"The Solomon Gamble" -- a Star Trek fan production

The Deimos is forced to mediate a conflict between a Klingon bird-of-prey and a Federation Merchant Ship. Can Captain Gabriel keep the peace? And will the Klingons let her?
Starring Victoria Avalon as Captain Gabriel, Jim Brucke as Executive Officer Klawitter, Ann Elliott Drew as Comm Officer Sullis, Lee Drew as Security Chief Drogo, Dana Elise as Engineer McPherson, Kyle Paul as Doctor Burke, Robin Rushing as Science Officer Robinson, Cheryl Sahawneh as Helmsman Katar, Lewis Stockham as Tactical Officer Bevin, and Sarah Tompkins as Navigator Anaya. Guest starring Larry Fleming as Captain Le'Kat, and Ichabod Temperance as Captain Hoffman.
Written by Charles Rogers. Directed by Lee Drew. Edited by Randall Landers. VFX by Ross Trowbridge. Music by Chris Kroznuski. Assistant Producer: Lee Drew. Associate Producer & Webmaster: Michael Day. Producer: David A. MacKenzie. Co-Producer: Tuck Stevens. Co-Executive Producer: Rick Foxx. Executive Producer: Randall Landers.
From the Starship Deimos Creative Group
Presented by Potemkin Pictures

[@DelcoRanz93]

Captain Gabriel is really showing the makings of being one of the greatest Captains in Starfleet.

[@wcsearcy]

It was great to see Larry in Klingon mode again. He's such a nice guy in real life.

[@Potemkin1711]

Indeed he is!

[@kellyrayburn4093]

And this is why command of any vessel of the line be it a starship or wet navy is not for the faint of heart. It is sometimes making hard decisions that can and sometimes does result in loss of life. But she showed she is capable of making those decisions. She played those captains like a master violinist. Thanks so much for sharing. This was really outstanding work.

[@Lyraa357]

The Captain handled this very well based on information available. The Klingon officer was a canny soul, not at all arrogant and aggressive as Klingons usually appear to be. Reminded me of an ST book from years ago: The Final Reflection by John M. Ford. I would consider this Captain was a Thought Admiral. Although no longer canon I still love the world and culture built in Mr. Ford's tale. I like Captain Gabriel, maintains an air of serenity but won't be pushed into rash behavior even under duress. I have missed out of many years of movie making, so lock down is giving me the opportunity to binge. I must state out of everything I have seen so far, Potemkin 1711 has the most thought provoking episodes and maintains Mr. Roddenberry's vision the best. Thank you again!

[@Potemkin1711]

thank you so much! We try to keep Star Trek in our Star Trek fan films!

[@thomasdillon7761]

I'm an old school Trekker since TOS 1966. I must confess I found this quite entertaining. Keep on Trekking.

[@JoeCannon1]

Great moral ambiguity to this story. I’m really impressed at how quickly you all can make these quality vignettes so regularly 🙂🖖

[@Potemkin1711]

It's all about the stories (Charles Rogers did a terrific job with this one), the cast (all the actors had speaking parts, well delivered and very believable), and the crew (VFX, Makeup, Wardrobe, Sets, Sound, all these things add to the production).

[@tonyperone3242]

They don't have cBS to screw them up.

[@williammitchell4417]

This reminds me of the TNG episode about Captain Maxwell and the Cardassians smuggling arms.

[@JoeCannon1]

@@williammitchell4417 Great analogy yes!

[@CDNBVR1]

Even though it was very short, it was a good one. Keep up the great work.

[@habituallearner7680]

Great episode! I'm really enjoying this series. I especially enjoyed the moral ambiguity, specifically in that the arms dealer was supplying weapons for the populace to defend themselves. I got the impression that he had a history with the Klingons and that he truly was scared because he'd witnessed violence against these colonists. The Federation had not helped these folks, so they had a legitimate need to defend themselves. No, the episode didn't spell this out, and I'm not saying the guy was a saint, but the thing about good writing and acting is that it shows you both sides of the situation. Victoria Avalon, as usual, turned in a compelling performance, and her doubts only make her seem more real and a better captain. The Solomon Gamble really succeeded in creating a gripping story with multidimensional characters.

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Deimos - terror. Interesting name for a Starship. Good episode. Gabriel did the right thing despite her XOs prejudice against Klingons.

[@Potemkin1711]

Glad you enjoyed it! The starship is a Phobos class torpedo cruiser. Deimos does mean terror, and it's also the sister moon of Phobos, both of which orbit Mars.

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Yes, I know. Glad that you continue to use references to our literature.

[@drmayeda1930]

Her XO is a very rare individual. He had a reputation with the Klingons as a ship's captain, but dropped to first officer. Interesting jump from chief engineer to captain.

[@andrewmilner3480]

I totally agree with mr.Bishop -- another cracking episode-- keep em coming!!

