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First Look at Captain Lorca (blurry bridge of DSC)

Aliens simply provide an allegory. Was
"Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" about Cheronians or humans? Was "The Outcast" really about the J'naii or about humans? Was "The Cloud Minders" really about alien or real human "Troglytes"?

The only argument against that I can see is that we've progressed enough in society (and in television) that allegories aren't needed anymore to represent serious real-world social issues.
Well yes, exactly. The 'realism' of Starfleet's oddly human make-up is irrelevant - aliens in Star Trek exist to cause a problem for our heroes to solve, or to serve as an allegory to make a point, or both. Even the aliens we get on the main cast fulfill the 'looking at humanity through a different perspective' thing. This use of aliens naturally means that Trek will largely feature humans to be observed or to interact with.

The alternative approach, aliens are humans with bumpy heads, who act almost entirely as human characters apart from makeup, that you see on, say, Farscape, has never been Trek's way. Generally, each alien race comes with a quirk, a perspective, or a trait that is exaggerated to make a point.
 
It would seem as though I might've derailed the thread a bit by posting those pictures...

Anyways, on topic, I think you can tell somewhat that there's going to be a bit more color to the Discovery bridge than we initially thought.
19274931_1553280821401871_771748022208342839_n.jpg
Taking a look at my color corrected version again (heck, even the original one with that awful blue color-cast), you can see that they're throwing in some yellows and oranges to warm the pallet up some which is actually a welcome change from the Shenzou Bridge which went far too blue in my opinion. It gives it a slightly...rustic feel I suppose.
 
Generally, each alien race comes with a quirk, a perspective, or a trait that is exaggerated to make a point.

Exactly.

The "allegory" thing has become a shield for timid storytelling anyway; this isn't 1966. If you want characters to struggle with real issues, have them struggle with real issues.
 
Aliens simply provide an allegory. Was
"Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" about Cheronians or humans? Was "The Outcast" really about the J'naii or about humans? Was "The Cloud Minders" really about alien or real human "Troglytes"?

The only argument against that I can see is that we've progressed enough in society (and in television) that allegories aren't needed anymore to represent serious real-world social issues.

We haven't.
 
The "allegory" thing has become a shield for timid storytelling anyway; this isn't 1966. If you want characters to struggle with real issues, have them struggle with real issues.

Timid storytelling is irrelevant of age. You can find timid storytelling in 2017 television and cinema also. What (hopefully) 2017 writers and directors don't have to deal is 1960's style censorship.

No one is arguing that characters shouldn't struggle with real contemporary issues. Quite the opposite. But in the advanced human society of the 23rd and 24th century humans have progressed to the point of having almost eradicated racial and ethnic prejudice, religious prejudice, sexual orientation prejudice, gender prejudice, class and income prejudice, age and disabilities prejudice, etc. Unfortunately, as much as we 21st century humans have progressed, or think we have progressed, those issues are still troubling us. So how can Star Trek writers deal with 21st century issues in the tolerable 23rd century society? By introducing Alien species with the same intolerances as us humans of course. Thus the allegory is still needed.

We haven't.

Exactly. As clearly evidenced by all the recent hullabaloo about "transgendered" Michael Burnham and the "white genocide in space" crap. I wish the Discovery's producers are allowed the leeway to really push the envelope with current issues such as immigration, refugees, warmongering, imperialism, terrorism, etc.
 
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True. But I'd like something that looks more timeless. I'm not sure what exactly that would be, but you're not going to find it by making your show look exactly like everyone else's.
Spandex.
Instant Timeless!
TOS, some of the movies. Later on, they would use ill-fitting standard sized uniforms on the cast in the Berman era and they looked terrible.
That changed by S3 of TNG. Everything was tailored to the actor, although they had to use standard sizing as a starting point. You tend to have more worn out uniforms by the end of whatever season you're watching, and usually by the time the next season starts, they've already manufactured new costumes. What was nuts was Generations and they couldn't make or tailor a new costume for Frakes and Spiner.
 
Civilian clothes were something 24thC Trek never really got right. DS9 improved in later seasons, but throughout TNG's run and for most of DS9 and Voyager, the crew looked ridiculous in mufti.
 
Ooo, that looks great! Just removing the arm bands really does make a huge difference. Nicely done!
I've gotta say, the more I look at this, the more I like it. Personally, I'd prefer department colors to blue though. They're barely even distinguishable with the stripes gone. Sleeve ranks also would be a huge improvement. And I would only leave the metallic front seam on the captains' uniforms.
Edit: also, since I forgot to say it, thank you!
 
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Ever since the 70's the "future" style always pointed to us wearing much less. Possibly because they've known about climate change since then.
 
There are way too many "aliens" on Star Trek already. One or two regulars are more than enough.
Well in reality, humans would be a tiny minority in the Federation, so any amount of aliens wouldn't be too much. The budget is another matter.
I'd want a series with only one or two human regulars, would be far more interesting I think--but that's just me.
 
Probably. There's nothing subtle or observant enough about Trek alien cultures to begin to build a show around them.
 
Well, they have sleeves, but also decided to add shoulder boards and a higher collar. Any of those places are good (and traditional) places to affix rank insignia, which are generally there to be easy to see. Instead they put little tiny dimples on the badge. The shoulder piping is just decorative, as are the fru fru metallic shoulder stripes and mesh-like pattern and the collars are bare. And no pockets in the tops. All these nip and tuck photoshops are improvements, which shows how easy it is to do better than the people who got paid the big bucks.
 
I am pleased they have two 54 year olds in Yeoh and Lucas. Following on from Greenwoods Pike (53 in 09), it's a good trend after the absurdity of cadet Captain Kirk. In todays world 53/54 is on the high side in age for a Captain/Colonel. Most are mid 40s to very early 50s. But it's a lot closer to the mark than a 20 something. Well done!
 
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