The Vulcan Hello

Never watched Star Trek before, so I can't comment on whether this is or isn't Star Trek. However, I found it pretty weak. It's lavishly produced, with convincing effects, but for a pilot episode it starts in a weird place, thrusting the characters into the thick of the action before we've even got to know them. The only characters we get to know at all are Michael, Saru and the Captain. None of the other characters get any screentime at all, not even a chance for us to find out who they are. It's like there are only three characters. If the episode had just taken care to set the scene, develop the characters and gently set up the plot it would have been much better. Instead, we're thrust into a dramatic plot with no reason to care. As someone who's never watched Star Trek, I know very little of its universe. A little bit of an introduction would provide some context to all of this. As it is, I don't even know what exactly is at stake, which robs it of suspense.

Additionally, the Klingon internal politics is weak. Their arguments against each other boil down to very simple sentences that came straight out of a Hollywood textbook. The Klingon design looks pretty bad too, like they're made of plastic, as does their ship. None of it is convincing, which is weird because apart from that the visuals of Discovery are stunning.

Not that there isn't anything to enjoy here. The way the plot thickens and the arguments between Michael and the Captain about how to tackle the Klingon threat add complexity, as well as Michael's perceptive comments about race not being the same as culture (something EU politicians need reminding of regarding the migrant crisis)...

But overall, it feels like they were trying to cram a season's worth of story into one episode. There's a reason why there wasn't a battle in episode one of Game of Thrones, maybe the creators of Star Trek Discovery should learn from that.

I absolutely love Star Trek Discovery, yes things may have changed, ideas updated, modernised, but it is all so exciting and uplifting especially in this present time so I keep going back to re watch. I am a serious trekkie, have been all my life, this new take is refreshing and awe inspiring, it feels like family right from the start and I am totally addicted and cannot wait for the new season.

I give it a 4 based entirely on the CGI.

This is going to be another war and explosions Trek.

It is tailored for fans of the movie reboot time line. A real letdown.

The story is not very Trek-oriented.

Read the critical review posted here. It sums it up well.

Having viewed what I believe are the first two episodes of Discovery what follows are my thoughts so far on the show. While it's much too early to form a firm analysis, this show is different from all the other Trek shows and films I have seen throughout the years.

Without spoiling anything I feel that so far the show is very pretty without a lot of substance. While it retains the name, feel and much of the look of Star Trek there were plenty of times this could have been any sci-fi show out there. So far there is very little backstory, but I am going to assume that more will be filled in later. The show immerses you into the what without any of the why. Since this is closer to TOS than Star Trek Enterprise I acknowledge there would be some improvement in technology in the time between shows, but at the same time Discovery feels more advanced than TOS.

I am completely unfamiliar with the director, but it seemed to me that many shots could have been done much better. I am familiar with the writer Bryan Fuller who seems to have a penchant for giving female characters male names (George in Dead Like Me) for example. Fuller cut his teeth under DS9 and also worked on Star Trek Voyager so let's hope for good things to come.

The good:I like the opening credits. It's refreshing to see something different for a change than just a ship flying around space to music.

Michelle Yeoh, who was excellent in Marco Polo as Lotus, does not fail to deliver here. I do feel that she is much too familiar with her subordinates as captain as seen having discussions with her bridge crew, but perhaps she prefers leading through diplomacy. As a military veteran myself I know that doesn't work.

Sonequa Martin-Green seemed to also do a very fine job. I have never seen her in anything before, but her performance is solid and even managed to give me a laugh or two. Hers is the only character that gets any backstory although it is very brief. I'm sure it will be filled in later throughout the season.

Finally Doug Jones is wonderful as Saru. His character reminds me the most of Alan Tudyk's character Wash in Firefly. I expect he'll bring more laughs in future episodes.

The not so good: First, there's the Klingons. My first impression was that they resembled characters from a vampire movie rather than any Klingon we've seen previously. While I felt the creative team was making steps to make them more noble it seemed to me that the main Klingon lead (Chris Obi) was having difficulty talking around his prosthetic teeth. While I like the Klingon's new outfits, I do hope there will be some future explanation as to why the race is so very different looking than any other Trek incarnation to date.

The space battles in EP.2. They looked very cheap and if you've ever seen anyone playing Star Trek on PS4 you might get my drift. I was expecting TOS level phasers, but instead the lasers more closely resemble Star Trek (2009) I don't know if it was due to budgeting or not, but the viewer doesn't really get to see the damage being inflicted as much as you might expect from other Trek shows. There is one pretty ridiculous scene as well, but I'll leave it to you to figure out which.

Finally James Frain as Sarek. To me the gold standard I measure all Sarek's by is Mark Lenard (RIP) and while I'll admit Frain doesn't get much screen time he just doesn't feel or act like Sarek to me. Perhaps he'll get better later on as I do like the actor very much in a number of other films and shows (The Tudors) Like many others I'm the type to give a show 3-4 episodes before I fully commit or decide to quit and I'll do the same here. I guess since it's been so long without a Star Trek show I was really hoping for something better than what has been offered so far.

It will be a while before I see the second episode. I'm already overloaded with extra charges for features. Anyway, this first offering has a strong female character who rants and raves and pays no attention to orders. I know she is strong willed and is going to take over soon, but she is downright insubordinate. First, she talks her Captain into letting her go on a reckless flyby. When there, she ignores the realities of her situation and the possibility of no return. When she gets back (through the intense work of the crew) she jumps out of the device that is saving her. She starts making demands. Meanwhile the Klingons are intent on waging war because she killed one of them. I just flat out grew tired of her. When this becomes available on DVD I guess I'll check it out. First episodes and pilots are always stiff and sometimes badly acted. I just found this whole thing boring. Beyond the great special effects, the story seems really tired.