers," an insider said. "Paramount has a lot of skin in the game. They would be hurt more than the other networks and studios by a writer's strike because Star Trek: The Next Generation is getting excellent ratings, and they have a Dallas movie in the pipeline for the 1988 summer movie season," the insider commented.
Hollywood insiders were surprised that Gerrold is leading the negotiations on behalf of the writers in his role as an executive producer. "Gerrold was one of the fiercest critics against the studios among the writers before he became a producer," the same insider quipped. "I thought for sure he'd stand completely on the side of the writers." Gerrold responded harshly to the rumors about him taking the studio's stance over the impasse. "I am completely on the side of the writers because I am one of the writers. This notion that I'm sucking up to the studios is complete BS. I can get a better deal than the writers who have less sway with the studios than I do. Plus, Paramount wants no part of losing a season of Star Trek because they know Star Trek pays the bills and they could lose both The Next Generation plus a fifth Star Trek movie. It's the other studios that are drawing a line in the sand to screw the writers." Although Gerrold is still in negotiations, Paramount says that they are still in line with the other studios regarding writer compensation. "The idea that Paramount has a softer stance than the other studios is not true," Paramount CEO Michael Eisner said. "We are not breaking ranks with the other studios, despite the fact that we and 20th Century Fox are the only studios that have a television network and a movie division."
PRESIDENT GLENN NARROWS VICE PRESIDENTIAL RACE TO SENATOR GORE, GOVERNOR CLINTON
White House chief of staff William White announced that the vice-presidential race to succeed sitting Vice President Lloyd Bentsen is down to two contenders. "We are down to two names; Al Gore and Bill Clinton," White told the White House press corps. Senator Gore and Governor Clinton are both from the South, a region that President Glenn believes he is losing hold of in private polling. "President Glenn's surprisingly liberal policies, especially the urban renewal bill, are unpopular with conservatives in the South," pollster Louis Harris said. "Glenn does not need all of the South to win reelection, but he does need two or three states to go his way to ensure a second term. That is why he is only considering Al Gore and Bill Clinton. If I were the President, I'd go with Clinton because of his executive experience, but Glenn was a senator, and he helped Gore win election to the Senate in 1984, so he sees Gore as his protege." Senator Gore's recently appointed chief of staff, Charles Burson, believed that his friend from Tennessee was the frontrunner to share the ticket with the President. "I've received back-channel talk from Chief of Staff White that the President really wants Al Gore and thinks Governor Clinton is too risky. President Glenn believes Governor Clinton could drag a clean White House into scandal which would hurt his legacy.
Governor Clinton's pollster and close friend, James Carville, responded harshly to Burson. "Governor Clinton is one of the most successful executives in the United States," Carville said, with a hint of anger in his voice. "I think it's absolute BS that Gore's spokesman is spreading falsehoods about Governor Clinton's conduct in office. Bill Clinton has one of the cleanest records of any major politician in the country." Carville said that he received assurances that Clinton is receiving a fair shake in the White House in respect to his chances. "Vice President Bentsen prefers Governor Clinton over Senator Gore," said Carville. "Bentsen thinks that Gore is a lightweight and not enough of an attack dog to take on the Republicans next year. As a matter of fact, Senator Gore is struggling among Tennessee voters, and would likely lose reelection in 1990 to a Republican if he were not selected as the President's running mate. Gore cannot carry Tennessee as the vice-presidential nominee, but Governor Clinton can carry both Arkansas, where he is undisputedly popular, and Tennessee." Reports out of the White House indicate that the President will ultimately make the pick in the next month. "By the end of January, President Glenn will decide on the new Vice President," White House spokesman Mike McCurry said. "He believes that he will win reelection with either Senator Gore or Governor Clinton and believes that both candidates will do a great job as a running mate."
LANDSBERGIS, LITHUANIAN NATIONALIST, DECLARES INDEPENDENCE FROM USSR
RED ARMY TROOPS POUR INTO VILNIUS
Vytautas Landsbergis, recently elected to the Supreme Soviet as representative for the Lithuanian SSR, immediately used his position to declare independence for Lithuania. "The relationship between the sovereign nation of Lithuania and the USSR is hereby dissolved," Landsbergis announced to a crowd in Vilnius. "We are a free country, as we were meant to be since the Soviets occupied our nation since 1940." Immediately upon the announcement, Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev sent thousands of troops into Vilnius from Russia to crush the revolt. "The Lithuanian SSR's intransigence will not stand," a statement from the Kremlin read. "Lithuania is permanently a territory of the USSR and cannot survive as an independent nation. There is no scenario where the Lithuanian SSR will be allowed to secede from the USSR." Red Army forces instituted a curfew in Vilnius, Kaunas, and other Lithuanian cities in response to Landsbergis. The Latvian SSR and Estonian SSR representatives to the Politburo are also considering a declaration of independence. As a result, Red Army forces also instituted curfews in Riga and Tallinn. Insiders believe that other Soviet republics will be allowed to declare independence if the Kremlin allows Lithuania to leave the Soviet Union. "Once Lithuania leaves, Estonia and Latvia will follow, and the Soviet Union will hang by a thread. If Ukraine decides to follow the Baltics, the Soviet Union is likely no more," a senior US State Department source said.
NFL ROUNDUP: JIMMY THE GREEK PREDICTS GIANTS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XXII AFTER 15-1 REGULAR SEASON
NFL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS SET
Jimmy the Greek Snyder, the famous Las Vegas bookmaker and CBS NFL Today guru, believes that the New York Giants will win Super Bowl XXII after Bill Parcells' squad swept their way to a 15-1 record in the regular season. "Outside of a close last second loss in Washington, the Giants were unstoppable this season. They were rank underdogs in 1985 and amazingly upset that awe-inspiring Bears team in Chicago in one of the greatest upsets in NFL history. Then they rolled to a second straight Super Bowl in 1986 and are now prohibitive favorites to win three straight championships. They would be the first team since Vince Lombardi's Packers to win three in a row, and I back them against the field." Brent Musburger, the host of the NFL Today, disagreed with the Greek, and made a surprising prediction. "The Bears will get revenge on the Giants for 1985," Musburger boldly replied. "There is no way Walter Payton ends his career without a Super Bowl ring." To which the Greek responded, "Gale Sayers and our colleague Dick Butkus failed to win a championship."
Irv Cross favored the 49ers, but with a caveat. "As we saw last year, Joe Montana is a sitting duck against the Giants pass rush, but Steve Young can beat them with his legs. Bill Walsh has a decision to make if the 49ers meet the Giants again, which I believe will happen." Cross disagreed with Musburger about the Bears' chances. "I don't see the Bears getting by the 49ers to play the Giants. San Francisco has the Bears' number." Musburger then replied, "The Bears were tied with the 49ers at 13 in that 4th quarter before Doug Williams gave the game away. They can beat the Niners if they play mistake free. As for the Giants, they'll probably have to play the Redskins a third time, and that will be a total war. That will be the most physical game of the playoffs if the two regular season meetings were any indication."
Going into the new year, the playoff matchups were set. The 11-5 Washington Redskins earned a home date at RFK Stadium against the surprising 10-6 New Orleans Saints in the NFC wild card game. The winner of that clash will go to Giants Stadium to take on the 15-1 Giants in the divisional round, who have won 20 straight games at home. The 11-5 Bears, champions of the NFC Central, will go to San Francisco to take on the 13-3 49ers in the other NFC divisional round matchup. In Week 15, the 49ers defeated the Bears 27-13, and rekindled the previously dormant quarterback controversy in Chicago. Bears coach Mike Ditka was asked about benching Doug Williams in favor of previous incumbent Jim McMahon after the loss in San Francisco and replied that he would stick with Williams despite his first poor game of the season, where he threw four interceptions.
