10 Questions From The ‘Star Trek 2′ Trailers

 

Star Trek Into Darkness Questions

In the last two weeks, Paramount has released a one-minute announcement video, a nine-minute IMAX preview and a full trailer for the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness. Even with all of this footage, the film’s story and primary antagonist remain shrouded in mystery. Such is the way of J.J. Abrams projects. From the two online teasers released thus far, we’ve compiled 10 questions worth pondering from some interesting stills we’ve pulled from the video, some of which were carefully edited out of order.

The Hand Mystery

In this scene reminiscent of the iconic Kirk-Spock moment at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Spock offers a “live long and prosper” gesture to an unconfirmed second party.Is this scene going to have similar results? Is that Kirk or John Harrison‘s hand on the opposite side of the glass from Spock? Is this foreshadowing a sacrifice on the part of one of these characters as hinted at in the official Star Trek Into Darknesssynopsis?

The Starfleet Funeral

Who is the Starfleet funeral for and is this scene taking place before or after the all-out attack on Earth? Does Kirk lose his mom, making the crew of the Enterprise his only “family” left? Is Admiral Pike, a narrator of the teaser trailer, the focus of this service?

The Life Pods

Intentionally included as a quick shot after the funeral sequence in the trailer, this still features what appears to be life pods and not caskets, as evidenced by the frosted viewing glass – Oddly reminiscent of the SS Botany Bay where Khan and his group of genetically-enhanced Humans (Augments) lay cryogenically frozen in the main Star Trek timeline.Are these Augments and another hint at Khan, or something entirely different? Perhaps people sick of an ailment similar to that of the little girl in the IMAX prologue?

The Submarine

In the Star Trek Into Darkness announcement video, there are two separate shots involving a Starfleet vessel and water. One with a ship emerging from the water with warp nacelles entirely different than that of the Enterprise, and another with an Enterprise-shaped ship crashing into the water.What’s going on in the water (from the IMAX prologue) and what ship is this depicted on the bottom half of the image? Is it a re-designed Enterprise?

The Red Shirt

Pavel Chekov (Anton Yelchin) – who didn’t appear in the announcement video – is shown in the full trailer sporting a different uniform color. Has his position on the Enterprise changed? Is he now doomed as an infamous “red shirt”? Maybe it means nothing since others – including Uhura and Scotty – sport red uniforms as well.Will Chekov say “Nuclear Wessels“?

John Harrison in the Brig

Benedict Cumberbatch is playing a character named John Harrison as confirmed by Paramount Pictures and (secret) footage screened for the media, but it’s widely believed to be an alias to cover a secret identity. Who is John Harrison, what are his motivations, and why is he in the brig?Being imprisoned intentionally is all the rage these days – just ask Javier Bardem and Tom Hiddleston about their characters Silva and Loki in Skyfall and The Avengers, respectively (we’ll skip the Dark Knight reference… this time).

The Klingons

Klingons play an important part in Star Trek Into Darknessand we’ve already seen a brief glimpse of their homeworld Qo’noS in the teasers. Why does the crew of the Enterprise and the character of John Harrison go there and what is their part in the overall narrative? Is that a Klingon ship in this image?

Enterprise Battle Damage

In a very brief shot in the full Star Trek 2 teaser trailer, the Enterprise is clearly depicted with significant battle damage across the top of its saucer section and along the bottom of it, including the deflector array which is shown here on the left, offline and not functional.What confrontation and enemy caused this? Does the Enterprise survive its journey Into Darkness? Could this explain a potential redesign from the water sequence if that is in fact, the Enterprise?

Spock & Uhura

While Dr. Carol Marcus and Captain Kirk may not share romance in Star Trek Into Darkness, the unlikely relationship between Spock and Uhura continues and will be put to the test. Said J.J. Abrams to USA Today:“This movie tests a number of relationships. And one of them is theirs. What is it to date a Vulcan? He may be reliable, loyal, honest, logical and smart. But he also, to a fault, follows rules. Does that get in the way of love?”

The Sick Child

The Star Trek 2 IMAX prologue attached to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey this weekend opens with a scene on Earth with two new characters, a couple (played by Noel Clarke and Nazneen Contractor) going to the hospital to visit their sick child. Clarke, emotional, goes outside and is confronted by John Harrison (Cumberbatch) who says he can help save her.How and what does Harrison want in exchange? What is Clarke’s character doing in this brief shot where he places a ring in a cup? Must he sacrifice himself and do something to aid Cumberbatch to save his daughter?“Is there anything you would not do for your family” is one of the themes of the film.

 

(Preview made by Rob Keyes for screentrant.com)