Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Even beforeStar Trek: The Next Generationended its run, the franchise received its next spinoff inStar Trek: Deep Space Nine. The show was the first to be developed without original creator Gene Roddenberry’s involvement and probably because of that, broke many of Roddenberry’s rules for theStar Trekuniverse.
One of the biggest rules that Roddenberry had was to minimize interpersonal conflict between the Starfleet crew as he believed that people would be more professional in the future. However, in the pilot episode ofDeep Space Nine, the makers introduced the then-commander Benjamin Sisko as a man angry with his captain, Jean-Luc Picard.
Gene Roddenberry’s important rule for Starfleet was broken inStar Trek: Deep Space Nine
Gene Roddenberryis the mastermind behind theStar Trekfranchise that everyone now loves. The former military man reportedly pitched the series asWagon Trainset in space, placing the sci-fi genre’s explorative and philosophical storylines above the action and blockbuster nature of the genre.
‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ Foreshadowed a Terrible Fate in Its 1995 Episode That is Eerily Similar to 1 Harrowing Real-Life Incident in 2024
When he was tasked with developing a spinoff/sequel to the original series, Roddenberry reportedly had afew rules that the franchisehad to follow to make it align with his vision of the future. One of those was reportedly the lack of interpersonal conflict between the crew members as he believed that humanity would be more professional in the future.
However, the pilot episode ofStar Trek: Deep Space Ninewent against this cardinal rule when it introduced the series protagonist Benjamin Sisko going through a personal tragedy due to his captain Jean-Luc Picard. The pilot ‘Emissary’ begins during the events ofThe Next Generation’s episode ‘The Best of Both Worlds’ and the Battle of Wolf 359.
As the Borg intensifies its attack, Sisko loses his wife Jennifer during the attack and he blames Sir Patrick Stewart’s Picard for the mishap. This puts him in direct conflict with not just a crew member but a captain of the Enterprise. The confrontation between the two later in the episode is also intense, establishing early on that Sisko will not be a typical Roddenberry protagonist.
Writers ofStar Trekwere reportedly tired of Gene Roddenberry’s rules
While it is admirable to see Gene Roddenberry have a specific creative vision, a TV series is usually not an auteur’s work. Many stakeholders become involved as multiple episodes need to be written, directed, and aired. Hence, to verify the series did not go too far beyond his control, Roddenberry reportedly made a guide for the writers.
However, his rules were reportedly not all too freeing for the writers who came on board the series, especially in the spinoff shows where he was not involved as much. William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the original series, claimed that the writers were feeling claustrophobic while working with the noted showrunner.
“He and I had a lot of disagreement about that”: Deep Space Nine Creator Was Not Happy With the Show Featuring the Greatest War in Star Trek History
Shatner said in an interview withThe Hollywood Reporterthat Roddenberry would not be too happy with the changes the series has seen after he passed away. He said,
I haven’t watched the other ‘Star Treks’ very much, but what I’ve seen with glimpses of ‘The Next Generation’ is yes, the difficulty in the beginning, between management, was all about Gene’s rules and obeying or not obeying those rules…The fights that went on, to my understanding, were big because the writers had their difficulties. ‘We need some more material.’ ‘We need to get out of here. It’s claustrophobic.’
With him not being involved inStar Trek: Deep Space Nine, the series explored a lot more conflicts and characteristics that did not match Roddenbery’s rules.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nineis available to stream on Paramount+.
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2417
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
More from Nishanth A
Spider-Man: Brand New Day – How the 2008 Comic Arc Could Shape Tom Holland’s Next Movie
Transformers Star Is Absolutely Right on Why He Rejected ‘The Penguin’
5 Bella Ramsey Performances So Good, You’ll Forget ‘The Last of Us’ Controversy
Recommended
Gen V Season 2: Total Episodes and Finale Date Revealed
We Were Liars Season 1 Ending Explained: Who Does Cadence Accidentally Kill?
Seth Rogen Had to Apologize for Comparing Clint Eastwood’s Biggest Movie to Inglourious Basterds
New ‘Harry Potter’ BTS Image Reveals Nick Frost’s Shockingly Perfect Look as Hagrid
Upload Season 4: How Many Episodes Will the Final Season Have?
Japan’s 10 Most-Watched Anime of 2025: Naruto Not Even in Top 5
gene roddenberrySir Patrick StewartStar Trek: Deep Space Nine