In the AFC, the Denver Broncos finished 12-4 and earned home-field advantage as the AFC West champions. They will play the winner of the wild card game between the Warren Moon-led Houston Oilers and Dan-Marino led Miami Dolphins in the wild card round. The Oilers and Dolphins both finished at 10-6. The young Buffalo Bills stole the AFC East from the Dolphins with three straight wins down the stretch to finish at 10-6 and win the tiebreaker due to two wins against Don Shula's team. The Bills will go to Cleveland to take on the 11-5 Browns, who won the AFC Central, in the AFC divisional round. Ahmad Rashad on NBC's NFL Live picked the Browns to win the AFC and go to the Super Bowl. "The Browns let the Broncos off the hook last year and I think they'll finish the job they failed to last year, when John Elway led that 98-yard drive against them," Rashad said.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION EPISODES
Hat tip to @Plus-Sized Scribe and @Ogrebear for two of the episodes in this installment.
EPISODE 11: THE NEUTRAL ZONE. Airdate: December 1, 1987. With Patrick Bauchau guest-starring as Romulan Subcommander Sulla ITTL.
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EPISODE 12: COST OF CURE. Airdate: December 8, 1987. Dr. Pulaski is troubled when Benjamin reveals his father – her younger brother Casimir – will be arriving for a visit when the ship rendezvouses with the USS Damascus. Troi inquires about the nature of her concerns, but Pulaski rebuffs her, not wishing to “air any dirty laundry.” Casimir (played by John Fleck), a legal expert of some renown, arrives in a flurry of activity with his new wife, holo-film star Gaye Leishe (played by B.J. Ward), and her sister Dr. Renée Emptage (played by Jane Carr), who works as the second-in-command of Starfleet Medical. Cas and Gaye quickly make it known that they don’t intend to leave the ship without Benjamin. Pulaski is furious that Cas would do this after allowing Benjamin to leave after years of pleading. Meanwhile, Benjamin laments to his friends Zinnia Tsoi-Morse (played by Mindy Cohn) and Tadeo Aguilar (played by Mario Lopez) that he’ll be going soon, as his entitled father almost always gets his way. Picard and LaForge become involved after being informed by Lt. Cmdr. T’Rei (played by Margaret Avery), the head of the ship’s legal department, of a visit from the couple. Picard feels he cannot focus on the matter due to oddities he noted while interacting with the Damascus’s captain, his old friend Konner Adebayo, and assigns LaForge to take point. Troi reveals that Cas and Gaye are hiding something, while Dr. Emptage knows more than she’s letting on. LaForge wheedles the information out of Dr. Emptage. As it turns out, Cas has been diagnosed with Cranach’s Syndrome, a rare gastro-intestinal disease for which there is no cure other than a full replacement of everything from the esophagus down to the bowel from a close relative. Gaye was blackmailing her sister to perform the procedure once Cas had secured Benjamin. Dr. Emptage is quite clear that she never had any intention of going through with this. Everyone is horrified, even more so when Cas attempts to force the matter by holding Benjamin at phaser-point. Tasha has the security team defuse the situation and both Cas and Gaye are promptly tossed in the brig. Pulaski lobbies for full custody of Benjamin, which she is quickly granted.
EPISODE 13: STATE OF DENMARK. Airdate: December 15, 1987. The captain’s log tells us the Enterprise is entering the Kislev system, who sun is experiencing a unusual activity called an inversion that threatens the Federation colony on Kislev III. We goto the Bridge where Barclay is explaining the sun’s activity will make life on the planet very hard as it will destroy electronics, modern agriculture, etc. Kislev III has a thick atmosphere Data explains which prevents beaming so crew will need to go down and talk to the Council. Picard warns them that Kislev III while a member does not interact with the rest of the Federation much. La Forge, Riker and Data fly down whilst Barclay works on a solution for the Sun’s issues. They are met by the Council’s representative Jute (Forest Whitaker) who welcomes them, but Data thinks something is wrong. The Council is aware of the sun’s problems, but dismissive the Enterprise’s crew offers of help “it’s all been taken care of” leader Nayden (Michael Pataki) tells them. They are offered hospitality until the weather allows them to return to the ship.
Alone, Data tells them the people on this world are not people. They are holograms. Solid light holograms “as theorised by the Daystrome Institute” which explained how they could shake hands. Worf comments that must take huge amounts of computer power. Data thinks they should explore. La Forge authorises it while he will see what he can out diplomatically. Riker and Data soon find passages under the city, and behind huge blast doors, a cavern filled with hundreds of thousands of pods containing bodies or people, each one hooked up to a headpiece. They are also met by a scientist called Dr. Kelso (Terri Hatcher) who informs them that while the pods are all very impressive, they only managed to protect 96% of the colony this way- the remainder will all die when the sun inverts. Riker is horrified as the audience are; something is rotten in the State of Kislev.
We cut back to La Forge who is getting a tour of a science facility, showing off Kislev’s sun activity monitoring. La Forge attempts to get more data, but is given the run around, though one of the scientists mentions ‘the lottery’ before Nayden cuts him off. Later in the tour, a guard (Clint Howard) slips something to La Forge who reviews it and discovers there was a planetwide lottery for who lived and who died. He is horrified. The Away Team meet up and compare notes – Riker believes they should help those left on the surface. La Forge tries to work out if Enterprise can evacuate that many people in time. Data calculates that using “all available craft” Enterprise can indeed get everyone off, but they have to act soon. The party returns to Nayden who flat out refuses – the people picked their fate. La Forge gives a Picard worthy speech about the rights of people to survive and Nayden wavers- particularly when Dr Kelso arrives with several others of the ‘solids’ including the guard and scientist from earlier. Eventually he agrees when Kelso appeals to him as her father.
La Forge returns to Enterprise to brief Picard and Barclay while Data and Riker gather people on the surface. Time is going to be exceptionally tight. Multiple shuttles are seen launching and for the first time we see the Captain’s Yacht Calypso launched from the underside of the saucer. We cut between trips up and down flown by the senior officers and prominent background characters. Barclay maintains a countdown on the Bridge. The cargo bays, and other spaces fill with people. The last shuttle has Riker, Kelso, and La Forge on-board – Riker proves he’s an ace pilot by using the bulk of Enterprise to shield from the radiation now sweeping across the system before crash landing in the shuttle bay even as Enterprise goes to warp to escape the Sun’s kaboom. An additional log has Picard comment on his ‘full ship’ but praising his officers for the good they have done. They return to Kislev and contact the surface- everyone has survived as planned. However, a group of Kislev citizens led by that guard from earlier do not want to return since the government want to continue the hologram program they have been excluded from. Picard unhappily takes them in given the strain on the ship’s resources. The shuttles return everyone else. Nayden is upset by the people choosing to stay, but La Forge reminds him they are Federation citizens “ours’s first” Nayden grumbles, but steps aside. There is a goodbye between Riker and Kelso and then the shuttles leave Kislev.
