..it'll be Isaac Asimov's Foundation
Hey, you might wanna choose an actress here.(played by Margaret Avery? Diahann Carroll? It’s a minor recurring role, I feel)
Margaret Avery because Diahann Carroll already got her turn as a guest star ITTLHey, you might wanna choose an actress here.
I want to replace that one. ITTL Paramount Television Network might not allow Remmick's exploding head in primetimeI 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):
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...I want to replace that one. ITTL Paramount Television Network might not allow Remmick's exploding head in primetime
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.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...
ITTL Paramount Television Network might not allow Remmick's exploding head in primetime
and no gory head blown off
A mold of Paul Newman's face was filled with raw meat and then blown up to create the effect used when Picard and Riker fire on Remmick but Rick Berman and Peter Lauritson were concerned that it was too graphic.
Dan Curry invited his six-year-old son to watch the episode in order to test how children would react to it; the boy reportedly liked it so much that he suggested the creation of a Remmick action figure whose head would blow up by pressing a button. This resulted in Berman deciding to air the episode uncut with the full sequence included.[3]
her sister Dr. Renée Emptage (played by Jane Carr)
Damn. I set up for that in Cost of Cure, though, with Picard trying to figure out the problem with Adebayo.I want to replace that one. ITTL Paramount Television Network might not allow Remmick's exploding head in primetime
Aha, okay. Not all for nothing, then.Conspiracy, but with different types of aliens possessing the Starfleet brass and no gory head blown off
I actually have an outline for Return of the Jedi if anyone wants to hear it,May 1983: Return of the Jedi premieres in theaters on May 4 instead of May 25, cementing May 4 as Star Wars Day much earlier than OTL. George Lucas declares that ROTJ will be the last Star Wars made for a while, unless another director wants to add to the saga. George Takei proposes a mass transit overhaul for Los Angeles, and William Shatner raises doubts on his Star Trek future after Star Trek III, which will premiere in 1984. Plus, some reaction to Starfleet Intelligence's first season, and its renewal for season 2.
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RETURN OF THE JEDI NEARLY AS POPULAR AS ITS STAR WARS PREDECESSORS
LUCAS TO TAKE BREAK FROM STAR WARS IN IMMEDIATE FUTURE
May 9, 1983
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi provided a fitting end to the trilogy penned and directed by George Lucas. The thrilling conclusion played out on the planet Kashyyyk, where Chewbacca joined forces with his fellow Wookiees to deal a crushing blow to the Empire. Darth Vader saw the light and turned on the Emperor, but unfortunately too late, as he succumbed to his injuries sustained in the light saber battle with his son Luke and the Emperor's "force lightning." Return of the Jedi is projected to earn over $300 million at the box office, placing it as one of the highest grossing movies of all time, along with its two predecessors. However, despite the popularity of the brand, Lucas does not want to make another Star Wars movie for at least a decade. "George Lucas is burnt out," said Mark Hamill. "We saw it on set towards the end of shooting this movie. He deserves a rest." Therefore, the future of Star Wars as a franchise is unknown. "Maybe, ten years down the line, George Lucas will make another movie or three," said Roger Ebert, film critic at the Chicago Sun-Times. "I don't think he should rush a fourth movie into production anytime soon. If he does, Star Wars will be subject to the law of diminishing returns, where people will tire of rehashed plots and not spend the money they did for the first three." There are also no plans to take Star Wars to television. "Lucas considers Star Wars a film franchise, and the glamour of the series will be diminished if it is placed on the small screen," said Gene Shalit, film critic for NBC. "I could see another Star Wars movie, but Lucas is going to wait until the computer technology catches up to what he wants to do. He was frustrated with the difficulty of putting together the special effects for the trilogy."
TAKEI TO PITCH MASS TRANSIT OVERHAUL
May 14, 1983
In his first few weeks as mayor of Los Angeles, George Takei demanded an overhaul of the transit system and the construction of several subway and light rail lines. Unlike New York, famous for its subway system, and Chicago, famous for its elevated trains, Los Angeles is largely powered by automobiles and buses. "Takei cannot believe that a city of three million people has no committed public transportation system that includes subways and light rail," David Cunningham, Takei's former rival for mayor, said. "I agree with Mayor Takei that subways and a rail system is required, especially for African-American neighborhoods. Mayor Takei is looking out for the working class people of LA, and for that, I commend him." To acquire the $1.5 billion required, Takei traveled to Sacramento last weekend to lobby Governor Bradley. Despite Democratic control of both chambers of the California legislature, the push to rebuild Los Angeles public transit has obstacles. Legislators from other parts of California want money for their pet projects, and Republicans in the State Senate and State House will oppose the measure. However, Takei's friendship with Bradley gives him a leg up. "I think Mayor Takei has a better than 50-50 chance of putting in two or three subway lines in Los Angeles by 1988," Ray Remy, the deputy mayor, said. "We've all pushed for this in Los Angeles, from Tom Bradley's time as mayor. I think it gets done."
