kevin-44-718486

I love Star Trek and really wanted to watch this. Wow was I disappointed! I couldn't bear to watch past the middle of the sixth episode. Some ships have a familiar shape, and there are Vulcans and phasers and (alleged) Klingons, but names and computer graphics do not a Star Trek make.

One of the secrets of Star Trek and good sci-fi is it's always about the people and human problems, not the science. So never, ever delve too far into the science, because you'll always miss the mark. And wow, do they miss it, combining some of the strangest ideas into a hodgepodge

Another rule of good writing is to never violate the established tenets of the universe you're operating in. If you do, your audience will reject the story because it violates what they already "know" to be true. This destroys willing suspension of disbelief over and over and over until you can't immerse yourself in the story. This series is a perfect example of this problem.

For example, they introduce new technologies and new ship behaviors (counter-rotating saucers??) and new looks and behaviors of species like Klingons and clashing timelines in a confusing jumble that is impossible fit into the existing Star Trek universe.

The writers and directors takes themselves way too seriously, focusing screen time on flashy graphics and cool gadgetry rather than actual intelligent interactions, until the plot is hard to remember and enjoy.

The interactions of lead characters are deeply frustrating because they are so consistently illogical. Several times every episode, your brain screams out some reasonable reply to some misunderstanding, but do they ever utter that obvious answer? No! The main character (and everyone else) continues to walk down a path of illogic so bad that it immediately reminds you that you are watching a horribly weak script. Soon, it's impossible to relate to the thoughts and emotions of the characters. You end up not even caring how anything turns out.

I did manage to start enjoying the series a little bit when I pretended that I wasn't watching Star Trek anymore. That allowed me to ignore the inconsistencies. But then the other directing and writing and graphics excesses took over and continued to make me hate what I was saying, until I had to stop watching.

In the end, I canceled my CBS all access pass and appreciated the time I was saving.

I'm basing this review on season 2, which I just started watching. In spite of a weak-sounding show title, they've done a great job of creating real-life stakes that matter and heart-wrenching moments that make you want to keep coming back. We quickly found ourselves pulling for every team, not wanting anyone to drop out. But they can't all win... This is a perfect blend of family entertainment and reality TV. And it makes you love family more without ever being preachy. Kudos to BYUtv.

I was worried about this one, but Netflix did it right. LOVE it. Ignore the negative reviews here, the story has psychological depth, not too many scientific bloopers (my degree is in physics), real peril, and believable conflict with a dysfunctional-but-forced-to-heal family. Dr. Smith makes your skin crawl slowly instead of just being a typical caricature of evil. The backstory and current story weave together gradually as you discover people's histories and how they ended up where they are. Brilliantly done, in my opinion. Oh, and to answer everyone who complained about how water freezes, you need to watch some YouTube videos on supercooling. I definitely want to keep watching this one. I also love the PG rating-we can enjoy the story as a family without being barraged by gratuitous profanity, violence, and sex.