DWIGHT SCHULTZ THRILLED WITH HIS CHIEF ENGINEER'S ROLE ON STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Last month we reported that Marina Sirtis, currently playing Nurse Deanna Troi, and Denise Crosby, currently playing Counselor Tasha Yar, were discontent with their roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Dwight Schultz, who plays Chief Engineer Reginald Barclay, is delighted. "I was Captain Murdock on the A-Team, and I'm even more excited with the material given to me in Star Trek," Schultz said. "I always wanted to be Scotty on the Enterprise when I was growing up, and it's a dream come true to be following in James Doohan's footsteps." Engineer Barclay is characterized as a shy guy who has difficulties with social relationships, but a completely brilliant chief engineer, far and away the best in Starfleet. Barclay's best friends on the ship are Lieutenant Riker, the security chief, and Lieutenant Commander Data, the android science officer. "Barclay wants to talk to Riker to become more outgoing, but he is more comfortable with his relationship with Data because they both have analytical minds and do not read human emotions well," Schultz said. Schultz dropped a couple of hints regarding his future role in The Next Generation. "Barclay is going to save the ship a few times, just like Scotty in the original Star Trek," Schultz said with a beaming smile. "Captain Picard considers Barclay as one of his most trusted officers, and Picard helps Barclay through his anxiety."
Showrunner David Gerrold also dropped hints regarding future episodes in The Next Generation's premiere season. "We figured out the Troi and Yar situation. Marina Sirtis and Denise Crosby will get their just due later in the season. We have two episodes that focus on Yar and one, possibly two episodes that focus on Troi. We fixed the issue just before the end of the season, because we're still shooting a couple of episodes, including a two-parter where Denise Crosby will be the main focus." When asked about potentially killing one of the characters off before the season ends, Gerrold demurred. "We have no plans to kill off Yar or Troi, although Yar literally gets into a very sticky situation where the crew have to save her." Gerrold also answered criticism regarding Captain Picard's character development in relation to Captain Kirk on the original Star Trek. "Picard has a very different leadership style from Kirk. You have to remember that Star Trek: The Next Generation is set in the 24th century, and Starfleet is very different almost one hundred years into the future as opposed to Kirk's era. It would be logical for the captain to behave differently, perhaps be a little more collaborative with all of his senior officers, than Kirk was in the original Trek."
WRITERS STILL DISPLEASED WITH STUDIOS
NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING TO AVERT WGA STRIKE
The Writers Guild of America is still at an impasse with Hollywood studios over pay issues stemming from residuals to writer displeasure over actor and actress casting and money owed over foreign distribution of American television programming. With two months before the WGA contract expires, there appears to be only one silver lining. Paramount proposed a potential deal that the WGA is considering keenly. Paramount's offer includes a 15 percent increase in writer residual pay, including American programs televised in foreign markets, and a stipulation that the chief writer on a major series will be given leeway to cast actors and actresses for various parts in combination with the producers. Rumors around Hollywood circles indicate that David Gerrold, the showrunner on the new hit series Star Trek: The Next Generation, is leading a group of producers with credibility in WGA circles as an intermediary in negotiations with the studios. "Paramount has a very good relationship with Gerrold, and this is allowing them to soften their stance with the writers," an insider said. "Paramount has a lot of skin in the game. They would be hurt more than the other networks and studios by a writer's strike because Star Trek: The Next Generation is getting excellent ratings, and they have a Dallas movie in the pipeline for the 1988 summer movie season," the insider commented.
Hollywood insiders were surprised that Gerrold is leading the negotiations on behalf of the writers in his role as an executive producer. "Gerrold was one of the fiercest critics against the studios among the writers before he became a producer," the same insider quipped. "I thought for sure he'd stand completely on the side of the writers." Gerrold responded harshly to the rumors about him taking the studio's stance over the impasse. "I am completely on the side of the writers because I am one of the writers. This notion that I'm sucking up to the studios is complete BS. I can get a better deal than the writers who have less sway with the studios than I do. Plus, Paramount wants no part of losing a season of Star Trek because they know Star Trek pays the bills and they could lose both The Next Generation plus a fifth Star Trek movie. It's the other studios that are drawing a line in the sand to screw the writers." Although Gerrold is still in negotiations, Paramount says that they are still in line with the other studios regarding writer compensation. "The idea that Paramount has a softer stance than the other studios is not true," Paramount CEO Michael Eisner said. "We are not breaking ranks with the other studios, despite the fact that we and 20th Century Fox are the only studios that have a television network and a movie division."
PRESIDENT GLENN NARROWS VICE PRESIDENTIAL RACE TO SENATOR GORE, GOVERNOR CLINTON
White House chief of staff William White announced that the vice-presidential race to succeed sitting Vice President Lloyd Bentsen is down to two contenders. "We are down to two names; Al Gore and Bill Clinton," White told the White House press corps. Senator Gore and Governor Clinton are both from the South, a region that President Glenn believes he is losing hold of in private polling. "President Glenn's surprisingly liberal policies, especially the urban renewal bill, are unpopular with conservatives in the South," pollster Louis Harris said. "Glenn does not need all of the South to win reelection, but he does need two or three states to go his way to ensure a second term. That is why he is only considering Al Gore and Bill Clinton. If I were the President, I'd go with Clinton because of his executive experience, but Glenn was a senator, and he helped Gore win election to the Senate in 1984, so he sees Gore as his protege." Senator Gore's recently appointed chief of staff, Charles Burson, believed that his friend from Tennessee was the frontrunner to share the ticket with the President. "I've received back-channel talk from Chief of Staff White that the President really wants Al Gore and thinks Governor Clinton is too risky. President Glenn believes Governor Clinton could drag a clean White House into scandal which would hurt his legacy.
Governor Clinton's pollster and close friend, James Carville, responded harshly to Burson. "Governor Clinton is one of the most successful executives in the United States," Carville said, with a hint of anger in his voice. "I think it's absolute BS that Gore's spokesman is spreading falsehoods about Governor Clinton's conduct in office. Bill Clinton has one of the cleanest records of any major politician in the country." Carville said that he received assurances that Clinton is receiving a fair shake in the White House in respect to his chances. "Vice President Bentsen prefers Governor Clinton over Senator Gore," said Carville. "Bentsen thinks that Gore is a lightweight and not enough of an attack dog to take on the Republicans next year. As a matter of fact, Senator Gore is struggling among Tennessee voters, and would likely lose reelection in 1990 to a Republican if he were not selected as the President's running mate. Gore cannot carry Tennessee as the vice-presidential nominee, but Governor Clinton can carry both Arkansas, where he is undisputedly popular, and Tennessee." Reports out of the White House indicate that the President will ultimately make the pick in the next month. "By the end of January, President Glenn will decide on the new Vice President," White House spokesman Mike McCurry said. "He believes that he will win reelection with either Senator Gore or Governor Clinton and believes that both candidates will do a great job as a running mate."
