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by R.J. Carter Published: December 4, 2002
Reviewing a book several days before the release of the movie it adapts is a difficult task. In fact, without spoiling the plot, it's damned near impossible. So let that serve as your official warning--Here Be Spoilers! Proceed at your own risk.The introduction is by John (Gladiator, Any Given Sunday) Logan. It provides some interesting bits of trivia regarding Star Trek history how Logan got involved, why he chose for the major enemy in this motion picture to be the Remans, the inhabitants of Romulus' twin, and what it was like developing the script in conjunction with Rick Berman and Brent Spiner (as well as some dialogue ideas from Patrick Stewart.) The back of the book is by Michael Klastorin, Production Publicist for the motion picture. It's jam-packed with behind-the-scenes commentary and pictures from the production set. Sandwiched between the two is J. M. Dillard's novelization--and that's the part you really want to know about, right? The story begins at the wedding of two of the Enterprise crew (how's that for an attempt to dodge a spoiler?) It's a time of mixed joy and melancholy, as Captain Picard realizes he's about to lose two of his valuable bridge members. Possibly a third, as there's been a command offered to someone else he's worked with closely over the last several years. But the trip to the honeymoon is interrupted when Picard receives a priority message from Admiral Kathryn Janeway. There's been a coup d'etat on Romulus, and the Romulans are asking to open diplomatic relations with the Federation. Naturally, the Enterprise is the closest ship to the Neutral Zone. Toss into the mix the discovery of the remains of a positronic android on a remote desert world that looks exactly like Data. The android, B-4, gives reason for Geordi and Data to discuss what it means to be an individual, and whether that individuality is lost when suddenly there's a copy of yourself. The same question is pondered by Picard when he encounters the new praetor of Romulus: a human, Shinzon. He's young, bald, has a stentorian commanding voice, and had a nasty bout with Shalaft's syndrome, something Picard himself went through when he was young. And that's probably too many hints about Shinzon for safety's sake. Except that he develops a curious attraction to Counsellor Troi. And that he was raised by the vampire-like Remans, who live on the dark side of the planet and have been the slaves of the Romulans for years. Space battles, land vehicle chases (yes, in Star Trek!), people marrying, people leaving... and there is death. No, not one of those meaningless red-shirt deaths. This is a big death. This is the end of a beloved character who has been a part of Picard's crew since "Farpoint Station" first aired. Of course, this is Star Trek, the universe where such stalwarts as James Kirk and Montgomery Scott have found ways to cheat the grim reaper well beyond reasonable expectations. After having read Dillard's version of the story, I can't wait to get to the theaters and see the movie version. But I'll need a few days to catch my breath... this adventure has very few calm moments in it once the action takes off. So strap yourself in, set course for your favorite reading spot, open the cover and... engage. Want to read a review of the film? Check out Jim Pappas's review of Star Trek: Nemesis here at The Trades! |
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