Why is not one talking about discovery
Good thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/759sa4/its_not_darker_its_just_serialized/
its serialized so some people are going to wait to binge watch it, If you aren't using internet methods to watch it you would have to subscribe to that cbs subscription service to see it, etc. People will eventually watch it. It's Trek.
While its still very early in the season, my overall impressions are still quite strong. I enjoy it. The serial nature of it is also a big draw. We discussed this earlier and while I love the episodic nature of the old shows, a serial show is just the modern way to tell a story for modern audience. Its more engaging from a week to week perspective to see how things progress.
As far as the positives, the lead character for me has been the strongest positive from day 1. Some people like Burnham. Some people don't like Burnham. I'm firmly on the side of really liking the character from jump. She is a flawed character but a character that wants to do the right thing, is alienated from the crew, and is still finding herself. That's what your protagonist should be. They shouldn't be a finished product of awesomeness. They should grow and burnham gives room to grow and show conflict. The actress is doing a great job with the role imo, and its good for Trek that the main character isn't just the captain of the ship. I always thought Voyager blew what should have been a very interesting character in Tom Paris that was presented in the pilot, by immediately shaving off any conflict and just magically making everybody on voyager get along.
I also like the tone of this Trek. It does feel darker. It does feel more dangerous. And I appreciate that. The show just doesn't feel like a re-tread of that era of TNG/Deep Space/Voyager, etc. It feels like its own thing. With its own sensibilities. While I still want it to incorporate some more specific aspects of the old school trek, I've realized that I didn't want just another version of those old school shows. The Orville is fine and its an unabashed and unapologetic homage to TNG, but I would have been disappointed if this show had taken a similar route.
The show despite being in a long line of trek shows currently feels fresh and exciting and that's a very good thing for Trek. I stopped watching Trek on TV in the bad old days because it no longer felt fresh and it was no longer exciting.
As far as things I don't like or am questionable about....
I'm not sure about spending so much time on the Klingon side of the story. Not because the acting has been bad or anything. But mainly just because I'm not sure this show has the bandwidth to tell a Trek tale and also the tale of the enemy and do them both justice. Not saying it can't happen or that the goal isn't noble. I'm just wondering if by the end, the klingon story will feel fulfilling in the same way the federation story will most likely.
My other critique is one of my original ones. In such a strong serialized nature show, will they be able to create compelling side or one off content that the old trek was known for. With an impending timeline of destruction, its hard to spend the time and go off and do interesting side stuff. Everything is going to press into conflict with the Klingons. And maybe that will be the strong focus on this season. But at some point, I want there to be some down time, so they can do different kind of stories that aren't centered solely around conflict with the klingons.
That's pretty much my opinion of the show so far. i personally don't care about things like redesign of klingons, or whether the show is committing enough to trek bible lore, or time period setting. My focus is mainly on whether the show "hooks" me or not. So far its hooking me. Hopefully that continues.
As I've said in the past I'm pretty happy with discovery and the orville for that matter. After a drought of Trek and those awful trek movies (my opinion), I have two shows that scratch that itch. I need to start watching the expanse. Lots of people seem to have good things to say about that show.