Poll How positive are you about Discovery now?

[kirk55555]

I can't change my vote, but I definitely went from Negative to Very Negative. The exterior designs of the Starfleet ships are literally the only positive thing about the show (with SMG a neutral element that might be ok, although not enough to make the show even mildly tolerable).

 

[Ometiklan]

I can't change my vote, but I definitely went from Negative to Very Negative. The exterior designs of the Starfleet ships are literally the only positive thing about the show (with SMG a neutral element that might be ok, although not enough to make the show even mildly tolerable).

Not a big surprise...

What do you think about the design of the phaser, phaser rifle, and tricorder?

 

[Ometiklan]

Maybe this is unnecessary, but have you seen non-Trek TV shows? I would say quite a few of those are actually full of fun dialog and real character development that make DS9 look incredibly mediocre.

And yes, from a non-Trekkie perspective the design is totally playing it safe. The fact that some hardcore fans lose their shit because Klingons and transporters look different is not evidence of actual innovative design or interesting genuinely new approaches.

I guess maybe you just don't like DS9? Is there a portion of Trek that you think exhibits good dialogue and character development? If not, I am wondering what parts of Trek have you enjoyed - because DS9 is probably the best of the franchise with character development. Do you like the sci-fi elements and just keep watching hoping that the shows will include more character development? I don't mean to be harsh, I am just trying to understand.

As for design, I think there are limits to how far you are going to change things design-wise. Since Discovery is still Star Trek and is not a reboot, it still has to fundamentally be Star Trek. That means a transporter room will still have pads of some kind for the transportees to stand on and a control panel to control the transport. The ship will have corridors and nacelles and a circular bridge on top. Those are the elements of Star Trek design. Change those and you could have any other sci-fi show. Changing their appearance to update them for the modern day is good but they still have to have the basics.

I originally thought that in terms of updating the look of the show, they were just going to make TOS sets and props up to modern quality standards (like exactly what they did to the phasers, communicators, and tricorders), but to me the Klingon designs and the displays, are more different than I expected a prequel to be.

 

[Cake]

No reviews before the pilot airs? Damn, I wanted to read them. And it is also stupid. They are free promotion and make more people aware of DIS. So if you don't think your product is total crap, why not allow them? Surely they have more confidence in DIS. Critics generally love dark and gritty series with all kinds of political and social messages. So why are they afraid?

 

[Fateor]

GoT never allows early reviews

Well that's a full on lie.

It's only the last two seasons that Game of Thrones stopped allowing early reviews.

 

[Tuskin38]

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

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.

So I'm guessing there will be something wrong with the Warp-Shroom Drive, which is why it doesn't show up in TOS.

 

[Krandor]

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!

I'm curious why? The press is still going to have screenings of the show in advance and can write their reviews they just need to wait till after the pilot premier to publish them.

If they refused to let critics see it or have any screenings then I'd agree, but screenings are still happening and I bet even though there may not be formal reviews that we will get some "first impressions" of how it was received embargo or no.

 

[Noname Given]

Well that's a full on lie.

It's only the last two seasons that Game of Thrones stopped allowing early reviews.

The point is - HBO DID do that with GoT recently.

Still I think the point is:
Star Trek is now a franchise with (soon to be) 6 TV series (including TAS) and 13 feature films all spanning 51 years; and a worldwide and overall fairly passionate fanbase that often obsesses and over-analyzes any new scrap of info on any Star Trek project.

Do you really find it surprising that they want to avoid 'spoilers' in reviews? As has already been stated they will be doing full screenings of the first two episodes for TV Critics on 9/19 - BUT placing an embargo on any reviews being published publicly until after the first episode airs.
^^^
If CBS really thought the whole thing is a disaster; why do the Press screenings at all?

 

[Fateor]

So I'm guessing there will be something wrong with the Warp-Shroom Drive, which is why it doesn't show up in TOS.

Given they did the exact same story in Voyager I am guessing the fungus is actually sentient.

 

[Captain Fine]

If you were to believe all the negative Nancies on this board (and elsewhere) Discovery was never in fact ever going to air.

Yet somehow the premiere is 10 days away.

So do I believe the people who say this is going to be a trainwreck? Hell no.

I'll watch and see how it is. And even if it isn't what I expected or wanted, I'm gonna watch it cuz it's Star Trek. And I think the vast majority of Star Trek fans (of any stripe) will do the same.

