Star Trek: Discovery

SPOLIERS:

I had mixed feelings watching first two episodes. I too dislike the Klingon changes and the reptilian-ish makeover. I am glad Michelle Yeoh will not be captain, because she just didn't seem like captain material. Looking forward to Jason Isaacs roll. Watching the first episode, I thought first officer Burnham was quality ST Captain material. Not only was her character strong and leading, but her mannerisms and articulation seem more star trekish than any other character. I think her as captain and Jason as first officer would have worked well.

I haven't yet warmed up to Saru. His character seems a bit weak and uninteresting. He reminds me of C3PO, always nervous and uptight. The other characters will grow on me I believe, and with the show. I like the set and how it is more dark than light. I like the way they slip in some retro ST sound effects into the mix. I almost hate to say it, but I think they need another attractive female character. I suspect there may be some personnel changes for second season, kind of like STNG.

The special effects were nice. The intro was kind of a letdown, but I understood what they were going for, a more humanistic layer. Overall I feel they have what it takes to become a success. Maybe just do some character replacement/additions.

I hope someday someone will tackle a new ST series that takes place centuries after STNG time frame.

a reply to: nonspecific

I enjoyed Enterprise. The one I didn't like was DS9. I just couldn't get into it. No idea why though.

I noticed in the trailer that they looked on the younger side, but if you watch the recent films, they all seem pretty young too. Or it could just be we're getting older

a reply to: waftist

Thanks for putting the "spoilers" tag on your post

I'll reply once I've watched it and read your post.

originally posted by: TerryDon79
a reply to: nonspecific

I enjoyed Enterprise. The one I didn't like was DS9. I just couldn't get into it. No idea why though.

I noticed in the trailer that they looked on the younger side, but if you watch the recent films, they all seem pretty young too. Or it could just be we're getting older

I find most of the startreks are terrible to start out with and DS9 in particuar. Give it another go and force your way through the first half of S1.

I also liked Enterprise, it was different and refreshing to see them take us back in a time before the "Federation", just to see what it was like.

I know a lot of hard core fans were unhappy with it because it wasn't the same as TNG, DS9 and Voyager, and hard core fans tend to be very unflexable and demanding.

The Stargate universe is a great example of that. SGU was much darker and different and the hard core fans screamed so loud about it, bam, the show was gone. But, that bit them in the rear end too. No more Stargate at all.

I think fans should have some input, but I think they also need to realize that you have to be tolerant, else you can really hurt the franchise. I didn't really care for DS9 that much, but I also knew that there were people who loved it, so I was happy for them, knowing that eventually another ST show would come along that I would like, and sure enough, Voyager came out.

So yah, hard core fans need to learn how to share and not get greedy and demanding everything be their way.

a reply to: eriktheawful

Don't get me started on SGU! Ending it where they did? I want, no, I NEED another series.

originally posted by: nonspecific

originally posted by: TerryDon79
a reply to: nonspecific

I enjoyed Enterprise. The one I didn't like was DS9. I just couldn't get into it. No idea why though.

I noticed in the trailer that they looked on the younger side, but if you watch the recent films, they all seem pretty young too. Or it could just be we're getting older

I find most of the startreks are terrible to start out with and DS9 in particuar. Give it another go and force your way through the first half of S1.

I think I will, as it's the only Star Trek series or film I haven't watched in full. It's just getting the motivation to start watch it again.

originally posted by: eriktheawful
I also liked Enterprise, it was different and refreshing to see them take us back in a time before the "Federation", just to see what it was like.

I know a lot of hard core fans were unhappy with it because it wasn't the same as TNG, DS9 and Voyager, and hard core fans tend to be very unflexable and demanding.

The Stargate universe is a great example of that. SGU was much darker and different and the hard core fans screamed so loud about it, bam, the show was gone. But, that bit them in the rear end too. No more Stargate at all.

I think fans should have some input, but I think they also need to realize that you have to be tolerant, else you can really hurt the franchise. I didn't really care for DS9 that much, but I also knew that there were people who loved it, so I was happy for them, knowing that eventually another ST show would come along that I would like, and sure enough, Voyager came out.

So yah, hard core fans need to learn how to share and not get greedy and demanding everything be their way.

I agree.

I class myself as a big star trek fan but cannot stand TOS, I have not even seen most the episodes.

I'm going to borrow Erik's format and give my take on Discovery here.

I missed the CBS broadcast last night, and therefore had to watch it elsewhere online.

