Star Trek: Discovery

:

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. Awaken
    Sep 28, 2017
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Unnecessary urgency - timers, countdowns, flashing warnings. Unrealistically frilly, convoluted, overcomplicated klingon customs, design and architecture. Heroes and zeroes - a single character that matters, everyone else is fluff. Everyone on the fed side being a 2017 human in values and outlook. No evolution of humanity. Plot plagiarism. Even more plot plagiarism. Dialogue plagiarism. Lack of plot. Obvious tropes. Convenient lack of autopilot for dramatic effect. More obvious tropes. Being unable to transport without lifesigns 2 minutes after transporting a bomb just fine. Too much CGI eye candying. Unnecessary conflict between colleagues. Too much unjustified tension. One dimensional characters. Not enough moral ambiguity. Shared assumptions of right and wrong. Everyone on "our side" being okay with mining corpses. Only decent moral examination taking place with a computer. Too much stating of the obvious. Uncomfortable subtle likening of Klingons to idealogically driven terrorists facing off against the USA / Federation. Zealous enemies saving laser bullets to allow cinematic convenience. Serious light bulb shortage in 23rd century court. The physics of a space ship, no matter how pointy it is, cutting slowly through another space ship instead of pushing it away.… Expand
  2. soulassssns
    Sep 24, 2017
    0
    Pros:
    Visuals look great
    Intro is fantastic Cons: Visuals: I know I placed them in the Pro category but I am listing them here as well since they seem to be highly influenced by the JJ-Verse films. Tech: Way to advanced looking for a show that takes place 10 years prior to TOS. Klingon's: New look is horrible. Klingon's: Sound like they have cotton in their mouths Writing is sub    Pros:
    Visuals look great
    Intro is fantastic

    Cons:
    Visuals: I know I placed them in the Pro category but I am listing them here as well since they seem to be highly influenced by the JJ-Verse films.
    Tech: Way to advanced looking for a show that takes place 10 years prior to TOS.
    Klingon's: New look is horrible.
    Klingon's: Sound like they have cotton in their mouths
    Writing is sub par as if it was written as fan-fiction. It is very obvious that liberals are writing the scripts by some of the discussions between the 1st officer,Capt and the Admiral as well as the dialogue of the Klingon leader.
    Character back stories: Sarek having a human (adopted?) daughter, that somehow was never mentioned in any other Star Trek show or film that the character was in?

    Why does a female human that was raised by Vulcans magically get a 1st officer commission on a Star-fleet ship? Why did she not go to Star-fleet academy?    … Expand
  3. andreadavided
    Sep 25, 2017
    0
    first of all it's all wrong, the klingons the uniforms the timeline it's all wrong. Secondly the main role and secondary role (95% of all action) is held by two women who seem out of place in a hard sci fi tv show. Basically it went the gender inclusion route and messed up. Skip.
  4. Shermos
    Sep 25, 2017
    0
    Surprise, Surprise. The critics are wrong again. This is not Star Trek.

    Terrible writing, unlikable characters, mediocre special effects, with only the barest resemblance to pre 2009 ST, yet it's supposed to be in the prime timeline! Wtf is with the Klingons?

    Don't waste your money.
  5. Voodoo123
    Sep 28, 2017
    1
    +Visual flair puts this shows aesthetic in line with 2009 JJ abrams film
    +Great cast
    +Interesting period for star trek lore -No longer a show about an advanced yet peaceful culture of unified civilizations -OTT lens flare/camera tilts/camera pans way too much movement for my taste -Starfleet crew noticeably relish in the death of their perceived 'enemy' -OTT klingon prosthetic makeup    +Visual flair puts this shows aesthetic in line with 2009 JJ abrams film
    +Great cast
    +Interesting period for star trek lore
    -No longer a show about an advanced yet peaceful culture of unified civilizations
    -OTT lens flare/camera tilts/camera pans way too much movement for my taste
    -Starfleet crew noticeably relish in the death of their perceived 'enemy'
    -OTT klingon prosthetic makeup impairs the actors ability to emote or even speak clearly
    -Story flavors mindless action over philosophical / ethical debate

    I really wanted this to work out but my heart sank when apparently someone at CBS thought 'lets do it JJ stylee'. I'm not sure any of this is fixable but what we have here feels like a massively lost opportunity...

    A first officer who vulcan nerve pinches her commanding officer to ATTACK a vessel who is supposedly brought up in a vulcan culture??? Did the producers ever watch an episode of star trek before making this show???

    I will keep watching in the hope something gets better but so far these 2 episodes are star trek sacrilege. (if this was anything other than star trek would've given 4/10 hence the 1/10)    … Expand
  6. KnightMarshal
    Sep 29, 2017
    1
    This is the first time I've felt the need to write a review. Huge Star Trek fan all of my short life (22). In terms of CGI 10/10. However, CGI does not make a series good. Character development is god awful. Star Trek was good because it developed multiple characters. This can't even develop 'the main' character properly. (Why is there even a main character?!) Most importantly, to theThis is the first time I've felt the need to write a review. Huge Star Trek fan all of my short life (22). In terms of CGI 10/10. However, CGI does not make a series good. Character development is god awful. Star Trek was good because it developed multiple characters. This can't even develop 'the main' character properly. (Why is there even a main character?!) Most importantly, to the developers, Thanks for **** on my favorite franchise you SJW cucks. Star Trek has always been progressive, but this is insanity. You all need to be fired, out of a torpedo bay preferably. End of rage rant.… Expand
  7. ggf51724
    Sep 24, 2017
    0
    Lets see...
    -purple hairless lizard klingons
    -prequel
    -one chillion gender ****
    -non captain protagonist
    -ugly ship
    -**** on the lore
    -midle finger to all the fans who dare to complain
    yep, dont like it
  8. Ashenkhar
    Sep 24, 2017
    0
    Complete garbage.

    Ignore the clowns giving this anything above a zero. This is not Star Trek, and is a disgrace to Gene Roddenberry's legacy. STD is an apt acronym for this. You should avoid it like the plague. Boring, and heavily commercial-laden turd. I watched the first episode, and couldn't stomach finishing the two-part premier by watching the second. Why was the captain    Complete garbage.

    Ignore the clowns giving this anything above a zero. This is not Star Trek, and is a disgrace to Gene Roddenberry's legacy. STD is an apt acronym for this. You should avoid it like the plague. Boring, and heavily commercial-laden turd.

    I watched the first episode, and couldn't stomach finishing the two-part premier by watching the second. Why was the captain even there? She served no purpose, other than as a set piece for her first officer to steamroll whenever she felt like it.

    There was so much suspension of disbelief required that I couldn't make myself do it. Footsteps in the sand... really? Really!?

    The user reviews of true fans speak for themselves. It is obvious that CBS is using this as a marketing ploy to lure people in to CBS All Access. There is zero merit to this show. With so much good content on Netflix and HBO, why bother with second-rate tripe such as this?

    I can't believe I wasted time watching this. Do yourself a favor, and trust the reviews steering you away from this.    … Expand
  9. 1738Creations
    Sep 25, 2017
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is below zero stars, it's zero kelvin. No. Temperature scales, not that ridiculous ship.

    The torturous opening pretty much sets the tone for the first episode. Likely the rest of the series. Captain exposition is on a planet explaining everything to us as though we're 5 year olds... "I'm the captain"... "I'm your first officer", "We've served together for 7 years"... "I'm the captain and think you should get a promotion"... "If I were on this planet I'd blend in because I'm a xeno-anthropologist". That's scarily similar to the actual dialogue. No joke.

    Terrible writing throughout. Star Trek is legendary for it's technobabble (in a good way). This is just babble. "Point 7 second field burst at level settings 13 point 5". However you're reading that, it's better than the actress that delivered it. I was offended.

    Then we find the girls have been walking in a 'circle', still on this damn planet. No, they draw out the Starfleet insignia with their footprints in the sand so the ship could spot them. That's right, the ships sensors couldn't penetrate some interference but their cameras could somehow see under the storm clouds. We're not idiots.

    ...well, aside from those that up-rate this garbage. Not including all the studios fake accounts.

    I'm glad all the girls in the series are fugly as hell. This way I'm not offended that they aren't wearing skirts short enough to see their underwear. Even the lovingly innocent Terry Farrell managed it in DS9. They aren't Enterprise uniforms, they aren't the original series. They were probably left over from some rubbish like Defiance. Wouldn't know.

    Actors? Terrible. Every single one of them. Maybe not the doctor but he hasn't much screen presence. You know why Asians don't get cast in lead roles more? Michelle Yeoh. I've seen more realistic acting from puppets in Team America. She arches in the captain's chair as though she has severe piles and her arms are taped to it. Surely they'd have given her a cushion or something? When she's given the acting stick and tries to interact with another human, she just stares with a paralyzed lifeless glare. It's even more laughable when she's trying to interact with a CG character. Has anyone explained to her how a green screen works?

    The black girl? Can't even remember their character names, that's how little impact they had on viewers. Just as bad. Has a bit more of a spring in her step, but zero acting ability. Delivered lines like she was on an episode of Dawson's Creek (watch it, loved that show). On such a high profile series you'd have envisioned high profile actors. Any actors would have been nice. Maybe another dog like in Enterprise. Everyone is a dog, that would be more believable.

    There was a science officer who didn't seem to be able to do his job? I can believe that would happen with so few candidates to chose from over a hundred worlds. There's simply no thought or intelligence gone in to the series, beyond making money for another film no one wants.

    I can't remember a crew who I've instantly hoped would all die from the offset. Not even The Orville and I wish Seth McFartlane (bum reference) the worst misery imaginable. Adrianne Palicki saves everything. Texas forever.

    The effects? They're very good for a TV show. Which is what the whole series is based around; style over substance. An actor falling against a 'metal bulkhead' and seeing the whole set wobble is what makes sci-fi. It's serious, stupid, believable, ridiculous and always fun. This is stupid, but in a serious way.

    The ship? Had a name? Something Chinese-ey? I don't know. It looked like a ship. Given the era you can't expect anything fancy, just a Constitution or Miranda. Looked a bit rubbish to be fair. Some background model left over from the latest film?

    Finally... the Klingons. As you have already heard, are missing. Replaced with Rhinopians from planet Rhinos 7. Apparently one of the producers gets $1,000 every time a subtitle appears onscreen. So no more looking away for a split second, you have to read every damn word they speak. Or learn Klingon. Well it saves on hiring talented actors when they don't have to read lines with any inflection! Should have subtitled Michelle Yeoh.