 

[Fateor]

I'll watch and see how it is. And even if it isn't what I expected or wanted, I'm gonna watch it cuz it's Star Trek. And I think the vast majority of Star Trek fans (of any stripe) will do the same.

The problem with that line of thinking is that the number of people who are going to watch the show don't really matter.

What matters is the people who will be willing to subscribe to a streaming service to watch the show.

 

[CorporalClegg]

I think I'm at the point where:

I'm excited we're 10 days away from a new Star Trek show, but nothing I've seen about yet excites me, specifically.

 

[kirk55555]

Not a big surprise...

What do you think about the design of the phaser, phaser rifle, and tricorder?

They look like garbage and like they're about 50 years more advanced then TOS, which is slightly better then the starship bridges looking 100 years more advanced the TNG I suppose.

 

[Kemaiku]

Keeping my option with Positive and enjoying the utter panic over nothing seemingly going on.

 

[Mudd]

I think I'm at the point where:

I'm excited we're 10 days away from a new Star Trek show, but nothing I've seen about yet excites me, specifically.

Yeah, something like that.

I'm disappointed by a lot of what's been revealed in the last month or so, but on the other hand I remain pretty curious. Certainly the visual aspects of the show will be fascinating early on at least with regard to the scope and ambition of the production.

But not excited any more, no.

 

[fireproof78]

If you were to believe all the negative Nancies on this board (and elsewhere) Discovery was never in fact ever going to air.

Yet somehow the premiere is 10 days away.

So do I believe the people who say this is going to be a trainwreck? Hell no.

I'll watch and see how it is. And even if it isn't what I expected or wanted, I'm gonna watch it cuz it's Star Trek. And I think the vast majority of Star Trek fans (of any stripe) will do the same.

It will also destroy all DVD copies of Star Trek in its wake

 

[RAMA]

https://twitter.com/DavidAlanMack/status/908515017309478912

David Mack @DavidAlanMack·38m

Want to know my prediction for what's coming on @starrekcbs? Here it is: THE BEST FIRST SEASON OF A STAR TREK SERIES, =EVER=. 5/13

All 13 posts worth a look

 

[Ometiklan]

https://twitter.com/DavidAlanMack/status/908515017309478912

David Mack @DavidAlanMack·38m

Want to know my prediction for what's coming on @starrekcbs? Here it is: THE BEST FIRST SEASON OF A STAR TREK SERIES, =EVER=. 5/13

Reading that whole twitter stream, I believe him. I know he is defending his own work and all, and maybe I am not cynical enough to see this as similar to when other professionals say "oh yes, this movie I just completed is great and everything is awesome", but I just don't see it that way. This, like the other producers and writers and cast, sounds like someone who truly believes what they say, and truly believes in the product they have produced.

Now I might quibble with him that it's going to be better than season 1 of TOS, as that was a great season, but I won't know that until it ends (or until it is clearly not as good as TOS s1). One thing is for sure, with serialized storytelling and this much planning ahead, his other claim about being the most tonaly and continuity consistent should be easily achievable.

And his frustration with hyperbolic, prejudiced reactionary reporting and complaining is very familiar. I feel that too, and it is making me glad that Discovery's producers are holding their secrets close to their chest. I am really looking forward to experiencing the first whole show, for good or for bad, when it actually comes out.

 

[tomalak301]

Right now I'm glad we're only 10 days away so this reactionary hoopla might die down and we can enjoy the show. I don't even want to read any articles anymore. I just want to enjoy something Star Trek related.

 

[Rahul]

https://twitter.com/DavidAlanMack/status/908515017309478912

David Mack @DavidAlanMack·38m

Want to know my prediction for what's coming on @starrekcbs? Here it is: THE BEST FIRST SEASON OF A STAR TREK SERIES, =EVER=. 5/13

All 13 posts worth a look

Okay, a few things:
1) This is a guy defending his own work. He has put a lot of passion into it, and he is rightfully to pride himself with his work. But that's not really an indication whether other people will like it.
2) Now look at his tweets:

Every day I see clickbait blog articles predicting doom and gloom for @startrekcbs and I have to tell you, I'm sick of them. 1/13

First of all: Not everything is clickbait. Most of it are full articles with honest headlines, worrying about a show that has managed to both step on too many foots and not being noticed by anyone outside hardcore fandom at the same time. And now does something (review embargo) which is usually connected to bad reviews and a mixed product.