LANDSBERGIS, LITHUANIAN NATIONALIST, DECLARES INDEPENDENCE FROM USSR
RED ARMY TROOPS POUR INTO VILNIUS
Vytautas Landsbergis, recently elected to the Supreme Soviet as representative for the Lithuanian SSR, immediately used his position to declare independence for Lithuania. "The relationship between the sovereign nation of Lithuania and the USSR is hereby dissolved," Landsbergis announced to a crowd in Vilnius. "We are a free country, as we were meant to be since the Soviets occupied our nation since 1940." Immediately upon the announcement, Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev sent thousands of troops into Vilnius from Russia to crush the revolt. "The Lithuanian SSR's intransigence will not stand," a statement from the Kremlin read. "Lithuania is permanently a territory of the USSR and cannot survive as an independent nation. There is no scenario where the Lithuanian SSR will be allowed to secede from the USSR." Red Army forces instituted a curfew in Vilnius, Kaunas, and other Lithuanian cities in response to Landsbergis. The Latvian SSR and Estonian SSR representatives to the Politburo are also considering a declaration of independence. As a result, Red Army forces also instituted curfews in Riga and Tallinn. Insiders believe that other Soviet republics will be allowed to declare independence if the Kremlin allows Lithuania to leave the Soviet Union. "Once Lithuania leaves, Estonia and Latvia will follow, and the Soviet Union will hang by a thread. If Ukraine decides to follow the Baltics, the Soviet Union is likely no more," a senior US State Department source said.
NFL ROUNDUP: JIMMY THE GREEK PREDICTS GIANTS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XXII AFTER 15-1 REGULAR SEASON
NFL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS SET
Jimmy the Greek Snyder, the famous Las Vegas bookmaker and CBS NFL Today guru, believes that the New York Giants will win Super Bowl XXII after Bill Parcells' squad swept their way to a 15-1 record in the regular season. "Outside of a close last second loss in Washington, the Giants were unstoppable this season. They were rank underdogs in 1985 and amazingly upset that awe-inspiring Bears team in Chicago in one of the greatest upsets in NFL history. Then they rolled to a second straight Super Bowl in 1986 and are now prohibitive favorites to win three straight championships. They would be the first team since Vince Lombardi's Packers to win three in a row, and I back them against the field." Brent Musburger, the host of the NFL Today, disagreed with the Greek, and made a surprising prediction. "The Bears will get revenge on the Giants for 1985," Musburger boldly replied. "There is no way Walter Payton ends his career without a Super Bowl ring." To which the Greek responded, "Gale Sayers and our colleague Dick Butkus failed to win a championship."
Irv Cross favored the 49ers, but with a caveat. "As we saw last year, Joe Montana is a sitting duck against the Giants pass rush, but Steve Young can beat them with his legs. Bill Walsh has a decision to make if the 49ers meet the Giants again, which I believe will happen." Cross disagreed with Musburger about the Bears' chances. "I don't see the Bears getting by the 49ers to play the Giants. San Francisco has the Bears' number." Musburger then replied, "The Bears were tied with the 49ers at 13 in that 4th quarter before Doug Williams gave the game away. They can beat the Niners if they play mistake free. As for the Giants, they'll probably have to play the Redskins a third time, and that will be a total war. That will be the most physical game of the playoffs if the two regular season meetings were any indication."
Going into the new year, the playoff matchups were set. The 11-5 Washington Redskins earned a home date at RFK Stadium against the surprising 10-6 New Orleans Saints in the NFC wild card game. The winner of that clash will go to Giants Stadium to take on the 15-1 Giants in the divisional round, who have won 20 straight games at home. The 11-5 Bears, champions of the NFC Central, will go to San Francisco to take on the 13-3 49ers in the other NFC divisional round matchup. In Week 15, the 49ers defeated the Bears 27-13, and rekindled the previously dormant quarterback controversy in Chicago. Bears coach Mike Ditka was asked about benching Doug Williams in favor of previous incumbent Jim McMahon after the loss in San Francisco and replied that he would stick with Williams despite his first poor game of the season, where he threw four interceptions.
In the AFC, the Denver Broncos finished 12-4 and earned home-field advantage as the AFC West champions. They will play the winner of the wild card game between the Warren Moon-led Houston Oilers and Dan-Marino led Miami Dolphins in the wild card round. The Oilers and Dolphins both finished at 10-6. The young Buffalo Bills stole the AFC East from the Dolphins with three straight wins down the stretch to finish at 10-6 and win the tiebreaker due to two wins against Don Shula's team. The Bills will go to Cleveland to take on the 11-5 Browns, who won the AFC Central, in the AFC divisional round. Ahmad Rashad on NBC's NFL Live picked the Browns to win the AFC and go to the Super Bowl. "The Browns let the Broncos off the hook last year and I think they'll finish the job they failed to last year, when John Elway led that 98-yard drive against them," Rashad said.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION EPISODES
Hat tip to @Plus-Sized Scribe and @Ogrebear for two of the episodes in this installment.
EPISODE 11: THE NEUTRAL ZONE. Airdate: December 1, 1987. With Patrick Bauchau guest-starring as Romulan Subcommander Sulla ITTL.
The Neutral Zone (episode)
After rescuing three ancient Humans from cryogenic stasis, the Enterprise-D is ordered to the Romulan Neutral Zone on an important mission. (Season finale) "First Officer's Log, Stardate 41986.0. We are awaiting the return of Captain Picard who was summoned to Starbase 718. Meanwhile, our...
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EPISODE 12: COST OF CURE. Airdate: December 8, 1987. Dr. Pulaski is troubled when Benjamin reveals his father – her younger brother Casimir – will be arriving for a visit when the ship rendezvouses with the USS Damascus. Troi inquires about the nature of her concerns, but Pulaski rebuffs her, not wishing to “air any dirty laundry.” Casimir (played by John Fleck), a legal expert of some renown, arrives in a flurry of activity with his new wife, holo-film star Gaye Leishe (played by B.J. Ward), and her sister Dr. Renée Emptage (played by Jane Carr), who works as the second-in-command of Starfleet Medical. Cas and Gaye quickly make it known that they don’t intend to leave the ship without Benjamin. Pulaski is furious that Cas would do this after allowing Benjamin to leave after years of pleading. Meanwhile, Benjamin laments to his friends Zinnia Tsoi-Morse (played by Mindy Cohn) and Tadeo Aguilar (played by Mario Lopez) that he’ll be going soon, as his entitled father almost always gets his way. Picard and LaForge become involved after being informed by Lt. Cmdr. T’Rei (played by Margaret Avery), the head of the ship’s legal department, of a visit from the couple. Picard feels he cannot focus on the matter due to oddities he noted while interacting with the Damascus’s captain, his old friend Konner Adebayo, and assigns LaForge to take point. Troi reveals that Cas and Gaye are hiding something, while Dr. Emptage knows more than she’s letting on. LaForge wheedles the information out of Dr. Emptage. As it turns out, Cas has been diagnosed with Cranach’s Syndrome, a rare gastro-intestinal disease for which there is no cure other than a full replacement of everything from the esophagus down to the bowel from a close relative. Gaye was blackmailing her sister to perform the procedure once Cas had secured Benjamin. Dr. Emptage is quite clear that she never had any intention of going through with this. Everyone is horrified, even more so when Cas attempts to force the matter by holding Benjamin at phaser-point. Tasha has the security team defuse the situation and both Cas and Gaye are promptly tossed in the brig. Pulaski lobbies for full custody of Benjamin, which she is quickly granted.
