Kate is a freelance writer who offers her advice on a wide range of subjects drawn from her own Trek life experiences. The views and opinions expressed by Kate are hers and hers alone... and trust us, she has opinions! Click here to send your question to Kate.

Hey Everyone!

Well, another Comic-con has come and gone. Why bring that up, you probably ask? Not so much because of that special hyped announcement that JJ Abrams made about Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto. True, that is very interesting, but believe it or not, I haven't quite formulated my opinion on that yet — shocking, isn't it!? Don't worry, I'm sure I'll have one soon enough, that I'll tell... ur, umm, share with you guys. But in the meantime, I have something more, I guess you could say, annoying to talk about. The over-used, over-emphasized, ubiquitous word: Collectible! Even just saying it makes my skin crawl! I mean, c'mon, everything nowadays comes as a "collectible" or "special edition" — which, let's be completely honest, are basically the same thing. Virtually every action figure now says "Collectible"! And it's getting worse. Companies figure that this verbiage is an instant wallet magnet — put this word on a product and people will buy! Don't believe me? Here's an interesting tidbit for you to prove my point: there is even a special edition (or whatever words the company chose) "John Lennon Baby Product" line — oh yeah, right there on eBay! Hey, I love John Lennon too. In fact, I saw him the other day at Whole Foods ... oh no, wait, that was Elvis ... but my point is, isn't it just getting a bit ridiculous? And what's even worse is when — and this really happened — you're in a toy store and you hear the Father say to the Son (who is about 6 years old!!), "You want this one? Okay, let's go home and put it in your display case." As I'm sure you can imagine, there's no heaven, it's easy if you... (sorry, got a little carried away) ... anyway, I was really teed off! I almost went up to the guy and said: "Hey, let your kid play with it — it's a toy!" But seriously, these "collectibles" today will have no value because no one is playing with them! Think about it, why are all those toys that we grew up with worth so much money? Because we all played with them, and developed that emotional connection to the object, so we buy it again later because it meant something to us! That's why it's valuable! We remember how much fun we had with something and we want get a taste of that happiness again... In case you can't tell, I could go on like this for quite a while, but I think I should move on to a pressing subject — your letters! And yes, I do ... oh I wish there was another word for it ... collect things — but wait — I display things too! But you know what? I'm not afraid to take 'em out of the packaging if I want to! Take that, Display-Case Dad!

Hi Kate,
I sure enjoy reading your articles, thanks for all the wit! Two questions:
1. Will there ever be another Enterprise episode, series or movie?
2. Will I ever get to see a REAL photo of you, other than the awesome caricature you use?
Hope to hear from you, a loyal fan, :)
~Brad

Hi Loyal Fan Brad,

Yes, bow before the feet of Kate. No, I'm just kidding ... well, if you want to, of your own free will, who am I to stop you?

I'm glad to hear that you like the column — that's really cool! Thanks!

Wow, it is so amazing, I don't think I've ever had anyone write in with two questions that both have the exact same answer! Which is: I doubt it. But to elaborate on the second point a little more — real? What do you mean real?! I'll have you know every part of me is real!

Hi Kate,
I was wondering if you could tell me if the TNG episodes will ever be published in book form.
Thank you,
Ron A.

Hi Ron,

Well, the Episode Guide has been published a few times and I believe is still available. However if you mean, will every episode be turned into a novel? I would say, don't count on it. As I'm sure you know, a few of the more notable episodes (e.g. "Descent" and "All Good Things...") are available in novel form. But as the editors of Pocket Books have said, the books are meant to keep the adventures going. So I think that's where the focus of the books are going to continue heading.

Hi Kate,
I am a long time Star Trek fan and a product of the 60's. I grew up on the original series and while Shatner was great, isn't it time to put those characters to bed? TNG and Voyager were successful because of new progress. Not only in new characters but new problems as well. Why does Abrams insist on rehashing the old. Kirk and Spock are fascinating characters, but we've "developed" them for 40 years now. Why doesn't Star Trek XI focus on the aftermath of Voyager's Endgame or on some of the Star Trek New Frontiers with Captain Mackenzie and the Excalibur, or is Mr. Abrams unable to actually do anything novel? (MI 3 was mediocre at best).
Alex