    Like whoever commissioned this nonsense, I have no idea what's going on. I hope there's no afterlife so Gene Roddenberry won't be in some torturous hell having to sit through this on repeat.

    For the record. I survived until 5 minutes before the end of episode 1. Apparently it gets worse.

    Just because it's new, doesn't make it good. When you realise the milk in the fridge went off 3 week ago, do you still drink it? Or do you get off your arse and find something better? Just watch a series you've seen before or try something completely different. You may like it. Don't watch this junk because they play the theme music and put up 'Star Trek' titles.

    This is as much Star Trek as those Nike trainers you ordered from China off eBay.    … Expand
  10. drmagnumwolf
    Sep 27, 2017
    0
    This is not Star Trek, if you want Star Trek, watch The Orville. There are numerous continuity errors, prime directive violations, technological misplacement, and it focus on one character instead of the entire crew.
  11. 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
  12. lilkillpappy
    Sep 25, 2017
    0
    They want me to subscribe to yet another service to watch this. Not going to happen Worst marketing idea in history. This show is going to bomb because of these greedy practices, and just so you all know, even after the additional cost there ares still commercials on CBS all access. This is so disgusting I want to vomit.
  13. ThemBakerBoys
    Sep 25, 2017
    1
    This dialogue is horrible! I have taken creative writing classes where the teacher would have roasted us for writing this bad. What a shame. Good cast and fairly good visuals wasted on a show where I want to mute the volume. There are also problems with the pacing and energy. They go to such great lengths to build up some little bit of momentum and then lose it when they cut to theThis dialogue is horrible! I have taken creative writing classes where the teacher would have roasted us for writing this bad. What a shame. Good cast and fairly good visuals wasted on a show where I want to mute the volume. There are also problems with the pacing and energy. They go to such great lengths to build up some little bit of momentum and then lose it when they cut to the Klingon scenes. Who knew Klingons were such chatterboxes? Like watching paint dry.
    "Something something, honor. Something something, torch." Snore!
    I guess Twin Peaks had me expecting something new and fresh and this is just stale cookie cutter "TV show" with the ubiquitous music rising to dramatic crescendo before the cut to commercial.
    To top it all off, the opening title sequence looks like a Chrysler car commercial from 2005. We have seen that "drawing comes to life" animation trick a thousand times. Watch the title sequence from True Detective season 1 if you want to see an opening that pulls you into the story and characters. And watch Green on any episode of Walking Dead to see what she is capable of in the hands of a competent director with a script that doesn't make you want to kick your sofa.    … Expand
  14. 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
  15. Vorter
    Sep 26, 2017
    1
    This suffers from the same problems as a the Kurtzman/JJAbram "Star Trek" movies. The motivation of the actions for the characters is so out of whack that you can't relate to them or understand why they do what they do. The dialog is awful, the acting subpar and the Klingons have been retconned into looking like and acting like Romulans (which is not surprising since whoever controls TrekThis suffers from the same problems as a the Kurtzman/JJAbram "Star Trek" movies. The motivation of the actions for the characters is so out of whack that you can't relate to them or understand why they do what they do. The dialog is awful, the acting subpar and the Klingons have been retconned into looking like and acting like Romulans (which is not surprising since whoever controls Trek IP for the last two decades has a stiffy for Romulans). This whole production is a mess. I don't expect Season 2. 30 minutes of episode 1 was all I needed to know of this train wreck. There's good Sci-FI out there, it's just not on CBS or their paywalled streaming service.… Expand
  16. bob12345
    Sep 25, 2017
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Star Trek Discovery: To boldly go where no fan wanted them to go. Dark, pointlessly dramatic with nonsensical plotting, this blatant cash grab fails to understand what Star Trek is supposed to be about in the first place. Not helping matters is the blatant JJTrek aesthetic - whereas normally Starfleet ships are bright and cheerfully lit, the Shenzhou prefers moody dramatic lighting and ugly lens flares. Characters, and I use that word loosely, spout exposition about themselves or their species in ways that have no bearing on the story itself.

    As to the story - well, there really isn't one. The boring reimagined Klingons, here a barely disguised substitute for ISIL extremists, show how bad the costuming itself has gotten. Mush mouthed, and at one point with obvious black makeup smeared over the teeth, they've effectively taken everything interesting and fun about the Klingons and turned it into a farce.

    As to the Federation - committing a war crime is not in character, at all. Blatantly violating Klingon funerary rights by putting a bomb in a sarcophagus is against the ideal of everything Star Fleet, and Star Trek was supposed to stand for to begin with. That's without touching on the whole "life sentence" absurdity. Someone forgot what a post scarcity utopia is supposed to be about.

    Bottom line, Star Trek: Gothic Trappings is an angsty teenagers wet dream of Scifi, masquerading as a beloved series.    … Expand
  17. 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?
  18. Bulk88
    Oct 8, 2017
    0
    By episode 3, this show has really doubled downed on nonsensical plot lines and dark grittiness(literally no one wants to flip the light switch). Discovery's writers do not seem to have an interest in making characters at all likable, Michael Burnham' is arrogant and aggressive and Captain Lorca is Lex Luthor in space, but instead wants to show off how updated and edgy Trek is now.By episode 3, this show has really doubled downed on nonsensical plot lines and dark grittiness(literally no one wants to flip the light switch). Discovery's writers do not seem to have an interest in making characters at all likable, Michael Burnham' is arrogant and aggressive and Captain Lorca is Lex Luthor in space, but instead wants to show off how updated and edgy Trek is now.
    Continuity has been totally ignored in too many way to list. Suffice it to say that I'm starting to suspect that this show is more a part of JJ's Trek than the original universe. (also the Klingon makeup makes it impossible to recognize emotion in their faces)
    Episode 3 pretty plays like Ridley Scott's Alien more so than Star Trek, the Orville is the better Trek show. The episode also introduces some bizarre and unexplained super spore that allows for an inexplicable scene of stargating around the galaxy.
    Really this show is not Trek. it's got a lot of action very little moralizing or philosophy. Really this show would be better if Seth McFarlane's pitch to CBS had been accepted and they had just made the Orville.    … Expand
  19. Rastan88
    Sep 24, 2017
    0
    Let Star Trek Die, please.

    There isn't a whole lot to say other than I hate this show. This show is not Star Trek. It is a grim, unsatisfying, cruel, poorly written mess of a show. Cloaked in the near time frame of the wonderfully iconic(and well lit)Star Trek original series. Dark, and depressing. Ugly set design, costume design, alien design. I thought "Enterprise" didn't have    Let Star Trek Die, please.

    There isn't a whole lot to say other than I hate this show. This show is not Star Trek.
    It is a grim, unsatisfying, cruel, poorly written mess of a show. Cloaked in the near time frame of the wonderfully iconic(and well lit)Star Trek original series. Dark, and depressing. Ugly set design, costume design, alien design. I thought "Enterprise" didn't have the greatest chemistry of actors, but this...oh my what an uncharismatic bunch.

    Well Netflix is funding the show so I'm sure we will get 9 or 10 seasons of it. My Star Trek ended with "Enterprise"

    For true Trekkies, stay far, far away. For Game of Thrones, or The Walking Dead fans, this may suit you.    … Expand
  20. Ripandread
    Sep 25, 2017
    0
    With the exception of the special effects, the debut of Star Trek: Discovery was horrible.

    Unlike previous Star Trek series, the lead characters of Discovery are bland and boring.

    The science officer was especially irritating. He made Jar Jar Binks look good.
  21. fabittar
    Sep 26, 2017
    0
    It's late; I should be asleep, but what I just watched is SO BAD I could not go to bed without issuing a warning: this show is so terrible that I am seriously concerned it might've given me cancer. I only watched 2 episodes tho, so maybe I'll be alright.

    This is not Star Trek at all. This is made for the masses of mediocre, stupid people. Maybe I'll come back tomorrow to elaborate, but    It's late; I should be asleep, but what I just watched is SO BAD I could not go to bed without issuing a warning: this show is so terrible that I am seriously concerned it might've given me cancer. I only watched 2 episodes tho, so maybe I'll be alright.

    This is not Star Trek at all. This is made for the masses of mediocre, stupid people. Maybe I'll come back tomorrow to elaborate, but for now - and just in case I'm too lazy and/or forget about this - heed my warning: STAY AWAY FROM THIS.

    Whoever is responsible for this should be ashamed. Better yet, they should remove this show from TV / streaming, ask people who recorded this horrible travesty to delete it, have all physical copies destroyed, and then apologize.    … Expand
  22. GarvielLoken
    Sep 26, 2017
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This isn't Star Trek.
    -canon got pooped on
    -Klingons are now Locust from Gears of War.
    -Klingons, sorry, Locust, shouldnt even have stealth tech yet, they bought it from the Romulans after TOS.
    -No more coloured uniforms (no more yellow, red, blue). Now everyone has the same uniform.
    -Main protagonist is a female black lesbian first officer that commits treason and war crime over emotional reasons, despite being half Vulkan, and attacks her own captain, a friend known for 7 years. Is that how Starfleet acts? muh emotions and treason?
    -every single person on the bridge is questioning everything. thats not how a ship works.
    -the captain teleports a bomb to a body of a Klingon officer that was being taken for burial, and blows it up. Is this ISIS, or Starfleet?
    -The asian captain couldnt speak english. It physicaly hurt to listen to her talk.
    -So much lens flare, it will make your eyes bleed.
    -the whole show is being recorded at 45 degree camera angle. Dont ask me why, i have no idea.
    -the captain made foorprints on the desert so the ship can find them. So i guess finding footprints in a huge-ass sandstorm is easier than looking for life signs.
    -why did the USS Europa blow up? why was is cut in half? laws of physics and logic dictates, it shouldnt happen. the ship should be pushed back, not cut, not to mention they could just.... reverse.