EPISODE 13: STATE OF DENMARK. Airdate: December 15, 1987. The captain’s log tells us the Enterprise is entering the Kislev system, who sun is experiencing a unusual activity called an inversion that threatens the Federation colony on Kislev III. We goto the Bridge where Barclay is explaining the sun’s activity will make life on the planet very hard as it will destroy electronics, modern agriculture, etc. Kislev III has a thick atmosphere Data explains which prevents beaming so crew will need to go down and talk to the Council. Picard warns them that Kislev III while a member does not interact with the rest of the Federation much. La Forge, Riker and Data fly down whilst Barclay works on a solution for the Sun’s issues. They are met by the Council’s representative Jute (Forest Whitaker) who welcomes them, but Data thinks something is wrong. The Council is aware of the sun’s problems, but dismissive the Enterprise’s crew offers of help “it’s all been taken care of” leader Nayden (Michael Pataki) tells them. They are offered hospitality until the weather allows them to return to the ship.
Alone, Data tells them the people on this world are not people. They are holograms. Solid light holograms “as theorised by the Daystrome Institute” which explained how they could shake hands. Worf comments that must take huge amounts of computer power. Data thinks they should explore. La Forge authorises it while he will see what he can out diplomatically. Riker and Data soon find passages under the city, and behind huge blast doors, a cavern filled with hundreds of thousands of pods containing bodies or people, each one hooked up to a headpiece. They are also met by a scientist called Dr. Kelso (Terri Hatcher) who informs them that while the pods are all very impressive, they only managed to protect 96% of the colony this way- the remainder will all die when the sun inverts. Riker is horrified as the audience are; something is rotten in the State of Kislev.
We cut back to La Forge who is getting a tour of a science facility, showing off Kislev’s sun activity monitoring. La Forge attempts to get more data, but is given the run around, though one of the scientists mentions ‘the lottery’ before Nayden cuts him off. Later in the tour, a guard (Clint Howard) slips something to La Forge who reviews it and discovers there was a planetwide lottery for who lived and who died. He is horrified. The Away Team meet up and compare notes – Riker believes they should help those left on the surface. La Forge tries to work out if Enterprise can evacuate that many people in time. Data calculates that using “all available craft” Enterprise can indeed get everyone off, but they have to act soon. The party returns to Nayden who flat out refuses – the people picked their fate. La Forge gives a Picard worthy speech about the rights of people to survive and Nayden wavers- particularly when Dr Kelso arrives with several others of the ‘solids’ including the guard and scientist from earlier. Eventually he agrees when Kelso appeals to him as her father.
La Forge returns to Enterprise to brief Picard and Barclay while Data and Riker gather people on the surface. Time is going to be exceptionally tight. Multiple shuttles are seen launching and for the first time we see the Captain’s Yacht Calypso launched from the underside of the saucer. We cut between trips up and down flown by the senior officers and prominent background characters. Barclay maintains a countdown on the Bridge. The cargo bays, and other spaces fill with people. The last shuttle has Riker, Kelso, and La Forge on-board – Riker proves he’s an ace pilot by using the bulk of Enterprise to shield from the radiation now sweeping across the system before crash landing in the shuttle bay even as Enterprise goes to warp to escape the Sun’s kaboom. An additional log has Picard comment on his ‘full ship’ but praising his officers for the good they have done. They return to Kislev and contact the surface- everyone has survived as planned. However, a group of Kislev citizens led by that guard from earlier do not want to return since the government want to continue the hologram program they have been excluded from. Picard unhappily takes them in given the strain on the ship’s resources. The shuttles return everyone else. Nayden is upset by the people choosing to stay, but La Forge reminds him they are Federation citizens “ours’s first” Nayden grumbles, but steps aside. There is a goodbye between Riker and Kelso and then the shuttles leave Kislev.
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Margaret Avery because Diahann Carroll already got her turn as a guest star ITTLHey, you might wanna choose an actress here.
I wonder, @dsp19 , are you going to have the episode Conspiracy with the alien parasites and if so will you have a follow on episode because nothing further which was a wasted opportunity as Remmick (Who was infested with the parasite Queen) had sent a subspace signal to parts unknown before being killed by Rider and Picard with phasers (That has to be one of the most gruesome scenes from Star Trek):
I want to replace that one. ITTL Paramount Television Network might not allow Remmick's exploding head in primetime
You can always find another way to kill the guy. I'm interested in what you can make of this. Bear in mind that the smaller creatures, at least, do seem to bear a striking resemblance to Ceti Eels...
These are the episodes I definitely want to keep, I've already kept Encounter at Farpoint, Where No One Has Gone Before, 11001001, The Neutral Zone and Datalore. I have 13 episodes left.
Hide and Q
The Big Goodbye
Coming of Age (with Ben Pulaski instead of Wesley Crusher)
Heart of Glory
The Arsenal of Freedom
Skin of Evil (ITTL, parts 1 and 2 to save Yar)
So that makes up to 6 original episodes I have to write. This is what I'm thinking
Conspiracy, but with different types of aliens possessing the Starfleet brass and no gory head blown off
A Barclay episode
A Riker episode
A Troi episode
Two more Picard episodes--one with Patrick Bauchau as his Romulan nemesis in a follow-up of the Neutral Zone, and another where Picard needlessly loses personnel on an away mission and contemplates his future in Starfleet
I could keep Symbiosis but that was an unremarkable episode
OTL there were concerns about this:
However:
It turned it wasn't as big as a concern as they thought it might be so the episode was aired uncut.
I looked up Jane Carr and in SF she's best known as Timov, daughter of Alghul, one of Londo Mollari's three wives in S2E7:
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Damn. I set up for that in Cost of Cure, though, with Picard trying to figure out the problem with Adebayo.
Aha, okay. Not all for nothing, then.
Sent you a revised writeup for Cost of Cure (since I noted some issues with it regarding characters), and the outline for a story called What Weapons Have You?
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Chapter 233, Part 1: The Road to Super Bowl XXII (January 1988)
We're getting a special chapter this evening. I ran a side story through the past few updates on the NFL. I changed the history so that the 1987 NFL players' strike did not occur. ITTL, the 1987 NFL playoffs are among the most legendary in the history of the league, with all but one game decided by a touchdown or less.
NFC Wild Card: New Orleans Saints at Washington Redskins (January 3, 1988)
The Saints made the playoffs for the first time in their history after two decades of futility and were determined not to go one-and-done. They shocked the Redskins early with a pick-six of Washington quarterback Jay Schroeder by cornerback Dave Waymer for their first touchdown. The Dome Patrol defense, led by Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson and Pat Swilling at linebacker, then forced a punt, which was returned by veteran running back Mel Gray for another touchdown. New Orleans led 14-0 after 5 minutes and a lesser team would have folded. Not the Redskins. Washington gradually worked their way back into the game and eliminated the Saints lead by halftime. Schroeder hit Art Monk for his first touchdown pass and all pro Gary Clark for his second to tie the game at halftime. The defenses then took over, not allowing a score for most of the second half. Late in the 4th quarter, Redskins all-pro cornerback Darrell Green returned a punt to the Saints 45-yard line. The Redskins got into field goal range, and Ali Haji Sheikh connected on a 42 yard field goal as time expired. Washington won 17-14 and advanced to the divisional round to face the 15-1 New York Giants.
AFC Wild Card: Houston Oilers at Miami Dolphins (January 3, 1988)
The Oilers and Dolphins were expected to win their respective divisions but underachieved to end up in a wild card game in Miami. This matchup promised to be a shootout between Oilers quarterback Warren Moon and Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, and it did not disappoint. Neither defense had a chance in the first half as Moon and Marino both hit on three touchdown passes; the score was tied at 24 at the half. However, in the second half, the Dolphins took over. Marino found Mark Duper for two more touchdowns and Mark Clayton for another. Miami held the Oilers to a lone touchdown in the second half to win 45-31. The Dolphins went to Denver to take on the Broncos, in an even more highly anticipated matchup between Marino and Broncos quarterback John Elway.
