Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
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Gimpdiggity
Master Member
I’m in. I really enjoyed that first episode. I really hope they stick to a more episodic formula, for me the season long arcs were what really dragged Discovery down and ultimately the reason I stopped watching.
After the way this thread has gone I really expected to not like it but I thought it was pretty good. I absolutely hate season long arcs and getting back to stand alone episodes. I don't mind a thread running through the season but they don't need to have a big bad for the whole season and only Discovery can save the day. Looking forward to more and to the hope they can keep it up.
Picard102
Sr Member
Agreed. Everyone we had over to watch it thought it was pretty good, and were hopeful it can continue on this trajectory.
Cautious, as we all liked the Picard S2 opener, and it was not able to maintain itself from there.
i guess its going back to shows i watched, like Murder She Wrote - you knew by the title what you were going to get, but every week it was a different situation Angela Lansbury's character faced. Strange New Worlds has moved back to that format (at least for the two so far i saw)
I really liked it. Couple minor nits, and I personally have cashed in my chips on the hopes that they will maintain some sense of canon, which means I'm just along for the ride. And I think that strategy paid off. I think the production design is gorgeous, though TOS fans will of course be upset that it does not fit into canon. Again: I'm over that. The props were probably the highlight for me. Interesting stylistic updates while also being VERY respectful.
The ship looks great. I'm fully into it. Story was interesting and bite sized and ticked a lot of the "classic" story points that made for so many great episodes over the years. Little heavy handed with the current affairs references, but I'll allow it.
I'll go on record and say this is the best trek I've seen since TNG/DS9/VOY went off the air. Though ENT had some fourth season bright spots, it was too late by then.
I don't think I'm the first to say this, but the thing I like the most about it is that it actually FEELS like trek. that has been missing for a long, long time.
PIke seems like a guy who would make for a great captain, and number one seems wildly capable. The actor doing spock does a great leonard nimoy impression though he seems to almost always be smirking. I'll allow it, but it irks me a bit. lol. Nurse chapel is way too "PickMe" for my tastes but I get that the show is for a modern audience and they want to draw in a wider age demo, so again... I'll allow it. lol I thought everyone else was great.
The ship looks great. I'm fully into it. Story was interesting and bite sized and ticked a lot of the "classic" story points that made for so many great episodes over the years. Little heavy handed with the current affairs references, but I'll allow it.
I'll go on record and say this is the best trek I've seen since TNG/DS9/VOY went off the air. Though ENT had some fourth season bright spots, it was too late by then.
I don't think I'm the first to say this, but the thing I like the most about it is that it actually FEELS like trek. that has been missing for a long, long time.
PIke seems like a guy who would make for a great captain, and number one seems wildly capable. The actor doing spock does a great leonard nimoy impression though he seems to almost always be smirking. I'll allow it, but it irks me a bit. lol. Nurse chapel is way too "PickMe" for my tastes but I get that the show is for a modern audience and they want to draw in a wider age demo, so again... I'll allow it. lol I thought everyone else was great.
This dude is channeling me:
NakedMoleRat
Legendary Member
I enjoyed it. I was hesitant to watch it after the bowels of crap we’ve been getting lately.
But it did and I was pleasantly surprised. The show was well done and looked beautiful.
It made me realize exactly what my problems with Discovery and Picard are. They are soap operas! Trek is not supposed to be a soap opera.
But it did and I was pleasantly surprised. The show was well done and looked beautiful.
It made me realize exactly what my problems with Discovery and Picard are. They are soap operas! Trek is not supposed to be a soap opera.
Cephus
Master Member
Saw it, it was decent, the only thing that bothers me is the fact that it clearly takes place in the same continuity as Discovery, which means that they will likely cross over in some way in the future. I really want them to realize that Discovery is complete trash and get rid of it.
Galactican
Sr Member
My first impression is very good. The look is awesome and the cast immediately likable.
So for a premiere episode it is a VERY promising start. More, please!
I especially liked the exterior shots of the building with the globe thingie on top. In the background of the Vulcan scenes I noticed a rock formation that looked a bit like something from the Vasquez Rocks. The Enterprise in the sky was gorgeous. Shutte Stamets - OK, maybe the family is known for something justifying that. However, the shuttle looks very cool. I had to chuckle when I saw Chapel's haircut because I managed to snatch a Chucky & Tiffany set from Neca and Chapel would pass as Tiffany's sister. Next chuckle scene came when Pike revealed himself in his Starfleet uniform - still looked a bit like a pajama. When I saw the domes I thought we were on one of BSG's agroships, so the connection to "Silent Running" is definitely there (at least from a visual standpoint).
What impressed me the most was how Pike solved the conflict on the planet. The episode was shot a few months ago but they referenced the current situation on Earth perfectly, especially the "big stick" metaphor. The images of the destroyed cities struck me in particular. Pike's "the choice is yours" followed by the montage of the factions working together is a textbook example of "working Star Trek".