    All of it just doesnt make sense.    … Expand
  23. scifinerd215
    Sep 27, 2017
    0
    I was so disappointed. This should have been a spin-off set in the Star Trek universe instead of Star Trek series. Putting all of the canon issues aside, this on it's own was mediocre at best. The main character, i hate to say, was a terrible actress. One scene they say no one has seen the Klingon's in over 100 years, and in the next scene the main character was angry that Klingons killedI was so disappointed. This should have been a spin-off set in the Star Trek universe instead of Star Trek series. Putting all of the canon issues aside, this on it's own was mediocre at best. The main character, i hate to say, was a terrible actress. One scene they say no one has seen the Klingon's in over 100 years, and in the next scene the main character was angry that Klingons killed here parents. Also they need to tone down the lens flare. Why did they get rid of the intro? "Space the final frontier". Also the episode that aired on CBS was only like 25 minutes long and everything else was commercials, and to watch the rest of the episode you had to go online... This is a big pass for me...… Expand
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. Manalto
    Sep 25, 2017
    0
    Unlike many of the other negative reviews, it matters little to me whether this show follows Star Trek dogma or not; all I care about is - is it any good? Unfortunately, it's so bogged down in PC casting and character development (strong women, clownish men) that it's just dreary derivative drivel. The lead character MUST be a woman and she MUST be African-American. The only surprise isUnlike many of the other negative reviews, it matters little to me whether this show follows Star Trek dogma or not; all I care about is - is it any good? Unfortunately, it's so bogged down in PC casting and character development (strong women, clownish men) that it's just dreary derivative drivel. The lead character MUST be a woman and she MUST be African-American. The only surprise is that they didn't send her out on that space walk in a wheel chair. Pleasant lighting.… Expand
  27. 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
  28. ChrisWebb
    Jan 29, 2018
    0
    Whenever this gets good, the next episode is stupid and consistently 'jumps the shark' with ridiculous scenarios. I watched up to 13 epsiode and can't watch anymore.
    The writing goes from being great to ridiculous.
    How two women can beat a room full of men in hand to hand combat,is ridiculous. It'll be rdiiculous if was two men... ...RIpley from Alien is one of my favourite action    Whenever this gets good, the next episode is stupid and consistently 'jumps the shark' with ridiculous scenarios. I watched up to 13 epsiode and can't watch anymore.
    The writing goes from being great to ridiculous.
    How two women can beat a room full of men in hand to hand combat,is ridiculous. It'll be rdiiculous if was two men... ...RIpley from Alien is one of my favourite action heroes, she's cannot beat up a roomful of marines, but she has more grit than all of them, that's what makes her heroic.    … Expand
  29. mech
    Sep 28, 2017
    7
    As a long time Star Trek fan I came with an open mind. Unfortunately this show is really stupid so far.

    An uncontrollable starfleet first officer that acts like an emo teenager (she is supposed to have been brought up by Vulcans, lol) looks completely out of place. Kilngons are super annoying with their long-winded caveman speeches. Star Trek was always more on the philosophical    As a long time Star Trek fan I came with an open mind. Unfortunately this show is really stupid so far.

    An uncontrollable starfleet first officer that acts like an emo teenager (she is supposed to have been brought up by Vulcans, lol) looks completely out of place.

    Kilngons are super annoying with their long-winded caveman speeches.

    Star Trek was always more on the philosophical side and less pew pew bang bang. This one is the opposite.    … Expand
  30. Injun
    Nov 18, 2017
    8
    I didn't like it to begin with but it has grown on me.

    People's expectations are high because it's Star Trek but surely they won't make it a s bad as 'Enterprise' and I'm hoping it will continue to improve and be around for quite a few seasons
  31. DioGren
    Nov 6, 2017
    7
    After 3ep Series i up to 7 (Zero is done) But after 4Ep its 5.
    3Ep -Good Capitan.Good Atmosgering. Good Sientic idea(but not new) yea yea. Good Sientic oficer actor. Good 1-T.
    4Ep - Good moments Captain-Admiral-Spore Master) (Mike and Saru) but badly - traumatic animal, jump after kill klikngon bird (or fater or not jump or jump little and not traumatic animal) Minuses - Badly    After 3ep Series i up to 7 (Zero is done) But after 4Ep its 5.
    3Ep -Good Capitan.Good Atmosgering. Good Sientic idea(but not new) yea yea. Good Sientic oficer actor. Good 1-T.
    4Ep - Good moments Captain-Admiral-Spore Master) (Mike and Saru) but badly - traumatic
    animal, jump after kill klikngon bird (or fater or not jump or jump little and not traumatic animal)
    Minuses - Badly fight presoners,Capitan killed?(order) an draiver Prisones Ship(badly capitan - this is need be a secret)

    8EP - UP my Score 5 to 7.5. Good comonication mision, good astmoshere.

    Minuses 8EP - not save a Ship, this hardcore moments not like to Star Trek. Bad filling litenant and not reaction captain for this situation (his need more interesting for his comands personal)    … Expand
  32. Skeletor71
    Sep 25, 2017
    9
    Just as I thought. The Orville is more Star Trek than this. But... I really enjoyed it. I watched it on Dutch Netflix and I was VERY disappointed when I found out I had to wait another week for a new episode.
  33. Boxtears
    Sep 25, 2017
    10
    A lot better than I expected especially after the internet tried to convince me I should hate it before seeing even a single episode. But of course there's a mass campaign to get as many people to hate this as possible regardless of the actual quality of the show. Even after posting this, I guarantee you I'm going to get a ton of downvotes just for daring to think outside the echoA lot better than I expected especially after the internet tried to convince me I should hate it before seeing even a single episode. But of course there's a mass campaign to get as many people to hate this as possible regardless of the actual quality of the show. Even after posting this, I guarantee you I'm going to get a ton of downvotes just for daring to think outside the echo chamber of haters. That's fine, haters gonna hate.… Expand
  34. AlexMuld
    Sep 25, 2017
    10
    Well, this was something different.. As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I welcome the change of pace from invincible goody-two-shoes characters to something new. Finally. Keep it up.
  35. MadChiller85
    Sep 25, 2017
    10
    The most intriguing Star Trek series since Voyager. At first it feels a bit like a fan film, but the production value is much higher and there's a lot of depth here that I didn't expect. Yeah, the Klingons look strange, but overall this is definitely a show to keep your eye on.
  36. ShannonS
    Sep 25, 2017
    9
    This is the Star Trek I have wanted for decades. The FX is blockbuster grade, the casting is great, I loved the interaction between characters and loved the unexpected twist there.That being said, I do not think this should have been split as it was, the Vulcan Hello" does not stand on its own well, it needed the second part and viewers only seeing the first are really missing key parts.This is the Star Trek I have wanted for decades. The FX is blockbuster grade, the casting is great, I loved the interaction between characters and loved the unexpected twist there.That being said, I do not think this should have been split as it was, the Vulcan Hello" does not stand on its own well, it needed the second part and viewers only seeing the first are really missing key parts. I think CBS screwed up by hiding the needed 2nd half online.… Expand
  37. Badben
    Sep 25, 2017
    10
    This is exactly what the Star Trek franchise needs. Willing to let go of the TNG era, and move into modern television. Wonderfully acted, gripping story so far, and already hinting at addressing modern issues like culture vs race, I believe this will be the first show to out do The Next Generation.
  38. Discoverspace
    Sep 24, 2017
    10
    Star Trek Discovery is the Sci-fi we've all been waiting for since Enterprise. Many of times, tv shows will come on trying to innovate the idea of adventure, exploration, drama, and discovery, but they often times fail at meeting what the average users want. Disicovery not only meets those innovations, but exceeds it greatly.
  39. chrispezza
    Sep 25, 2017
    9
    Fan reviews here are way too harsh. This is a great evolution of the franchise, with above-average acting featuring strong female leads, good production value (which is more than can be said of most Star Trek TV), and a good story to kick things off.

    The 2 episode premiere was better produced than all Star Trek television series aside from the Original (which is impossible to beat due    Fan reviews here are way too harsh. This is a great evolution of the franchise, with above-average acting featuring strong female leads, good production value (which is more than can be said of most Star Trek TV), and a good story to kick things off.

    The 2 episode premiere was better produced than all Star Trek television series aside from the Original (which is impossible to beat due to it's legacy), and Star Trek TNG, which doesn't really get going til Season 3, and is philosophically brilliant + features Patrick Stewart, who like the Original, is hard to beat.

    All in all this was a fun watch with great production value and good kickoff story to set up for the season. I'm excited to see where it heads next.    … Expand
  40. PandaFromHell05
    Sep 24, 2017
    9
    As a subscriber to CBS All Access, I was able to watch the first 2 episodes of Star Trek Discovery. The first 2 episodes seemed like a 2-part episode, and will be as infamous as all the other 2-part episodes in the Star Trek franchise. My reaction..I enjoyed it!
    I will say, this show takes a little bit out of every Star Trek iteration that has been released so far. First, this show takes    As a subscriber to CBS All Access, I was able to watch the first 2 episodes of Star Trek Discovery. The first 2 episodes seemed like a 2-part episode, and will be as infamous as all the other 2-part episodes in the Star Trek franchise. My reaction..I enjoyed it!
    I will say, this show takes a little bit out of every Star Trek iteration that has been released so far. First, this show takes place 10 years before the original Star Trek series. Like Enterprise, it just seems too advanced for that timeline; however, who is going to watch a series that looks like its from the 1960's? However, I liken it to the J.J. Abram's iterations of Star Trek. This show basically feels like a TV show form of those movies. This form of storytelling also reminds me fondly of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which ditches optimism for a grittier story.
    This show, however, is unlike any other Star Trek before it. It takes from the same type of story telling as we've seen in shows like Game of Thrones and Orange is the New Black, using dramatic storytelling and flashback scenes.
    My advice...do the CBS All Access free trial. If you have a Roku or PS4, you can download CBS All Access for free. Watch the first two episodes. This is one of those shows that every Star Trek fan has to watch, and they will either like it (as I do), or they won't. I'm willing to accept that it's different from the other shows and give it a shot. Will you?

    I'm excited to see Episode 3 next week.    … Expand
  41. shayneosu
    Sep 25, 2017
    10
    Star Trek is back (on TV)! And I'm excited for it!

    It's hard to judge from just a few episodes, but I liked what I saw so far. It's exciting, futuristic and really well-produced. I can't wait to see where it goes. If you like scifi, you should definitely check this out. And if you're a Trek fan: (Very slight info ahead, but nothing I'd call a 'spoiler.' Still, if you're    Star Trek is back (on TV)! And I'm excited for it!

    It's hard to judge from just a few episodes, but I liked what I saw so far. It's exciting, futuristic and really well-produced. I can't wait to see where it goes. If you like scifi, you should definitely check this out.

    And if you're a Trek fan:

    (Very slight info ahead, but nothing I'd call a 'spoiler.' Still, if you're sensitive, watch the episode before reading.)

    This is the first time I've found the Klingons to be interesting. They've got an actual back-story and culture presented, rather than just being a mindless, battle-obsessed biker gang in space. (This is an old beef of mine, and I'm glad they're already addressing it.)

    The Vulcan-raised crew member is interesting. She's like the opposite of Spock. You sometimes saw glimpses of emotion through his wall of logic. With Michael, logic serves to rein in her emotions during stressful moments as she remembers her Vulcan training, and you see it in her face and mannerisms here.

