Star Trek: Discovery

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Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
4.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1324 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 527 out of 1324
  2. Mixed: 158 out of 1324
  3. Negative: 639 out of 1324
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  1. anandb
    Sep 27, 2017
    5
    This is based solely on the first 2 episodes.

    Design was interesting, I'm not bothered by the fact that the tech looks more advanced than TOS. I think the klingons were a misstep though. That design was so silly and derivative of every ancient mystical race sci-fi design trope. The acting was a bit stiff but initial episode awkwardness is a time honored trek tradition. Action packed    This is based solely on the first 2 episodes.

    Design was interesting, I'm not bothered by the fact that the tech looks more advanced than TOS. I think the klingons were a misstep though. That design was so silly and derivative of every ancient mystical race sci-fi design trope.

    The acting was a bit stiff but initial episode awkwardness is a time honored trek tradition. Action packed episode so we don't really get to know any of the characters. But the action was a bit incoherent.

    Overall I don't get the need to brand it as Trek. In this age of The Expanse and Westworld does Sci Fi really need the franchise assist? I would say this is mediocre to slightly better than mediocre as a piece of space sci fi. As Trek, it is poor. I realize that hating on new Trek is also a time honored tradition going back to TNG but somehow I suspect this show will not win me over down the line.    … Expand
  2. Joshua_Rami
    Sep 24, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This show should have been called "Star trek Michael" because unlike every other star trek tv show which balances the time spent on the main cast, discovery pretty much only focuses on Michael which would be ok is this was just some scifi show but star trek was never just about one person. The visuals are great except for the Klingons which look like some failed mutant experiment gone wrong. The plot has to be the biggest issue I have with this show and just to give a few examples below:

    Michael and the captain use a visual marking made on the ground in sand in-order for their starship locate them (very unrealistic given any visual identification on the ground would be near impossible to make out especially drawn in sand)

    Michael decides to use an EV suit to travel to an unknown object in a asteroid field (Again unlikely given they have shuttlecraft which would provide much better protection & maneuverability)

    Michael uses a Vulcan neck pinch on her captain in-order to circumvent her authority but the captain wakes up a min later and at the last second and stops Michael (It appears it was done correctly otherwise she wouldn't have lost consciousness but the captain would have not woken up a min later )    … Expand
  3. Jesp1
    Sep 25, 2017
    4
    Meh... Just a bland show, yet a HORRIBLE STAR TREK! Definitely not worth a subscription to CBS as of yet. Though there is some hope they could do better.... Maybe?
  4. Ehkzu
    Sep 25, 2017
    4
    Watched the Discover episode 1 with two other couples, followed by The Orville pilot episode. We're all scifi fans; two of us (myself and my spouse) have seen every Star Trek TV series and moive. All of us have feet in both the tech world and the art world (we all live in Silicon Valley).

    And all six of us strongly preferred The Orville pilot to Discover., and those of us who are    Watched the Discover episode 1 with two other couples, followed by The Orville pilot episode. We're all scifi fans; two of us (myself and my spouse) have seen every Star Trek TV series and moive. All of us have feet in both the tech world and the art world (we all live in Silicon Valley).

    And all six of us strongly preferred The Orville pilot to Discover., and those of us who are Trekkies strongly felt that The Orville, surprisingly, was far closer to Gene Roddenberry's vision than the authorized version (Discover) was.

    Yes, Orville does occasionally descend into farce, with moments of **** 13 year old boy-level humor. But it has a beating heart, an ensemble cast you like and care about, screenwriting that isn't trying too hard, more plausible actions by the characters, and actually shows more affection and respect for Roddenbarry's vision than Disover did.

    I was really struck by how unanimous out little group was about the two shows, despite the fact that three of us grew up in India, one in russia, and two are native-born Californians.

    I've seen two more episodes of The Orville and have gotten progressively more impressed--it raises serious, difficult moral issues without getting sentimental or mawkish. And despite the elements of parody, you can tell that the show's creators have genuine affection for Star Trek's original vision.

    It's clever where Discover is, metaphorically speaking, ponderous and pretentious.

    Discover wasn't bad by broadcast scifi TV standards. But it wasn't excellent either. And if CBS wants me to pay for it, it has to be up there with Game of Thrones.

    It isn't.

    Of its creators, I'd be tempted to say "They have no honor." (real Trekkies will get this).    … Expand
  5. Cheers
    Sep 25, 2017
    4
    Bridge scenes and crew interaction is like watching Federations next top model. SJW's have stolen the franchise. Klingons have been further de-humanized, wich offcourse makes sense, because they do not fit in the inclusivity of the Rainbow unicorn federation.

    It looks good. Although i have to get used to all this fancy CGI **** for this series title.
  6. Cinemaphile
    Jan 9, 2018
    4
    Lots of unnecessary exposition. Too much emphasis on spectacle and not enough intimacy. Clunky dialogue. Overwrought score. Surprisingly mediocre. Not the 10 plus plus orgasmic star show you were hoping for, not the sub-zero apocalyptic devolution that fan-boys are reacting to. It's in the middle. A five. Take it from a 66'er. It's Trek, just not very goodLots of unnecessary exposition. Too much emphasis on spectacle and not enough intimacy. Clunky dialogue. Overwrought score. Surprisingly mediocre. Not the 10 plus plus orgasmic star show you were hoping for, not the sub-zero apocalyptic devolution that fan-boys are reacting to. It's in the middle. A five. Take it from a 66'er. It's Trek, just not very good Trek. At least it's not Red-Matter-Dumb like the reboot movies, right? Right?

    After viewing Episode 3, Context of Kings I'm revising my score ... down. Trek isn't Alien or Resident Evil or Marvel Comics or CSI Space.

    After viewing Episode 4, I'm tempted to revise my score up ... except for the fact that though it felt like Star Trek Classic, it had a bit of a Walking Dead aftertaste. On to next week...

    Episode 5 .... feels like Star Trek, but the dialogue sounds like it was written by a 12 year old. No change to the rating.

    Episode 6 ... the wheels have fallen off the show. Insipid expository dialogue abounds. The show feels like The Good Wife in space.

    And here is where my reviews end. I've given up hope on this series. At this point I'll be watching out of just sheer curiosity. That's probably not what the writers and producers intended.

    I've permanently lowered my score to 3.

    Episode 10 ... seems to be turning the corner, raising to 4    … Expand
  7. Kowal_155
    Feb 17, 2018
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spoilers ahead!

