Idea #1 - setting

Casual Trek fans may not know this, but as we true disciples of Trekdom can tell you, there are multiple eras and locations where Trek has taken place. The Kirk/Spock stories are set in the 23rd century, Next Gen and DS9 are in the 24th century Alpha Quadrant (mostly) and Voyager was in the 24th century, but in the Delta Quadrant (mostly). That's without getting to the prequel Enterprise series, which was set in the 22nd century, and the currently-being-made J.J. Abrams films, which are set in the 23rd century, but in an alternate reality, allowing Kirk and Spock's lives to unfold differently from what we saw in the 60's tv show. So with all those options, when and where should a proposed Trek series take place?

The answer, is of course, none of the above. We should break new ground. The 23rd century is well covered, the 24th century even more so. And we should give wide berth to the 23rd era Abrams Trek, which is ongoing. The 22nd century has some wiggle room, but I think it's limiting to go backwards.

Thusly (definitely a word), I propose that the next Trek series take place in the early 25th century. It's far enough that we get a clean break and don't have to follow up on plotlines from TNG/DS9/VOY, but not so far as to make the future unrecognizable. We can keep the same societies, but see how they've changed. We can use new characters, but occasionally see what older ones are up to. Hint: Picard is definitely head of the Federation Diplomatic Corps.