Paramount+ Star Trek: Discovery - Official Thread (1 Viewer)

[AndyMcKinney]

Pluto TV sent me an email that they're running the PICARD first episode today.

As with the first episode of Discovery being distributed free-to-air on CBS, I'm assuming this is just another one-time-only 'first episode freebie.' I noticed it on YouTube already being billed as a "free episode."

 

[joshEH]

New info on the next Star Trek: Discovery novel, Die Standing, written by John Jackson Miller, who also penned the amazing DSC novel The Enterprise War (which finally revealed what Christopher Pike's Enterprise crew were up to doing the Federation-Klingon War during the events of the TV series):

The back-cover synposis, which I've spoiler-masked:

Spoiler: DSC: Die Standing

No one in the history of histories has lost more than Philippa Georgiou, ruler of the Terran Empire. Forced to take refuge in the Federation’s universe, she bides her time until Section 31, a rogue spy force within Starfleet, offers her a chance to work as their agent. She has no intention of serving under anyone else, of course; her only interest is escape.

But when a young Trill, Emony Dax, discovers a powerful interstellar menace, Georgiou recognizes it as a superweapon that escaped her grasp in her own universe. Escorted by a team sent by an untrusting Federation to watch over her, the emperor journeys to a region forbidden to travelers. But will what she finds there end the threat — or give “Agent Georgiou” the means to create her old empire anew?

According to my timeline-calculations, this story would fall during the period between the last time we saw Mirror Georgiou in "Will You Take My Hand?" (at the end of DSC season one) and her return in "Point of Light." In my personal chronology, I've estimated that's a gap of about 7 weeks, give or take.

Miller's a helluva writer, and never disappoints. The author's blog, with more information on the book:

https://blog.farawaypress.com/2020/02/rule-universe-with-star-trek-discovery.html

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Just started showing Discovery to my wife. After four episodes, here are the strongest reactions from her (a casual fan of the new movies and someone who has now seen all of TNG):

-The opening scene with Georgeou and Burnham walking in the desert to make a Starfleet symbol triggered a massive eye roll.

-Thinks the Klingons speak too slow.

-Loves the uniforms but doesn’t think it’s fair that the men’s ones have five shoulder stripes on each side while the women’s only has four.

-Wonders why they never mentioned a spore drive in TNG.

-Not sure if she trusts the captain.

-Enjoying it enough to keep going.

 

[Sean Bryan]

Just finished Season 2.

I was waiting for Picard to re-subscribe and to then watch season 2. I liked season one, but wow was season two excellent! This was, I think, the best Star Trek I’ve seen in years. I’d actually put this block of 14 episodes up against the best of any of the previous series and I’d be pretty confident that it would top them. Though it’s been a long while since I’ve watched the final season of DS9.

Well done!

 

[Josh Steinberg]

It’s absolutely wonderful. I think I rolled my eyes initially at the announcement that they were bringing Christopher Pike, Number One and especially Spock back, but they succeeded beyond my wildest expectations.

I’m introducing my wife to Discovery now and we’re in the first season. She told me that she remembered my first year complaining and was going in with the bar low, but that the real reason she was excited to watch the show was season two because of how happy I was the next day after each new episode. I always hoped to show it to her so I never told her why season two was so much better. No idea what’s coming.

The only thing I’m debating is whether or not to show her The Menagerie before S2. On one hand, I think S2 works just fine without any background. On the other hand, if I show her Menagerie without saying exactly why, I think the episodes will pay off better. Any thoughts on that?

 

[TJPC]

I showed “The Menagerie” after we watched the Discovery episode together, and it also seemed to work OK. If I had known the content of the Discovery episode first however, I might have reversed things.

 

[Nelson Au]

I completed re-viewing Season Two with the last two episodes last night on the blu ray. I’d agree it’s a large improvement over the first season. As a life long fan from the TOS era, it’s not the same kind of Star Trek though. It’s a new version for a new audience. I’d have to bring up an old argument that this series isn’t exploring or seeking out new life. Wagon train to the stars using science fiction as allegory to explore the human condition and social commentary. But thinking more about it, does the crew have to meet a new race each week to explore a concept or examine current social political situations in our world disguised as science fiction? I have not figured out if the season long arc tried to do any of that. I saw stories that explored family relationships, Michael and Spock and Sarak and Amanda, Pike and Number One and their home, the Enterprise, Stamets and Hugh, and Tilly and her friends. The thrust of the season was to redirect the series from the 23rd century to beyond. ( As an aside, it reminds me of Star Trek Enterprise and the Xindi arc designed to shake up the franchise with a season long arc. )

A few thoughts, I did re-ask myself again, how is Geogiou going to have a spin-off. She’s on the Discovery, unless she quickly jumped into a shuttle and got out after she destroyed Leland/Control. Maybe she takes over Section 31 in the future as Tyler has been promoted to Section 31 Chief in the 23rd century. I still liked the solution for why we never heard of the Spore Drive and Michael as Spock’s sister before this series.

The establishing shot of Starfleet after the Discovery has jumped to the future is reused on Picard. Makes sense too as a production choice to save time and budget. Though 100 years has passed it looks the same.

So far, it looks like Picard is actually more Star Trekian then Discovery has been. ( examining Starfleet politics ) Though I’m not sure I like all the complicated cloak and dagger stuff going on at Starfleet. But I will hold judgment and see more episodes of Picard. It seems it’s just the way modern TV shows seem to think they have to do.