    At the beginning it was promising. I was really enjoying the show. I was thinking that, well actually it shouldn't stick that much to canon and all old things that were working in the past. And I was right, it was best when it was inventing it's own things even if the were total scientific rubbish that good sci-fi should never accept. The worst part of it started when they started producing "blinking" to the canon fans like with Mudd episode when he was resetting time on and on. It was stupid, not funny, although it looked like it was the intention (it was just pathetic) and the ending of that episode was idiotic. Anyway, I was hoping that such cheesy moments will be from time to time... How wrong I was... Then the creators pulled the mirror nazi-humanity multi episode moment... I despise this mirror universe since the beginning of Star Trek, but it was something that was working in political environment in 60's with TOS. It was **** with ENT. It is fermented **** now. So: selling principles of Star Trek (like positive view of future, humans not getting in conflicts, being tolerant and so on, and so on, blah blah blah) for going into the worst parts of this universe? Total loss. Connecting the finale with the Pike's NCC 1701 was a cheap maneuver. Around the middle of the season one something was starting to smell terribly. Was it Fuller exit and not writing the proper continuation of the initial setup? Or was it that badly planned from the beginning? There were supposed to be 16 episodes. We got 15. Somewhere in time they needed to record new material when DIS started to get popular in the internet discussion. So I guess with the much disturbed production decision was made to be it just one season series. Later they decided to open it for second season. That's why last episode is so ridiculous to the whole war subject, not finishing it properly, doing unbelievable malakias... New Star Trek to be modern needs to disconnect somehow from the old, much loved series. This way it's just modern mediocre sci-fi like series, very bad Star Trek. No one is pleased. My girlfriend that disliked previous classic Star Treks liked this series at the beginning. But with declining quality she had no problem stopping watching at some point when I was getting frustrated but still continuing (because it's new Star Trek!). They killed much liked doc... they shouldn't do that. Lorca was killed just like that... and actually he was interesting. Most of core fans didn't like him ("he's not a starfleet captain with starfleet principles!") but that was interesting change.
    The one that was losing Star Trek identity but still - if the rest was done correctly it wouldn't matter. And gosh! It just lacked vision on how to show Qo'noS! Mos Eisley in Star Trek brand... I feel like after showing big T'Kuvma ship with whole story and meaning of it, they used all creative fuel... So it wasn't all bad, but as the whole it is. Hope they will improve in second season, and if there's reason for it get the hell back the Fuller! I have a feeling that his quit was partially a reason for declining this season to **** level.    … Expand
  8. megawavez
    Feb 13, 2018
    5
    The last episode was pretty cringe worthy with a miraculous solution to a difficult problem then a strange handing over of responsibility to the enemy, it.. just... didn't... make... sense. Additionally, I just don't like the main character. She's supposedly raised on Vulcan, but how did she survive? She's extremely emotion, and prone to be rash, although the show says she's supposed toThe last episode was pretty cringe worthy with a miraculous solution to a difficult problem then a strange handing over of responsibility to the enemy, it.. just... didn't... make... sense. Additionally, I just don't like the main character. She's supposedly raised on Vulcan, but how did she survive? She's extremely emotion, and prone to be rash, although the show says she's supposed to be very logic and competent - it's simply doesn't jive. The first season wasn't that good - hopefully they're are just getting warmed up and we'll see more intricate characters and dialogue.… Expand
  9. Dubeau
    Feb 13, 2018
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Overall the visuals got better with time. That part didn’t disappointed. I like that they took the sober road for the Andorians, Orions. I wish they would have done the same for the Klingons from the start. The season was going everywhere but nowhere...I think they could have saved it, if the Discovery would have come back at the time they left and without Georgiou…and 1-2 episodes sooner. Then they could have ended the war in a more sensible way regarding the Klingons. Allowing themselves time to setup how the Klingons would stop and not resolving to so many magic shortcuts. They switched so many times the villains that none of them were really important to the story. They put themselves into a corner where they could only use L’Rell in the end, without even set her up properly toward the other Klingon clans. And Kahless and the religion point got forgotten in the end. I did loved the actors, their acting. The FX were very well done, better in the end. But the story was just like a disaster in motion and spinning out of control, leaving us with a blatant rushed and shorthanded ending. I gave a 50%. This makes me regret Anaxar somehow.… Expand
  10. vipman
    Oct 24, 2017
    4
    I'm a long life long sci fi fan but the story lines in this series seem to be written by 12 year old child who has gay male parents. The concepts are so far fetched, yet everything is so obvious its hardly worth watching an episode to the end. The the overuse of gay couples? This is Sci fi, not modern family. And the constant use of the overly emotional captain and 1st officer for everyI'm a long life long sci fi fan but the story lines in this series seem to be written by 12 year old child who has gay male parents. The concepts are so far fetched, yet everything is so obvious its hardly worth watching an episode to the end. The the overuse of gay couples? This is Sci fi, not modern family. And the constant use of the overly emotional captain and 1st officer for every dangerous mission, which always goes wrong...... Weak, and disappointing. Acting, sets, and CGI are ok. Its just the story lines that fail… Expand
  11. allquixotic
    Oct 17, 2017
    4
    This show is a mixed bag in my opinion. The first three episodes are pretty bad; they're mostly devoid of character interaction, and trying to recreate the constant buzz of explosions from the new Star Trek films. Episodes four and five are much more intriguing as they provide some tentative ties to the other Trek media, and provides a potential in-universe justification for all the darkThis show is a mixed bag in my opinion. The first three episodes are pretty bad; they're mostly devoid of character interaction, and trying to recreate the constant buzz of explosions from the new Star Trek films. Episodes four and five are much more intriguing as they provide some tentative ties to the other Trek media, and provides a potential in-universe justification for all the dark themes and moral ambiguity that the show is all about. That said, this sort of "edgelord" thematic is getting really tiresome of late, and I grow tired of it growing like a cancer and taking over every single show I watch. Not every show has to be about cataclysms and wars and explosions and gunfights and characters that hate each other. It's sort of like the present-day toxic culture in general is starting to consume our media, and I don't think it's helpful to society; it sort of fans the flames. Where'd the optimism and innocence in Star Trek go? They're essential to what makes Star Trek, well, Star Trek. So overall I'm really annoyed by this show, and even though it's starting to get interesting, it's really disappointing to see it characterized this way as another doom and gloom edgy show. I want the original themes of Star Trek to return at some point; otherwise this review stands.… Expand
  12. abm0
    Oct 4, 2017
    5
    It has its moments, mostly due to the visuals they invested in (except the intro, which is completely out of place), but overall it's an incoherent, self-important, cliche-ridden and overly violent mess so far. I'm definitely enjoying The Orville more right now, but I'll still follow this along for another while, just because of the title.
  13. verdon
    Dec 2, 2017
    4
    The Asian captain should stay and be the star. The black captain and science officer are
    Terrible actors. Very poor and unbelievable to me. It’s like a poor mans version of Star Trek.
  14. KentuckyWindage
    Oct 28, 2017
    4
    I watched four episodes before throwing in the towel. Poorly written and not a single likeable character. Bravo you bunch of cretins. Watch The Orville instead.
  15. katieelizabeth
    Sep 30, 2017
    5
    I can only review the first 2 episodes, because that's all that has aired so far. As someone who has enjoyed Star trek since TNG and has basically watched every episode since then at least twice, I am qualified to say that Star Trek: Discovery really isn't a Star Trek series. It has been "2017'd" - meaning it has lots of padded sequences, poor and pointless dialogue, juvenile conflictI can only review the first 2 episodes, because that's all that has aired so far. As someone who has enjoyed Star trek since TNG and has basically watched every episode since then at least twice, I am qualified to say that Star Trek: Discovery really isn't a Star Trek series. It has been "2017'd" - meaning it has lots of padded sequences, poor and pointless dialogue, juvenile conflict between characters that are supposed to be professional star trek officers, and the show's writers seem to value shock value at times - all evidence of the 2017 tv show formula. Star Trek is supposed to look forward - it has got to be better than this, and treat it's audiences with some respect.

    Seeing as Enterprise started it's season with a Klingon arc, and has already explored these early Klingon-era stories quite well before, doing it yet again feels like the series is going over well-explored territory already. The Next Generation had the best Kligon focused stories, and DS9 even went to war with them. Honestly, what is there left to do?

    The show's special effects are quite amazing, but that's honestly the only thing that's really going for it. I'll take the rich characters, deeper plots and intrigue from DS9 over this any day.

    Maybe I shouldn't be too critical - most Star Trek series have started fairly poor after all - but the acting and direction is very clear here... it's almost as if I can predict the tone for the rest of the series, just because I've seen it all before with other modern tv shows. Uninspiring to be sure, and very disappointing.    … Expand
  16. tkoosting
    Jan 16, 2018
    5
    Update:
    During and after episode nine the show gets better (so I upped my score from 0 to 5). Only thing which is still disappointing is the continuity: this trek universe is way more advanced than the trek universe it is supposed to precede. It should have been a less techie-trekkie...
    --- Really trying hard to watch this show. But this show shouldn't have been called Star Trek: -    Update:
    During and after episode nine the show gets better (so I upped my score from 0 to 5). Only thing which is still disappointing is the continuity: this trek universe is way more advanced than the trek universe it is supposed to precede. It should have been a less techie-trekkie...

    ---

    Really trying hard to watch this show. But this show shouldn't have been called Star Trek:
    - bad acting;
    - everybody 's angry, always!
    - the ship design/other visuals is/are nothing like Roddenberry's and Jeffries (and Okuda's) vision;
    - a spore drive, really?!
    - story doesn't fit the Star Trek universe;
    - The Klingons... What were they thinking! Or as Kirk would have said: KAAAAAAAAAAAAAHN!

    Will keep trying to watch it, but it sure is painful...    … Expand
  17. timeknight
    Nov 3, 2017
    4
    I really wanted to give this show a chance, and a higher rating. I just can't though. It does not hold true to the Star Trek feel of previous shows. This definitely feels like Alex Kurtzman just tried to make Star Trek like Transformers. It tries too hard to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

    The first episode actually starts out great. I loved the dynamic between characters on    I really wanted to give this show a chance, and a higher rating. I just can't though. It does not hold true to the Star Trek feel of previous shows. This definitely feels like Alex Kurtzman just tried to make Star Trek like Transformers. It tries too hard to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

    The first episode actually starts out great. I loved the dynamic between characters on the Shenzhou. Captain Georgiu had a very refined vibe. I was looking forward to seeing how the crew developed. That vibe was rudely interrupted by Klingons who look and sound more like orcs from Lord of the Rings. So much for human relatability of the Klingons. They've somehow devolved into savage tribesmen.

