popular thinking

SCI-FI CROSSROADS: The two titans of Hollywood science-fiction - Star Wars and Star Trek - are leaving us.
Well, sort of.
George Lucas will reconfigure his six Star Wars movies in 3-D, plus helm two TV series (one animated, one live-action) set after Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (opening Thursday).
Star Trek reached the final frontier Friday with the finale of Star Trek: Enterprise - unless Paramount decides, as rumored, to pursue another film (or series) with a new cast and crew.
So what should the devotees make of this crossroads?
Will they boldly go wherever Trek leads them? Will the Force stay with them in perpetuity?
"I'm a little sad about it,'' said Howard Cronson. "I grew up with both of these franchises.''
Cronson, 41, even served as president of a Boston-based Star Trek fan association known as the USS Christa McAuliffe. He, like many fans, believes the franchises are never-ending.
"I think as long as there are people who watch these things and get excited about them, there'll be new 'Star Trek' and 'Star Wars' things, whether it's novels or more films,'' he said.
Certainly, Star Wars fans know Lucas cannot stop tinkering with his galaxy from far, far away.
Even Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) understands that, telling the Associated Press this month: "It just goes on and on and on and on. I mean, it's going to be in 3-D, then it's going to be smellivision, then it's going to be a ride in an amusement park, then they'll come to your house and perform it with puppets on your lawn.''

Read the rest of my story: Sci-fi's black hole: Fans ponder life after `Star Wars,' `St...