Poll How positive are you about Discovery now?

[Noname Given]

Whether it be a movie, TV show or video game, it never looks good when there's a review embargo. Regardless of the internal reason for it.

Well, like I said, I'd be MORE concerned if they didn't screen the episode for critics - but they did. It's usually when they won't screen the film or episode for critics prior to the premiere date that you can conclusively say: "Well, the studio doesn't like something here."

Given they've been limiting even what the actors say about the story, I think it's more they don't want the whole plot of any episodes that critics screened leaked prior to the premiere.

Per this article:
http://ew.com/tv/2017/09/14/cbs-critics-star-trek-discovery/

The plan is similar to how HBO handled the return of Game of Thrones this summer (no screeners, one press screening, reviews with any significant details embargoed), and how David Lynch insisted Showtime manage the return of Twin Peaks this year.

Either way we'll be able to judge for ourselves in 10 days.

 

[Fateor]

And suddenly I am even less positive now that I hear they aren't doing pre-screanings...

 

[RAMA]

Well, like I said, I'd be MORE concerned if they didn't screen the episode for critics - but they did. It's usually when they won't screen the film or episode for critics prior to the premiere date that you can conclusively say: "Well, the studio doesn't like something here."

Given they've been limiting even what the actors say about the story, I think it's more they don't want the whole plot of any episodes that critics screened leaked prior to the premiere.

Per this article:
http://ew.com/tv/2017/09/14/cbs-critics-star-trek-discovery/

Either way we'll be able to judge for ourselves in 10 days.

My take as well.

They're just maintaining the already established secrecy. The critics will all be seeing it, they just won't be writing about it till the 24th. It's also the product of an ultra-confident studio. Subscriptions look good, but they're just extra now. No one at CBS is biting their nails about $$$.

BTW Game of Thrones did the same thing. That's getting really bad reviews. lol

 

[Tom Servo]

Man the hand wringing over this is ridiculous. I really don't think it has anything to do with the quality of the show. Its probably more to control any sort of leaks and spoilers. After what has happened to HBO a few times over the last couple years, who can blame them. Besides, despite the fact that the show is airing on TV, I really don't CBS is caring about the viewer numbers on premiere night, they are going to care about subscribers to CBS All Access. Who cares if the reviews don't come out till the show can be seen by the masses, if the reviews are good and people are interested, they can just call it up online. Hell, The Orville got trashed critically, and some people here feel like that is what modern Trek should be like, so honestly who knows what the critics will say.

 

[NOVE9]

They are doing pre-screenings for critics on tues the 19th.

This honestly just seems in line with the way they have treated security around the show since day one. Considering how much they have riding on this it's not that surprising or worrying to me.

 

[BillJ]

And suddenly I am even less positive now that I hear they aren't doing pre-screanings...

They're doing a screening on the 19th, last I heard.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

.... I really don't think it has anything to do with the quality of the show. Its probably more to control any sort of leaks and spoilers....

Yes. Considering they are in fact doing a pre-screening for critics, but asking for those critics not to publish until the 24th after it has premiered has me less worried that if did not pre-screen it for critics at all.

A pre-screening with an publishing embargo is usually done to avoid spoilers (such as what was done with GoT this season), not because the studio has no faith in the product. If they had no faith in the product, there would be no pre-screening at all.

 

[Krandor]

Whether it be a movie, TV show or video game, it never looks good when there's a review embargo. Regardless of the internal reason for it.

It movie has a review embargo until it aired.
GoT never allows early reviews
The twin peaks revival (probably closest example to discovery) also had a review embargo

 

[RAMA]

They are doing pre-screenings for critics on tues the 19th.

This honestly just seems in line with the way they have treated security around the show since day one. Considering how much they have riding on this it's not that surprising or worrying to me.

New information to me is that they are having TWO screenings, one in NYC and one in LA.

RAMA

 

[Krandor]

It's simply never a good idea nor a good sign to have the pilot episode of your brand spanking new show locked behind a critics firewall. Surely good reviews drive WoM = more subs.

It is STar Trek. People will tune into the premier just for that. Star Trek at this point dosn't need good WoM for people to watch the pilot. They just need to put on a good pillt

 

[chappaai]

Everything I learn makes me less & less optimistic. From the recent news about the plot inspiration to this new tight fist on reviews. I just went to schedule the recording for the first episode that's supposed to air on CBS. Looks like here its being pre-empted by football from 7pm to 11:30pm. I was planning to at least watch that. Since that doesn't seem to be happening here, I've lost interest. I might check CBS on the 24th to see if there's an error. Otherwise, I won't be watching on All Access. If it winds up on Netflix at some point, I might watch. I have absolutely no interest right now, in seeing it or in spending money to see it. I'm not going to waste time hunting it down when there's so many other programs to watch.

 

[RAMA]

It movie has a review embargo until it aired.
GoT never allows early reviews
The twin peaks revival (probably closest example to discovery) also had a review embargo

Also, remember, CBSAA wants people to tune in for part 2. Everyone can see part 1. Its a double layer of leaks they are trying to avoid.

RAMA

 

[Krandor]

Also, remember, CBSAA wants people to tune in for part 2. Everyone can see part 1. Its a double layer of leaks they are trying to avoid.

RAMA

Exactly because my understand is the screenings are going to be of both of the first 2 episodes. Reviews will be allowed as soon as the first episode ends ... at the point where CBS needs people to subscribe to CBSAA. So reviews that come out right after the pilot saying how good episode 1 and 2 together are can only help CBS at that point.