    Here are the main pros of Discovery:
    - Great sets and costumes
    - Great cinematography
    - Great use of special effects
    - Acting talent isn't that bad

    Main cons:
    - Waaaaaay too grim dark. There's no space opera here. It's grittier than beach sand.
    - Too melodramatic. Where's the positivity that was characteristic of previous Star Trek shows?
    - Klingons who are LotR orcs.
    - There's a lot of scenes where they show federation officers doing things like beer pong, or dropping f-bombs. This makes no sense, given the fact that Star Fleet officers are held to a higher standard, and shouldn't be drunk when they're expected to be fighting a war.

    If CBS was trying to alienate Trekkies, they succeeded. They made a standalone sci-fi drama though.    … Expand
  18. Metric_Thread
    Oct 24, 2017
    4
    I think it is not bad show. But it is no good either. I just watched 6 first episodes yesterday lying sick in my bed, and after that I don't know if I want to watch the next ones. The story is quite interesting, but there are some points that just push me away from that show.

    STD is over politically correct. To the point that if there will be new character introduced in future episodes,    I think it is not bad show. But it is no good either. I just watched 6 first episodes yesterday lying sick in my bed, and after that I don't know if I want to watch the next ones. The story is quite interesting, but there are some points that just push me away from that show.

    STD is over politically correct. To the point that if there will be new character introduced in future episodes, you can be sure it will be some gay or trans muslim black woman, and she will probably be in relationship with the main character.

    The captain of Discovery is a bad guy. Captain of the Federation starship from the title of the show cannot be evil. That is just not star trek.

    The complete disconnection from star trek universe. Everything is more technologically advanced than in any other star trek. That just makes no sense.

    I think 4 points is exactly what this star trek deserves.    … Expand
  19. parallax_84
    Jan 19, 2018
    4
    My problem with this show are the main characters... acting is wooden , they have no charisma, they are boring to death. I watched 6 episodes and i couldn't watch anymore.
  20. Masterhummel
    Sep 26, 2017
    6
    I think there are a lot of people who will enjoy it and i'm happy for them. But the series hasn't grown on me yet. It has the same issues for me the new star trek movies have - everything feels overdesigned and everyone acts like being a freshman on a camping trip with characters all over the place instead of what i would associate with star fleet. Also i'm not very keen on the expositionI think there are a lot of people who will enjoy it and i'm happy for them. But the series hasn't grown on me yet. It has the same issues for me the new star trek movies have - everything feels overdesigned and everyone acts like being a freshman on a camping trip with characters all over the place instead of what i would associate with star fleet. Also i'm not very keen on the exposition dumps being so inorganic.
    But then, the new Star Trek movies where incredibly popular so it's probably just me. I've read a few times that people would've liked it as a new IP - i'm pretty much in that camp right now.    … Expand
  21. danghe
    Oct 14, 2017
    5
    This is not star-trek from my perspective. They go in the past and they change the looks/voices for an entire species (the Klingon). I am sorry, but if I was the director and I would have seen the proposal of the new Klingon species, I would have fired that guy instantly. They could have improved the known look, not change it entirely.
    If you are a fan of old start trek series, probably    This is not star-trek from my perspective. They go in the past and they change the looks/voices for an entire species (the Klingon). I am sorry, but if I was the director and I would have seen the proposal of the new Klingon species, I would have fired that guy instantly. They could have improved the known look, not change it entirely.
    If you are a fan of old start trek series, probably you would be disappointed as I am. This decision shows lack of respect to the previous star trek fans, especially to the ones that have got attached to Worf. Even their voice is off. You would expect an imposing voice, considering they have 3 lungs and a big chest/resonance chamber. Well, no...it's like they speak through their nose...

    I've recently found The Orville. That is a lot more star trek than this one. Seriously!    … Expand
  22. brianlear
    Oct 16, 2017
    4
    Episode 5--Choose your pain--This was the best episode of the series so far, but the bar is pretty low after the last few. Finally the writers realized you need some kind of sub-plot to allow characterization to occur, instead of some grand umbrella called "serialization." So we got a prison-break episode set on a Klingon ship and it didn't turn out half bad. Lorca is the tough guy. MuddEpisode 5--Choose your pain--This was the best episode of the series so far, but the bar is pretty low after the last few. Finally the writers realized you need some kind of sub-plot to allow characterization to occur, instead of some grand umbrella called "serialization." So we got a prison-break episode set on a Klingon ship and it didn't turn out half bad. Lorca is the tough guy. Mudd is onboard (why?). I still don't like how the Klingons are portrayed, but it's becoming apparent that the writers feel that is how they must be portrayed if we are to buy into them being the enemy. It just feels wrong though--we have many years worth of Klingon episodes etched into our hearts--those honorable, tough, warriors, yet somehow remarkably human at the same time. Those Klingons are gone and I think they made a mistake doing it that way. It could have been done so much better.

    The spore plot advanced a bit and possibly ended--we'll see. There was some attempt at characterization of the crew members, which is a promising sign.

    Still, the writers continue to show their immaturity and lack of writing prowess. We still get several long expositional speeches to cameras. In one scene, it is particularly cringy--this time, a 30 second recap of the spore drive plot delivered speech-to-audience style by Burnham. This one had me hitting the pause button to have a laugh with my wife about the quality of the writing.

    Sometimes, it appears as if the cast are being forced to deliver their lines at 2x speed.

    The editing is loose and in several parts, just poor. The captain appears in a shuttle by himself with no warning, and we are left wondering why he is there and then is suddenly attacked. The captain somehow steals a shuttle from the Klingons without us knowing about it. We don't need to see every single thing that happens behind the scenes, but glaring errors like these pull you out of the action and it's just poor editing. I bet the scenes were shot, even. But where are they?

    The cinematography--passable. We still have copious amounts of exaggerated lens flare, washed out colors, and monotone sets. Camera angles are all over the place although not as blatant as the pilot.

    F-bombs--unbelievable, seemed forced, like the writers were trying to say "Hey look at us, we do unexpected things like put swearing in Star Trek. Watch the next episode please."

    During this episode, it has become become apparent that Burnham is dragging the show down. I'm not sure how many more extended shots of her expressionless face I can take. I sincerely hope that the writers have done this purposefully, in preparation for her character to shed her tough exterior and evolve into this wonderfully colorful person. If so, great. Let's get evolving. She's dragging every scene she's in, and it's possible it might just be her. She needs some fun episodes to let her character come out.

    It's a slow start. For DS9 this early on, we had already met Garak, who would go on to be one of the shows most memorable characters. And the 5th episode was "Babel"--an interesting story about a virus that induces speech oddities that allowed the actors to say funny things. Voyagers 5th episode was "The Cloud"--about harvesting resources out of a living nebula. It was not an incredible episode but I do remember it fondly--it was, similar to Discovery, about the ethics of harming sentient life forms. TNG's fifth was "The Last Outpost"--a misguided introduction to the Ferengi that never went anywhere.

    2 stars for me. There was some promising characterization. The prison-break sub-plot was a welcome departure from the ponderous serial arc. But the writing, pacing, and editing continue to be poor, and Burnham is dragging the show down. Overall it still feels like fan-fiction with good CGI.    … Expand
  23. Senatic
    Oct 7, 2017
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not Star Trek. If you want Star Trek watch The Orville.

    First 2 episodes have major plot holes, highly illogical character choices, is filled with action, lens flares, horizontal shots and some seriously questionable directing. Here are the offenses I spotted during the first viewing.

    - Captain and First officer casually breaking the prime directive.
    - Nobody tracking the Captain and First officer while they are on an alien planet.
    - Nobody tracking the sand storm, which they knew was coming.
    - Not being able to transport them out from a sandstorm (seriously is transporter technology regressing all of a sudden?)
    - Tracing a federation star symbol in the sand, that by the way wasn't immediately covered by said sand storm, this symbol can somehow be seen from space even though it's barely visible from the ground.
    - Can't scan foreign object because of interference (Dampening field), how to solve problem? Shoot first officer at problem.
    - Crew is surprised when they lose contact with the first officer they just shoot into the place they a minute ago couldn't scan.
    - Accidentally kill Klingon, hamstringing the main characters ability to have any meaningful development from what should be a pretty major plot point for a character whose parents were murdered by Klingon.
    - Survive radiation longer than stated by the crew should be possible.
    - Magically get back to the ship without telling the audience how.
    - Heal serious radiation burns and "unspooling of DNA" (lol wtf that's not how it works) in minutes seriously undermining whatever danger this part of the plot just put the character in by minimizing the impact it has.
    - Mutiny against the captain for emotional reasons(keep in mind this is supposed to be a human raised by Vulcan's)
    - The protagonist is objectively wrong to try to attack the Klingon ship since the moment after she is stopped a whole fleet of Klingon ships shows up, meaning had she succeeded they would have blasted the Discovery into a trillion little pieces killing everyone on board (exactly the thing the protagonist was trying to prevent.)
    -Comes up with plan to capture Klingon leader, then when the chance arises kills him instead switching her weapon from stun to kill because... Otherwise there wouldn't be a show?

