Review: Star Trek: Discovery – S01 (2017)
Star Trek: Discovery is set during the Federation/Klingon War, about ten years prior to the events in the original Star Trek TV series. Star Trek: Discovery: Season One (Paramount, 671 min.), contains the 15-episode first season of the latest Star Trek TV series, which was restricted to the CBS All Access network, which means that many potential fans are yet to see this saga.
Director: Akiva Goldsman, John Scott, T.J. Scott et al.
Cast: Sonequa Martin-Green, Jason Isaacs, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp & Mary Wiseman
Genre: Science fiction, adventure, drama
Original channel: CBS
Available on DVD and Bluray: November 2018 and also streaming on Netflix
It looks like the next decade will be the decade of Star Wars and Star Trek. We were treated to a lot of space adventures in recent years by Disney and Lucasfilm and this will still be the case in the coming years as the franchise only grows bigger. But Star Trek is not far behind. There will certainly be another film in the series with Chris Pine and no other then Quentin Tarantino is working on a Star Trek project. And for those who cannot wait for more adventures set in the ST-universe there is of course Star Trek: Discovery. This brand-new series excited a lot of people and can be watched on Netflix or regularly via a neat physical box you can actually put underneath a Christmas Tree.
In Star Trek: Discovery we take off for space and meet the crew of the USS Discovery. When Michael Burnham, a former high-placed member of Starfleet, is rescued by Captain Gabriel Lorca, nobody of the crew actually knows what to do. Burnham is known for mutiny and therefore was completely banned from Starfleet. Burnham learns from Lorca that the Discovery is experimenting with an advanced engine system and soon gets a post on the ship. But that is not without danger, since the war against the Klingons still continues. Burnham, Lorca and the rest of the crew take one adventure after another, until something terrible goes wrong …
Whoever follows Star Trek from the start and has seen all previous films and series knows that it is never – or very little – about actual war. When Star Trek: Discovery appeared on the screen, there were a lot of fans who said that the series was not Star Trek-worthy at all. But that judgment was undoubtedly coming too fast, since this clever piece of television actually tells a lot more. Star Trek: Discovery may have some kind of war as basis for the stories, but the series actually tells a lot more. Tolerance, new opportunities, respect for other species … these are all elements that are addressed in the exciting story and that really make you realize what Star Trek is: magnificent science fiction that really is eager to make a mark.
The only thing that might be upsetting is the series might feel as a retcon or reboot of the series, mainly due to the (plot twist… not telling!) but also due to the experimental propulsion engine and visually the Klingons have taken a huge step. You do have to take this as a new given, since changes are necessary to be able to showcase something new and exciting and up-t-date for new generations.
photo gallery: The ever changing faces of the Klingons!
    |
It is also nice that the series – which like every big and long American series has a ‘midseason finale’ – is completely reinvented halfway through. The story suddenly goes in a different direction and is a lot more than just a plot-twist. Star Trek: Discovery is stylish science fiction and is full of interesting characters. From Michael to Lorca, from Mr. Saru to Ash and Tilly … They are all characters that make you hang on the screen and make you care for them as well. Even the bad guys have a heart, a cultural relevance and a depth that is at minimum understandable. This is of course also due to the wonderful acting. Sonequa Martin-Green is phenomenal as Michael and also Doug Jones, the partner in crime of Guillermo Del Toro, knows how to convince as Saru. Furthermore, Jason Isaacs, Anthony Rapp and Mary Wiseman also provide wonderful performances.
Those who are looking for a delicious science fiction series: make way for Star Trek: Discovery. The series is phenomenally good with storylines that are always fascinating and characters that are time and again interesting from various angles. Star Trek: Discovery is both innovative and back to the roots and, moreover, visually it looks very nice. The special effects are impressive, so we only have one thing left to say: “Trekkies, live long and prosper.” Because if you are going to watch or binge this series, everything WILL be fine in your life.
Featurettes to the BOXED EDITION include:
DISCOVERING DISCOVERY: THE CONCEPTS AND CASTING OF STAR TREK: DISCOVERY – Interviews with producers, writers and stars of Star Trek: Discovery about casting of the debut season.
THE STAR TREK THEME – A discussion with Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman and Composer Jeff Russo about creating the Discovery theme and score for the show.
CREATURE COMFORTS – A behind-the-scenes look at the makeup and prosthetics department on Star Trek: Discovery, as they both modernize
well-known Star Trek species like the Klingons, Vulcans and the Andorians, and bring to life a new species, the Kelpiens.
DESIGNING DISCOVERY – Insight into the production design department led by Tamara Deverell as they create the planets, the world within those worlds and the starships to travel amongst them.
CREATING SPACE – An exploration of how the VFX team, headed by Jason Zimmerman, pushes the envelope to create the reality of space, planets, and starships for Star Trek: Discovery.
PROP ME UP – Led by Propmaster Mario Moreira, a voyage through the world of Discovery props, providing an inside look at the design process from inception to set.
FEEDING FRENZY – A fascinating look at the on-set food stylist who creates a galaxy of cuisine.
A FEMALE TOUCH – With strong female producers and writers off-screen and powerful female characters on-screen, Discovery exemplifies the groundbreaking inclusionary theme first put forth in the original series.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS – Costume Designer Gersha Phillips and her team create a spectacular array of clothing, uniforms and armor for every kind of species in the galaxy.
STAR TREK DISCOVERY: THE VOYAGE OF SEASON ONE – A look at the adventures and plot twists encountered in the first season by the crew of the Discovery.
In addition, both the STAR TREK: DISCOVERY: SEASON ONE Blu-ray and DVD collections will include deleted and extended scenes.
About the Author
Richard Boom Richard is the driving force behind Comics for Sinners. His love and admiration for female comic book characters is virtually unparalleled, which immediately explains his biggest 'sin': his Hot Mummy fetish. This sketchbook theme is philogynistic in nature and even the source of his WIP comic book series "The Sisterhood".
Related Posts
Titan Solicits AUGUST 2020: Horizon Zero Dawn, Blade Runner, Snowpiercer, Star Trek, Star Wars & Lots More! →
Titan Comics Solicitations for January 2020 →
Star Trek: Discovery: Season 1 Arrives 21 November With Over Two Hours Of Exclusive Extras →