    The ship and settings are great. They're JJ-verse inspired, and I'm alright with that. We can't have another TOS-looking ship in 2017. This looks like the future of our time, just like TOS did for the 60s.

    Overall, I'm really looking forward to seeing where this goes. Most Trek series start out a bit weak and build from there. I want to see this series grow to become one of the best in this historic franchise. And so far, I'm optimistic about its chances!    … Expand
  42. Vengar1965
    Sep 25, 2017
    10
    Excellent tv series, about time we got another star trek show!!! Acting, story, graphics superb. The show will look completely different from the originals due to we are in 2017 technology advanced.
  43. Sirr_Hann
    Sep 24, 2017
    10
    Haters, haters all over the place... I'm so tired of them. The two episodes were good even if (because of the trailers) almost everything was predictable. It is a start, a valid one. The real good news is that, from the next week, we are about to see something really new and unpredictable. I can't wait!
    Star Trek Discovery is a much darker and mature place and I love it, even if the    Haters, haters all over the place... I'm so tired of them. The two episodes were good even if (because of the trailers) almost everything was predictable. It is a start, a valid one. The real good news is that, from the next week, we are about to see something really new and unpredictable. I can't wait!
    Star Trek Discovery is a much darker and mature place and I love it, even if the Klingons looks pretty bad, but I really don't care about that. I never liked them anyway.    … Expand
  44. shinitaru
    Sep 25, 2017
    10
    I wouldn't have given this show a 10 if it weren't for all that haters that clearly want a decent show to fail. True score: 7.5-8. Don't listen to the haters, this show is pretty good
  45. Starcryst
    Sep 24, 2017
    10
    Don't listen to the idiots giving ST Discovery 0 Ratings. It's brilliant. The production values are amazing, the acting is top notch, the dialog is well written and believable and most importantly, the characters are complex and interesting.

    As a fan of the original series and an avid consumer of every TV series and movie since, I was afraid the series would be hi-jacked by producers    Don't listen to the idiots giving ST Discovery 0 Ratings. It's brilliant. The production values are amazing, the acting is top notch, the dialog is well written and believable and most importantly, the characters are complex and interesting.

    As a fan of the original series and an avid consumer of every TV series and movie since, I was afraid the series would be hi-jacked by producers and writers who valued Brand over Lore. I'm excited to report the show included a constant stream of excellent fan service with subtle historical details that are accurate for the time and place that the story takes place. For example, there is a point where the Klingon leader disgustingly references both Tellarites and Andorans (2 of the first 4 members of the Federation) even though none appear in the episode. ST:D (yes its an unfortunate abbreviation) has clearly been crafted by Star Trek fans with loving attention to the details of the source material..

    The most impressive part of the first 2 episodes in my opinion is the focus on creating a truly compelling culture for the Klingons that explains their xenophobic aggression towards other races. No longer are they simply 2 dimensional, evil props to be used as a foil to the Federations ethical and moral codes. We see glmpses of a fascinating racial history that provides logical context for their behavior and why the Federation failed so badly in early attempts to understand Klingons and how this inevitably led to conflict.

    For the first time in years, I'm excited to see what comes next in a Star Trek series. CBS looks to have a huge hit on their hands if they keep up this level of quality throughout the show run.    … Expand
  46. WNxWind
    Sep 24, 2017
    7
    Had the pleasure of attending the red carpet premiere. The budget seems as if it was a film per episode. This is an incredible addition to the Star Trek Universe.
  47. Adules
    Dec 19, 2017
    3
    This show feels like CBS meddled with the production, transforming Bryan Fuller's ambition into a generic sci-fi action show. If you were expecting quality writing and characters akin to Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation, and Enterprise, you will be disappointed. The main word I can use to describe this show is "thoughtless". It feels like they were more interested in making a generic,This show feels like CBS meddled with the production, transforming Bryan Fuller's ambition into a generic sci-fi action show. If you were expecting quality writing and characters akin to Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation, and Enterprise, you will be disappointed. The main word I can use to describe this show is "thoughtless". It feels like they were more interested in making a generic, manipulative, action movie than they were about verisimilitude, realistic characters, and subtext.

    The idea for the show is intriguing, but that's where the positive aspects end. It is distinctly not star trek. The klingons don't look, act, or think like klingons. The themes of the show is more focused on grim-dark story telling than the optimistic thought provoking soul of star trek.    … Expand
  48. shag00
    Jul 8, 2018
    2
    As I see it, Star Trek has always been a sci-fi exploration show, both of the cosmological and human spirit while occasionally addressing some of the edgier issues of American culture.

    What Discovery is, is a show, not much more than a liberal leftist take on homosexuality and doing "good" for various minorities such as dark-skinned people and people with intellectual disabilities set    As I see it, Star Trek has always been a sci-fi exploration show, both of the cosmological and human spirit while occasionally addressing some of the edgier issues of American culture.

    What Discovery is, is a show, not much more than a liberal leftist take on homosexuality and doing "good" for various minorities such as dark-skinned people and people with intellectual disabilities set in a well established commercial franchise. Seemingly gone forever are conundrums, lesser of 2 evils and truth, justice and the American way.

    A number of comments suggest, "it's a good sci-fi show just not a good Star Trek show", well quite frankly that's a crock of **** it's a terrible show, if it wasn't called Star Trek no one would watch it. Mid way during season 1, one of the most unrealistic scenes I have seen lately where one of the ship's crew opens the cage containing a ship-destroying-dinosaur-thing so she can cut it's toe nails.

    I found most of the other negative comments by other posters to be fairly accurate, no wonder the first guy in charge got fired because he obviously knew the show sucked. I feel disappointed also that the majority of so-called professional reviewers are more concerned with being perceived as politically correct than they are with critically appraising a long running, well established series which is both a prequel and a sequel, thereby leaving very little room to change many aspects of the over arching story, within which it fits.    … Expand
  49. sonny2dap
    Feb 13, 2018
    3
    This was mixed to begin with, and went downhill.

    The performances in general were solid by the cast but the writing and direction were lacking exemplified best by the finale. So we have set up a backs against the wall scenario, a war like implacable foe is at the city gates and everything you know says the enemy will not back down unless confronted with overwhelming force, they    This was mixed to begin with, and went downhill.

    The performances in general were solid by the cast but the writing and direction were lacking exemplified best by the finale.

    So we have set up a backs against the wall scenario, a war like implacable foe is at the city gates and everything you know says the enemy will not back down unless confronted with overwhelming force, they respect warriors and strength and if you don't defeat the enemy everything you know will be destroyed, you're playing for all the marbles.

    You have a way to strike back at the enemy and save your people but to do so will mean compromising your ideals and millions of the enemy will be killed, whereas if you don't act millions of your people will die and the ideals you stand for will be gone too as they're not shared by your enemy. Had the writers followed the internal logic of their story and had it play out that Starfleet the idealistic organisation has to compromise its' ideals to survive and make some point about that's why they're ideals and people are imperfect and sometimes horrible acts are necessary to prevent even worse outcomes, that would have been a poignant arc and thought provoking, instead we had our lead character come up with an implausible solution that essentially has the war end because someone with no army or navy or broad base support, from a minority religious/political group turns up making terrorist demands.

    The message is hardly appealing to most audiences and the reaction of the honorable warrior Klingons who respect strength of arms in battle is also unbelievable in that they meekly acquiesce to such an extremist demand, in complete contradiction of the way Klingons have been portrayed all season.

    i could go on and on, the injection of certain contemporary politics which will date this show horribly is another topic that you could easily spend another few thousand words on.

    Season 2 is coming as we know already but unless serious changes happen on the writing team, 2 seasons will be it.    … Expand
  50. thatabramswoman
    Mar 1, 2018
    2
    Paid for it, watched it, wasn't impressed. I find it hard to imagine that before STOS they had a spore drive, SO much more advanced that NC-1701 or even NC-1701-D. The way the Klingons are being portrayed, being only shortly before STOS, is mind blowingly different. I know, I know, they didn't have the make-up abilities for STOS but this is just too far from anything I've ever seen orPaid for it, watched it, wasn't impressed. I find it hard to imagine that before STOS they had a spore drive, SO much more advanced that NC-1701 or even NC-1701-D. The way the Klingons are being portrayed, being only shortly before STOS, is mind blowingly different. I know, I know, they didn't have the make-up abilities for STOS but this is just too far from anything I've ever seen or imagined. The story line was bearable in the first season I guess. They completely lost me in season 2. It is just not worth $5.99 a month to watch one show that is not at all good. This is very dark and not a vision of the future that Roddenberry had. While I think Discovery is probably closer to reality (dark, sad, lacking in hope) Roddenberry wasn't trying to show reality, he was trying to show possibilities. In doing so he created a fan base of people who wanted a positive view of the future. Discovery does NOT live up Gene Roddenberry's future.… Expand
  51. marc5477
    Apr 14, 2018
    2
    I am being very generous with the 2 rating. This show is cheap, predictable, illogical, and a total bore. Its a chore to sit and see a bunch of high schoolers in star trek officer uniforms pretend that they are smart and emotionally stable. You might as well call this Star Trek Kids instead of discovery. The only problem is that it might be a bit too dark for kids but then again they getI am being very generous with the 2 rating. This show is cheap, predictable, illogical, and a total bore. Its a chore to sit and see a bunch of high schoolers in star trek officer uniforms pretend that they are smart and emotionally stable. You might as well call this Star Trek Kids instead of discovery. The only problem is that it might be a bit too dark for kids but then again they get worse from watching the news so perhaps not.

    Anyway, as many point out already, Star Trek has taken a very dark yet awkward tone. Awkward because its clearly trying to send a political message. Half of the characters are either minorities or gay. I have had friends from all said groups (I am of a hated minority group myself) but I dont like it when people stick politics in my entertainment and doubly so when the writing and acting is iffy. This is Star Trek, not blacks vs whites. Not gay vs straight. No men vs women. All the major leaders in the show are women. Half of the main characters are black. Half are gay or bi (okay I can sort of buy that one). But the point is, its not realistic and this is supposed to be SCIENCE fiction, not activism fiction. I want to see worlds that I have not dreamed of before, listen to someone talk about zero point mechanics, or subspace communication theory, or math, or science, etc. The only attempt at science in this show seems to be the silly spores which sounds more like a Tolken fantasy. Just add a few elves... wait...

