Starlog Entry 3

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Cannon and Star Trek

Stardate: 60420.3

Canon and Star Trek

Canon is defined by two definitions, both of which suit the Star Trek franchise. There are several "general rules or laws" about the Star Trek universe established in The Original Series, that carry over into all the series following. As the franchise grew, a "collection or list of sacred [rules]" formed, and became "accepted as genuine" throughout. 

Having this canon helped Star Trek grow into what we know it now. Because there are continuous "facts" throughout the story lines, there is an air of continuity that brings Star Trek: Discovery into the same world as Star Trek: The Original Series, though they were made decades apart. The existence of the Federation, having the bright colors on the uniforms, and even the Prime Directive show the kind of world the characters live in. This all also helps promote viewership. Viewers relate the various Star Trek series together. A new viewer to Star Trek: Discovery, but one who has seen previous Star Trek series, starts watching the new series with an established connection.

However, in following the canon, the show can also run into some creative barriers. Within this world with so much already established, there are a lot rules new worlds need to follow, which decreases creativity. If a new show can find a way to use those barriers as a "jumping off point," it can, however, find itself even further beyond initial creative ideas. For example, Star Trek: Discovery continued with the idea of the existence of the Federation. In most series before Discovery, the Federation's primary goal was to maintain peace, and learn about new worlds. However, in Discovery, the Federation promoted war against the Klingons. It was new take on a familiar canon. For the series' storyline, it made sense, and used what was familiar to jump into a new creative world.

In the movies, Star Trek (2009) successfully navigated into a new timeline, The Kelvin Timeline. There are several familiarities in it, but it also made a clean break with such much that was already established. We have familiar characters, uniform colors, and starships. But, there are new back stories, and new future stories. 

Star Trek has always led the way in innovation, and having such strong canon for decades is just another example. It has helped strengthen the life of the franchise, and gave a great starting point for the Kelvin Timeline.