‘Star Trek’: The Complete Franchise Recap

Star Trek is considered one of the most remarkable science fiction tales ever produced, but with over six decades of movies and TV shows, it can be daunting for newcomers. The question arises: where should one begin? What’s considered canon, and what isn’t? How do films tie into series, and what exactly is a Kelvin timeline? Can I jump straight into new productions like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds or Section 31, or must I first delve into the original 1960s series?

With so much Star Trek content available, where should I start? What’s important to know, and what can be skipped? How do the movies relate to the TV shows, and what does it mean when they mention a Kelvin timeline? Can I begin with newer series like Strange New Worlds or Section 31 without having seen earlier ones?

In essence, the question boils down to: With such an extensive collection of Star Trek media, how should I approach it for the best experience, and what can I ignore or watch later on?

Hey there, fellow Star Trek enthusiast! If you’re on the hunt for a comprehensive guide to dive deep into the rich universe of Star Trek, look no further. We’ve got just the thing for you – our brand-new Star Trek video! Compressed from 60 years of movies and series into a snappy 26 minutes, this video is your express ticket to everything Star Trek. From The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, all the way to Discovery, Prodigy, Picard, Lower Decks, Strange New Worlds, and every movie in between – we’ve got you covered. It’s like soaking up six decades of Star Trek knowledge straight into your mind!

Ready for the ultimate Star Trek recap? Just click the button below and say “Engage!”

If you enjoyed the Star Trek history video we shared, don’t forget to explore more of our exciting videos! You’ll find one discussing why Star Trek: Strange New Worlds makes a great prequel, another filled with lesser-known Star Trek trivia, and a recap of the entire Ghostbusters franchise. There’s plenty more waiting for you at ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel – remember to subscribe to stay updated on all our future episodes!

By the way, mark your calendars: Severance Season 2 will be available on Apple TV+ starting January 17. Also, get ready for Star Trek: Section 31, premiering on Paramount+ on January 24, 2025.

Sign up for a free trial of Paramount+ here.

The 10 Biggest Unanswered ‘Squid Game’ Questions

1. Who is in charge of the games after Il-Nam dies?

In the gripping drama of Squid Game, viewers were taken aback when Player 001, also known as Il-nam, unveiled himself as the creator of the ruthless competition that eventually saw Gi-hun as the winner. It was revealed that Il-nam yearned for the adrenaline rush that had been absent from his life and participated in the games to fulfill this desire. Although Il-nam fabricated numerous details about his identity during the series, it was truthful that he was battling cancer. The games offered him a unique, human experience. In the last episode, Il-nam breathed his last, hinting at the conclusion of the games. But the question remains: Who will take charge now that Il-nam is gone? Could it be the Front Man, or is there someone even higher up controlling the lethal games? The following year, Gi-hun finds out that the games are set to resume, raising doubts about who’s calling the shots this time.

2. Why didn’t Mi-nyeo get killed after she couldn’t find a partner for marbles?

In episode 6, the competitors are compelled to compete against each other in a lethal game of marbles. The situation is intensified since most participants had chosen partners based on their friendship, expecting teamwork during the challenge. With an odd number of players, they assume the last one left will be eliminated automatically. This predicament prompts Gi-hun to ally with Il-nam despite his deteriorating health, as he’s perceived as a weak link. The outspoken Mi-nyeo is unexpectedly left without a partner, leading others to believe she had been shot by the remaining guards. However, after round 4, they return to find Mi-nyeo miraculously alive. In these games, it appears that the guards have no qualms about eliminating any player unable to continue playing. Could it be that Mi-nyeo was spared because she didn’t have a partner, assuming Il-nam would be killed instead?

3. What would happen if there were more than two players remaining for Round 6?

In the series “Squid Game,” it was noted that astute viewers could foresee each game’s outcome by focusing on the elaborate symbols adorning the bunker. These symbols signified the games the players would play, including Round 6 – the Squid Game itself. Interestingly, only two figures were depicted in these symbols, indicating that the game’s masterminds anticipated only two individuals reaching the final round. However, after Round 5, there were still three players remaining. Each of them received a steak knife, leading to the possibility of betrayal among them during the night. But what if Song-woo had not attacked Sae-byeok? How could the game have progressed with three players? Or, could the Squid Game have unfolded differently if Song-woo had chosen to eliminate both Sae-byeok and Gi-hun simultaneously before Round 6 commenced, making him the sole contestant left?

