Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Approaching the final season ofStar Trek: Discoveryfeels bittersweet. The adventures of this crew have been unique, primarily because of their time-jumping. The future of Star Fleet always had potential, andDiscoverytapped into that well. No matter how you feel aboutStar Trek: Discovery, it’s been a show that wears its heart on its sleeve and opened the door to new viewers in the process. The final season kicked off at SXSW 2024, and the big screen premiere lived up to the venue.
Star Trek: DiscoveryPlot
After the events of Season 4, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonnequa Martin-Green) struggles to move on from Book (David Ajala). His betrayal landed him a rotation with Star Fleet, and he bounces around the galaxy, helping relocate those displaced by the DMA. When an 800-year-old Romulan ship suddenly appears, Kovich (David Cronenberg) joins Discovery to pick up its cargo. However, a pair of salvagers, Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak (Elias Toufexis), beat them there.Discoveryhunts for the two couriers, only to realize the treasure will lead them on a chase one thousand years in the making.
The Critique
Star Trek: Discoveryhas not always had the biggest action setpieces, but it uses them effectively when possible. The premiere, however, showcases a higher budget and grander stakes. The adventure of this final season becomes immediately apparent, but it never sacrifices the development or morality of our characters. The opening sequence sees Martin-Green surfing a ship in hyperspace, there are crash landings on planets, and even a speed bike chase. This says nothing of the hand-to-hand combat, which takes another step up this season.
WhileStar Trek: Discoveryhas been away for nearly two years, these characters have not lost a step. Martin-Green and Ajala maintain their brilliant chemistry and showcase banter, which makes them one of the series’ best love interests. Cronenberg remains one of the highlights of the show, even if he does not have many episodes. His presence speaks for itself, and he adds an oddball energy that’s endlessly charming.
Doug Jones continues to shine under layers of makeup. He emotes despite the prosthetics, affirming his place as one the greatest “creature” performers of all time. Mary Wiseman returns and brings much-needed comedy to the premiere. I cannot wait until the show deploys Wiseman and Tig Notaro at the same time. Finally, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Cruz, and Blu del Barrio continue to be a perfect image of found family in the universe. Their questions about purpose and legacy strike a chord.
Newcomers Harlow and Toufexis get their moments to shine as well. They do not need much to communicate the history of their relationship, and a few moments help us fill in the blanks. Additionally, they get excellent help from the stunt teams to establish them as threats. Since Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise have guided the show, some antagonists have taken a back seat to the crew. Hopefully, the premiere is truly just a taste of what’s to come from the new cast.
In Conclusion
The return ofStar Trek: Discoveryis exciting for Paramount+. Their first foray into the iconic franchise undeniably left its mark on the franchise. It broke barriers and helped the show become more inclusive than ever before. That says a lot when you’re talking aboutStar Trek. The final season kicks off with a bang, as well as ties toThe Next Generationin surprising ways. While this storyline can certainly stand on its own, it’s set to reward decades-long plot threads.
In doing so,Star Trek: Discoverycan not only place itself within the larger context of the franchise but invite new viewers to take a look at the long-running franchise.Star Trekhas always been a story of stepping into the unknown. With the backstories and development of many characters already set in stone,Discoveryfinally gets a chance to show its cinematic side.
For more entertainment coverage, follow us onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram, andYouTube.
Alan French
Film/TV Critic
Articles Published :280
Alan French began writing about television and film by covering the Emmys and Oscar beats in 2016. Since then, he has written hundreds of reviews on TV and movies. He attends film festivals regularly. He is a Rotten Tomato-approved critic and is on the committee for the Critics Association of Central Florida.
More from Alan French
Alien: Earth — “Mr. October” — Season 1 Episode 2 Spoiler Recap and Review
Alien: Earth — “Neverland” — Season 1 Episode 1 Spoiler Review and Recap
Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Review — A Gorgeous Return to Inverness
Recommended
Fallout Season 2 Release Date Confirmed: 5 Post-Apocalyptic Shows to Watch While You Wait For Peak Cinema
Kevin Hart Is Trading Dwayne Johnson for Another WWE Star in New Netflix Film
Perfect Match Season 3: How Did Ollie Propose to AD?
Severance Season 3: Why Isn’t Ben Stiller Directing? Details Inside
Timo Tjahjanto Shades Keanu Reeves Film: Why is Nobody 2 Not a Desperate John Wick Ripoff?
Why Is Sharon Stone Dissing Basic Instinct Reboot Despite Years of Clout? Details Inside
Doug JonesStar Trekstar trek discoveryStar Trek: Strange New Worlds