(And yes, we all miss Spock's sister. )
Next chuckle scene came when Pike revealed himself in his Starfleet uniform - still looked a bit like a pajama. When I saw the domes I thought we were on one of BSG's agroships, so the connection to "Silent Running" is definitely there (at least from a visual standpoint).What impressed me the most was how Pike solved the conflict on the planet. The episode was shot a few months ago but they referenced the current situation on Earth perfectly, especially the "big stick" metaphor. The images of the destroyed cities struck me in particular. Pike's "the choice is yours" followed by the montage of the factions working together is a textbook example of "working Star Trek".
(And yes, we all miss Spock's sister.
)So for a premiere episode it is a VERY promising start. More, please!
1138sw
Sr Member
I love the cast and Anson Mount is just awesome as Pike. Ethan Peck is really good as Spock too. And as I said the rest of the cast is great.
That being said I thought the episode was OK. My nitpicks:
1. Why would SF allow a captain to assume command when he clearly has suffered trauma that he has yet to overcome? I found it unbelievable especially as he struggles with said trauma, that clearly impedes his command ability throughout the episode and will most likely do so the rest of the season...that is unless the show runners..ie Kurtzman...conveniently ignore the issue entirely.
2. Why is Spock smiling so much on Vulcan? Yes he is half human but he still adheres to Vulcan logic yet he seemingly smiles while he is with T'pring at every seeming moment...I would to if I was with T'pring LOL : ) Yet on the enterprise he exhibits none of the same qualities showcased on Vulcan.
3. Why was Number One's ship only crewed by 3 people? On a mission of first contact. How did they end up the surface and captured?
Overall I want to like this series and this is the closest we've gotten in the JJ era of actually capturing the mood and feeling of the original trek whether we are talking about the TOS, Next Gen, Voyager or Enterprise.
But the episode felt rushed and unusually flippant and with drama that felt artificial. One thing that I have a huge problem with JJ and company is with how they interweave humor with drama. The humor always seems to come at the most inappropriate moments making the scenes feel awkward and stilted. Also I found the episode just overly simplistic. Plus while I do like the sets for the most part I think I am getting tired of the overall JJ look with highlights being overexposed. At least the screen flares were non existent this time. We will see for the rest of the season.
Love the cast and will continue watching but I truly hope this series isn't wasted. I want this to succeed so bad. But I'll take any trek I can get.
That being said I thought the episode was OK. My nitpicks:
1. Why would SF allow a captain to assume command when he clearly has suffered trauma that he has yet to overcome? I found it unbelievable especially as he struggles with said trauma, that clearly impedes his command ability throughout the episode and will most likely do so the rest of the season...that is unless the show runners..ie Kurtzman...conveniently ignore the issue entirely.
2. Why is Spock smiling so much on Vulcan? Yes he is half human but he still adheres to Vulcan logic yet he seemingly smiles while he is with T'pring at every seeming moment...I would to if I was with T'pring LOL : ) Yet on the enterprise he exhibits none of the same qualities showcased on Vulcan.
3. Why was Number One's ship only crewed by 3 people? On a mission of first contact. How did they end up the surface and captured?
Overall I want to like this series and this is the closest we've gotten in the JJ era of actually capturing the mood and feeling of the original trek whether we are talking about the TOS, Next Gen, Voyager or Enterprise.
But the episode felt rushed and unusually flippant and with drama that felt artificial. One thing that I have a huge problem with JJ and company is with how they interweave humor with drama. The humor always seems to come at the most inappropriate moments making the scenes feel awkward and stilted. Also I found the episode just overly simplistic. Plus while I do like the sets for the most part I think I am getting tired of the overall JJ look with highlights being overexposed. At least the screen flares were non existent this time. We will see for the rest of the season.
Love the cast and will continue watching but I truly hope this series isn't wasted. I want this to succeed so bad. But I'll take any trek I can get.
firesprite
Master Member
1. Why would SF let Picard remain in command of the Enterprise after being assimilated by the Borg?
2. Maybe Spock feels more comfortable with her than among his crewmates. She's his lover, after all...
3. See point one... SF doesn't always make sensible decisions.
ForbiddenOnion
Well-Known Member
Maybe Spock is smiling because he smiled a few times in The Cage.
JiminSTLouis
Sr Member
Admiral April said Pike’s first officer doesn’t handle downtime well. She might have gone off on her own with a select couple of officers she trusted.
Another, um... "example of new continuity". I'm trying to find more diplomatic ways of saying "they got that wrong". >_>
Lightning
Master Member
The ship is only one deck thick, 3 people would be adequate crew. runabouts haven't been invented yet so it's probably the smallest interstellar ship. It makes sense to send something small for first contact in order to be as non threatening as possible.
They contact the locals, set the computer for remote beam up, and beam down. And then are captured.
firesprite
Master Member
I mean... the old series is still there, if you want everything to be exactly the same...
1138sw
Sr Member
Umm I don't necessarily buy that explanation. But to be honest I would like the show creators to offer explanations and not leave it up to us fans to speculate.
I find it to be poor writing on the part of Akiva Goldsmith as well as the shows producers. I've been disappointed in Goldsmith's work lately. Not sure what is up with him. His work lately has been very subpar.