If anything, they should be happy that at least people are TALKING about this new Trek show! That is something that normally marketing should have done, but utterly failed at. The final product might be alright. But a lot of what is publicly availably for this show points in another direction. IF the product would be alright, this would be the perfect time to make more content available (e.g. reviews), to at least generate some anticipation for this show. I have not yet seen anybody who isn't a Trekkie in the first place even aknowledge this new show, and most Trekkies I know are cautious.

Want to know my prediction for what's coming on @starrekcbs? Here it is: THE BEST FIRST SEASON OF A STAR TREK SERIES, =EVER=. 5/13

That's what everyone said about the first season of TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, .... And it never turned out quite true. Truth is, during the first season the writers need to find a voice and a handling on characters, and how the actors play them. That takes time.

Also, I find it a little bit bigheaded to say "better than TOS season 1". You know, the season that created all of Star Trek in the first place. That entered general pop culture, and is the reason you guys have a job in the first place at all!

I'm not kidding. Season 1 of @startrekcbs will be the most tonally & continuity-consistent first season of a Star Trek series EVER. 6/13

No doubt here. The tone bein "grim'n'gritty-war" with lot's of 'splosions and klingon intrigue and scheming. It's just that some people don't like that tone. If I'm honest, I'd much rather have something charming, even a little lighhearted, fun, from my space opera. More action.-adventure than heavy war drama. Whatever you guys do, you won't be able to compete with Battlestar Galactica or Starship Troopers or Alien in the "hard-sf grimdark"-genre, and I find it misguided to even try that with a property like Star Trek.

There is a more coherent and consistently well-executed vision behind @startrekcbs than Star Trek has ever had before. 7/13

We've seen countless of artists pouring their hearts out to bring this new vision of Trek to the screen. Those are passionate, hard-working people. But even they can't do much, if they got decree's from the producers they have to follow. And if the general direction of those TPB are misguided, the final vision might be 'coherent', but not necessary 'good'. Choosing a fascist, brutalistic art style for the Federation, robbing klingons from their hair and their history, negating canon and building dark blue/grey sets like any other sci-fi show that has ever aired might have been intentional. I still don't like it.

The team in the @startrekroom is a goddamned Dream Team, and we're lucky to have these folks at the helm. 8/13

That's everyone that didn't got the boot during production... Then again, even the best writers will have problems when they're working off from a flawed basic premise.

Showrunners @GretchenJBerg & @AaronHarberts are KILLING it on DSC. @gryphonmetal @extspace & @karterhol are bringing their A-games. 9/13

At least I'm happy nobody is willfully sabotaging the show.

The show didn't embargo reviews because they're afraid or ashamed. This team is BURSTING with pride to show you what they've achieved. 11/13

The team at @startrekcbs is just trying to contain the inevitable spoilers for as long as they can, so you can SHARE THEIR WONDER. 12/13

That's the part where I don't believe you.
I mean, I believe the writers and executive producers are proud of their work and want to show it around. But the guys behind you, the ones with the money in the hand, who just saw the final, finished product, don't think the reviewers will like it. And don't allow reviewers to tell people how they felt just watching the finished show.

Stop predicting doom and gloom. A new era of STAR TREK is soon to dawn. And when it does, you will sing this team's praises as I do. 13/13

Funny you say that, since "doom and gloom" seems to be the tone of your show...

ADDENDUM: I might be biased, but wait until you guys see ep8, written by Kirsten Byer. Script made me cry. Perfectly Star Trek to its core.

Yeah, if you need people to watch EPISODE 8(!!) of your show until they like it, it will be too late! I know you have some twists and turns up your sleeve (you HAVE to, if you want to have one, season long continuing story). But people liked Game of Thrones already after the first episode, because that's what counts. The big twist at the end of the first season came as a shock. It's not there to convince people to watch it in the first place!


So, \rant over.
I generally would advice television and movie creators to refrain from ranting themselves to fans. It ended with Bob Orci spouting out his weird conspiracy theories about 9/11 to us and Simon Pegg (whom I unconditionally love!) directing slur words at fans. None of those people are anywhere near Trek anymore, and their Trek work wasn't as revolutionary or noteworthy as they claimed it to be. Even though I'm sure a lot of man-hours and hard work went into it.

So, if you want to convince fans of your work, the only thing that can do that is that work. And it's entirely possible we don't like it, even if you and everyone else put a lot of effort into it. As of now, what we have seen is best described as 'mixed'. Can be good. Can be bad. Can be a little bit of both.

But a review embargo and twitter-rants of the creators are NOT HELPING making your case for your show!