 

[RAMA]

Everything I learn makes me less & less optimistic. From the recent news about the plot inspiration to this new tight fist on reviews. I just went to schedule the recording for the first episode that's supposed to air on CBS. Looks like here its being pre-empted by football from 7pm to 11:30pm. I was planning to at least watch that. Since that doesn't seem to be happening here, I've lost interest. I might check CBS on the 24th to see if there's an error. Otherwise, I won't be watching on All Access. If it winds up on Netflix at some point, I might watch. I have absolutely no interest right now, in seeing it or in spending money to see it. I'm not going to waste time hunting it down when there's so many other programs to watch.

You're a dedicated, focused, go-getter... Well don't see it here, might as well give up. Respect man.

RAMA

 

[Kelthaz]

A late review embargo is a red flag, but a red flag doesn't guarantee that the show will be terrible. We're all going to watch Discovery anyway, so this doesn't change anything.

 

[Apparition B5]

From:
https://trekmovie.com/2017/09/12/st...-about-capt-lorca-and-the-uss-discovery-crew/

"Lietenant Paul Stamets - the diligent scientist
Stamets studies Prototaxites stellaviatorae – a species made up of exotic matter found not only in our dimension, but also in a discrete subspace domain known as the ‘mycelial network.’ These subspace ‘shrooms are used in engineering for a mysterious new method of space travel. They are also somehow pivotal to the war with the Klingons."
.

So the U.S.S. Blueberry is powered by space mushrooms. That... actually makes a lot of sense, come to think about it.

 

[JD]

StarTrek.com just posted a new interview with Aaron Harberts and I thought this section might be of interest.

It's frustrating when you're pitching story and you hear, "Ah, that's not possible." When I hear that, you just say, "OK, got it, that's the rule.” The last thing we want to do is feel like we came into somebody else's house and took the plates out and moved them somewhere else. You want to make sure that you feel like you're taking good care of the show, and that you're respecting canon, but what's been fun about it is every time you bump up against a limitation, it's fun to be able to sometimes take it head on and say, "We're going to twist that, but we're going to come back around and land it in a way where the audience can say, 'OK, they actually did wedge of piece of Aaron's storytelling now into what I know.'" I've always said I want the fans to be patient with us because sometimes you'll see us do what seem like a violation, but we'll fix it in the next episode. There's an amazing ship named Discovery that has a fantastic way to fly that you've never seen before, and no one ever talks about it. As we look to future seasons, it's all about tying it up so that we can move ahead, and the rest of the Star Trek universe can maintain intact.

So it sounds like even if things don't play out in exactly the way we expect during the series, things will end up in place for TOS by the time it's over.

The whole interview is definitely worth a read as it does address some issues we've been bringing up here. It's a 2 part interview, part 1 is up now, and part 2 will be posted tomorrow.

 

[pst]

after writing about the embargo, io9 posted this editorial/rant. it's hard to disagree with, but also feels like io9 badly wants discovery to be a train wreck.

for what it's worth, i'm feeling better about the show the closer we get. but maybe that's the bubble of trekBBS and all the little teaser videos i'm living in these days.

 

[SJA]

I've swung from being mildly interested - to completely disinterested when Fuller was fired - to very excited! But...I have to say they are walking a dangerous line - publicity wise - if this thing about Review Embargoes is true - As a journalist myself this is not something likely to engender good -will among the media who perhaps sense more traction in a 'bad' Star Trek show than a 'good' one! I understand it from a story impact pov -especially if rumors about certain possible twists storytelling wise are correct - but I sense there any many press sharks scenting blood - Discovery's blood! Still hope it's great though!

 

[Ometiklan]

after writing about the embargo, io9 posted this editorial/rant. it's hard to disagree with, but also feels like io9 badly wants discovery to be a train wreck.

for what it's worth, i'm feeling better about the show the closer we get. but maybe that's the bubble of trekBBS and all the little teaser videos i'm living in these days.

I agree on many fronts. io9's coverage, oddly for a pro-science fiction site, has always been stunningly negative about Discovery. I personally don't think the embargo is a big deal, and like SJA says, it is probably trying to avoid spoilers in the pilot.

As for the other io9 rant, I agree that they have some valid points. But it is really speculation built on speculation. I don't think any the promotional efforts point to a bad show, but rather poor marketing and simply the current environment of media/pop culture/fandom/etc.:
- The fandom is, and always has been rather fractured on what they think the current Trek is and what it should be.
- CBS is trying to create a new show for long term fans, recent fans, and potential new fans, so any bit of marketing tends to affect each group differently. Think of "not your dad's Star Trek!" for fans who prefer the older Trek.
- With the hunger and hate for spoilers, the news cycle, and rumor mills, every little bit gets turned inside out and labeled the greatest portend of Trek's future.
- What the show runners, writers, and actors say about the show is provided piecemeal (as promotion and discussion) and without context, which makes it easy to pull apart and question, but not easy to see the reasoning and reality behind those bits.

It is the audience's (fans and critics) preconceptions and fantasy's about Trek clashing with seeing that what others have created is not what you envisioned, topped with a heaping of emotions over the "right" way to do Trek.

Edited to add: One other thing to consider: how different "The Orville" critical reviews were from audience reviews. I wonder if CBS looked at "The Orville" and wondered how much the pilot's ratings were negatively affected by the apparently misalignment between the critics and viewers. Since this just happened, it could be a big issue in CBS exec's minds right now.