    I could accept a more action focused version of Star Trek, but Discovery is just plain bad and insults your intelligence. Yeah it looks very nice and obviously has a **** ton of money behind it. Shame that's all it has, totally wasted opportunity. Ep 3 was better, but I guess most people will have dropped it before that already.    … Expand
  24. Xelda
    Oct 13, 2017
    4
    After watching 3 episodes, it's MEH! for me. I'm not impressed with the JJ Abrams style visuals because the rest of the show is forgettable. Forgettable characters, forgettable story. Just boring. If you want Star Trek, watch The Orville. If you loved the JJ Abrams movies, then you will probably love this.
  25. scorpion999
    Oct 21, 2017
    6
    Nice try but no cigar.
    Too many historical errors.
    Too dark. Plastic robot Klingons. Poor script in places. Poor acting in parts. Poor casting with several characters. Over the top politically correctness. Over stretched storyline. Swearing not relevant. Star Trek doesn't swear because it doesn't need to. Too arty farty with camera work and editing. Apart from that I loved it.    Nice try but no cigar.
    Too many historical errors.
    Too dark.
    Plastic robot Klingons.
    Poor script in places.
    Poor acting in parts.
    Poor casting with several characters.
    Over the top politically correctness.
    Over stretched storyline.
    Swearing not relevant.
    Star Trek doesn't swear because it doesn't need to.
    Too arty farty with camera work and editing.
    Apart from that I loved it.
    I will be watching and enjoying it for what it is.
    A mildly entertaining new sci fi series loosley based around the Star Trek theme that I have come to love and cherish.    … Expand
  26. Thylbanus
    Sep 27, 2017
    4
    Everyone is SO one dimensional. The writing is so horrible that even the cast appears to be aware that they just need to rush through their lines. There is no humor, or relatability. And in the end, you start to realize that the Federation is the Borg in this show. The only reason I even gave it a 4 was because the CG was so good. Hell, they should have just let Alec Peters do AxanarEveryone is SO one dimensional. The writing is so horrible that even the cast appears to be aware that they just need to rush through their lines. There is no humor, or relatability. And in the end, you start to realize that the Federation is the Borg in this show. The only reason I even gave it a 4 was because the CG was so good. Hell, they should have just let Alec Peters do Axanar and it would have been better.… Expand
  27. jcanfis
    Nov 7, 2017
    4
    i ..... really ........ do ........ not ........... like ........... klingon.............. scnes.......... with ........subtitles....... it ......... is .........slow.........and.........boring!
    I lately skip the klingon scenes as they bore me to hell.
  28. mcq767
    Sep 27, 2017
    4
    I've only seen the first episode, but it was not encouraging, and the ending was totally awful. Like other reviewers have stated, this is much more JJ's Trek than Roddenberry's. The Klingons are purple, the lens flares are everywhere, and its much more focused on action than diplomacy. The main character is insufferable and I **** you not, (very inconsequential spoiler) Vulcan nerveI've only seen the first episode, but it was not encouraging, and the ending was totally awful. Like other reviewers have stated, this is much more JJ's Trek than Roddenberry's. The Klingons are purple, the lens flares are everywhere, and its much more focused on action than diplomacy. The main character is insufferable and I **** you not, (very inconsequential spoiler) Vulcan nerve pinches the captain in the first episode because she wasn't getting her way. I'll give it a shot and watch the next few, but based on the first episode, this feels like bad fan-fiction with $50 million thrown at it, and once its distribution service, cbs all access ultimately fails and its budget is slashed, I'm not confident its script and acting will be able to carry it.… Expand
  29. tr1cky1
    Nov 8, 2017
    4
    Strong production and performances by the cast are handcuffed by the mediocre stories and plots. The cast seems to know how to have fun, but the fundamental tools to move the story along are flawed, prompting the audience to think, well, why didn't they just do these 4 things instead to keep the crew of the Discovery out of trouble?
  30. TheTRaiN
    Sep 25, 2017
    4
    Poor (and wooden) writing. A horrible bridge layout. Badly delivered lines (i.e., bad acting). Weak story, at least, as introduced in the first episode. Doesn't feel like Star Trek at all. If it wasn't called "Star Trek," I'd have turned it off fifteen minutes in. Sad.
  31. Fiestykitten
    Sep 25, 2017
    5
    The Klingon makeup was too restrictive, hiding any any chance of the actors expressing emotions. It was so Abrams in appearance it would have been better not being part of the TV series universe. Plus the opening music was a pathetic whimper with a tiny bit of Trek theme thrown in like a bone at the end. They should have set it after Voyager and my mind boggles at their reasoning for 10The Klingon makeup was too restrictive, hiding any any chance of the actors expressing emotions. It was so Abrams in appearance it would have been better not being part of the TV series universe. Plus the opening music was a pathetic whimper with a tiny bit of Trek theme thrown in like a bone at the end. They should have set it after Voyager and my mind boggles at their reasoning for 10 years before Kirk. Didn't they learn anything from Enterprise?
    Yes the effects were great and I can see it going somewhere, just not where I might have loved it to go. Orville, save me.    … Expand
  32. Palanthemion
    Oct 3, 2017
    4
    Interesting story so far, but if you remove the insignias and rename the Klingons to whatever just another sci-fi show. The Star Trek you know is absolutely insignificant to follow the events. No real depth so far. I hope this will change. Otherwise nice to see - but definately nothing to really get involved with.
  33. TomSummers
    Feb 20, 2018
    4
    What a mess. Consider this a standalone series outside the regular Star Trek universe.

    The writers and producers have turned this Star Trek on it's head. You name it, they've pretty much re-written it. The uniforms (terrible), the way the Klingons look (more terrible), even the Klingon speech. The actions sequences are sparse and short. All talk, no action. It's not a drama in    What a mess. Consider this a standalone series outside the regular Star Trek universe.

    The writers and producers have turned this Star Trek on it's head. You name it, they've pretty much re-written it. The uniforms (terrible), the way the Klingons look (more terrible), even the Klingon speech. The actions sequences are sparse and short. All talk, no action. It's not a drama in space; it's a soap opera in space. They drop the occasional reference to the proper Star Trek universe in a vain attempt to make it part of the Star Trek canon but it won't work (Pike and Archer have come up, Sarek shows up sometimes).    … Expand
  34. TheWalkingLost
    Mar 27, 2018
    6
    Purely as a Sci-fi series, without dragging the franchise into it, I rate Discovery a 6.7.

    As a Star Trek Series I rate it a 5.3.

    (1-4: Unwatchable swill // 5: Genre fanatics only // 6: OK // 7: Good // 8-10: Degrees of Awesome)
  35. SuperKev
    Sep 24, 2017
    5
    This is about the first 2 episodes only. I thought the general quality of the sets, actors, wardrobe etc.. were really good. They went with action and a quickly moving dialog which is probably a good thing to retain audiences later. My problems with the series so far are: 1) They completely redesigned the Klingons basically top to bottom. The Klingons dialog is laughably slow and the timeThis is about the first 2 episodes only. I thought the general quality of the sets, actors, wardrobe etc.. were really good. They went with action and a quickly moving dialog which is probably a good thing to retain audiences later. My problems with the series so far are: 1) They completely redesigned the Klingons basically top to bottom. The Klingons dialog is laughably slow and the time gap between each word is just very grating and hard to hear/watch. 2) 65 minute episode, just 37 minutes of actual "show" you don't even get a 1:1 ratio show to ads and intros which will drive away and 3) they added a "mystical" element with the Vulcans which is a clear lack of understanding of all the previous series data on their capabilities. I liked the plot, it had to be simple because what can you do within just 37 minutes? 4) The actual space combat was very weak. They seem to regularly confuse phasers with photon torpedoes. If they clean this up it could be a good series.… Expand
  36. pianocomposer
    Sep 25, 2017
    6
    It was pretty to look at, boring to watch, politically correct with the female leads, and hard to believe in terms of how crazy the Burnham character went off the reservation. If I were her captain, I would have shot her. The Sarek character was not interesting without his human wife. The whole thing was just blah. It doesn't help that I can't watch the rest of the show because CBS isIt was pretty to look at, boring to watch, politically correct with the female leads, and hard to believe in terms of how crazy the Burnham character went off the reservation. If I were her captain, I would have shot her. The Sarek character was not interesting without his human wife. The whole thing was just blah. It doesn't help that I can't watch the rest of the show because CBS is hiding it behind an expensive digital pay system (All Access). For all of these reasons, I will never watch another episode.… Expand
  37. Akilax
    Sep 27, 2017
    5
    "Hopeful" is what I would call my attitude towards this new series after having seen the first two episodes.