NFC Divisional Round: Washington Redskins at New York Giants (January 9, 1988)
The NFL Today's Brent Musburger predicted this matchup would be the most physical game of the entire season, and he was correct (well until next week's NFC Championship game). Both quarterbacks took significant hits in the first quarter which knocked them out for the first half. On Washington's second drive, Jay Schroeder was hit from behind by Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall, which precipitated the game's first brawl. On the Giants' third drive, Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley hit Phil Simms well after he released the ball, setting off a second brawl. Simms needed the smelling salts at halftime but returned to the game in the second half. Schroeder also returned and led Washington to a surprise lead in the 3rd quarter by finding Gary Clark for a 44-yard touchdown pass. This gave the Redskins a 10-3 lead that they would hold into the 4th quarter. Simms, perhaps the toughest quarterback in the league, found All-Pro tight end Mark Bavaro for a 25-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10 with 7 minutes left. Washington put together a final drive that got to the Giants' 30-yard line, but Haji-Sheikh, the former Giant, pulled his kick wide left, and the game headed to overtime. The Redskins won the toss, but Schroeder was intercepted by Giants quarterback Mark Collins at the Washington 25. Raul Allegre, the Giants kicker, made no mistake from 37 yards, and the Giants escaped with a 13-10 overtime win over their NFC East archrivals. The Giants won their 21st straight game at home, but were unconvincing in victory...
AFC Divisional Round: Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns (January 9, 1988)
The Bills stunned the league in 1987 by winning the AFC East after a woeful 4-12 campaign in 1986. They were led by quarterback Jim Kelly and wide receiver Andre Reed. They faced the Browns, who let a Super Bowl berth slip away at Cleveland Stadium against John Elway in 1986. Buffalo and Cleveland traded touchdowns in the first quarter. Kelly hit Reed for a 54- yard bomb on the first drive; Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar hit his top receiver, Webster Slaughter, for a 28-yard touchdown toss in response. Then the snow started, and the game bogged down into a defensive struggle. At times, the snow was so blinding that both teams were forced to run the ball. The Browns eventually won out with their superior running game; Earnest Byner scored on a 10-yard rush in the 3rd quarter and a 14-yard rush in the 4th quarter to give Cleveland a 21-7 lead. Buffalo struck back with 4 minutes left as Kelly found tight end Pete Metzelaars for a 6-yard touchdown. The Bills got the ball back with 2 minutes left and Kelly got his offense all the way down to the Browns 10 yard line. On the last play of the game, Kelly was intercepted by Browns linebacker Clay Matthews in the end zone. The Browns survived 21-14 to punch their ticket to the AFC championship game.
NFC Divisional Round: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (January 10, 1988)
Walter Payton told his team he would put them on his back in his final playoff run. On the Bears' first drive, the seven-point underdogs took the lead when Payton broke off a 54-yard touchdown run against a 49ers defense that had not allowed a rush of over 30 yards all season. Joe Montana immediately struck back, finding Jerry Rice, who put up a historic 1,700 yard receiving season, for a 62-yard bomb to tie the game. However, the Bears pass rush started to get to Montana after that drive. "Joe Cool" was sacked three times in the first half. The third sack, by Bears defensive end Richard Dent, forced a fumble which Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael recovered at the 49ers 15-yard line. One play later, Payton found the end zone again, this time on a pass from Doug Williams, and the Bears led 14-7. The 49ers drove down the field at the end of the 1st half and tacked on a field goal to make the score 14-10 Bears at halftime. In the second half, the Bears continued to harass Montana. Dent and All-Pro linebacker Mike Singletary each sacked Montana, disrupting the 49ers West Coast offense. Late in the 3rd quarter, Payton broke off another big run, a 38-yard touchdown, to extend the Bears lead to 21-10. The 49ers fought back in the 4th quarter as Montana hit the aging Dwight Clark, "The Catch" hero from 1981, with a 12-yard touchdown toss to draw the 49ers to 21-17. The Bears had 8 minutes left to kill, knowing they could not give the ball back to Montana. Payton put his team on his back, grinding out five first downs and exceeding 200 yards rushing on the way to a field goal to put the Bears up 24-17. Montana got the ball back with a minute and 30 seconds left. He hit Rice for a 48-yard play down the sideline to give the 49ers first and goal with 25 seconds left. On 4th and goal from the Bears 5-yard line, Montana thought he had Rice in the end zone, but Singletary got a finger on the ball and deflected it away. The Bears stunned the 49ers in San Francisco 24-17 and got their date with the Giants in the NFC championship game.
AFC Divisional Round: Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos (January 10, 1988)
A shootout between two of the most prolific passers in the NFL was on tap at Mile High Stadium, and that is exactly what we got. Dan Marino struck for two touchdowns in the first quarter to Mark Duper and Denver was on the ropes. However, John Elway tied the game with two touchdowns of his own; one to wide receiver Ricky Nattiel and one to wide receiver Mark Jackson to tie the game at 14. The Dolphins and Broncos each tacked on two field goals before halftime, leading to a 20-20 tie at the break. Denver got the ball to start the 2nd half, and it was more of the same. Elway found Jackson again to put the Broncos ahead 27-20. Marino responded by hitting Clayton for a 65-yard touchdown bomb to tie the game at 27 heading into the 4th quarter. Elway led a 95-yard drive late in the 4th quarter, ending it with a 5-yard scramble to put the Broncos ahead 34-27 with 2 minutes left. But the Broncos couldn't hold the lead. Marino responded with a 2-minute drive of his own and used his legs to score on a 4-yard rush to tie the game at 34 and send the game to overtime. In the overtime, the Dolphins won the toss, but Marino threw an interception to Broncos cornerback Mark Haynes. Elway methodically moved the Broncos into field goal range, and Rich Karlis connected from 32 yards to give the Broncos a 37-34 win in an instant classic.
AFC Championship: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (January 17, 1988)
The Browns and Broncos met for a rematch, this time at Mile High Stadium. IOTL, Denver led 38-31 late in the 4th quarter, with the Browns driving down the field for a tying score to force overtime. Earnest Byner fumbles at the one-yard line to end Cleveland's hopes IOTL. However, ITTL, Byner scores and ties the game at 38. In the overtime, Denver won the toss, and Browns fans thought they were doomed. Elway had the ball and almost never failed to win the game when it was all on the line. However, on a 3rd and 5 play, Elway was forced out of the pocket and hit by Browns defensive end Carl Hairston, who knocked the ball loose. The Browns recovered the fumble at the Denver 40-yard line. Bernie Kosar found future Hall-of-Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome for a 25-yard pass down the middle to put the Browns in field goal range. Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer sent on veteran kicker Matt Bahr for a 34-yard field goal. Browns fans had their hearts in their throats; the field was slippery and frozen, and a field goal was no given. However, Bahr sent the long-suffering Browns fans into raptures when he hit the winning field goal to send the Browns to their first Super Bowl! Cleveland won 41-38, and riotous celebrations broke out in the gridiron-mad city. The Browns were in their first Super Bowl and had a chance to win their first championship since 1964, during the days of the legendary Jim Brown.
