Star Trek Discovery

S2 started with a beautiful episode. The SFX are awesome. Worth a movie.

 

Well, it's been awhile..
Last Friday night I had the chance finally to see STD on the free episode offer before they cut it off. So finally I can give this Trek a propper review and opinion.
It sux. I do indeed think it's solidly bad.
Visually, the show is stunning. CGI/PFX blend is excellent; visually the show is flawless and movie quality. The money they've pumped into the show really shows on this side of the review. The cinemetography is right up there as well, as it should be.
From there, it goes downhill.
None of the characters names I was introduced to in this episode were memorable. The characters themselves were Voyager bland.. There's nothing really remarkable about these characters. Stilts, Stammets and Burnham are the only three that seem to have some depth. Comms guy, Cyberpunkgrrrl, Braids.. do any of these people have backstories or at least something for the actors to work with? For an episode trying to sell me on buying a TV show I've seen more character per episode out of the crew of the Orville. Ditto for a ship with a registry of BSG-65.
Which dovetails into the next big problem: The plot is trying to force things to happen because it lacks fully developed characters that can make it happen. Nowhere does this shine brighter than the contrived argument over whether to board the Hiawatha. (Note that I can remember the name of the crashed starship, btw) That whole debate felt hamfisted from beginning to end.. all designed to try and show angst that otherwise cannot naturally form and serve as a lead in for "pod racing".
Which leads us to: The Freakshow in Space. Whether is sick aliens or a ship that acts like R2-D2 or cyberpunk girls or Jigsaw's daughter trying her hand at medicine, the show relies on a lot wierd stuff to try and keep the audience from ramming themselves into asteroids with boredom.
And that's what we have with Discovery: A show that visually is ready for the big screen, and a script/plot that isn't ready for modern-post BSG television coupled with mediocre acting.
So I guess I'll bring the reality of the fanbase into this review now and just give my two cents: Is this Star Trek? I'm going to have to say no.. perhaps that 25% divergance mandate is just too much to make it to the ballpark. The show is really lacking in the cerebral department, and tries to fake it.. and that's a big strike.
I won't be watching any more episodes unless they're free; it's not worth the money.

 

I cannot watch this.

It's like watching MASH if MASH was suddenly written like ER.

More categorically, what I loved about ST was that it was a philosophical sci-fi and dominantly lacked the trappings of regular fanfare stories. It explored ideas; not characters.

Now?
It's melodrama in space.

Cool. Just not my jam for Star Trek.
I'll keep waiting for a return to the core form.

Cheers,
Jayson

 

As much if I differ from your opinion on some recent star wars movies, I seem to be on the same page when it comes to Trek.

 

Looks like i'm the only one enjoing this show, i didn't whatched the original series, i was too young and now it looks like fanmade, tng is my reference point, that's what i grew up with, it doesn't have strong characters ( yet ) but i like the story and the fact that it has continuity , no 1 time story episodes.

 

You're not alone.

 

This show is fantastic ! I actually binge watched all the former Trek shows on Netflix and I don't have a clue why people are complaining about Discovery.

 

Looks like this thread is going to be the safe habour, where TLJ "Haters" and "Lovers" can reconcile (Until the next Trek Show/movie arrives).

 

I have no idea how they will tie all this in 50 min but I can't wait to watch the Finale and then it will be a long year to wait for S3.

 

I don't remember any show on TV to have such SFX quality.

Discovery is like the NFL, it's lasts only 4 months and then it's a long time to wait

Best show on air.

( I don't watch GoT I let down at the end of S4 ).

 

Warning: spoilers.

Interesting points about the TV show, with many also applying to the recent Star Trek and even Star Wars features:

That is, terrible writing.