Suffice it to say we're going to be paying for the All-Access subscription after next payday, Discovery alone is more than worth the $6. Right off the bat here, I'm going to give the show a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10.

I like Burnham. Some don't, some do, and many others are still trying to figure if she's a yay or nay character. To be honest, it remains to be seen with future episodes, but thus far, I do find her very intriguing as a Human, but raised with Vulcan ideals and expectations.
I think the inner conflict of trying to be both at once comes through well, the Vulcan logic and precision coupled with natural Human impulsiveness and uncertainty shines, and the arrogance of both kind of acting as the threads binding both cultures together in Burnham.
It's a pretty good overall allegory for what we (real life humans) want to be, versus who we are by nature. I can appreciate that, it's very relatable, and Martin-Green did a damn good job bringing it to life.

I wasn't going to let the make-up change regarding the Klingons impact my perception of the portrayal of the culture, so it didn't bother me that they're bald & more "hard alien" in appearance. I actually like it, it's a visual merge between TOS appearances, and TNG & subsequent series.
It was a gutsy choice, but if you can deal with TOS-era Kor and not be put off by him & the other human-like Klingons (retcon explanation or no retcon explanation) and still appreciate DS9-era Kor, as well as going from short-haired Klingons in TOS, to bald Klingons in the movies, long-haired Klingons in TNG & later -- and vice versa -- then this is an OK nod to those series predecessors to adapt to. That's just my personal take, though.

The one thing they remedied on Discovery that always bugged me was the lack of very different skin tones. It just did not seem feasible that an empire of warriors that apparently has a population large enough to absorb & replace their fallen without much detriment to the population size & empire stability** doesn't have enough genetic variation to provide....varying skin tones beyond brown.

**Although the Qo'noS population is around 3-4 billion, it's not as large as one would have expected for a warrior race. However, it's only Qo'noS, and doesn't include colony populations across the empire.

As Erik mentioned, whatever political BS people expected to immediately crap on was not there to do so. I'm sure story allegories will be in there at some point, but the major focus is on the Klingons and The Federation coming to a head.

And again, as Erik mentioned, the SFX are top-notch. I have zero complaints there, they did an excellent job on the SFX aesthetics.

If these first 2 episodes are any indication, the show is very high quality writing, acting & visuals, and has the strong potential to re-iginite many more years of additional series.

originally posted by: Nyiah
I'm going to borrow Erik's format and give my take on Discovery here.

I missed the CBS broadcast last night, and therefore had to watch it elsewhere online.

Suffice it to say we're going to be paying for the All-Access subscription after next payday, Discovery alone is more than worth the $6. Right off the bat here, I'm going to give the show a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10.

I like Burnham. Some don't, some do, and many others are still trying to figure if she's a yay or nay character. To be honest, it remains to be seen with future episodes, but thus far, I do find her very intriguing as a Human, but raised with Vulcan ideals and expectations.
I think the inner conflict of trying to be both at once comes through well, the Vulcan logic and precision coupled with natural Human impulsiveness and uncertainty shines, and the arrogance of both kind of acting as the threads binding both cultures together in Burnham.
It's a pretty good overall allegory for what we (real life humans) want to be, versus who we are by nature. I can appreciate that, it's very relatable, and Martin-Green did a damn good job bringing it to life.

I wasn't going to let the make-up change regarding the Klingons impact my perception of the portrayal of the culture, so it didn't bother me that they're bald & more "hard alien" in appearance. I actually like it, it's a visual merge between TOS appearances, and TNG & subsequent series.
It was a gutsy choice, but if you can deal with TOS-era Kor and not be put off by him & the other human-like Klingons (retcon explanation or no retcon explanation) and still appreciate DS9-era Kor, as well as going from short-haired Klingons in TOS, to bald Klingons in the movies, long-haired Klingons in TNG & later -- and vice versa -- then this is an OK nod to those series predecessors to adapt to. That's just my personal take, though.

The one thing they remedied on Discovery that always bugged me was the lack of very different skin tones. It just did not seem feasible that an empire of warriors that apparently has a population large enough to absorb & replace their fallen without much detriment to the population size & empire stability** doesn't have enough genetic variation to provide....varying skin tones beyond brown.

**Although the Qo'noS population is around 3-4 billion, it's not as large as one would have expected for a warrior race. However, it's only Qo'noS, and doesn't include colony populations across the empire.

As Erik mentioned, whatever political BS people expected to immediately crap on was not there to do so. I'm sure story allegories will be in there at some point, but the major focus is on the Klingons and The Federation coming to a head.

