Star Trek Discovery by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman

This is my review of Star Trek Discovery by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman. Overall, this is a fresh look at the Star Trek franchise set some years after the events of Star Trek: Enterprise and just ten years before Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS).

Video review of Star Trek Discovery

Discovery, what’s all the controversy about?

In this episode, I discuss Star Trek Discovery so far to episode 4. I describe a little around the backdrop and ask if it’s right for the Star Trek universe.

Following this theme, I explore the main characters, such as Michael Burnham, Lt Paul Stamets whom we can see developing into a much deeper character, Sylvia Tilly who appears neurotic and we hope she matures, Saru who is excellently played, and Captain Gabriel Lorca and there are lot’s of positives in terms of interaction, tension, conflict and the emergence of a sense of ethics that will provide plenty of storylines between Michael and Gabriel.

Discussed also is the bizarre spore drive and the infuriatingly awkward spinning saucer section.

I go on to discuss the controversial breaches against canon and ask if they really are as bad as they seem and speculate as to the future of tribbles and the USS Discovery. In question are writers accuracy, for example in this series alone it is established that Starfleet has “excellent tech hygiene”, Michael Burnham Episode 1. Yet in Episode 4 we see the recovery of a dilithium processing unit from the USS Shenzhous warp core, left adrift on the battlefield for six months. That sure doesn’t sound like excellent tech hygiene to me.

Opinions are like warp cores though, every battlefield seems to have a spare one.

Anything going for this?

As at S1E4, it’s exciting, gritty, fun but also a bit jarring when you see something not quite right. There are great nods to canon with regard to sound effects, a clever psychological move if ever there was one. Leaving aside some apparent plot holes and liberties taken with canon, I’d definitely recommend you give it a try and see for yourself. There’s great room for character development and with a season-wide story arc, I get the impression we’re in for some real treats. I’d also ask if you could give it a chance to gain legs, remember ST: TNG season 1? That was dire in comparison to this show. Controversially and perhaps to stir the pot a little, overall I’d describe Star Trek Discovery as Star Trek, grown up.