    Granted it has quite a few flaws, but I hope that many of them may just be caused by todays need to hook viewers immediately. If that is the case and they manage to get to the roots of what made the old Star Trek series great, I think we may be in for a treat. Visually the    "Hopeful" is what I would call my attitude towards this new series after having seen the first two episodes.

    Granted it has quite a few flaws, but I hope that many of them may just be caused by todays need to hook viewers immediately. If that is the case and they manage to get to the roots of what made the old Star Trek series great, I think we may be in for a treat.

    Visually the show is amazing so far. It is absolutely AAA quality and does not have to hide from any cinema releases. Unfortunately, that does not help to ignore its flaws, like the flat dialogs when a character has to explain some background information.

    In general I would say that the show often seems to try and introduce complete newcomers to Star Trek, with as much lore as possible. That's not a bad thing in itself. It does become bad though when you have characters talk about themselves or their species in a way that seems detached, void of personal relation and more like a narrative explanation. And there are many times where the behaviour of characters seems to be decided more by the need to push forward with the story than by the need for consistency of a personas actions.

    - People with apparently deeply rooted convictions are convinced by someone to do something that would normally not even cross their minds, after just a short talk.
    - Reasonable people and people who normally excel at thinking logically fail to see how a situation proves a hypothesis in an obvious way and continue to act as though the hypothesis was wrong.
    - Flashbacks try to show us why someone acts the way they act, but in such a brief and abstract manner, that it does not help understand as much as it just stipulates it.

    The huge advantage of TV shows as opposed to movies in my opinion is, that they have much more time to narrate. They can let the viewer experience the development of a character and therefore allow them to better understand them. So far, "Star Trek: Discovery" seems to rush through this potential. The creators appear desperate to serve everyone their cup of tea and seem to end up giving nobody what they really want.

    As I assume, that all these shortcomings are just owed to the financial pressure of the producers and their need to appeal to a huge audience as fast as possible, I am hopeful. Hopeful, that once the audience is hooked after a few shows the creators will take their time and let us live through the experiences together with the characters in this show.

    The basis for an awesome show has been set by the team behind it. The style of telling their stories still needs some refinement. I will follow the show and hope to see the necessary changes for it to become what I think it could and should be. If it stays the way it is now though, I can't recommend it.    … Expand
  38. Diosys
    Sep 24, 2017
    6
    The updates to the visuals and the Klingons were the saving grace of the premiere. Starfleet crew is as unStarfleet as it gets. Too many flashbacks, Katras. Show is really disjointed and needs work. Pacing is way off. Two hour premiere and I didnt connect with a single character, except Yeoh's character, and anyone who watched the premiere understands why thats an issue for the rest of the season.
  39. Boreas
    Sep 26, 2017
    5
    The problems with the show will be written about at length by others, all I'll say is that the show doesn't fit in the same universe as the earlier Star Trek shows and is best viewed as a separate continuity.

    One thing I did think was interesting was the way T'Kuvma articulated the Klingon view of the Federation, it says it comes in peace but in reality it's an existential threat to the    The problems with the show will be written about at length by others, all I'll say is that the show doesn't fit in the same universe as the earlier Star Trek shows and is best viewed as a separate continuity.

    One thing I did think was interesting was the way T'Kuvma articulated the Klingon view of the Federation, it says it comes in peace but in reality it's an existential threat to the Klingon way of life. I'm not sure how much the writers intended it to be the case but this actually echos very clearly Islamist views of the West and Liberal Democracy.

    The other parallel is with the theme of reuniting the Klingon Empire, more than one Muslim (usually Arab) leader has talked about the need to reunite some form of caliphate as a way to combat Western values and political power.

    It'll be interesting to see how they manage to show both sides of the conflict and to what degree the audience may find itself in sympathy with the Klingons, I think there is some real potential there.    … Expand
  40. ScienceAdvisor
    Feb 13, 2018
    5
    (Based on seeing all 15 episodes instead of just 3)
    A curious mix of good, bad, and downright ugly. Too much development in areas that are to be later discarded, convenience as a major story elements, and shaky handicam moments, albeit with the same UHD quality, drags this down to sub-par town. A near total disregard for continuity, where the writers/director/showrunner cannot    (Based on seeing all 15 episodes instead of just 3)
    A curious mix of good, bad, and downright ugly. Too much development in areas that are to be later discarded, convenience as a major story elements, and shaky handicam moments, albeit with the same UHD quality, drags this down to sub-par town. A near total disregard for continuity, where the writers/director/showrunner cannot understand that a destination only one light year away takes about 1 second at max. warp, is never going to please those weaned on Star Trek. CBS is committed, so here is hoping season two sees significant improvements.    … Expand
  41. DoctorZack
    Oct 1, 2017
    4
    Congratulations. Even if you don't delve into this with a political mind, this is by far the most disappointing inclusion into the Star Trek franchise. While visually stunning (because money), the series lacks any of the heart or resemblance to the franchise's previous entries. My advice, go watch The Orville if you want to see a true Star Trek heir.
  42. ppstudent
    Sep 29, 2017
    4
    As a Trek fan, I'm quite disappointed in the way the first episode went. Maybe that is me but there is so many things wrong with the characters. The cast was kind of weak and maybe that will improve as they gets through the first few episodes. One of the problems is that Star Trek wasn't made to be both stiff and dark. On the other hand, Star Trek Orville has a strong cast, a strong storyAs a Trek fan, I'm quite disappointed in the way the first episode went. Maybe that is me but there is so many things wrong with the characters. The cast was kind of weak and maybe that will improve as they gets through the first few episodes. One of the problems is that Star Trek wasn't made to be both stiff and dark. On the other hand, Star Trek Orville has a strong cast, a strong story line, and a lot of humor (both flat and funny).… Expand
  43. flowbeus
    Sep 26, 2017
    5
    I have to give this a low score. It's just not the Star Trek I want it to be. I don't want to watch space explosions and amazing CGI and nothing else interesting for a whole season.

    It's not all bad, but I'm not sure why I'm watching it, what's this show going to be about? There's nothing to care about and no one to identify with. I want Star Trek to make me think and show us an    I have to give this a low score. It's just not the Star Trek I want it to be. I don't want to watch space explosions and amazing CGI and nothing else interesting for a whole season.

    It's not all bad, but I'm not sure why I'm watching it, what's this show going to be about? There's nothing to care about and no one to identify with. I want Star Trek to make me think and show us an optimisitc vision of humanity. I don't want generic space conflict. I just didn't see anything interesting or thought provoking here.

    Nevertheless, I want to see more, I'm willing to give a show some time to gain it's footing. But CBS please don't put this behind a pay wall. Just make the paywall early access. If it is really Star Trek, and has a real message for humanity, Gene Roddenberry would want it to be over the airwaves.    … Expand
  44. Grizwald
    Sep 25, 2017
    6
    Pretty good, but not as good as I expected! Writing was generally poor, and the character development patchy as best. Even the special effects were disappointing! BobSmash
  45. BarbaraS
    Nov 29, 2017
    6
    My husband and I very much looked forward to this new series and we really wanted to like it. So we tried to focus on the positive sides, like some of the interesting characters. But After 7 episodes we must conclude that it is a big disappointment.

    The storylines are very bad. The technology is inconsistent with all the previous shows. The speed of the episodes is tiring. It is too    My husband and I very much looked forward to this new series and we really wanted to like it. So we tried to focus on the positive sides, like some of the interesting characters. But After 7 episodes we must conclude that it is a big disappointment.

    The storylines are very bad. The technology is inconsistent with all the previous shows. The speed of the episodes is tiring. It is too dark and violent: countless tortures and killings in each episode. The Klingons are no Klingons in both appearance and behaviour. Klingons are honourable warriors, but in this series they resemble underhand Cardassians. Very disappointing. I hate the unfriendly sarcasm in the dialogues. This doesn't fit with the harmonious integrity among the crew of Star Trek ships, which is one of the things why I am a fan.

    I keep watching because I hope that it will improve. I would love to enjoy a good new Star Trek series with intelligent stories about interesting ethical problems, in the ideal world of the Federation. That is what we like about Star Trek and that is what's missing in this series.

