A number of things went a little 'retrograde' from TWOK onwards. The pants and boots on the Monster Maroons are a clear throwback to the TOS uniforms, and as you say things like the phasers and the replacement communicator props were also redesigned to look more like updated versions of the ones in TOS, rather than the different designs envisioned for TMP.
That was a writing problem. Giving them armor isn't going to change the fact they're expendable.
I was looking at pics of the different uniform variants this morning and came across one that was worse than Decker's Willie. It was a promo pic of Kirk and Spock, with Nimoy in the jumpsuit. If you've seen it, you know. If not, it's better left alone.
Seriously, there were too many costume changes. Too many variants. They could have done away with the jumpsuit in favor of the separate tunic and trousers and no one would have noticed. Or even cared.
And for crying out loud, underwear!
I was looking at pics of the different uniform variants this morning and came across one that was worse than Decker's Willie. It was a promo pic of Kirk and Spock, with Nimoy in the jumpsuit. If you've seen it, you know. If not, it's better left alone.
Seriously, there were too many costume changes. Too many variants. They could have done away with the jumpsuit in favor of the separate tunic and trousers and no one would have noticed. Or even cared.
And for crying out loud, underwear!
In the sexually liberated Star Trek future, humans have evolved beyond the point where they feel embarrassed by their lack of undergarments. In fact, I bet Kirk and crew would feel perfectly comfortable walking around the ship naked.
I can almost see Picard now, gearing up for one of his famous speeches justifying this to Q, as a reason why humanity has shown rapid progress over the centuries, or something.
^ Yes indeed.
I like the guy on the walkie talkie behind him: "Dude, I'm not even joking, he's walking around without his shirt on AGAIN."
In all seriousness, obviously the uniforms exist for purposes of maintaining discipline and establishing rank and such, but I think the modern societal taboos associated with Nakedness (or, indeed, almost-nakedness, like the "I've got nothing to hide!" TMP uniforms) would not exist in Star Trek's future. People on the Enterprise don't notice the Decker-unit, or Ilia's cameltoe, or Lieutenant Uhura's frequent panty flashes in TOS, or whatever else.
^ Yes indeed.
I like the guy on the walkie talkie behind him: "Dude, I'm not even joking, he's walking around without his shirt on AGAIN."
In all seriousness, obviously the uniforms exist for purposes of maintaining discipline and establishing rank and such, but I think the modern societal taboos associated with Nakedness (or, indeed, almost-nakedness, like the "I've got nothing to hide!" TMP uniforms) would not exist in Star Trek's future. People on the Enterprise just don't notice the Decker-unit, or Ilia's cameltoe, or Lieutenant Uhura's frequent panty flashes in TOS, or whatever else. They aren't hung up on such things.