    The show is very poorly written with quasi-teen level dialog and too much interpersonal drama rather than actual "discovery." Also, the characters seem to contradict themselves at every turn. Micheal is hailed as some sort of genius and was raised by logic fanatic Vulcan, yet is in a permanent state of surprise at nearly everything that happens and cant make a good decision if her life depended on it, which it did and she mostly got out of it with silly luck (a la Kirk silliness).

    I think the creators of this show were going to a TOS feel. TOS (the original series) was largely a failure which barely finished 4 seasons and was only replayed due to lack of color TV content at the time. It was clearly given away cheap as it played in the worst time slots on the worst channels back in the day. Why would you want to emulate that? The biggest hit in Star Trek, the one that attracted nerds and geeks is the Next Generation (TNG). Yet, the creators here took a dump on TNG and all that followed, lost their viewership and rolled back Star Trek to its failure days. Great work!    … Expand
  52. GarethB
    Sep 30, 2018
    2
    Over the top action and CGI do not make good characters and stories, craps all over the real star trek as its another prequel where they have to get everyones nostalgia hyped but fail miserably. Bring back Gene Roddenberry's vision.
  53. Artimecion
    Mar 15, 2018
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (some spoilers if you haven't seen the first season.)

    Firstly, I should probably point out that I've seen all of the other Trek series and must admit that I'm not an Enterprise Fan, nor am I fan of the newer reboot films. This may help to explain some of my views with Discovery.

    Discovery is a tedious mess of a show that just doesn't feel like Star Trek. Unlikable, dumb characters and unnecessary changes to established design (Especially the Klingons) really stand out in the absence of an engaging story. The characters are emotionally very one-dimensional and make absolutely baffling, and often unrelateable, choices. I often found myself thinking "in what possible scenario was this choice a good idea?'. Compounding the issues with the story and characters is that there are very few consequences to actions. Major plot elements happen with no feeling of gravity (except perhaps the start of the klingon-federation war that the series mostly focuses on) and people get injured or 'die' with relatively little impact.

    The characters are a particular annoyance. The formula is usually a) the character 'dies' only to reappear later or b) the character is actually not who they claim to be. This is fine when these thing happens once, but it becomes groan worthy when yet another character is masquerading as something else. This is to the point that, by the end, most of the remaining cast are either not what they appeared to be in the opening episode and only one of the 'deaths' appear to be permanent. The cast is also pretty unmemorable to the point that I can only really remember the names of Burnham and Lorca - the others just become 'the klingon lady' 'the annoying scientist' or 'the awkward ginger one'. Compare this to Deep Space Nine, for example, where the characters are relatively complex and memorable from the get-go.

    The show also suffers heavily from being a prequel. Technology exists where it shouldn't in the Trek timeline, but this sits alongside an awkward attempt at continuity (backwards and forwards in time). These issues really impact on this being an engaging star trek show when you're constantly trying to figure out where things fit because it is a prequel. Then there are weird anachronisms, such as the 'disco' sweatshirts and the nightclub on board the ship which feel out of place and pop-culturey. I'm really hoping the series gets better, but the cast needs a complete overhaul and they really need script writers than can write an engaging sci-fi story that fits the star trek universe.

    To give some credit, it does look pretty and the story picks up briefly about 3/4 of the way through with an unexpected jump the alternative universe. However, this is short lived and the last few episodes become a tired return to 'oh look, another character isn't who they say they are' and 'oh... that character is back...'.

    The writing is very poor and is probably the element I take the most issue with. Dialogue is generally awkward and people don't really speak 'naturally'. Plot points are introduced for temporary convenience and forgotten in a drive to move the story along. Albeit minor, one problem that highlights this (and irrationally infuriates me) is how they deal with the difference between Terrans from the alternative universe and Humans in the federation-verse and the framing of this. They mention that there is a difference in people's vision, with Terrans being more sensitive to light, therefore explaining Lorca's optical affliction. However, nobody else seems to demonstrate this (particularly the empress when she is bought back to the federation-verse). In addition, this fact is dealt with in the alternative dimension, not within the federation-verse. Therefore, surely it should have been explained that the Federation Humans are less sensitive to light, with the Terran sensitivity being normal in their universe? It's probably ridiculous, but it does bug me that a Terran described themselves as having an 'affliction' that would have been entirely normal to them in their universe. Maybe i'm nitpicking, but the culmination of poor story and character elements mean that Discovery is a miss for me.

    I'll gladly watch season two, but if the characterisation and story remains dull, I do not see myself going out the way to watch any future seasons.    … Expand
  54. Antares8001
    Nov 16, 2018
    3
    It's basically a mediocre sci-fi action thriller that someone slapped a Star Trek sticker on.
    When I heard that this show was gonna take place in the original timeline and not the one of the god awful movie reboots I was excited. But then I started watching it and oh boy...
    Everything that made Star Trek great is missing. The likable characters, the diverse and thought provoking    It's basically a mediocre sci-fi action thriller that someone slapped a Star Trek sticker on.
    When I heard that this show was gonna take place in the original timeline and not the one of the god awful movie reboots I was excited. But then I started watching it and oh boy...
    Everything that made Star Trek great is missing.
    The likable characters, the diverse and thought provoking story-lines, the social criticism, the positive outlook, the focus on diplomacy and exploration has all been traded for terrible dialog, run of the mill sci-fi art style, a CGI action spectacle, second rate story-lines that have been not only been done to death but also seem to belong in an angsty teenage drama show, all topped off by characters that you couldn't pretend to like or relate to with a gun to your head. And let's not say anything about that utterly ridiculous and unnecessary Klingon redesign other than:"What were those P'takhs thinking?".
    Don't get me wrong, the older Star Trek series have more than a few rather campy and outlandish episodes, but as a whole they mostly managed to be thought provoking and created one of the most thought out and coherent Sci-Fi universes populated by believable characters and species.

    If they didn't call it Star Trek I would consider it a kinda ok 6/10 sci-fi show you wouldn't mind watching on a slow evening or as a distraction while doing chores. But as it is simply another laughable and sad entry into the Star Trek canon. If only they had kept it within the movie timeline, at least then it wouldn't have left such a sour mark on Gene Roddenberry's legacy.

    It's a truly weird day when a Seth MacFarlane parody is widely considered to be the true spiritual successor to the likes of TNG, DS9 and Voyager and the actual canonical franchise entry feels like the parody.

    On a semi-relatied side note I find it very odd that quite a few people seem to criticize this "libtard, SJW crap" considering the social criticism and very progressive world view that has always been integral to Star Trek is pretty much non-existent here. Unlike previous entries it never even tries to seriously deal with social issues.    … Expand
  55. WJF3
    Jan 25, 2019
    3
    In Star Trek there is no main character, and anyone can be a hero (Reginald Barclay). In Star Trek Discovery there is only Michael Burnham. The whole series is about her. She is the Main character; the smartest, the toughest and the hero every time. It begins to become predictable. And where is the delight and playfulness that we all love about Star Trek? Discovery takes itself tooIn Star Trek there is no main character, and anyone can be a hero (Reginald Barclay). In Star Trek Discovery there is only Michael Burnham. The whole series is about her. She is the Main character; the smartest, the toughest and the hero every time. It begins to become predictable. And where is the delight and playfulness that we all love about Star Trek? Discovery takes itself too serious. I tried to be positive about Discovery, and I keep trying to stick with it, but watching it has become too laborious. I hope that this is not Star Trek's last act, that would be embarrassing. J.J. Abrams please make another movie.… Expand
  56. Vectis99
    Oct 24, 2018
    3
    A failed attempt to adapt the Star Trek franchise for a modern audience. Pointlessly edgy and crude, Star Trek Discovery tries to squeeze out as much dark shock value as possible accompanied by little else.
  57. spretasky
    Jan 1, 2019
    2
    I came into this Star Trek not knowing about the drama for it and the hatred. until later when I personally finished watching season 1 and start looking up what people were saying on this "Star Trek" This is not Star Trek . People are telling I should watch Orville vs this. I haven't seen any Orville episodes yet to judge it . This Star Trek was awful. People giving this a 10 are lying toI came into this Star Trek not knowing about the drama for it and the hatred. until later when I personally finished watching season 1 and start looking up what people were saying on this "Star Trek" This is not Star Trek . People are telling I should watch Orville vs this. I haven't seen any Orville episodes yet to judge it . This Star Trek was awful. People giving this a 10 are lying to the fan base. It is a real shame that these people are tribal and robots and can't see how bad this Star Trek is.. Shame!!… Expand
  58. timpfel
    Jan 5, 2019
    2
    I don't know what this is, but it's not Star Trek.
    I like the uniforms though.
  59. TheTokenSquare
    Jan 7, 2019
    2
    Gene Roddenberry is dead. I'm watching The Orville. I gave STD a 2 for having at least great special effects and production value. Would have given another point or two if the characters were more than one dimentional and the writing was decent. Another point docked for putting the show behind a paywall.
  60. sgtfalcon
    Jan 12, 2019
    2
    This is not Star Trek. Star Trek is supposed to be an optimistic view of the future. Every character in this show is pretty despicable. The writers don't seem to understand Star Trek at all. This show needs someone to turn it around. Bring back the normal Klingons, develop strong "Horatio Hornblower" type characters. Have the ship "Discovery" explore wonderful new worlds and bring back theThis is not Star Trek. Star Trek is supposed to be an optimistic view of the future. Every character in this show is pretty despicable. The writers don't seem to understand Star Trek at all. This show needs someone to turn it around. Bring back the normal Klingons, develop strong "Horatio Hornblower" type characters. Have the ship "Discovery" explore wonderful new worlds and bring back the morality play that was Star Trek. Occasionally, bring in the Klingons for some battle scenes and make them more like the Soviets as in the original series. This show completely conflicts with the morality plays that were Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise.… Expand
  61. P4inskiller
    Feb 2, 2019
    3
    Beverly Hills 90210-Star Trek. This is real "2019" Star Trek....a lot of "Me too", woman power, feelings and emotions - even the Klingons..?! People in 400 years will not be like this! To strange, unrealistic, stupid and therefore nothing for me. I hope the Picard show will be less stupid...
  62. 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
  63. wodan1234
    Feb 2, 2019
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. To give it 2 points is way to gentle. it deserved MINUS-12 !

    So far i watched all of season 1 and all of what we got so far for season 2.
    Thankfully i escaped the Short Treks, because Netflix Germany wasn't stupid enough to take them AS PRESENT!
    And not only did it got worse, for example the weird religious stuff that doesn't belong in Trek or to Captain Pike. (Who is neither very religious nor a "fun guy" on duty).
    Or the unstable psycho-killer named Spock.
    Yes, yes THAT HAPPENED! Hes a Psycho killer according to STD.