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SHATNER UNDECIDED ON PLAYING KIRK AFTER STAR TREK III
May 19, 1983
Despite the smash success of Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, William Shatner is undecided about playing Admiral Kirk after the third Star Trek movie, scheduled to go into production late this summer. "Bill wants to spend more time with his family," Marcy Lafferty, his wife, said. "Bill has given over 15 years of his life, including five grueling years on television, as Captain, now Admiral Kirk. He's seriously thinking about moving on." This news will come to a shock to Star Trek fans, who fear the worst for the movie franchise after Leonard Nimoy decided to kill his character, Mr. Spock, off in Star Trek II. "Leonard Nimoy wanted to leave the series a couple of years ago, and now Shatner is thinking about it," said Bjo Trimble, the famous Star Trek fan who helped save the show when it faced cancellation back in 1968. "Sulu, Chekov and Uhura are good characters, and Nichelle Nichols is doing a fantastic job on television as Uhura, but the series is going to have a hard time surviving without Kirk and Spock. They're the two main characters, along with Bones McCoy. I hope William Shatner reconsiders. All Star Trek fans love him." Sources close to Shatner, including his agent, believe Shatner is of two minds about having Leonard Nimoy direct him in Star Trek III. "The needs of Leonard were placed before his," an unnamed source said. "Shatner believes he's got top billing and should be treated as such, especially after two huge hits in the theaters."
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STARFLEET INTELLIGENCE TOP NEW SHOW OF 1982-1983 TELEVISION SEASON
May 28, 1983
With April and May sweeps finished, we have all the numbers, and Starfleet Intelligence smashed almost all the competition. Nichelle Nichols placed herself up there as one of television's top female leads, as Starfleet Intelligence finished third overall in the ratings, behind CBS's two top shows, 60 Minutes and Dallas. Nichols and the series she leads shook up the television world this year, as it was not expected to finish in the top 15. "Starfleet Intelligence will be up for multiple Emmys this year, and Nichols will lead the way for Best Actress in a Drama," said William Henry, the Pulitzer Prize winning television critic for the Boston Globe. "Most shows have a few clunkers every year. It's expected when you have to make 24, 26 television shows to fill out a full season for a network," Henry said. "I can't think of one episode in Starfleet Intelligence's first year that was a clunker. Every show was gripping. Hill Street Blues won the last two Emmys for Best Drama, but it has stiff competition this year." Executive producer Harve Bennett says that Nichols and Alfre Woodard, her co-star, broke the mold. "We studied how spies operate in real life," Bennett said. "It's actually a lot more interesting than what you see in James Bond and Mission: Impossible. We had Nichelle and Alfre act as spies, just in a futuristic setting. We made Starfleet Intelligence's characters cagier than what you normally see on TV, and I think audiences took to that."
MAILBAG
Karlax better be alive. I love that character to bits. He's a charming Klingon! Who would have ever thought Klingons could be charming! He's like the alien version of Illya Kuryakin from UNCLE back in the 60s. Uhura and Garvin are going to find him in the next season premiere. They have to. The chemistry between them is just too good to throw away.
This is what I would have changed in the original Star Wars:
1. Extend the lightsaber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan for another minute
2. A scene on Alderaan before its destruction by the Death Star, let's say with Bail Organa returning to the planet after the Senate is dissolved
3. No trash compactor scene
4. A scene with Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine pulling the strings. No need to have him in it a lot, just one scene where Vader is talking to him
5. Tarkin joining Vader in the first scene where they capture the rebel ship
6. More background by Obi-Wan about Anakin, who is Darth Vader (although I think this was intentionally kept out to make ESB stronger)
I am flapping the wings with Star Wars in terms of how much $ it makes ITTL. I would flap the wings a lot more later on with Star Wars because the first two prequels could be a lot better, plus the last two movies (The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker) were terrible. I wouldn't make too many changes to SW and ESB because they're the two best SW movies.
Funny story as a kid: When I originally saw the SW trilogy on the VCR, I saw the three movies backwards! ROTJ first, followed by ESB, then the original SW last! I'm actually a little too young to have seen them in the theater on their original release dates (wasn't born yet for SW and ESB, was a baby when ROTJ came out).
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 ROTJI 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.
I’m never killing off Han, Luke or Leia unless one of the actors passes away (for example Carrie Fisher IRL)Han might not be dead if the animated cartoon is a thing.