[@markbishop9743]

My day has just been enhanced now that Captain Gabriel is back in command all is right with the world. Another fine episode well written produced and of course performed by the entire crew

[@Potemkin1711]

I hope you viewed the after-credit special shot!

[@markbishop9743]

Yes just finished it. Well done again

[@Potemkin1711]

@@markbishop9743 Thank you! We keep trying!

[@Matthew_Raymond]

Mr. Bevin: “That’s all folks!” Spider-man: “Can he say that? You know, legally?”

[@Potemkin1711]

He appears to have done so. ;)

[@drmayeda1930]

@@Potemkin1711 If not Warner Brothers will be in touch, they would have the rights for Looney tunes. A tellarite is nothing like a pig. That was a full screen shot and he wasn't stuttering. It might not be enough for a copyright clain.

[@erikhawkke4861]

This was pretty well done, I appreciated the making the best of the set work.

[@anonymousperson3153]

To quote a great man, trust, but verify.

[@Raggedymannn]

A super production, loved Tellarite snout, thank you for allowing me to contribute a great find, thank you actors who have done the part, thank you all for a great performance here and those behind the view of us viewers, music and much more, you all are super

[@Potemkin1711]

Plus we used one of your donations to pay for the pig socks! Thanks for supporting our productions!

[@Raggedymannn]

My pleasure

[@ankoutechnica8211]

Excellent work, as usual, Potemkin1711!

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

I was reminded of Solomon when Gabriel made her offer - and then you echoed my thoughts! :-) Great episode

[@Potemkin1711]

Thanks! It was a great script, and the cast and crew did a wonderful job with it. Special thanks to Ross Trowbridge for his terrific VFX work!

[@terryrose4804]

Very well done! The music is really outstanding! Larry is so cool!

[@Potemkin1711]

Glad you liked it!

[@markbishop9743]

Looks like the CGI and the sets have been enhanced as well

[@Potemkin1711]

@@markbishop9743 We made some changes to the lighting, and it makes the bridge pop more. I'm hoping for more once we finish our new sets here in Lexington.

[@markbishop9743]

Looking forward to it

[@StarshipValiant]

We just happened to catch this one. Excellent story and more than that, it shows that obvious enemies can sometime be the innocent. Sometimes captains have to make the big decisions even if the outcome isn't what they wanted. Thanks for this all involved. BTW, I love the starfield pattern. So TOS.

[@randylanders3741]

Thank you! This was a fun shoot with a really good story.

[@Potemkin1711]

Thanks, guys!

[@Shortsircut1]

Great job everyone!

[@conmangamer]

i love your video :) i a fan of your show

[@barbreader]

I loved this!

[@Potemkin1711]

I'm glad to hear that, Barbara!

[@frankmeiser8287]

Good video keep them coming!

[@ChongcharoenSornkaewPok]

A clever one!

[@knoodelhed]

I'd submit that the weapons were illegal because they were unsafe. Hardware carried by a "legitimate" force can tolerate some abuse; a shot to the engines is well known to us as a "less lethal" tactic. Hoffman played stupid games with a short deck and won a stupid prize.

[@Potemkin1711]

Pretty much, yes. And he was well played by actor Ichabod Temperance as well. :)

[@henrytjernlund]

Good work. If you are open to some feedback I can make suggestions.

[@Potemkin1711]

We're always interested in feedback, but would prefer it to be sent to us at [e-mail]. Thanks

[@henrytjernlund]

@@Potemkin1711 Email sent. Please let me know when you get it. Thanks.

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

*******Spoilers******** I suspected that the merchant ship captain was the guilty party when he acted so illogically and aggressively. Are all Captains of merchants ship always so overwrought?😂

[@Potemkin1711]

I'd be overwrought too if I had a Klingon ship on my tail. :)

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

😂 😂😂😂

[@drmayeda1930]

His cargo might have had items Starfleet shouldn't know about like forbidden weapons and technology.

[@StarSong936]

Lot gonna lie, I have made the wrong choice, more than once. Just for today, I hope I have made the right choice.

[@StarSong936]

Wish us (my roommate and I) luck next week. I would not like to have someone coming after me with a vendetta. I've had enough of that already.

[@deborahcapuano1223]

What Trek era is this set in? The uniforms don't seem familiar. The bridge design looks somewhat TOS, but not exactly...

[@Potemkin1711]

The timeline is around 2300, 64 years before TNG, 36 years after TOS, 16 years after TWOK.

[@deborahcapuano1223]

@@Potemkin1711 thanks :)

[@MrPhife333]

Why's the "Doctor" only 12 years old and wearing a green t-shirt?

[@Potemkin1711]

Actually, the actor is 22. And green is the color of medical since Wrath of Khan . images.app.goo.gl/kVyzy94zMsGeJLNt7