Star Trek: Discoverybrought the space opera back to TV screens in 2017 after 12 years away, and it did so while using a specific formula theStar Trekfranchise still hasn’t repeated since.Star Trek’s modern era began withDiscovery, and although the show wasn’t universally praised, it did at least try several new things and open the door for more movies and TV shows. Notevery season ofStar Trek: Discoveryfollowed the same blueprint as the show’s inaugural run, but it did revisit the concept a little in later seasons.
The first effort from the TV franchise’s modern era stood apart fromeveryStar Trekshowthat had preceded it. Although there were severalways in whichDiscoveryultimately madeStar Trekbetter, it was also criticized for straying too far from what made the franchise such a success. That being said,the show began with at least one huge hallmark fromStar Trek’s golden age, and it has perhaps been underappreciated for this reason. None of its successors have tried to pull it off again, nor does it look likeStar Trekintends to attempt it any time soon.
Star Trek’s modern age began similarly to all the older shows
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 1 was the perfect jumping-on point for new fans. There was no requirement for those watching to have any previous experience with the franchise, but pre-existing Trekkies could still pick up on its canonical relevance - such as the show’s place in theStar Trektimeline. One of the most notable waysDiscoveryachieved this was by introducing an entirely new set of main characters. There was no backstory to be aware of other than the information supplied in the episodes.
There is perhaps an argument forStar Trek: Prodigyseason 1 filling this same criteria, but the presence of members of theStar Trek: Voyagercast means it didn’t do whatDiscoverydid.
Of course, this wasn’t anything new at the time. Every previousStar Trekshow had done exactly the same thing - perhaps with the exception ofStar Trek: The Animated Series- which was really just a continuation ofStar Trek: The Original Series. However,Star Trek: Discoverywas the last show to begin this way. There is perhaps an argument forStar Trek: Prodigyseason 1 filling this same criteria, but the presence of members of theStar Trek: Voyagercast means it didn’t do whatDiscoverydid.
12 Amazing Characters Discovery Gave Star Trek
Throughout its five seasons on Paramount+, Star Trek: Discovery introduced some truly amazing and unforgettable characters to the Star Trek universe.
Star Trek: Lower Decksis also in the argument for beginning with a wholly original batch of characters. On the other hand, the animated comedy is so riddled with cameos and references to the larger canon that theStar Trekfranchise itself almost becomes a living, breathing character. While it’s an absolute wonderland for established fans, it would be very difficult for newcomers to fully appreciate it.
Even Star Trek: Discovery Eventually Brought Franchise Legends On Board
Captain Pike’s USS Enterprise was a huge part of Star Trek: Discovery season 2
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 1 wasn’t technically void of any references to big franchise characters. The controversial link between Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Spock (Ethan Peck, eventually) was woven through the show’s first run, but it didn’t actually get properly paid off untilStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2. Then, the show did what all of its successors were guilty of and revolved heavily around famous franchise characters like Spock and Captain Pike (Anson Mount).
BecauseStar Trek: Discoveryseason 1 looked so different and had so few references to the larger canon,there were swathes of long-standing fans who believed the show wasn’t set in the Prime Universe- with one possibility being JJ Abrams' Kelvin Timeline from the rebooted movies. Bringing in legacy characters like Captain Pike and introducing the USS Enterprise-A settled this debate once and for all.
Discovery’s introduction of Pike’s Enterprise meant the show became a prime (pun intended) breeding ground for spinoffs - such asStar Trek: Strange New Worlds,Star Trek: Section 31, and the upcomingStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.
IfStar Trek:Discoveryhad continued in its own little narrative bubble, it might not have had the chance to establish itself as part of the Prime Universe before jumping to the 32nd century at the end of season 2. As well as proving it wasn’t unfolding in an alternate timeline,Discovery’s introduction of Pike’s Enterprise meant the show became a prime (pun intended) breeding ground for spinoffs - such asStar Trek: Strange New Worlds,Star Trek: Section 31, and the upcomingStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.
None Of Star Trek’s Upcoming Projects Will Follow Discovery Season 1’s Character Formula
Robert Picardo’s return as Voyager’s Doctor in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a notable example
The immediate future of theStar Trekfranchise is exciting, but all of the upcoming movies and TV shows are avoiding whatStar Trek: Discoveryseason 1 did. They all feature legacy characters to some degree, and some are even played by their original actors. For instance,Robert Picardo will be reprising hisStar Trek: Voyagerrole, taking the Doctor into the 32nd century as part of theStar Trek: Starfleet Academycast. Plus,Chris Pine is expected to return to the Kelvin Timeline as Captain Kirkwith his other reboot co-stars for a long-awaited fourth movie.
Star Trek: Section 31’s Villain Pays Off A Deep Cut Discovery Mystery
Star Trek: Section 31’s villain has the answer to an Emperor Georgiou mystery that was introduced in Star Trek: Discovery season 3.
The advantages of this decision are obvious.The presence of familiarStar Trekcharacters and actors is essentially fan service, as they’re more likely to make the projects more appealing to establishedStar Trekfans. The franchise no longer seems too concerned with farming an entirely new crop of viewers with its upcoming slate, but rather trying to keep its current viewership engaged. It’s not a terrible decision, but it’s still a shame thatStar Trek’s future doesn’t seem to have a direct replacement forStar Trek: Discoveryand its cavalcade of new characters.
Star Trek: Discovery
Cast
Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.
Star Trek
Star Trek is one of pop culture’s biggest multimedia franchises, spanning multiple movies, TV shows, books, comics, video games, and various other media. The franchise was created by Gene Roddenberry and started with the 1960s TV series starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Over the decades, several equally popular series have come out since as Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Discovery.
