Discovering Discovery.

 

My personal thoughts on Star Trek Discovery . . .

Well, where do I start?

I have been watching Star Trek since I was a wee nipper. The original series was not my Star Trek, but the films starring the original cast had a deep impact on me. I remember going to the cinema to watch The Voyage Home, and I remember that movie very fondly. I still enjoy watching those movies, but it feels like a different time altogether for the franchise.The movies and television shows have changed so much since then. But we can still go back and enjoy them, so it’s all good as far as I am concerned.

I adored Star Trek, The Next Generation. I would like to say I had been watching since it first aired, but I was late to the party. In the UK, we only had four channels and no catch-up services. So, if you were out, you missed it. I remember the first season was available in my local video store/off-licence, and I would rent them whenever I could. I started to become a real fan of the show when VHS tapes started to fall in price and be readily available to purchase in the WHSmith stores.  That is when I began to watch each episode in order and complete each season. I’m sure we have all shared the pleasure of watching your bedroom turn into plastic and dust.

In the middle of the nineties, we got two new series, Deep Space Nine and Star Trek Voyager. Star Trek seemed to be everywhere In England, we could subscribe to Sky TV and watch more channels than we could ask for. I now had more than enough Star Trek to watch, whenever I wanted. I suppose this would seem normal in today’s World, but then it felt new, and was a luxury I appreciated.

Star Trek Enterprise aired for the first time in 2001, and I remember watching this one on its premiere date. Science-fiction finally had its place on television, finally becoming part of mainstream viewing. I can’t tell you exactly when the internet first appeared, but this was the first time I felt the audience had a voice and the fans weren’t happy. Enterprise began before The original series timeline, and people thought that was blasphemy. The opening theme song only helped solidify those moody blues. Maybe I didn’t take enough time to notice that this anger had been going on through the ages, but it was the first time it had reached me. I have heard about the scandal with The Next Generation, and how it would never survive without the original cast. I was never looking for that information, and it was only in time that I learnt about it. However, the Enterprise complaints were instant and sadly, a taste of things to come.

And finally, to Star Trek Discovery. I would like to say that the producers have found the correct way to keep the franchise relevant. Discovery looks and feels different from any Star Trek series that came before it. The sets and locations look far more realistic than it has ever done before. Humanity has the technological changes in society that the original show could only dream about. I remember being a child and thinking a communicator would be such a wonderful item to own and use in daily life. Anyone under the age of twenty would look at such a thing like an ancient relic of the past. I wouldn’t call the technology ancient but nobody takes much notice of how amazing these advancements are anymore. if this show wants to attract younger viewers, they need to create something we haven’t invented yet! I don’t care if there aren’t any holographic workstations in the original series, we need to change the technology and push things forward.

Timelines! I am sick of hearing about those things, and also the huff and puff about the Klingon’s not looking the same as they used to. This is only a television show and you can make changes because it’s not real. I have always liked Star Trek because it’s about escaping reality for a couple of hours. Star Trek Discovery does that and I find the show enjoyable. I can understand if the changes mentioned above do not make people happy. But for me, all the series I have spoken about today are mere seconds away from your television sets, mobile phones and tablets, and I love that. Embrace the future people, yes it’s different, but it is also exciting.

Thank you for visiting today. Your time is appreciated. If you enjoy this post, please like, follow or subscribe for more in the future. Adios. 

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