    --addition--
    It gets much better after episode 7. Therefore I changed my score from 4 to 6. I recommend to skip the first seven episodes. In episodes 8 and 9 it finally starts feeling more like Star Trek again. It's still badly written, each episode still has actions that don't make any sense, we still miss depth in the stories, we miss Federation ethics, and the inconsistent technology and weird Klingons remain a shame. But we did enjoy these last two episodes better. We absolutely love main character Michael, she is great. Saru as well. And Tilly and other characters are growing on me. I have good hopes that it will keep improving.

    To the writers, director and producers of the show, please listen to the criticisms! Please involve Trekkies with the writing!    … Expand
  46. pissedtrekky
    Feb 21, 2019
    5
    I'm a long time trek fan and Discovery had my attention up to the last three episodes. the last episode i shut off after that science geek guy said how he was going to miss his bf's sexy scar! I'm not sure who there target audience is supposed to be but I've seen daytime soaps that were less gay. The first season was pretty good and the start of this season then they started to over actI'm a long time trek fan and Discovery had my attention up to the last three episodes. the last episode i shut off after that science geek guy said how he was going to miss his bf's sexy scar! I'm not sure who there target audience is supposed to be but I've seen daytime soaps that were less gay. The first season was pretty good and the start of this season then they started to over act everything and turned up the homosexual volume and tried to push the humor where it feels labored at best. did they change the director or something? what's with all the looking at each other all the time the dramatic pause like in soaps. and why all the man love bull/ is this the brokeback mountain star trek? and who else is sick of looking at the first officer's face? it looks like a vjj! I guess i'm going to go finish watching it but i'm hoping vjj face gets killed on this episode and if the science geek and the doc that came back from the dead kiss again i'm done! I can't believe they're ruining this.… Expand
  47. shoulderoforion
    Sep 25, 2017
    6
    the show was better than i expected it to be, the klingons were awful, but the space battles were mint. i'm in, i'll be adding this to my weekly schedule. boldly.
  48. Mooncalfian
    Sep 25, 2017
    6
    Beat by beat reaction:

    They saw their footprints, but not the two figures walking? From space? New opening sequence doesn't feel very Trek at all. Not really feeling it. Banter feels forced. The comment about sarcasm for example. It didn't really flow, and just felt a bit fake. Bernham's character seems to know way more about science than the science officer. Wonder if she'd    Beat by beat reaction:

    They saw their footprints, but not the two figures walking? From space?

    New opening sequence doesn't feel very Trek at all. Not really feeling it.

    Banter feels forced. The comment about sarcasm for example. It didn't really flow, and just felt a bit fake.

    Bernham's character seems to know way more about science than the science officer. Wonder if she'd know more than him if their genders were reversed? In fact, all of the men seem snivelling and idiotic. Even the Klingons are depicted as an all male ship crew. What does that say about men? Even the admiral is idiotic and bull-headed. And then the Klingons show up, and guess who actually listens to reason? The one single female Klingon in the entire show so far. She even stands at the head of all 24 houses, leading them. Which would be fine, if by this point they hadn't painted all men to be idiots or weak or cowardly.

    There's so much focus on the one character, that you lose a chance to get to know everyone else as much. It ends up just being 4 or 5 central characters, with one single main one. Other minor characters get lines but there's no depth to them, and that doesn't feel very Trek at all. Trek was always about the characters, and not just one character, and not even just the Captain. It was always about all of the characters, and there were usually a lot of them.

    'Oh hey! A ship couldn't navigate that asteroid field! Let's send in a person on a jetpack instead!' What?!

    The main character is smart, capable, brave, strong, and her only weakness appears to be that she feels emotion. In what way does that make her an interesting character? She has nothing about her that's captivating or makes her unique as a protagonist. She's basically the same as every other heroin from the past 20 years; emotional yet capable. Where's the extra depth that all the other Trek characters had?

    Despite the failings so far, I'm enjoying the Klingons and the tension. Those parts are well done.

    "We are your livestock of old," was a great line. It harkens back to The Next Generation where they say they no longer enslave animals for food purposes, and that shows a respect for canon in regards to the canon's heart, if little else. I found that to be a subtle and welcome nod to true lifelong fans.

    Speaking of canon, however, the holograms are truly canon destroying. In the future they talk to people on screens, and in the past they talk to people on screens. Moreover, holograms are impractical and require much more power than a screen. It seems illogical that they'd use them for simply talking to a commanding officer. Plus, the Klingons use holographic communication technology also? Why? Why would both cultures use it and give it up at the same time?

    The camera tilt and lens flares and dark sets are trying too hard to emulate JJ Abrams' Trek. Why you'd want to do such a thing, I'll never understand. Moreover, it's an overdone, trite aesthetic, which has been used in just about every space sci fi show and movie for the past 20 years, except for the Trek shows.

    The pacing and atmosphere so far is close to excellent. It builds slowly but surely, rather than jumping headlong into it like the more recent movies did. There's still perhaps too much action, but it at least takes its time in making you care.

    The moment where she starts demanding they fire first is ludicrous. Of course they can't, this is Starfleet. And then the neck pinch on her captain is an extreme over reaction, and not believable. It absolutely does not endear us to her character. She's also extremely rude and condescending, as is seen in the second episode.

    More canon breaking with the vulcan neck pinch from a human. It feels more like JJ Abrams has brushed them up on their canon, rather than actual former writers of Trek (who are now mostly working on The Orville anyway).

    Why are they sending two small people against a crew of super strong Klingons, in a close quarters environment where they are likely to have to go hand-to-hand? And the two highest ranking officers? They have security members, so send them. It's the little details like this that are ruining a show which was on the right track.

    Why are the judgement council all sitting the dark, like some X-files villains? What's all that about?

    Overall, I enjoyed these first two episodes. A fair amount, in fact. But there's just too many plot holes and tropes and a pretty unlikeable, uninteresting protagonist to make it something that is sure to last. It's a good show, but it's not Trek.    … Expand
  49. EasternCanuck
    Oct 16, 2017
    6
    I like this show for what it is - a Star Trek 'themed' show. Characters are not very interesting, though the captain is growing on me as we learn more about him. The Klingons are a small disaster. I don't know why they were re-invented but they haven't got that correct. I appreciate that there is Klingon language but there are so many Klingon scenes that I get tired of reading subtitles.I like this show for what it is - a Star Trek 'themed' show. Characters are not very interesting, though the captain is growing on me as we learn more about him. The Klingons are a small disaster. I don't know why they were re-invented but they haven't got that correct. I appreciate that there is Klingon language but there are so many Klingon scenes that I get tired of reading subtitles. It's like I'm watching a foreign film at times.… Expand
  50. Nasher
    Nov 26, 2017
    5
    Gave it a chance. The story is somewhat interesting, but most the characters are just not convincing and don't seem natural. Feels more like an outlet for "diversity" and "special people" issues than Star Trek.
  51. revillo
    Mar 4, 2018
    5
    They put a lot of effort into the production, but the writing and acting are pretty awkward. My main problem is the tone of this show, which comes off as hyper-anxious and obssessed with war and personal shame, as if determined to convince viewers that intergalactic exploration is a no-nonsense affair, full of dead-serious but emotionally petty professionals in high stakes situations.They put a lot of effort into the production, but the writing and acting are pretty awkward. My main problem is the tone of this show, which comes off as hyper-anxious and obssessed with war and personal shame, as if determined to convince viewers that intergalactic exploration is a no-nonsense affair, full of dead-serious but emotionally petty professionals in high stakes situations. Fun? Well that's for children. It does add a lot of action, tension and some cliffhanger filled continuity between episodes to make it a bit more exciting and binge-worthy for streaming, so many will probably appreciate those aspects, but most of what made star trek noteworthy in the first place is gone.… Expand
  52. WhiskeyStories
    May 1, 2018
    6
    Season 1 part 2: While the second part of season one started out pretty strong with a fun premise and probably the most enjoyable episode of the whole show (episode 10), it quickly went downhill. The showrunners pretty much wasted the concept's potential and made it into a schlocky space war, yet again, not really keeping with the spirit of Star Trek. As a whole Discovery is a decent showSeason 1 part 2: While the second part of season one started out pretty strong with a fun premise and probably the most enjoyable episode of the whole show (episode 10), it quickly went downhill. The showrunners pretty much wasted the concept's potential and made it into a schlocky space war, yet again, not really keeping with the spirit of Star Trek. As a whole Discovery is a decent show with fantastic high quality production and some fun characters, but unfortunately it's second half was just as underwhelming as the first, without any kind of improvement really.… Expand
  53. Nobilis1984
    Oct 21, 2017
    6
    Criticism to star Trek: Discovery episode 1

