Star Trek is not dead, but the ability of its shepherds to properly protect the flock may be irreparably compromised. Whether or not there are more Star Trek stories to tell is not an issue – such potential is as vast as the universe itself. Whether or not the people in charge can tell such stores IS a concern. This attrition has been happening for a long time, but only now is the full extent of Paramount's remiss complacency becoming evident. Give Star Trek its balls back. Take chances. Think out of the box. Put some color into the shows – good God, who wants to look at murky gray tones every week? Add visual dynamic and kinetics. Pump-up the sound. Above all, let the characters be human, and unpredictable. Let them make mistakes, and compromise their ideals – because Trek is about humans, and humans can be inconsistent. Let our characters not always do the right thing, and let us not always agree with them. Make it...well...real. Let Star Trek be a youthful child, filled with energy, quirkiness, driven by a sense of experimentation, exploration, and wonder. Something needs to be done here – bravely, and with extreme prejudice.This is very much what the new film has done. More significantly to my reality, however, is they have brought TREK...and me...full circle. Merrick's 15 Year Old Son brought 4 guests to Monday night's screening of the film (the second time he and I had seen it - the first for our four guests). Among our companions were three teenagers who couldn't care less about STAR TREK, and an adult who was a well-versed fan. By the time the film's prologue had finished & its title boomed triumphantly across the screen, the three dispassionate teens were sitting (literally) slack jawed in awe and wonderment. During the film's end credits, their unsolicited comments were as follows: TEEN #1: That's the best movie I'll see this year. There's no way it won't be.