    Watching episode 3 however really killed all hope, that this show will get any better. The Kling-Orcs ( Who seem to live in 8th Century, Valhalla) look worse than ever with hair.
    Nope.

    "Space Hitler" now rules the "Space Gestapo" (Section 31) , without any reasoning as to how they gave her that posting.

    And that stupid Ghost-friend that Tilly met, just went full bor racist, when she was expecting Lorca or "at least Kirk"( How did she even know him? Even Tilly doesn't know him!)
    By describing James. T Kirk, as the "Much whiter and much much blonder" GUY.
    #TheUeberArian.

    Also that fake body positivity theme, really went sour when chubby Tilly outran an entire staff of much slimmer and fitter extras, in a half marathon.
    Which she should have lost, for falling back and talking with her Ghost-Friend.
    And you could actually see how those extras did "run" extra slow.
    But off course, afterwards she got the SJW typical, "TRIPPLE AFFIRMATION!" within 2 Minutes.
    Oh yeah, that "Friend" of hers, was actually a "Spore infection".
    What the hell?

    Also "off course" ;) Burnham, not only is a splendid astronomer, test-pilot, Power-Girl (For surviving 9 G for ELEVEN Minutes!) Nooo! Oh no... That wouldn't be sufficient for "the bestest person Evaaar".
    She's also a "Xeno-Antropologist"... Ja...
    **** you CBS...

    "Jim! Its Dead!"    … Expand
  64. Alxh
    Dec 17, 2021
    0
    Star trek is not the same as season 1-3 season 4 is just boring and like other views to political correct if this season doesnt improve i wont be back , I’ve always been a treky but this year is boringly very bad
  65. slicelook
    Feb 17, 2022
    2
    This season went full hollywood sjw with lqbtqt "i identify as whatever, pay attention to me and my irrelevant useless story that has nothing to do with star trek"
  66. v3nt
    Mar 31, 2019
    2
    More about the character' brothers, sisters or whatever's than any type of discovery. It is too character driven and most of them are quite annoying. Almost every story arc is about them. General story line seems a few steps back compared to the originals. Secret factions, alternate realities...
  67. 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
  68. RedShiftXIII
    Dec 2, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm a bit of a trekkie and have watched most of the series throughout my life, but while I may be biased, it's in favor of the shows—I kinda liked Star Trek: Enterprise. With that said, I don't think it's unreasonable to conclude that Star Trek: Discovery is a bad show in general.

    Exposition is a massive problem. While they do try to cover it up by inserting it into dialogue, it's as if the core concept of the show is how to fit as much exposition into dialogue as humanly possible. The conversations between characters almost always can be summed up as two robots interacting with each other who both just learned they were programmed with the ability to cry. Furthermore, everything from exposition sloppily hidden in dialogue to stubbing of toes, has to be a massively big deal.

    In the very first episode of this season, it's basically a bunch of fancy special effects and hilariously meaningless conversations: Why are we suppose to care that a captain doesn't want a president on their ship? Why is it a problem enough for a captain to continually openly protest and cause conflict where none needs to be had? Why did a captain ask the f***ing president, if she lied to a dude who was panicking, as if it was important to ask while everything is supposedly on the edge of complete disaster? Why do a bunch of officers ignore their captain when she asked for a status update but they're apparently too busy being dramatically quiet as the hangar burns down? Absolute nuttery.

    It's like they're trying to make a soap opera in space with zero self-awareness. While this may seem like a knock on the actors, the fact that this is consistent with every character, tells me it's a writer/director problem. Maybe I'm wrong, but the end result is the same—it's bad.

    Lack of continuity isn't always a bad thing, but one deeply important concept of the federation is that it's heavily influenced by maritime tradition. There's multiple explicit and implicit reminders of this throughout the IP's history, but Discovery seems to have forgotten that, or doesn't give a crap. It's fine if they want to build on that or even tear it down, but it's fairly obvious the writers didn't make any attempt to learn of Federation or maritime traditions to the point it'd be like a bunch of white guys making a movie about China and never actually researching Chinese culture. This isn't a big deal for ornamental things, but clear insubordination that isn't addressed because nobody knows it's insubordination both misses an opportunity to utilize already built concepts to introduce actual drama and tells us these aren't organized people with rules and regulation—they're just dudes, dudettes and duets, who we are told are smart and happen to be on a ship with some logos on it. Nobody in the show knows the difference between an ensign and the president of the Federation, nobody in the show has even a remote interest in displaying the level of professionalism even the most unprofessional international organization has.

    This isn't Star Trek; it's an exercise in fitting as much exposition into dialogue as possible and drama from nothing . . . with Federation logos. I really wanted this show to be good—that's why I sat through three seasons of it—but I don't think they've learned anything based on the beginning of the fourth season. I hate this show and I hate that i've wasted so much time watching it. I hope I've saved at least one person the trouble.    … Expand
  69. 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
  70. Simon_Says
    Apr 5, 2021
    0
    Malon antimatter waste. Need I say more? The same anti-trek ADHD "nu trek" as the Kelvin crap. AVOID
  71. DolphinsTalkMel
    Apr 6, 2019
    7
    I'm gonna start out on a bit of a rant. Kurtzman, Orci and Abrams need to quit smashing all over Roddenberry's legacy. The first two episodes Phillipa Georgiou was calling her first officer "Number One." I'm sorry, but I do not like that. It is disrespectful for one of my childhood idols. I hope Patrick Stewart sues paramount for that. Furthermore, we don't need to hear the classical StarI'm gonna start out on a bit of a rant. Kurtzman, Orci and Abrams need to quit smashing all over Roddenberry's legacy. The first two episodes Phillipa Georgiou was calling her first officer "Number One." I'm sorry, but I do not like that. It is disrespectful for one of my childhood idols. I hope Patrick Stewart sues paramount for that. Furthermore, we don't need to hear the classical Star Trek theme song at the conclusion of the first season. We got enough of that in the reboot films which is another prime example of smashing all over a legacy that started with Gene Roddenberry.
    Now there were some elements that were brought back for this new show that I felt played in very well. Let's start with Ambassador Sarek played by James Frain. I really like the continuation of this character and I could almost argue that Sarek is as big as his son, Spock in the ST universe and deserves his own show. I was particularly impressed with the episode where Sarek is stranded in a nebula and his adoptive daughter, Michael of whom he shares a Katra with is trying to reach him and the story was executed beautifully as we got to get a little more of an origin story between the two characters.
    The second thing is the Mirror Universe. I love the Mirror Universe and you can never go wrong I guess and what they did was make Lorca, the Mirror Lorca that is in a cool in unique storyline with lots of effect and action and fighting. I enjoyed it. But, let's not forget that DS9 smashed all over this storyline in their series and so at this point, I think it is fair to ask "why are they still using this one?" I'm just grateful they didn't drag it out too long.
    What really sells this series for me is the character Michael Burnham played by Sonequa Martin-Green. She is a human femaie that has learned to repress her emotions. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of Seven of Nine from the Voyager series of who I am a huge fan of. Like Seven, Michael is trying to rediscover her humanity in the series. But, Kurtzman needs to be careful. I think towards the end of season 1 , I didn't recognize her anymore. They developed her character too fast.
    Tone it Down and Slow it Down when season 2 comes around. This is the sixth series in the Star Trek franchise. You aren't going to get a pass for just doing Star Trek anymore. I want to see innovation. I want to see more Michael and more Sarek and stay away from Jean-Luc Picard anecdotes.
    Because of the amount of negatives, I settled on a solid 7. I'm intrigued enough to see season 2 because they did do some things properly.    … Expand
  72. Startrekmickie
    Apr 12, 2019
    3
    We were so happy to see this produced and presented but we can barely watch it for the overwhelming volume of the music during dialogue. Likely done for dramatic effect it has become so distracting we are considering stopping watching it. We have subtitles on but you cannot hear the dialogue at certain time because the volume of the music takes over the entire scene. Please correctWe were so happy to see this produced and presented but we can barely watch it for the overwhelming volume of the music during dialogue. Likely done for dramatic effect it has become so distracting we are considering stopping watching it. We have subtitles on but you cannot hear the dialogue at certain time because the volume of the music takes over the entire scene. Please correct it...we love the show and the new twists and turns but will have to stop watching and subscribing if this issue is not corrected.… Expand
  73. Inferno1102
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I cant stand this sjw crap, star trek has shown kisses yes, but i dont think it ever really followed a relationship as crazy as they follow the engineer guy and yeah its cause they are gay you want to follow a good example of a relationship to follow withiut making it sjw bs try mimicing paris and belona(sp?) From voyager. Season three possibe spoiler next. Then youre going to have two entire parts about a trans trill man, this crap is to much stop focusing on the stuff you want it in fine, if gender equality is a thing in the future there will be no focus itll just be normal, people wont caee, but nope you have to social justice warrior bulls**** it this is why real trekkies wont watch discovery.… Expand
  74. Mighty_moose416
    Oct 25, 2020
    1
    A chaotic jumbled mess that splurges across the screen with 2 bombastic cgi heavy episodes that are barely coherent and then.... drops that to present you with what is effectively a second pilot. Then they plod along for a while with a war storyline for half a season before picking up a mirror universe storyline. This storyline is better but ends abruptly to take you back to the original storyline
  75. ajewo
    May 25, 2021
    2
    Star Trek: Discovery is primarily about fast-paced action and one big mystery plot for each season rather than episodical mystery, exploration, ethical or social issues. The episodes are not very memorable, unlike other Star Trek series. Discovery is a gritty, non-optimistic version of Star Trek with prequel continuity issues, e.g., the Klingon makeover is just unnecessary, holograms, orStar Trek: Discovery is primarily about fast-paced action and one big mystery plot for each season rather than episodical mystery, exploration, ethical or social issues. The episodes are not very memorable, unlike other Star Trek series. Discovery is a gritty, non-optimistic version of Star Trek with prequel continuity issues, e.g., the Klingon makeover is just unnecessary, holograms, or the "instant everywhere" spore drive. However, some issues will be reverted in the second season.
    If you start to think about the plots for a minute, you will often find many issues that do not add up. Some episodes are so packed with "stuff" and contradictions that I didn't even care to follow the plot in a logical sense anymore. The voice-over pathos inspired by the JJ Abraham movies is just another empty element. And most of the characters are shady (especially in the first season) and unlikable. Some characters become charicatures. Michael Burnham, for example, is supposed to be the hero of the series, but since she's not the captain of the Discovery, she's not in a position to make the big decisions, yet she has all the answers and rebels without consequence (because she's always right in the end).
    As for the production, the series is well done. There are annoyingly overused light glares in the first two seasons, but the costumes, masks, and visuals are very good at movie level. All in all, I wish they had invested the budget in better scripts, stories, and dialogues written by actual science fiction authors.
    I recommend watching the earlier Star Trek series, The Expanse, or The Orville instead.    … Expand
  76. roblrich
    Jan 2, 2022
    0
    Seasons One and Two were decent and entertaining. But since this series has turned into a politically correct, think as we do or you are a pig crap show. There is relatively no entertainment value in this series. None. It seems to be more of a liberal, political statement. This is sad, as it has turned my family against the Star Trek genre. Rest in peace, Star Trek. You had a good run.
  77. fotograf
    Mar 8, 2018
    1
    what the??? What happened to the Star Trek universe? What happened to Klingon Warriors? Where is the honor in this psycho babble nonsense that they came up with? Spores? Seriously? Whats with Lorca? Who is this man? Terrible acting. He should have been a woman to fit the rest of the narrative. Just terrible! Another dead franchise! Shatner must be so pleased he has nothing to do with itwhat the??? What happened to the Star Trek universe? What happened to Klingon Warriors? Where is the honor in this psycho babble nonsense that they came up with? Spores? Seriously? Whats with Lorca? Who is this man? Terrible acting. He should have been a woman to fit the rest of the narrative. Just terrible! Another dead franchise! Shatner must be so pleased he has nothing to do with it and Leonard, DeForrest and James must be rolling in their graves. And as for the critics? Are they paid these days by the studios? How on earth can you praise this nonsense.

