"The Tressaurian Intersection"
Starship Exeter
reviewed by Fred Dixon

The second installment of Starship Exeter, “The Tressaurian Intersection,” is a much more ambitious project than the first. Where Jimm and Josh Johnson handled most of the production chores of “The Savage Empire,” their efforts attracted professionals to their second show such as Dennis Russell Bailey (TNG writer of “Tin Man” and “First Contact” episodes), director Scott Cummins and actors Elizabeth Wheat (Ensign Richards) and Joe Azzato (Dr. Azato). The principal photography took place on a sound stage in Austin. Elaborate sets were constructed, most notably the bridge. Digital effects created by Dennis Bailey were on a par with CBS digital.

In addition to the professional actors, the regulars return in this episode--Jimm Johnson as Captain Quince Garrovick, Josh Johnson as B’Fuselek, Holly Guess as the first officer Jo Harris, and Michael Buford as security chief Cutty. The acting is above par and smoother than in “The Savage Empire” from everyone, but Buford stands out in his role and brings a natural ease to his portrayal.

As of the writing of this review "The Tressaurian Intersection" is only 75% complete; the 4th and final act is not done. It most likely will be done by next year (2009). As I previously noted, Exeter Studios takes its time producing Starship Exeter episodes. The first episode, "The Savage Empire," took seven years and now "The Tressaurian Intersection," has passed the four year mark. Major additional filming was required in 2006 to complete the third act. A rough cut of Act IV has been done, but apparently no release is imminent by the end of 2008.

The story finds the U.S.S. Exeter on the way to rendezvous with the starship Kongo. Mysteriously, they cannot contact their sister starship or the local starbase on Corinth IV. On approach to the starbase, the Exeter crew finds that the planet has been ravaged and a landing party discovers the crash site of the Kongo’s saucer section. Captain Garrovick leads the ship to the drive section of the Kongo, which is in a nearby star system. Once aboard, they find an alien device causing spatial distortions. They also find the body of the ship’s captain alongside those of an enemy species, the Tressaurians. Garrovick has a bad history with the Gorn-like Tressaurians and is inclined to take aggressive action first. The Tressaurians return for the alien device. The Exeter destroys one of their ships, but is losing against the rest. The Tholians unexpectedly appear and easily destroy the Tressaurians. Thinking the device was destroyed along with the Tressaurians, they withdraw with no interest in engaging the Federation. Garrovick and company realize the danger of the device and pursue the Tholians at a distance in an attempt to discover what they are up to. This is the story so far.

"The Tressaurian Intersection" is a noticeable upgrade to "The Savage Empire." The first impression that one gets is that you are watching an actual episode of the original series. The sets, the props, sound effects and wardrobe are replicated down to the finest detail. An original soundtrack was produced with overtones of the original themes. Indeed the Exeter main theme is an adaption of some TOS background music (most notably used in the party scene on the planet surface of Rigel XII in "Mudd’s Women"). There is a graphic on one of the bridge monitors of Corinth IV in the same style as the one of planet Exo III in "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" Corinth IV itself is a small reference made to a starbase cited in "The Man Trap." The defense station is used by Commander Cutty to great effect. The insignia of the Kongo is shaped like a congo drum. The filming was digital and images are much cleaner than the video of "The Savage Empire." The miniature work of the Kongo engineering section was very realistic. Exeter Studios has captured the look and the feel of the original. The story is not derivative of the original show.

One could quibble with various aspects of this production, but the major criticism in my opinion is the slow pace of the release of this episode. Exeter Studios could have struck when the iron was hot after Star Trek: Enterprise ended its four year run. Too bad they were not in a position to do this. Independent fan productions do not have unlimited resources. Volunteers donating time find it where they can. At any rate, let’s hope they can conclude "The Tressaurian Intersection" soon and perhaps put out another episode or two.

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