{original post unavailable}

Yes, we'll definitely get back into the Earth side of things;
we just go in cycles story-wise.

jms

(blocked) asks:
> Second, has there been much shown in the economics of the
> universe you've created? I've seen postings concerning the
> relative military and technological strength of the major races
> -- has there been any similar comparisons of economic influence?
> Is it something you consider part of the backstory when writing
> episodes or is the amazingly complex factors you already juggle
> quite enough?

There's been some on economics, not nearly enough, though.

jms

{original post unavailable}

Thanks. It's primarily an effort to integrate the real world
into the series. So much of SF on television tends to take place in a
vacuum. The leader of the Federation is always the leader of the
Federation, we rarely hear about squabbling, elections, economic
problems, dissident groups breaking away...and when we do it's usually
a misunderstanding or basically good people with a different agenda
that can be quickly resolved.

I think that integrating all of those elements lends an
atmosphere of verisimilitude to the story, making it all the more
*real*.

jms

{original post unavailable}

Yeah, five seasons would be 110 episodes.

Thanks re: the producer part. This is probably the one area I
get asked about the least, and the hardest part of the job. You have
to make sure each and every element intersects correctly with every
other element, and that takes some juggling.

jms