NFC Championship: Chicago Bears at New York Giants (January 17, 1988)
The NFL Today wanted to bring in celebrities from both Chicago and New York to hype the matchup between the Bears and Giants. Despite CBS's rivalry with the Paramount Television Network, The Eye Network brought on the two stars of Starfleet Intelligence, New Yorker Ron Perlman and Chicagoan Nichelle Nichols, to make the picks. Perlman laughed out loud, "this is a no-win scenario for the Bears, while Nichols shot right back: "I don't believe in the no-win scenario." Jimmy the Greek, who had a heart procedure the previous week, told Nichols that "this is pretty close to a no-win scenario for the Bears, I'm afraid. Giants by 10, 24-14." Brent Musburger took Nichols' side: "Bears in overtime," he intoned. Irv Cross said, "The Bears are facing the Kobayashi Maru test, for those Star Trek fans out there."
Early on, it looked like the Giants would cruise. Phil Simms found Lionel Manuel for a 15-yard touchdown pass, and Joe Morris rumbled for a 21-yard touchdown run. The Giants led 14-0 and the New York crowd was roaring, sensing another Super Bowl trip and an almost certain three-peat, considering the NFC's dominance over the AFC. A field goal tacked on by Raul Allegre early in the second quarter put the Giants out in front 17-0, and the rest of the game seemed at that point like a formality. But the Bears had other thoughts. Walter Payton would not let his career end in Giants Stadium if he could help it. He led a drive almost by himself over 80 yards to bring the Bears back to within 17-7 at halftime. In the second half, the Bears defense locked down the Giants offense. Giants quarterback Phil Simms fumbled after being hit by Refrigerator Perry, and the Bears recovered at the Giants 15. The Giants defense almost made the stand, but Doug Williams evaded Lawrence Taylor's rush and found Dennis McKinnon in the end zone to cut New York's lead to 17-14.
In the 4th quarter, the Giants had a golden opportunity to put the game away. They got to the Bears' three-yard line, but two rushes for no gain and a Dan Hampton sack of Phil Simms forced the Giants to kick a short field goal for a 20-14 lead. There were five minutes remaining, and Doug Williams, the steady hand at quarterback, had his chance to save the Bears. On 3rd and 5 at midfield, Williams had an interception dropped by Giants cornerback Mark Collins, which would prove costly. Williams found McKinnon three times on third down to move the chains, and with 45 seconds remaining, Payton leaped over the pile from a yard out and the Bears led 21-20. The Giants got the ball back at their own 20, and Simms hit Irving Fryar, largely shut down for most of the game, for a 45-yard pass down the sideline. Bears safety Dave Duerson made a game-saving tackle to prevent Fryar from going the distance. New York tried to move the ball for a closer field goal but were stymied by a stubborn Bears defense. Giants coach Bill Parcells reluctantly sent on Raul Allegre to win the game with a 53-yard kick; Allegre's range was only 50 yards in warmups. Pat Summerall's famous call of the final play: "Allegre from 53 yards to send the Giants to the Super Bowl again. The snap is good, the kick is on the way, it is NO GOOD! Hit the right upright! There will be no three-peat! The Bears have stunned the Giants, 21-20!" A crying Walter Payton embraced with coach Mike Ditka and QB Doug Williams on the Bears sideline. Payton had the chance to go out a Super Bowl champion.
SUPER BOWL XXII: CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. CHICAGO BEARS (January 31, 1988)
All the buildup centered around Walter Payton, due to this being his final NFL game, and the rabid fanbases of both franchises. Before the game, Doug Williams told Payton, "I'll take care of you and bring you a Super Bowl ring." In San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium, all the pomp and circumstance of the biggest sporting event of the year in America was present. In the early going, the Browns had their way. Cleveland quarterback Bernie Kosar found running back Kevin Mack, not normally a receiver, out of the back field. Mack rumbled for a 19-yard touchdown and the Browns led 7-0. The Bears were shut down on their first drive and the Browns added another field goal to lead 10-0 after the first quarter. Then Doug Williams took over. In a historic second quarter, Williams threw four touchdown passes. He found Willie Gault, the receiver with Olympic speed, twice for 51 and 68-yard touchdowns, to put the Bears up 14-10. As the Bears defense applied the pressure, Williams kept his hot hand. He found his other top receiver, Dennis McKinnon, for two more touchdown passes, and the Bears led 28-10 at halftime. Victory looked almost assured.
However, the Browns were a scrappy team, and they never gave up. They stopped the Bears early in the second half, and Kosar, once he got the ball, found Ozzie Newsome for a 10-yard touchdown to reduce the Bears lead to 28-17. The Bears were largely shut down in the second half offensively, but Payton was able to grind down enough of the clock in the 4th quarter and lead a field goal drive for a 31-17 lead. With 3 minutes left, the Browns scored again, as Mack scored his second touchdown of the game to bring Cleveland within a touchdown at 31-24. The Browns attempted an onside kick, but Payton (who else) recovered the kick. Chicago ran out the clock. The Bears, who were almost a shoo-in but denied in 1985, were unlikely world champions in 1987. Walter Payton rode off into the sunset with a Super Bowl ring and Doug Williams won Super Bowl MVP, the first Black quarterback to win the big game.
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So the cliffnotes version of that last long post:
1987 NFL Playoffs
AFC Playoffs:
Wild Card: Miami Dolphins 45, Houston Oilers 31 (Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami)
Divisional: Cleveland Browns 21, Buffalo Bills 14 (Cleveland Stadium)
Divisional: Denver Broncos 37, Miami Dolphins 34, OVERTIME (Mile High Stadium, Denver)
AFC Championship: Cleveland Browns 41, Denver Broncos 38, OVERTIME (Mile High Stadium)
NFC Playoffs:
Wild Card: Washington Redskins 17, New Orleans Saints 14 (RFK Stadium, Washington, DC)
Divisional: New York Giants 13, Washington Redskins 10, OVERTIME (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Divisional: Chicago Bears 24, San Francisco 49ers 17 (Candlestick Park, San Francisco)
NFC Championship: Chicago Bears 21, New York Giants 20 (Giants Stadium)
SUPER BOWL XXII: Chicago Bears 31, Cleveland Browns 24
1987 NFL Playoffs
AFC Playoffs:
Wild Card: Miami Dolphins 45, Houston Oilers 31 (Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami)
Divisional: Cleveland Browns 21, Buffalo Bills 14 (Cleveland Stadium)
Divisional: Denver Broncos 37, Miami Dolphins 34, OVERTIME (Mile High Stadium, Denver)
AFC Championship: Cleveland Browns 41, Denver Broncos 38, OVERTIME (Mile High Stadium)
NFC Playoffs:
Wild Card: Washington Redskins 17, New Orleans Saints 14 (RFK Stadium, Washington, DC)
Divisional: New York Giants 13, Washington Redskins 10, OVERTIME (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Divisional: Chicago Bears 24, San Francisco 49ers 17 (Candlestick Park, San Francisco)
NFC Championship: Chicago Bears 21, New York Giants 20 (Giants Stadium)
SUPER BOWL XXII: Chicago Bears 31, Cleveland Browns 24
Fun fact about the Bears and 49ers: In 1981, they traded their second-round picks to each other. The Chicago Bears selected linebacker Mike Singletary, while the San Francisco 49ers selected cornerback Eric Wright (to back up Ronnie Lott, whom they'd drafted in the first round).