    To All only I must say that this is no more star Trek like I know it. Everything feels strange. There are first sometimes the Klingonen. Supposedly it plays 10 years before Spock, Kirk und Co. Why look then so lousy? Why not as well as in the series of 1966-69?? In addition there come the dull characters. Earlier one had Spock, a Data or a    Criticism to star Trek: Discovery episode 1

    To All only I must say that this is no more star Trek like I know it.
    Everything feels strange. There are first sometimes the Klingonen. Supposedly it plays 10 years before Spock, Kirk und Co. Why look then so lousy? Why not as well as in the series of 1966-69??
    In addition there come the dull characters. Earlier one had Spock, a Data or a Seven of Nine they have protruded. Now I see only one pale heap of types.
    It is not also any more about discoveries of foreign species and cultures in all. No one gets the old Klingonen of the attic again.
    But for the end still what of positive. Visually simply first-class made.
    If no star Trek stood, however, before it, it could be any Scifi series.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Episode 2: See episode 1
    Episode 3-5: Clear increase and improvement with stories and Cast.
    The stories it is entertaining and persuade me.
    The action is clearly driven back.    … Expand
  54. MrNonono
    Nov 19, 2017
    5
    Average show. While the acting is done well (Rapp is fantastic), the writers lack inspiration, the story doesn't have any depth or surprises and the costumes are just horrible to watch. Especially in the clumsy fighting scenes, done in a giant rubber Klingon suit. Or the non-existing facial expression in 'emotional scenes' with First Officer Saru with the autistic/Vulcan main character.
  55. apannilsson
    Oct 25, 2017
    5
    I have never been much for Star Trek, but I do love Sci-Fi.
    The first episode felt stale and uncertain. But after episode 3 I am totally hooked.
    I like the characters, the setting and the premise and am very curious about where the show will go from here. Very good! ---- Edit--- Am now on episode 6 and unfortunately the series has become a bit boring, whimsical and predictable at    I have never been much for Star Trek, but I do love Sci-Fi.
    The first episode felt stale and uncertain. But after episode 3 I am totally hooked.
    I like the characters, the setting and the premise and am very curious about where the show will go from here.
    Very good!
    ---- Edit---
    Am now on episode 6 and unfortunately the series has become a bit boring, whimsical and predictable at moment. I am afraid I wont even make it through episode 6 because its just not very interpreting anymore. It peaked at episode 3 and then just went straight downhill. So Im gonna leave it at a 5 now.    … Expand
  56. spacie
    Feb 7, 2018
    6
    My love for the show mostly stems from it being in-universe Star Trek, not on its own merits. It's kind of too dark, the Klingon stuff is laid on too thick, literally and figuratively, and just in general, war in space gets boring/repetitive after a while. What I do like is it has some solid dramatic moments, I'm becoming invested in some of the characters, and the on screen diversity isMy love for the show mostly stems from it being in-universe Star Trek, not on its own merits. It's kind of too dark, the Klingon stuff is laid on too thick, literally and figuratively, and just in general, war in space gets boring/repetitive after a while. What I do like is it has some solid dramatic moments, I'm becoming invested in some of the characters, and the on screen diversity is great. I'm not going to be one of those "It's not Star Trek!" hacks, but I will say it's not strong sci fi. This show doesn't have me chewing on ideas about the human condition. I miss that.… Expand
  57. Doomfrost
    Sep 6, 2018
    5
    On it's own, it wouldn't be a bad sci-fi show, but CBS isn't about taking risks or creating new IP, so they've gone the safe route and have used Star Trek as it's an already established brand. I don't think Star Trek will by any means be harmed by Discovery, but I think the show will be forgotten a lot quicker once it runs its course and will cater to an abysmally small audience who onlyOn it's own, it wouldn't be a bad sci-fi show, but CBS isn't about taking risks or creating new IP, so they've gone the safe route and have used Star Trek as it's an already established brand. I don't think Star Trek will by any means be harmed by Discovery, but I think the show will be forgotten a lot quicker once it runs its course and will cater to an abysmally small audience who only care about chic syfy than actual science fiction.… Expand
  58. Bluntage
    Mar 2, 2018
    6
    This show has a lot of potential. I started watching it being very skeptical and would probably give it a 3 or 4 based on the first couple episodes. I'm liking the return to standard non-100 frame per second battle scenes and the whole idea of the spore drive. At this point, the show isn't as good as Enterprise so I can't see it making it past the second season unless it gets a lot better.
  59. jim_taltontish
    Jan 15, 2018
    6
    BSG and SG:U had a baby, and they asked J.J. Abrams to be the godfather. To me, this is by far the worst Star Trek series to date. Given the lack of options for my sci-fi cravings, this is still worth watching. I remember thinking how awful ST:TNG was, but by the third season, it was my favorite show of all time. I'm praying that this show will follow suit. There are a lot of greatBSG and SG:U had a baby, and they asked J.J. Abrams to be the godfather. To me, this is by far the worst Star Trek series to date. Given the lack of options for my sci-fi cravings, this is still worth watching. I remember thinking how awful ST:TNG was, but by the third season, it was my favorite show of all time. I'm praying that this show will follow suit. There are a lot of great cast members, and it's still too early to write this show off. I hope they can tone down the semi-shaky cam and the overly earnest emotional discussions where everyone looks like they're about to cry.

    The Orville, Dark Matter, BSG, all the other Star Trek series, SG-1, SG:Atlantis, Babylon 5, and Firefly made us care about multiple characters by their respective episode 11 airing. I'm hoping by the end of season two they can greatly improve both their storytelling and character development.    … Expand
  60. rbunge
    Feb 7, 2018
    6
    Excellently written and top notch effects. Unfortunately it falls into the Hollywood agenda. Multi-verse is now run by females backed up by blacks, Asians, gays, and aliens. Only straight white male is a treasonous turncoat that they kill off. I am sure the will have some red shirts though in the future.
  61. sefrabu
    Feb 12, 2018
    5
    Despite a few quite intriguing and well conceived plot twists, and some nice (although slightly wooden) social commentary a Star Trek always was, this series is one of the most disjointed, unfocused and erratic I've ever seen. "Throw somenthing at the wall and see what sticks" is almost literal here, and I have every reason to believe that it were not real people who wrote the script, butDespite a few quite intriguing and well conceived plot twists, and some nice (although slightly wooden) social commentary a Star Trek always was, this series is one of the most disjointed, unfocused and erratic I've ever seen. "Throw somenthing at the wall and see what sticks" is almost literal here, and I have every reason to believe that it were not real people who wrote the script, but some kind of a highly advanced script generator, analysing every single sci-fi concept used in the last 20 years and applying them to a single series.

    But the biggest sin of Star Trek Discovery is that it is not Star Trek at all; and if it wasn't called "Star Trek", and featured a new universe, it would have died unnoticed after the first few episodes.    … Expand
  62. Satanski
    Feb 19, 2019
    4
    I rather liked the movie at first, minus idiotic plot with Ash Tyler and obligatory gay characters, but general stupidity of protagonists, eventually made me quit watching it. Gerenrally i hate stupidity and poltical correctness.

    I watched whole season in the end, and it came to me, this series would be so much better without Ash Tyler and Michael Burnham. They are stupid, weak and thus    I rather liked the movie at first, minus idiotic plot with Ash Tyler and obligatory gay characters, but general stupidity of protagonists, eventually made me quit watching it. Gerenrally i hate stupidity and poltical correctness.

    I watched whole season in the end, and it came to me, this series would be so much better without Ash Tyler and Michael Burnham. They are stupid, weak and thus annoying. I started fast forwarding Ash scenes, and series only gained from it.    … Expand
  63. u182506
    Feb 17, 2018
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So I'm glad I waited until the end of the season to write this. I was super excited about Discovery and couldn't wait for it to show. And then when I sat down all excited to watch it I was massively disappointed. It really just sucked.... So much so that after watching the first 9 episodes (up until the break) I didn't even bother watching the last 6.

    But I decided I should see how this giant missed opportunity finished up, and I found myself having a mini-binge. I watched the last 6 episodes in 2 nights and they were pretty good. The whole parallel universe storyline was interesting and perhaps helped explain some of the 'darkness' in the first 9 episodes. If I've voted after the first 9 eps I'd probably have given it a 3, but now its earned another 3.