Hey Alex,

I admit, I'm very happy, ecstatic in fact, that there's going to be another Trek movie. Do I want to see my perception of Kirk and Spock messed with? No, of course I don't! But if going back to the Classic Crew means we have a better chance of getting another series or more movies, then I'm at least willing to give the idea the benefit of the doubt for a while. Plus, look at it this way: Kirk and Spock are iconic figures in pop culture, so it's a smart business move! Let's be honest, if you walked up to an average person on the street, the odds of them knowing who Kirk and Spock are will far outweigh the number of people who know who Captain Mackenzie is. And as for the torch being passed to JJ Abrams? Well, right now he is the hot ticket in Hollywood and says he has a love of Trek. Both of these facts I think only helps the franchise, on the basis that, if he is this powerful, then hopefully he will be able to really do what is best for the franchise without the studio powers-that-be putting too much of their finger in the pie. And since he swears up and down that he loves Trek, hopefully that means he knows what he's doing. But I have to agree, I wasn't too impressed with MI3 either.

Hi Kate,
For the last few weeks I get a real bad burning feeling when I take a pee; what do you think is up?
Best wishes,
Kev

Hey Kev,

What's up is you need a better pick-up line. Good try, though! Points for originality! Oh, and maybe you should see a doctor.

Kate,
I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the Enterprise series finale. Along those lines, I recently picked up The Good that Men Do. I know that books are not canon, but I do appreciate how the authors did their best to resurrect Trip in a semi-canonical way. But that's neither here nor there.
I do have a question for you though. I am planning on finally going to my first Star Trek convention in November! WOO HOO! I know we're supposed to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of TNG (which was the first series I ever watched), but I would much rather dress up in a TOS-era uniform (gotta love those miniskirts) or an Enterprise-era uniform. Is this acceptable?
Thanks!
The future wife of Captain Archer (just you wait and see)
Live Long and Prosper

Hi Future Mrs. Archer,

It's nice when people agree with me! First convention, huh? Yeah, I remember mine, very small and the headlining guest was John de Lancie. Anyway, even though the title or the focus of the event is the 20th anniversary of TNG, that doesn't mean you can't wear a Classic uniform. You wear whatever costume you like best! I have yet to see a convention that has a dress code for the daytime activities. So you wear your little mini-skirt with pride!

Dear Kate,
In your latest column I notice that you agree Archer and crew got the shaft and I think almost all of the fans know it. Fans have devoted hours to the subject by writing fan stories that either fix that particular travesty, make it more palatable, or ignore it all together. Right now on Fanlib.com, Star Trek: Enterprise is one of the most written in fandom, and the death of Trip is the main reason; the fans hate it. I do think J.J. Abrams is a great person to pass the Star Trek torch onto. I do, however, hope he's learned a lesson from the failure of Enterprise and decides to take the universe forward instead of back.
TrekkieC

Hi TrekkieC,

Cool! I like the idea that people are ignoring the final episode of Enterprise, sounds like a very smart thing to do! Y'know, I don't there was anything wrong with going backwards on the Trek timeline. I just think it's the manner in which it was carried out. Personally, I think it would have been so fun to have done a series set before Classic but kept the same cheese factor. What I mean is, to keep that same 60s look but make it slightly more modern, without doing such a drastic change that we're all scratching our heads saying: "Wait a minute! You want me to believe that our technology and our fashion went backwards as we went forwards in time?" It just doesn't make sense! Other examples are the newer Star Wars movies — how is it that when we move forward in the timeline (episode 6, 7 & 8) the look of everything gets more rugged and unpolished? (Which I personally like, it has more character.) Back to Trek, I'm not saying that the stories have to be cheesy, I'm saying that the look and feel should reflect the history that has already been established. Prime example, what was with giving the Klingons a disease to explain why they look so different in Classic? I mean really!?!?! I think it's stuff like that, that turned off the viewers.

Okay gang, I think it's time for me to wrap this up and begin developing my opinion of this Zachary kid, whom the casting people think is worthy of portraying Spock ... more on this later. Oh yes, Kate and her followers will make our views known!!! All right, so until next time, dig out some of your old toys and action figures and dolls, and for crying out loud!! Move their arms, have a tea party and play with them! They have feelings too, you know! Later!

If you wish to ask Kate a question or need some advice on your own Trek life, you can write to her at columns@startrek.com with the subject "ASK KATE." (Letters are subject to editing at Kate's discretion.)

Letters to Kate become Kate's sole property. Submitting to Kate relinquishes all ownership rights to, or any claims for financial or other consideration in connection with the submitted material, including any ideas, suggestions, script ideas, anything. This goes for you too, Carl!