‘Discovery’ takes off despite some early bumps
In the optimistic spirit of Star Trek, the newest series in the legendary franchise offers hope for its future, but expect some turbulence along the way.
Star Trek: Discovery, the CBS All Access sci-fi series ( eegE out of four) that premiered Sunday with two episodes (the first on CBS; the remaining 14 on the subscription streaming service), soars in ambition and devotion to Star Trek mythology, but stalls with certain plot details and stilted dialogue. Next week’s third episode, which sets the series on its true course, features more promising plot twists and possibilities.
Discovery, set 10 years before the events of NBC’s original 1960s TV series, centers on Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin- Green), first officer of the United Federation of Planets’ USS Shenzhou serving under Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh).
Burnham’s background offers rich potential: The brilliant human girl was raised on Vulcan by Mr. Spock’s parents, Vulcan Sarek (James Frain) and human Amanda.
Sunday’s episodes followed the Shenzhou to a remote corner of the galaxy, where the brave Burnham’s deadly encounter with a Klingon triggers a war.
Too many actions worked against character or logic. Early on, Georgiou won’t tell Burnham why they’re walking in an odd pattern on a desert planet, seemingly to surprise viewers with the revelation they’ve traced the Star Trek insignia so the Shenzhou can find them. Later, the two officers go alone on a likely suicide mission against the Klingons. That’s what redshirts are for!
Introductory exposition hampers many pilots, but Discovery’s can be especially clunky, as when Lt. Saru (Doug Jones) recites details of his Kelpien species as if he’s reading from Wikipedia. Extra exposure for the Klingons is welcome.
Martin- Green, an engaging actor in The Walking Dead, has charisma and substance, but her depiction of a human conflicted by Vulcan self-restraint doesn’t immediately gel.
Burnham can be too emotional; her mutiny seems rash. Her scenes with Sarek are engaging, however, and in the third episode, Burnham merges dueling sensibilities better. Jason Isaacs captivates as as Captain Gabriel Lorca and a secret scientific experiment offers intriguing story potential.
Visually, Discovery shines. Action scenes are cinematic; aliens are lifelike. Commitment to detail will help this mission.