    There are still a bunch of things that I think make no sense, and generally just blow: rotating saucer section (that appears to serve no purpose), the whole fantastical 'spore-drive' thing, and why in the name of all things holy would said spore drive cause a starship to roll rapidly when activated?!    … Expand
  64. PurpleCrayon4U
    Apr 18, 2019
    4
    While Season 1 tried to get its footing, Season 2 of ST:D felt bold enough to make statements that are reflective of 21st century 2019. As we venture into the future, CBS:All Access will be fragmenting the Star Trek Universe into at least 3 separate directions and time spans. I am not looking forward to being preached to about current status quo, or to try and shoehorn humor into scenariosWhile Season 1 tried to get its footing, Season 2 of ST:D felt bold enough to make statements that are reflective of 21st century 2019. As we venture into the future, CBS:All Access will be fragmenting the Star Trek Universe into at least 3 separate directions and time spans. I am not looking forward to being preached to about current status quo, or to try and shoehorn humor into scenarios that don't require it, or to receive speech after speech after speech of how dubious and thou art.

    What I want for the existing and new paths that the Star Trek Universe shall traverse are tales of science fiction and mystery and suspense and action and drama that have to do with ventures unfathomed with subjects and decisions that have to do with the future and not based upon 21st century 2019. Give me some Ray Bradbury, some Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke-and stay away from the tabloid stories that Star Trek:Discovery was so fond of in Season 2.    … Expand
  65. pjnt
    Apr 19, 2019
    4
    I am unable to continue watching this series. I made it 2 episodes into season 2, but this is a weak money grab on the Star Trek name.

    It follows the exploits of a single character. Unlike Starfleet which prides itself on rules that create and maintain peace, the protagonist breaks rules, the bigger the better, the more often the more shock effect to continually come out on top. Where    I am unable to continue watching this series. I made it 2 episodes into season 2, but this is a weak money grab on the Star Trek name.

    It follows the exploits of a single character. Unlike Starfleet which prides itself on rules that create and maintain peace, the protagonist breaks rules, the bigger the better, the more often the more shock effect to continually come out on top. Where TNG stove to show humanity a way forward, Discovery idolizes rouge impulsive behavior as a successful career path.

    It does reveal society today, though. People need a bigger boom to get a reaction. However, from an older viewer, no boom, just dud.    … Expand
  66. PilotwaveSpace
    Dec 27, 2018
    4
    The show is very well crafted and the actors are doing a good job. I even like the look and the dark setting for some of the episodes. But most of the stories and dialogs just make me shake my head in disappointment. Sometimes the "logic" of the protagonists is just plain stupid and that is something I would not expect from a Star Trek series. I really hope the show-runners get someThe show is very well crafted and the actors are doing a good job. I even like the look and the dark setting for some of the episodes. But most of the stories and dialogs just make me shake my head in disappointment. Sometimes the "logic" of the protagonists is just plain stupid and that is something I would not expect from a Star Trek series. I really hope the show-runners get some intelligent writers on board for the next seasons.… Expand
  67. sitebender
    Apr 19, 2019
    4
    Season 1 of Discovery was better and even that was a struggle to watch. I hated the storyline of Season 2 and when they do these grand season long story arcs, you're stuck. So if it's a bad story that you're not into, that's 10+ episodes your stuck in.

    The first few episodes of the series, the characters felt easy to hate. I dislike the main character as she's just Wesley Crusher. She    Season 1 of Discovery was better and even that was a struggle to watch. I hated the storyline of Season 2 and when they do these grand season long story arcs, you're stuck. So if it's a bad story that you're not into, that's 10+ episodes your stuck in.

    The first few episodes of the series, the characters felt easy to hate. I dislike the main character as she's just Wesley Crusher. She managed to start a war, she's the unmentioned sister to Spock and just in general, everything truly revolves around her, so the crew is largely forgotten about. There's so many background characters lucky to get a line in and the whole thing just doesn't feel like Star Trek.

    Even with two seasons finished, I know little about each character beyond a back story. The $10 a month to pay to watch something that I didn't enjoy felt like it hurt the experience.

    With all that said, there are glimmers of good or enjoyable stories and episodes among several dull episodes that feel like they're building to a finale.    … Expand
  68. pizzapicante27
    Apr 20, 2019
    4
    Its generic sci-fi show #513, they just slapped the Star Trek name on it, Season 1 is, just that, kind of mediocre, I'd give it a pass and say all Star Trek shows have terrible 1st season, but as I write this I've dropped Season 2 half-way through, it isnt fair to judge a season based on its follow up, but unfortunately the series goes from bad to worse to intolerable, dont bother, this isIts generic sci-fi show #513, they just slapped the Star Trek name on it, Season 1 is, just that, kind of mediocre, I'd give it a pass and say all Star Trek shows have terrible 1st season, but as I write this I've dropped Season 2 half-way through, it isnt fair to judge a season based on its follow up, but unfortunately the series goes from bad to worse to intolerable, dont bother, this is a waste of time.… Expand
  69. Surg3on
    Feb 14, 2019
    6
    The acting is all over the place. The writing is just passable. I think they are attempting to steer the ship more toward 'star trek' and discovering rather than the Star Trek Crew Drama of season 1 so I'm looking forward to things improving.
  70. eagleeyeviking
    Dec 22, 2019
    4
    Something about this adaptation feels flat. Yes, the set designs are impressive, there are moments that work, and the visuals are mostly breathtaking. However, the dialogue is expositionary, the script is poorly written, the characters are emotionless, and the pacing is inconsistent.
  71. ganglio33
    Feb 8, 2019
    4
    One big hole in my nerddom has been star trek: I've never consumed book, tv show or movie of this universe. Waiting for the continuation of several excellent sci-fi series (The Expanse, Westworld...), I came across the Orville. It started out with a very scatological/childish humor but became better and better such that it is one of my favourite shows in today's tv. Therefore I went toOne big hole in my nerddom has been star trek: I've never consumed book, tv show or movie of this universe. Waiting for the continuation of several excellent sci-fi series (The Expanse, Westworld...), I came across the Orville. It started out with a very scatological/childish humor but became better and better such that it is one of my favourite shows in today's tv. Therefore I went to look at the original and watched star trek: discovery. Aside from good production value it has been a very disappointing show with almost no good story and a complete ignorance of the motto "go boldly where no one has gone before". It is one long thrillery story arc with a one-dimensional enemy. I normally love all Brian Fuller things as they meet exactly my humor. But here, there is no humor. Its just metally, bluish darkness. If you want to watch a dark sci-fi series, watch "the expanse", which is just 100x better. If you want to watch something a bit more uplifting, watch the orville. Or even (as I did) go and discover the 30 year old star trek the next generation. Through the superb storytelling in the old ones, they are still very easy to watch and even today better (speaking as a millenial).… Expand
  72. Muckelchen
    Oct 29, 2019
    4
    It´s a good series, but not a very good Star Trek series. If you not a very big fan of Star Trek, it´s a nice series to watch. But as a Star Trek fan i am disappointed.
  73. RobMarr75
    Dec 31, 2022
    4
    Season 1 is the only one I watched, so it's the only one I can review. It's just not very good. It has the promise of a fresh new Star Trek, which is exciting, but if you read the reviews of later seasons, it's clear it only goes downhill. I don't think "woke" was a huge problem in season 1. However, the characters, the plotting and the dialogue aren't very good, and I decided I wouldSeason 1 is the only one I watched, so it's the only one I can review. It's just not very good. It has the promise of a fresh new Star Trek, which is exciting, but if you read the reviews of later seasons, it's clear it only goes downhill. I don't think "woke" was a huge problem in season 1. However, the characters, the plotting and the dialogue aren't very good, and I decided I would not be watching more.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best TV Season of 2017
1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
9
#9 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Oct 19, 2017
    50
    Discovery feels like it’s adrift between the adventure-of-the-week format of its network-TV predecessors and the kind of complex serial favored by cable and streaming.
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  2. The Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    Sep 26, 2017
    60
    Star Trek: Discovery feels like it's just finding its footing. On the promising side, Doug Jones is already a standout as Science Officer Lt. Saru, who's from an alien race called Kelpiens. And James Frain is perfectly cast as Sarek, the Vulcan who veteran "Trek" fans know as the father of Spock. The relationship between Burnham and Sarek is one of the more intriguing aspects of Star Trek: Discovery.
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  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Sep 26, 2017
    80
    Happily Star Trek: Discovery strikes a balance between what diehard Trekkies love about Roddenberry’s universe and what J.J. Abrams injected into its theatrical resurrection. Ethical dilemmas and a clash between cultures and traditions comprise the fore of the narrative, but the hours don’t skimp on phaser blasts and broadcast-appropriate carnage.
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