Who is this show made for? I'm a lifelong Star Trek fan, growing up with TNG and learning to love TOS, TAS, DS9, and ENT (while knowing VOY is a thing people enjoy). I'm a Star Trek convention goer, and I have the joy of passing on the best of Star Trek to my children. But Star Trek: Discovery is different. Spock claims, "I love science," and Tilly yells, "Hooray for science!" all while focusing more on fantasy. This might be the most Star Wars version of Star Trek yet.
Season 1 was a train wreck. As a fan, I felt like I had to watch it, but it was a disaster. The new Klingons, the mirror universe, Michael Burnham earning a spot on a new ship after an insurrection, the mushroom drive, and Dr. Culbert (the other characters seemed to rise to the cinematography, but he never quite did).
Season 2 started off with a bang, producing 6 standout episodes. But the other 6 episodes are horrible! Get rid of Section 31, and return to Roddenberry's vision where everyone in the future gets along. The Stranger Things episode that was "Saints of Imperfection" had nothing new to offer. A red angel (who happens to be related to Burnham, because every event is) who is time traveling to stop Control. But where was the red angel last season when Burnham almost died several times? And Dr. Culbert is back, and he's now the focus of every scene he is in?! Is there a way to have Jonathan Frakes direct every episode? He *gets* Star Trek.
So now we enter "Through The Valley Of Shadows", yet another reference to the Bible (Psalm 23). Michael Burnham is at the center of another episode with a great supporting cast that just stands there to be talked down to by the insurrectionist. Control is reanimating corpses (huh?!) that are lost in space. The Klingons possess a time crystal (huh?!) that brings together past, present, and future. We've now earned the Episode 4/10.
But what about Captain Pike? He has to face his demons, resolutely going forward for the good of the Federation when it means immense personal loss to himself. Pike is certainly a fusion between Kirk and Picard, and he is lovely. He steals every scene with his presence, but he is shot down nearly every time by Burnham. If Star Trek: Discovery wants a do-over, they should turn this show into an ensemble cast with Pike at the center.
We all want Star Trek. There are other shows on TV that are good sci fi, and some that are good Star Trek. But this is neither. Focus on some plot devices instead of always being focused on what new social redefinition Star Trek might be at the center of. Please make good TV again, or this will be the end of Star Trek. And please make it free, as Star Trek has been for nearly 53 years.
Season 1 was a train wreck. As a fan, I felt like I had to watch it, but it was a disaster. The new Klingons, the mirror universe, Michael Burnham earning a spot on a new ship after an insurrection, the mushroom drive, and Dr. Culbert (the other characters seemed to rise to the cinematography, but he never quite did).
Season 2 started off with a bang, producing 6 standout episodes. But the other 6 episodes are horrible! Get rid of Section 31, and return to Roddenberry's vision where everyone in the future gets along. The Stranger Things episode that was "Saints of Imperfection" had nothing new to offer. A red angel (who happens to be related to Burnham, because every event is) who is time traveling to stop Control. But where was the red angel last season when Burnham almost died several times? And Dr. Culbert is back, and he's now the focus of every scene he is in?! Is there a way to have Jonathan Frakes direct every episode? He *gets* Star Trek.
So now we enter "Through The Valley Of Shadows", yet another reference to the Bible (Psalm 23). Michael Burnham is at the center of another episode with a great supporting cast that just stands there to be talked down to by the insurrectionist. Control is reanimating corpses (huh?!) that are lost in space. The Klingons possess a time crystal (huh?!) that brings together past, present, and future. We've now earned the Episode 4/10.
But what about Captain Pike? He has to face his demons, resolutely going forward for the good of the Federation when it means immense personal loss to himself. Pike is certainly a fusion between Kirk and Picard, and he is lovely. He steals every scene with his presence, but he is shot down nearly every time by Burnham. If Star Trek: Discovery wants a do-over, they should turn this show into an ensemble cast with Pike at the center.
We all want Star Trek. There are other shows on TV that are good sci fi, and some that are good Star Trek. But this is neither. Focus on some plot devices instead of always being focused on what new social redefinition Star Trek might be at the center of. Please make good TV again, or this will be the end of Star Trek. And please make it free, as Star Trek has been for nearly 53 years.