    I am a real fan of many years having watched every episode (even enterprise) many times over but
    this is not Star Trek. Its something... dunno what... but Star Trek it aint.

    Orville is closer! How sad!    … Expand
  78. Almostpilot
    Apr 17, 2018
    1
    They managed to ruin the star trek universe. Grotesque what they did with the Klingons, ignoring all previous history of star trek.
  79. dougal83
    Oct 20, 2017
    3
    The production values are good but it's ruined by screenwriters shoe horning in their politically correct agenda. Edgy writer give a female a man's name for reasons... Klingons are obsessed with their cultural purity rather than being testosterone filled; strong and honorable, nothing wrong with that. Last straw was the two odd overly groomed officers being homosexual... Not a programThe production values are good but it's ruined by screenwriters shoe horning in their politically correct agenda. Edgy writer give a female a man's name for reasons... Klingons are obsessed with their cultural purity rather than being testosterone filled; strong and honorable, nothing wrong with that. Last straw was the two odd overly groomed officers being homosexual... Not a program I'd let my children watch.

    Still waiting for a Star Trek reboot... Bring back Deep Space Nine.    … Expand
  80. CybershamanX
    Oct 13, 2017
    3
    Gorgeous visuals don't make up for the fact that the true spirit of Star Trek is missing from this the latest installment to the franchise. Yes, it's all show with the "go" consisting of heavy plot shoveling and character motivations that make no sense whatsoever. Unfortunately, you will not be discussing the finer details of each of Discovery's episodes in the far future which is aGorgeous visuals don't make up for the fact that the true spirit of Star Trek is missing from this the latest installment to the franchise. Yes, it's all show with the "go" consisting of heavy plot shoveling and character motivations that make no sense whatsoever. Unfortunately, you will not be discussing the finer details of each of Discovery's episodes in the far future which is a hallmark of each of the previous series. Yes, they've chosen to go a more serialized route but that's not a problem. They've got amazing visuals to show us and they are heavily anchored to an overarching plot that, damn the torpedoes, will be told at the heart's expense. Why they chose to wedge this show between Enterprise and TOS, I will never know. It limits them by having them attempt to conform to existing canon, which I have yet to see how any of it fits despite the creators claims to the contrary. It might have been better for them to have just set the show after Voyager. At least then it would have been somewhat of a clean slate and they pretty much could have done whatever they want without too much trouble. I can understand why they wanted to update the look of the show. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that it had more to do with keeping it in line with the look of the JJ Trek "Kelvin timeline" than anything else. Short of vaguely looking like what has gone before, Discovery has little in common with previous Treks. At the time of this writing, I have yet to see anything worth discussing as far as how it relates to the "real world". Gone are the heady discussions of man vs. machine, race, government or any of the other topics that Trek has so boldly tackled in the past. What we have on display is space combat and very snooty characters attempting to outdo each other's putdowns. Indeed this is NOT your father's or mother's Trek. So, if generic space shoot 'em ups are your thing, then buckle up and take Discovery for a spin. Literally a "spin", as you will find out in episode 4. But, if you're looking for something a little deeper that will have you talking about other things than the look of a show, look no further than The Orville. THAT show looks like it will be shaping up to be the Trek we were all waiting for. And it will make you laugh, at that. ;)… Expand
  81. AlexMotan
    Mar 4, 2018
    1
    This is not remotely Star Trek. Is a pointless "politically correctness" intifada, drove by shameless profit greed on behalf of an icon brand and millions of fans.
    Even as not a Star Trek series, this is pathetic. Apart from CGIs, there is no reason you should like this show.
    Acting is bad, story is p*** poor. Soap opera raging in space.
  82. Honest-Yan
    Jul 10, 2018
    1
    This is the worst Star Trek ever made but it is still watchable if you are a big fan and you have thick skin. There are some references to superior Star Trek and some moments of entertainment to be had. It can be very predictable. There seems to be a preoccupation with 'diversity' to the extent that the only heterosexual White male on the show is the villain. The only White man who is notThis is the worst Star Trek ever made but it is still watchable if you are a big fan and you have thick skin. There are some references to superior Star Trek and some moments of entertainment to be had. It can be very predictable. There seems to be a preoccupation with 'diversity' to the extent that the only heterosexual White male on the show is the villain. The only White man who is not a villain is in a gay relationship with a Black man. There is a gay male alien too. The least competent female character is the White one. There is an Asian man who is too scared and incompetent to act heroically, unfortunately being Asian alone does not earn enough diversity points to warrant having a positive representation in this show. The remaining cast are female. heroic and confident, they are also Black and Asian and share homosexual moments. Maybe the future is non-White and homosexual, and while this show's representation of a future with a rigidly predictable social hierarchy may go down well on many college campuses, there is a flaw in this obsession with 'diversity'. When the Asian man was too scared to help save the ship, I kept feeling that it was more to do with his gender and sexuality than his conveniently scripted PTSD. When the main protagonist singlehandedly beats a superhuman Klingon in hand to hand combat I get the impression that this has less to do with her federation training and more to do with creating a positive representation of her gender race and ambiguous sexuality. It all comes across as inauthentic and overly contrived. To be fair, the original series claimed to be diverse, and maybe it was for its time, but it was mostly about White heterosexual men. Kirk fought Klingons too, but William Shatner looked physically stronger than other cast members on the bridge and clearly had a lot more muscle mass than Sonequa Martin-Green. At least the original show didn't make Uhura or Sulu villains or incompetent. It will take a lot less than 60 years for people to realize that the social politics behind Star Trek Discovery has caused very narrow minded and contrived stories, possibly more contrived than those produced less intentionally during the 60s show. At this rate we will have invented teleporters and warp drives before we can see past our sociopolitical tribalism to the extent that we make a truly inclusive Star Trek. I hope for a positive, inclusive and diverse future for the franchise... and also some better writing.… Expand
  83. Chris_T_Hill
    Oct 29, 2017
    0
    Awful. I found myself constantly groaning as nothing fitted into Star Trek lore and by heck those Klingons look even worse on screen than in pictures.

    I found myself constantly picking it apart and I…. No there’s just no way, no way on gods green earth anyone, not one single person on that production team can even have seen one episode of Star Trek, nothing was right. Everything was    Awful. I found myself constantly groaning as nothing fitted into Star Trek lore and by heck those Klingons look even worse on screen than in pictures.

    I found myself constantly picking it apart and I…. No there’s just no way, no way on gods green earth anyone, not one single person on that production team can even have seen one episode of Star Trek, nothing was right. Everything was wrong.

    It felt more like a cheap poorly written Sci Fi show, probably more Star Wars than Star Trek and worst of all I found myself bored as it droned on. It got to the point when I started flicking through news on my tablet while I waited for it to end.    … Expand
  84. antina
    Nov 7, 2017
    3
    To put it simple: this is not Star Trek.
    Someone must have tought that a good sci-fi show must be dark, gritty and grim. Maybe they are right, but please, please, don't call it star trek!
    This show has nothing of what made legions of fans fall in love with Roddenberry's vision. Nothing.
    Ad, apart from that, is really bad.
  85. EliOli123
    Jan 15, 2019
    0
    Another classic series goes PC. I watch TV to relax and get away from all the crap we have to put up with every day from social justice warriors trying to shove their left wing ideology down our throats. Now we have to put up with these guys using our favorite super heroes, Sitcoms, TV genres etc... to push their PC propaganda. When I'm at home I don't want to be bombarded with all thisAnother classic series goes PC. I watch TV to relax and get away from all the crap we have to put up with every day from social justice warriors trying to shove their left wing ideology down our throats. Now we have to put up with these guys using our favorite super heroes, Sitcoms, TV genres etc... to push their PC propaganda. When I'm at home I don't want to be bombarded with all this crap. I watch TV to be entertained, not indoctrinated. This new Star Trek is more of this same baloney. A big thumbs down from me.… Expand
  86. Yzaak
    Dec 28, 2017
    2
    I just tried watching it. Barely made it through the first episode.
    This is not a show I will continue watching, what a horrible disrespect toward anything to do with Star Trek.
  87. frankthetank420
    Jan 28, 2019
    0
    This show is absolute trash, such a far shot away from what Star Trek is really supposed to be about. The overall story is weak, and I don't find any of the characters particularly likable. I wish they would go back to their roots, and focus on some of the things that made Star Trek great.
  88. Hawk321
    Nov 1, 2017
    3
    Not Star Trek to me. Acting, story, dresses, logic....all far beyond TNG, VOY or DSN 9.
    And why the heck do those klingons have no hair anymore ??? While I find it interesting to hear real klingon voices and to see some klingon skin heads....it makes no sense to me why each klingon is now hairless.
    There are a couple more of stupidity stuff that is not kanon proofed like modern beaming,    Not Star Trek to me. Acting, story, dresses, logic....all far beyond TNG, VOY or DSN 9.
    And why the heck do those klingons have no hair anymore ??? While I find it interesting to hear real klingon voices and to see some klingon skin heads....it makes no sense to me why each klingon is now hairless.
    There are a couple more of stupidity stuff that is not kanon proofed like modern beaming, spore jump, spocks step sister, klingons organic looking star ships and peacock alike space fighter "jets".    … Expand
  89. Niftyfifty56
    Jun 3, 2018
    0
    What a let down, leftist rubbish. Not true to the original Star Trek atmosphere. Bad plot lines, bad acting. Should be called something else but Star Trek.
  90. DoctorMan
    Oct 6, 2017
    3
    This is NOT Star Trek. No logic, no character development. Characters are unlikable and then just die. Too dark, damn lens flare. I really wanted to like this but I guess I'm going to give The Orville a chance instead.
  91. Qgal5kap
    Feb 13, 2018
    0
    I was madly disappointed by the show. I regard it as highly disrespectful to the name of Star Trek. As the episodes progressed I felt the cringe factor increase equally as much as my sadness did. I kinda wanted to not watch it, but as I love sci-fi, I continued, but not without sustaining a fair amount of mental anguish.
  92. gaargod
    Nov 3, 2017
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I gave this show a chance but after episode 7, I give up. On the bright side, the visuals are great.