4. Is Hwang Jun-ho still alive after being shot off the cliff?

In the central subplot of “Squid Game,” detective Hwang Jun-ho tirelessly pursues his missing brother, In-ho, throughout the entire series. The big reveal comes when Jun-ho uncovers the truth that the Front Man is actually his brother. This shocking moment unfolds as Jun-ho finds himself in a dangerous predicament on a steep cliff, only to be shot by In-ho. Although it seems likely that Jun-ho might have perished from the fall, there’s also a chance he may have survived. Given his resilience and the bullet wound being in his shoulder rather than his heart, there’s room for speculation – could he still be alive? If so, one must wonder where he has gone hiding.

5. Why did In-ho become the Front Man, if he was a winner of the games himself?

One key revelation Jun-ho made about the games is that his brother had previously won them, years before the current events. Given that winners are awarded billions of won, it’s reasonable to assume his brother is wealthy. Yet, instead of enjoying this fortune, In-ho took on the role of Front-Man for the games. Was he seduced by the power, or did wealth and excitement become dull in his life like Il-nam? Could it be that he spent all his money and needed a job? Or perhaps there’s an unspoken rule in the games that demands winners to continue their association with the enigmatic organization? It’s puzzling why anyone would desire the Front Man position, given its power yet stressful nature. Why did In-ho feel compelled to rejoin the dangerous competition? Was it voluntary?

6. Where do the masked workers come from?

In the Netflix series “Squid Game,” numerous employees are easily recognized by their bright pinkish-red tracksuits and masks adorned with geometric patterns, symbolizing their positions. It swiftly becomes evident that these employees do not hold inherent power; their authority stems solely from the Front Man and Il-nam’s commands. Moreover, they conceal secrets of their own, as a select few earn additional income by illegally harvesting and selling organs from deceased players. The question arises: where did these employees originate? Some spectators hypothesize that they were selected in the same manner as the players, with the color of card chosen during the game of ddakji determining their employee status. However, director Hye-jun has refuted this theory, asserting that the color of cards represents an ancient folktale about a ghost in a bathroom who offered people a choice between red or blue tissue, but ultimately killed them regardless of their decision. Thus, the mystery remains: how did the employees become involved, and for what reasons?

7. Was each player recruited the same way Gi-hun was at the train station?

From the start, it’s clear that Gi-hun has a penchant for gambling, evident when he wagers his mother’s savings on a horse race. The game of ddakji, where one player aims to flip their opponent’s paper using their own, capitalized on Gi-hun’s compulsive gambling habits, leaving him in a precarious situation where he was ready to go to any lengths to win. This tactic proved instrumental in getting Gi-hun to participate in the Squid Game. However, it appears this strategy was designed with someone like Gi-hun, who has an addictive personality, in mind. One might wonder if the game’s organizers enlisted all 456 participants using the same approach. While each player was struggling financially, a basic game like ddakji doesn’t seem sufficient to sway someone like Sae-byeok or Ali. Could there have been various strategies employed to persuade people to take part in these games?

8. Why did the Front Man want the workers to track down the players who quit?

In the closing moments of Episode 1, Player 001 makes the final call in a vote deciding whether the games should persist or not. With most players opting out of continuing, all were quickly dismissed. However, as days turned into weeks, almost everyone returned, driven more by their greed for the prize money than their apprehension of losing. Yet, some players declined to come back, causing the Foreman to direct his staff to locate them. But why? Given that a sufficient number of contestants had returned to carry on the games, one might wonder what significance their whereabouts held. It’s possible that the Foreman was worried these contestants could expose the secrets of the games to the authorities, as Gi-hun tried in Episode 2. We understand that each player was chosen for a particular reason, and it may be that the Foreman was trying to prevent any potential fallout.

9. How many other death games are happening all over the world?

Upon encountering the VIPs, they shared valuable information about the broader context of the death games. One VIP hinted at similar games taking place in other countries, suggesting that these games are a worldwide occurrence. How many such competitions are occurring globally? Is there one central figure orchestrating them all, or does each game have its own individual leader? Are the challenges in these other games inspired by childhood games of their respective regions? If a Season 2 were to unfold, would we delve deeper into these other events? With Il-nam absent, it’s plausible that the Korean games could persist, provided there’s a sizable network of leaders to step up and fill in the void.

10. What is Seong Gi-hun’s plan after he hangs up the phone at the airport?

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the poignant finale of “Squid Game.” Gi-hun, now sporting red hair, places Sae-byeok’s brother with Song-woo’s mother, then prepares to embark for America where his daughter resides. Just as he steps onto the plane, he makes a call from a business card he snatched in the train station. The people on the other end reveal that the games are set to occur again, causing him to abruptly abandon his flight. This moment leaves viewers, who had been rooting for Gi-hun’s reunion with his daughter, feeling rather dismayed. With no specific location details, how will he find where these games take place? And what actions will he take to stop them if he manages to locate it? The first season of “Squid Game” concludes on a massive cliffhanger, leaving us anxiously hoping for a second installment.

2025-01-17 23:23