 

[Nelson Au]

Oh yeah, I would argue that watching The Menagerie first is better to establish that background before watching Discovery Season Two. I think it would make seeing Pike’s reaction to Vina carry more weight with that knowledge. If you never saw The Menagerie before, the scene where Pike sees Vina on the Discovery may not earn its emotional impact. Also, it helps to explain why is Captain Pike in command of the Enterprise with Spock on board. So I vote for viewing The Menagerie before viewing Discovery.

 

[David Weicker]

Josh,
Since you tend to watch a classic Trek after each episode of Picard, you might ‘randomly choose’ The Menagerie. Give some lame excuse like this is how TOS did flashbacks.

That way, you won’t be attaching any significance to the episode. So when it comes up in Discovery, her reaction won’t have any expectations.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Love it but it’ll never fly unfortunately. She doesn’t do the second episode with me so there’s no way to really sneak it in without drawing attention to it. And the thing that I realized watching Season 1 with her and Picard with her is that she doesn’t live and breathe this stuff outside of when we watch. So when the show has a surprise guest or connection to something familiar or twist, it really does come as a surprise and I’ve really enjoyed her delight at being surprised. So I have to let my geekdom take a backseat so she can have her fun.

A few years ago we watched The Cage, so hopefully it’ll be vaguely familiar.

She loved season one as soon as we got past the first couple episodes. We just finished tonight. I cannot wait to watch my Blu-ray of season two for the first time. I may have gotten a little too excited for it and gotten a Discovery coffee mug with a Pike quote this week.

 

[Philip Verdieck]

So e watched "The Outrageous Okana" the other day.

Despite the cringe worthy B plot with Data and Piscapo, I really enjoy this episode, because of the character of Okona. What makes it more interesting to watch is the actor playing him (Billy Campbell) lost out to Frakes for the role of Riker.

Apparently Jerry Lewis was supposed to be the comic, but had a conflict with a cameo on Wiseguy. Piscapo modeled his routine on Jerry Lewis.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Even with the cringes, I enjoy it. It has that unusual tone from season two that makes it a little extra fun for me.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I’m watching the Discovery Season 1 bonus features for the first time and what I’ve seen so far is just awful. Almost everything is surface level observations, and each featurette has been padded out with tons of show footage, so that a fifteen minute short might actually only have five minutes of behind the scenes footage. I’ll try to make it through the rest but I can’t imagine ever watching them again. There’s a forty minute piece called “The Making of Season 1” and they don’t say a damn thing about how they made anything. They just describe the plot. It’s kind of like one of those audio commentaries where the participants just describe what’s happening onscreen.

 

[Jason_V]

I’m watching the Discovery Season 1 bonus features for the first time and what I’ve seen so far is just awful. Almost everything is surface level observations, and each featurette has been padded out with tons of show footage, so that a fifteen minute short might actually only have five minutes of behind the scenes footage. I’ll try to make it through the rest but I can’t imagine ever watching them again. There’s a forty minute piece called “The Making of Season 1” and they don’t say a damn thing about how they made anything. They just describe the plot. It’s kind of like one of those audio commentaries where the participants just describe what’s happening onscreen.

There are some comments in those features from people who should know better that sent me into a ten minute yelling fit at the TV. I didn't finish any of the special features for that reason.

 

[TJPC]

The best extras are always for classic movies that often are absorbing in their analyses. Extras for new movies seem to be only puff pieces where they tell how wonderful they find each other. You long for — “Just finished working with Brad Pitt — boy what an ass hole”!

 

[Jason_V]

Well, yes and no. I 100% understand the reasons why more current movies just have puff pieces: the people talking are generally working in the field and don't want to shoot themselves in the foot for any future work.

In the case of STD S1, the now-fired show runners made comments like "This is the first time Trek has shown war on a grand scale" which is 100%, categorically and wholly untrue. No sense of history or understanding what came before.

 

[Nelson Au]

Interesting, the main extras I like to watch are the ones on the design, such as designing the props, costumes and the ship and hardware. And how the effects are done.

 

[The Obsolete Man]

Well, yes and no. I 100% understand the reasons why more current movies just have puff pieces: the people talking are generally working in the field and don't want to shoot themselves in the foot for any future work.

In the case of STD S1, the now-fired show runners made comments like "This is the first time Trek has shown war on a grand scale" which is 100%, categorically and wholly untrue. No sense of history or understanding what came before.

Weren't the now fired showrunners also the ones on the promotion tour for season one telling us it was the "first Trek with a female lead!" or the "first Trek with a black lead!" until someone showed them pics of the DS9 and Voyager casts?

 

[Jason_V]

Weren't the now fired showrunners also the ones on the promotion tour for season one telling us it was the "first Trek with a female lead!" or the "first Trek with a black lead!" until someone showed them pics of the DS9 and Voyager casts?

Possibly? I wouldn't put it past them. Coupled with what they demonstrated they didn't know about basic Trek history AND how they treated people behind the scenes, I kinda think they are some of the worst showrunners/execs in Trek history. And that's saying something, knowing what happened behind the scenes during TNG S1 and S2.

 

[Philip Verdieck]

In the case of STD S1, the now-fired show runners made comments like "This is the first time Trek has shown war on a grand scale" which is 100%, categorically and wholly untrue. No sense of history or understanding what came before.

Agreed. Everything I saw in STD S1 made me think the showrunners were ignorant and arrogant and didn't feel a need for more than cosmetic similarity with the entire body of produced ST.

Its pretty obvious why there was a visceral dislike for STD S1 with its "change for change's sake" approach to the genre as a whole.