    I can perhaps forgive inconsistencies with the previous shows (such as Vulcans being able to telephatically communicate instantaneously at distances of several light years). However, what kills the show is bad writing. And I'm being very polite when I call it 'bad'.

    Episode 7 is a great example of what's wrong with the show. The ship is in the middle of the war. Somehow, a dude called Mudd has access to technology which is way too advanced for the era (maybe it will be explained later), and is able to almost take the ship and sell it to the Klingons.

    Despite the severity of the situation, the writers decide to focus on a cheesy love story. Seriously? Towards the end of the episode, it turns out that the Klingons would be more interested in Michael Burnham than in getting the most advanced ship in the alpha quadrant.... The reason? Michael is special. Oh, so special. I almost threw up in my mouth at how bad the writing was at this point.

    Finally, at the end of the episode the crew decided that the punishment for Mudd is not a summary execution or prison, but getting married to a rich girl which he doesn't really like. The guy almost caused the Federation to lose in the war against the Klingon empire. He also has knowledge of all the ship's secrets, which would be very valuable to the Klingons, and which are not widely known even in the Starfleet. And they let him go. Just like that.

    Nope, I can't take this anymore. They are butchering Star Trek with this writing. It's better to rewatch an old series with solid writing, and forget that this garbage even exists. I hope that the show gets either cancelled, or that they get completely different writers for Season 2.    … Expand
  93. SirIsaacBrock
    Oct 18, 2017
    2
    I have tried to like this show but with each passing episode it seems more like miniseries then a journey of discovery, or at least I hope it is a miniseries so it will end before ruining Star Trek forever.

    The graphics are amazing and Michael is a likeable character, but the rest feels forced. I guess I will have to watch Next Generation or Original to get the taste of this show out of    I have tried to like this show but with each passing episode it seems more like miniseries then a journey of discovery, or at least I hope it is a miniseries so it will end before ruining Star Trek forever.

    The graphics are amazing and Michael is a likeable character, but the rest feels forced. I guess I will have to watch Next Generation or Original to get the taste of this show out of my mouth.

    Sorry for the bad review but it doesn't feel like Star Trek.    … Expand
  94. Whuling
    Oct 13, 2017
    2
    As a generic sci-fi show, this would be forgettable and bland. As a Star Trek show it is shockingly bad. There are very few named characters, most of whom are aggressively unlikeable. The main character is devoid of emotional expression and constantly makes idiotic decisions based on leaps of logic. The scripts are unfocused, and the dialogue is very poorly written and delivered.As a generic sci-fi show, this would be forgettable and bland. As a Star Trek show it is shockingly bad. There are very few named characters, most of whom are aggressively unlikeable. The main character is devoid of emotional expression and constantly makes idiotic decisions based on leaps of logic. The scripts are unfocused, and the dialogue is very poorly written and delivered. Science has been abandoned in the technology of the show and replaced with magic. This show has already, in 3 episodes, had telepathy, light, and fungi that violate relativity. The sets are poorly lit and shot. The CGI is very expensive looking, but has yet to be used to make anything original or memorable.

    This show is basically an extremely high budget version of the dozens of forgettable sci-fi shows that have appeared over the years. The only reason that it has garnered any attention is that it has had the Star Trek brand slapped on it. As an actual product, Discovery has no interest in using the Star Trek brand for anything other than marketing. This program abandons the philosophy, technology, history, and visual language of Star Trek. So, as a viewer I am left with a simple question. Why does this thing exist?    … Expand
  95. frontlinegeek
    Jan 8, 2018
    0
    I am sitting here watching the mid season return. I swore I would watch the whole first season. I can't do it. I am not even done the episode as I type this up and I can barely bother to finish it, but I will.

    This show is shallow, reductive, extremely predictable, FAR too SJW laced (This latest episode has the mirror universe set with Earth as the center of effectively, the alt    I am sitting here watching the mid season return. I swore I would watch the whole first season. I can't do it. I am not even done the episode as I type this up and I can barely bother to finish it, but I will.

    This show is shallow, reductive, extremely predictable, FAR too SJW laced (This latest episode has the mirror universe set with Earth as the center of effectively, the alt right).

    SMG was terrible in TWD. She is WORSE in this!

    When the most enjoyment I have with this show is watching someone, anyone, DIE, I have to admit that there is no way that this is a good show and that it can't ever recover either. I have come to accept at this point, Star Wars is dead and now so is Star Trek.

    So ya. I am out. I have about 5 minutes left of this utter drek and that is it for me. Oh and possibly the most annoying character on the show just died!!! YAY!!! I leave on a high point!!!

    And just so it is clear where I am coming from...

    I have watched all of every ST series other than the animated series. I have watched nearly every scifi show in the last 25 years. BSG, BSG reboot, Farscape, Firefly, Continuum, Dark Matter, ALL of Stargate, and on and on and on...

    For how much money that has been tossed at this, STD is THE worst TV show, scifi or not, that I have ever watched. Even if you didn't call it Star Trek and removed all the Star Trek things, STILL would not be good...

    Anyone that wants GOOD scifi, go watch The Expanse. That is all.    … Expand
  96. BorisGovnic
    Feb 18, 2018
    0
    From What I have Gleamed and Read Everywhere this Show Is not worth Watching.
    The best Hope is that someone will come along from the 29th century and determine this was an alternate time line needing to be purged (I'm looking at you Captain Braxton) due to some temporal cold war tampering with the timeline. Or they could Admit its an alternate universe Parallels style. We did have over    From What I have Gleamed and Read Everywhere this Show Is not worth Watching.
    The best Hope is that someone will come along from the 29th century and determine this was an alternate time line needing to be purged (I'm looking at you Captain Braxton) due to some temporal cold war tampering with the timeline. Or they could Admit its an alternate universe Parallels style. We did have over 200,000 enterprises appear in one sector before, and that would be the way for them to Claim the Show was still "canon" because it was one of the alternate realities introduced from the prime universe. Purge this useless Trek from our memories and give us the show we truly deserve.    … Expand
  97. Spider69
    Feb 19, 2018
    0
    One positive aspect about this site is that there are no negative numbers so zero is it.

    Discovery should stop using the star trek logo and the term star trek. This is probably the worst series i have ever seen. Heck i would put the animated st series above this one. This series has single handly destroyed the klingon race, redefined cat fights and created a dis-functional    One positive aspect about this site is that there are no negative numbers so zero is it.

    Discovery should stop using the star trek logo and the term star trek. This is probably the worst series i have ever seen. Heck i would put the animated st series above this one. This series has single handly destroyed the klingon race, redefined cat fights and created a dis-functional federation. I can now say i am happy that the writers disrupted the time line so that second real crew has a chance.

    So much of this series sucks. There are only two really good actors and one died. Why was this show allowed to air. I cant even watch the last three shows. Just stop it please cbs. At least give aspiring engineers something to dream about other than a future filled with douche bags and wimps.    … Expand
  98. JRob
    Mar 5, 2018
    0
    I could have put up with the sub-par acting...but, seriously, is there some secret mandate that every new show has to contain F-Bombs??? Hey writers, guess what, you don't have to insert vulgarity to make something 'more realistic'. Its SCI-FI!!! Maybe in the future we evolve to a point where we don't need to use profane language to express ourselves? After all, we don't just point andI could have put up with the sub-par acting...but, seriously, is there some secret mandate that every new show has to contain F-Bombs??? Hey writers, guess what, you don't have to insert vulgarity to make something 'more realistic'. Its SCI-FI!!! Maybe in the future we evolve to a point where we don't need to use profane language to express ourselves? After all, we don't just point and grunt anymore, do we? I am a huge Star Trek fan. One of the few shows we could watch as a multi-generational family. It was smart, imaginative, classy, funny and had a moral message. Thanks so much for RUINING that!! I wont even mention the disgusting violence, well, ok, I mentioned it...its .gross. Immensely disappointing. You owe Gene Roddenberry a HUGE apology!!!!… Expand
  99. BobbyMcBobface
    May 14, 2018
    0
    Has it come to this? A Star Trek fan for 40 years, who bought every movie and every series on DVD, and then bought them all over again on Blu Rays... and now we have a Star Trek show so ill-conceived, so terrible in concept and execution, that I can't sit through it any more.

    I could spend hours writing about the show. Suffice to say that literally every single creative decision made    Has it come to this? A Star Trek fan for 40 years, who bought every movie and every series on DVD, and then bought them all over again on Blu Rays... and now we have a Star Trek show so ill-conceived, so terrible in concept and execution, that I can't sit through it any more.

    I could spend hours writing about the show. Suffice to say that literally every single creative decision made seems to have been utterly flubbed. I sit watching characters I hate - especially the protagonist - doing things that make no sense in a world that looks nothing like it should.

    I tried, really I did. I tried so hard to like this. But it is impossible. It's just too terrible. I got half way through the first season and gave up. Fortunately I didn't pay CBS one penny for the dreck that they served up, a thought which gives me some comfort.

    Oh well. At least there is The Orville. Is there some way we can cancel Discovery and reveal that The Orville really is a Trek show, tucked away in some hitherto unknown corner of the Federation? Clap your hands, children, clap and make it so.    … Expand
  100. mortendynamo
    Dec 1, 2018
    1
    This is an abomination of what Star Trek is. I Have watched all the previous Star Trek series, and have loved them all, but this were just utter garbage.
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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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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