I realize you're all into this "curse" thing, but the red shirt thing doesn't really apply. In Star Trek, shirt color indicated where they worked. Red was security, gold was command and blue was science (in TOS anyway...TNG reversed that for morale purposes). Considering that the concept is explorers, the security force is more likely to be killed than the science officers.
The mortality of security officers (redshirts) is certainly a running joke, but it's not the same as, say, the odd numbered trek film "curse" or anything involving Summer Glau (though Tim Minear would be more appropriate, as that Summer's been in a lot more shows that have had a second season than Tim has been involved in).
On a related note, have you checked out tvtropes.org? Seems like it'd be right up your alley