Wright proved to be a solid backup to Lott and, among other things, helped the 49ers cement their NFC championship victory by tackling Drew Pearson (with a legal horse-collar tackle--that wouldn't be banned until 2005 after a number of tackles that injured wide receivers, including Dallas Cowboys cornerback Roy Williams injuring then-Eagles WR Terrell Owens (1)) and intercepting Dan Marino to help seal the 49ers' win in Super Bowl XIX (and being a member of all four 49ers Super Bowl championship teams).
Mike Singletary became a member of the Bears 46 defense, and was one of the best players for the Bears' defense, going to the NFL Hall of Fame...
(1) Owens would become teammates with Williams when he joined the Cowboys in 2006--that had to be awkward...
Wright proved to be a solid backup to Lott and, among other things, helped the 49ers cement their NFC championship victory by tackling Drew Pearson (with a legal horse-collar tackle--that wouldn't be banned until 2005 after a number of tackles that injured wide receivers, including Dallas Cowboys cornerback Roy Williams injuring then-Eagles WR Terrell Owens (1)) and intercepting Dan Marino to help seal the 49ers' win in Super Bowl XIX (and being a member of all four 49ers Super Bowl championship teams).
Mike Singletary became a member of the Bears 46 defense, and was one of the best players for the Bears' defense, going to the NFL Hall of Fame...
(1) Owens would become teammates with Williams when he joined the Cowboys in 2006--that had to be awkward...
I actually have an outline for Return of the Jedi if anyone wants to hear it,
Act 1: Luke tries to do the practical option and simply tries to buy Han's freedom by paying what he owed plus interest. Unfortunately the Empire got to Jabba first and persuade him to betray Luke. However, Jabba decides that he wants entertainment and says "it's been a long time since I've had a Jedi in my arena." So Jabba throws Luke, Han, Leia, and Lando into his arena while keeping 3P0 and R2 as servants. Thing is Luke had guessed that this might happen and so he smuggles his lightsaber in through R2.....who launches it to Luke during the fight. Luke quickly makes mincemeat of Jabba's goons, and even Boba Fett is taken down with ease by Luke. At this point a furious Jabba unleashes the Rancor (which is MASSIVE), disregarding that some of his own goons are in the line of fire. Luke uses the force to calm the beast and make it docile, and when a furious Jabba orders more men in Bib Fortuna (who Jabba has been shown being abusive to and also realizing which way the wind is blowing) decides "f*** this" and shoots Jabba before letting them go.
Luke goes back to Dagobah and confronts Yoda. Luke is initially very angry at Yoda and during the argument Yoda finally succumbs to old age.....with Luke feeling kinda crappy that Yoda's last moments were Luke yelling at him. Obi Wan appears and gives the full context; he explains that he truly did try to redeem Anakin but ultimately failed, and was worried that if Luke tried their hope would be gone....but also acknowledges that it was shame guiding him. Anakin was HIS failure and he supposed he didn't want Luke to think less of him. Luke accepts this, but explains that when he and Vader touched minds on Bespin he felt remorse deep within him, and he believes it can be reached. Obi Wan is far more skeptical of this (it's also during this time that Leia is revealed as Luke's sister.)
Act 2: While Endor is still the site of the endgame there is a catch; Wookies are there. Basically, there was a civil war in Wookie society between those who wanted greater involvement in Galactic Society and those who wanted to remain isolationist. The Isolationists lost and were kicked off, eventually resettling on Endor. 3PO and Chewbacca are the ones who broker the deal, persuading them that they need to stand with the outsiders to save their world. Luke has a vision and talks to Leia. Leia will say that she was always a war orphan adopted by Bail and Breha; Luke reveals the truth, and explains that he has a vision, and thus must confront Vader. He surrenders, and Luke and Vader have their first encounter since Bespin. One thing I'd have done is show Vader having additional signs of regret even before the encounter; when he and Palpatine meet they discuss what happened with Jabba and Vader expresses annoyance of what happened. Palpatine reassures him that it was merely a test, and then asks "you're not getting FOND of the boy are you?" Vader is visibly furious and tries to deny, but it's also VERY obvious that he's kidding himself. It's clear that Luke's defying him on Bespin REALLY rattled his cage, and the excuses he used to escape his own self loathing are starting to come undone.
Act 3: In many ways it plays out like before but with differences. Palpatine dresses in white robes and doesn't look twisted; he's dressed in white robes and actually looks somewhat handsome....but there's a wrongness about him. He tries to persuade Luke to join him by talking about how corrupt the Republic was, and how Palpatine put it out of it's misery, how he's brought order to the Galaxy and how the rebels are threats to that order. Luke resists it, pointing out all the terrible things the Empire has done and refuting Palatine's claims that it was for the greater good. Palpatine starts to drop the act at this point and pulls the "oh by the way, this entire thing is a trap" reveal. Luke tries to attack Palpatine (since his motives are to save his friends and not anger and selfishness it's not a dark side action), Vader blocks and battle is joined. Palpatine stays quiet the entire time, quietly reveling in the action.
Notably, Luke puts up a stronger showing due to Vader's inner turmoil, and Luke tries to reach out to Vader despite his own turmoil (with Vader getting notably agitated and angry to the point Luke is able to get a few good hits in). Luke's increasing panic as the fight endures however allows Vader to read his mind and learn about Leia; Luke hulks out and beats the crap out of Vader. Palpatine says "good, good"....Luke looks down at Vader and sees his severed hand, making the comparison to his own. He realizes what he's about to do and calms down, throwing the blade aside. Sideous is FURIOUS at this and starts torturing Luke; Vader, realizing that this is the one chance he will ever have to make things right, finally defies his master and throws him to his doom. From there Luke and Vader have their moment and Luke escapes on Palatine's shuttle.
The battle is won, but sadly Han has died saving Leia's life during the battle (a soldier tries to take a potshot at Leia, Han notices and pushes Leia out of the way, taking the bullet in the process
Note:
In OTL Howard Kazanjian negotiated a deal with Harrison Ford's Agent's Son while the agent was on vacation (which I suspect is a main reason why he was angry). It was ambiguous whether he would come back or not, and Lucas said he'd work Han in if Howard could get him to come back. There are two changes I imagine happening; first, right after Empire releases Howard and Lucas have a conversation and Lucas admits that he's so burned out the next movie is probably going to be the last one. Kazanjian reaches out to Phil Girsh, and Girsh says that he'll talk to Ford about it. I think in this universe Kazanjian gets back to Girsh and Girsch explains that Harrison is leery about doing the part for 9 movies. Kazanjian reveals what Lucas told him about the next one probably being the last one, and asks if that will help. Ford reacts positively to it and so they're able to negotiate a deal.
Ian McDiarmaid was himself a replacement for the original choice of the Emperor, so if the Emperor DOES appear it won't be him. Anakin and Vader being the same was dreamed up during Empire as well. That said I do have some possible ideas. In OTL Toshiro Mifune was offered the role of Obi Wan but turned it down. A possible butterfly is that his son Takeshi (who was born in 1955 and thus would be the right age) became a Star Trek fan and persuades his father to take the part. Mifune ultimately comes to respect the material, especially when Obi Wan's flaws are made more apparent in Return of the Jedi and Empire.
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As I am always searching for collaboration on this TL I think this is quite excellent and kind of fits the tweaks previously suggested for ROTJ
I’m never killing off Han, Luke or Leia unless one of the actors passes away (for example Carrie Fisher IRL)