The original Star Trek perfectly captured its adventurous spirit with the phrase, “To boldly go where no one has gone before.” However, with numerous sequels, revivals, and reimaginings over the years, that slogan no longer fully represents the core values of Trek. The franchise now needs a new, more fitting motto.
Things might be different now that the team who successfully relaunched IDW’s Star Trek comics has shared a fresh take on the series. Beyond the exciting adventures, alien planets, and futuristic technology, longtime Star Trek fans know what truly makes the show special after 60 years.
Star Trek’s Perfect New Tagline: “Powerful Speeches in Carpeted Rooms”
As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I’m really excited about what writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly are doing with Star Trek: The Last Starship. They’re bringing Captain Kirk back, and it’s not just fan service! The story picks up after ‘The Burn,’ which has left the Federation on shaky ground, and Kirk is stepping up to try and hold things together. It’s been a thrilling ride so far – lots of action, but also some seriously deep, thought-provoking conversations. They aren’t afraid to let the characters really talk things through, which is exactly what I love about classic Trek.
Lanzing told ComicsBeat that this challenge – visually representing complex ideas – is actually central to what makes Star Trek unique. He explained that while the series often starts with exciting action, it’s really about discussions, beliefs, and, as Collin puts it, “powerful speeches in carpeted rooms.” Traditionally, Star Trek comics have struggled with this, because it’s hard to show intense debates and negotiations without simply copying the visual style of the TV shows – using a lot of camera angles and dramatic acting.
The artists Adrián Bonilla and Heather Moore were asked by the creative team to create scenes featuring conversations in carpeted rooms, and they’ve successfully done so. While fans will appreciate this often-ignored detail, it raises a bigger question: what truly defines the essence of Star Trek?
The Classic Trek Shows Shared This Underrated Foundation (Literally)
If you don’t immediately picture the bridge of the original Star Trek, the show is right to point out the gray carpet. It was a smart choice for filming because it helped absorb sound, and the style was popular in the 1960s, which helped Star Trek stand out from other science fiction shows at the time. Over the years, though, the carpet became much more than just a floor covering – it became a memorable part of the show’s identity.
One of the most memorable choices made during the creation of Star Trek: The Next Generation was the focus on comfort and style – things like plush carpet and leather chairs on the bridge. This design choice clearly signaled that the Enterprise wasn’t just a ship built for war, but a place the crew could call home. By making the ship feel like a comfortable living space, the show creators allowed Captain Picard’s powerful speeches to truly resonate with viewers. It’s no surprise that so many of the crew members became so beloved – they felt like family.
The Next Generation introduced a “Battle Bridge” – an idea from artist Andrew Probert – and established a design trend. Voyager and Deep Space Nine continued with this same overall approach, even with other changes to their individual styles. Interestingly, the carpet used throughout these series unintentionally represented everything Star Trek aimed to avoid: a feeling of being cold, sterile, overly polished, futuristic, and ultimately, militaristic. Thankfully, that design choice is no longer used in the franchise.
As a lifelong Trek fan, I’ve seen a lot of discussions about the details of ship design, and honestly, whether the flooring material really impacts the whole universe? Probably not. But it’s not like it’s completely irrelevant either – the evidence we see on screen does suggest they put thought into it, and I think that matters.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-03-06 01:40