And again, as Erik mentioned, the SFX are top-notch. I have zero complaints there, they did an excellent job on the SFX aesthetics.

If these first 2 episodes are any indication, the show is very high quality writing, acting & visuals, and has the strong potential to re-iginite many more years of additional series.

It is interesting to me that the klingons are different colours and "races" as I was thinking the other week that it was a bit daft that other races were all pretty much the same size and colour whereas humans look pretty different just on the one planet we have now.

I think something else that comes into play for people is how they watch something.

Some people like to watch a movie or TV show, and then try to find parallels in the real world. Break what is happening in the show down and analyze it, and make real world comparisons.

For me however, that is certainly not my cup of tea. For me a movie, TV show or book is my way to escape the real world for a while. To immerse myself in that world and be entertained, with no thought to compare it to real world events. I simply want to enjoy the story and the people in it.

If a show tries too hard to make real world connections, or pushes things that we are constantly being bombarded with here in the real world, I loose interest in it very quickly. I have to face the real world most of the time. I want that movie, TV show or book to give me a way to escape for at least a little while.

Of course not everyone is the same and look at these things differently.

There was one thing regarding the Klingons' new appearance that I thought was familiar somehow, but could not for the life of me put my finger on all day. Then it hit me.

This iteration seems to have a slight resemblance to Remans. Not in a "Hey, now that's hinky" way, but in a "Huh, that kind of reminds me of..." way.

8.5 - 9 /10 for me.

Extra star for casting James Frain as Sarek! James Frain!

The first two episodes really aren't all that bad and aye the Klingons appear radically different but

SPOILER



I reckon it's because of their close proximity to the binary stars that may have unspooled their DNA a bit

a reply to: TrueBrit

if you have a problem with being taught lessons in morality by a science fiction show.

The problem is Star Trek Discovery is hardcore American politics through and through.

The heroine.

A female emo minority made after killing off another minority.

The villains in this little story are a minority that don't want to assimilate in to the federation because they don't want to lose their identity.

I can't believe they made klingons look even more black for effs sake.

The only thing Star Trek Discovery has going for it is the cgi.

Everything else is bull snip.

Well I finished watching the 1st 2 episodes. I like it, A LOT.

Yeah, there's some things that seem a bit weird just now.
-The show assumes you know ST already.
-The story is very focused on a person who isn't a captain.
-Klingons. I'm sure we'll get told why they look like they do, but they're just weird. It's almost like someone made a parody of ST and didn't want to pay copyright fees.

That being said,
-The CGI is outstanding.
-The characters and their scripts feel natural.
-It feels like watching ST!

So far, I would give it a good 8/10.

a reply to: neo96

Again, go ahead and look at TOS. When that show was made, you can bet your bottom dollar that there was some dozy, halfwitted knuckle dragger, who opposed the presence of Uhura and Sulu, probably even Chekov as well, because their presence was some sort of programming, or an attempt to control the narrative in favour of progressive elements.

It would have been a bloody stupid argument then, and its even more idiotic now!

originally posted by: TerryDon79
Well I finished watching the 1st 2 episodes. I like it, A LOT.

Yeah, there's some things that seem a bit weird just now.
-The show assumes you know ST already.
-The story is very focused on a person who isn't a captain.
-Klingons. I'm sure we'll get told why they look like they do, but they're just weird. It's almost like someone made a parody of ST and didn't want to pay copyright fees.

That being said,
-The CGI is outstanding.
-The characters and their scripts feel natural.
-It feels like watching ST!

So far, I would give it a good 8/10.

I watched the first two episodes too:

The acting needs something, can't quite put my finger on it.

The fight scenes need something more, perhaps less martial artish and more drawing upon one's ability to use intellect or common sense with what is available to them.

Maybe more introduction to character histories/personalities, of which the character Burnham seemed to be the one put front and centre during these two episodes. Maybe that is the way this show will be heading, the exploration of characters via one or two episodes (or more?). That will be OK with me.

Maybe the next two episodes will experiment with more violence/politics as a way for the 'company' to see where the ratings will be higher.(?Audiences as guinea pigs? Who holds the power?)

Although I am liking the series so far, the F-bombs were completely unnecessary.

originally posted by: Autorico
Although I am liking the series so far, the F-bombs were completely unnecessary.

There is more to that character that dropped the F bomb that we know right now, so it may fit in.

Anyone care to speculate as to what was going on at the end of the last episode?

Can't wait for next week