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Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 2x05 - "Saints of Imperfection"

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I remember explicitly that the producers said, on both After Trek and in written interviews, that the plan was to "continue telling the Culber / Stamets" story, and assured fans that it wasn't over. That was directly after the episode aired.

I know it's fun to think that "input from the fans" (otherwise known as "My Internet Complaining Does Have an Impact Syndrome") shaped the storytelling, but it just isn't true in this case. They may not have known specifically how they were going to do it, but the plan was there to use the character and the actor again. It was made very clear, directly after the episode aired, and well in advance of there being enough reaction for them to do the backpedal exercise.
 
I remember explicitly that the producers said, on both After Trek and in written interviews, that the plan was to "continue telling the Culber / Stamets" story, and assured fans that it wasn't over. That was directly after the episode aired.

I know it's fun to think that "input from the fans" (otherwise known as "My Internet Complaining Does Have an Impact Syndrome") shaped the storytelling, but it just isn't true in this case. They may not have known specifically how they were going to do it, but the plan was there to use the character and the actor again. It was made very clear, directly after the episode aired, and well in advance of there being enough reaction for them to do the backpedal exercise.
Yes, after it aired. But there was a long time between that and when the episode was actually filmed.
 
That was directly after the episode aired
Indeed, nobody disputes that. What I find hard to believe is that when it was made, that was the plan. At least true, physical resurrection. If it was, they wrote themselves into one hell of a corner the way they did the death.
You could even interpret the phrasing "continue the story" as not being sure whether you're actually bringing him back for realz or not. After all by that point the Vision!Culber stuff was in the can.
 
Yes, after it aired. But there was a long time between that and when the episode was actually filmed.

Yeah. I can buy that they made the decision to "bring Culber back" before filming of the first season was even done. But based upon how that episode was shot - and how shoddy the follow-through was here - they clearly intended for him to be dead for good at the time they filmed his neck being snapped.
 
Right...but fans hadn't seen the episode in order to complain about it, in order to get the writers to change course.

It could have been poorly received by test audiences. Or CBS could have been getting nervous because people were saying how much they liked Culber. We'll likely not know the reasons for years to come.
 
Indeed, nobody disputes that. What I find hard to believe is that when it was made, that was the plan. At least true, physical resurrection. If it was, they wrote themselves into one hell of a corner the way they did the death.
You could even interpret the phrasing "continue the story" as not being sure whether you're actually bringing him back for realz or not. After all by that point the Vision!Culber stuff was in the can.

Oh, I'm not convinced they knew precisely how or to what extent, but I don't think they backpedaled because of backlash either. The evidence simply doesn't support it. They may have shaped the "how..." or even the "when," but I don't think they were like "oh crap....we better think differently about this."
 
Regardless, isn't it better to presume - if you're a Disovery fan - that bringing back Culber was a retrospective decision?

Because if that explanation is the best they can do with foresight, it doesn't speak to their skillz.
 
I was hoping they would really tear our hearts out with making Stamets either have to destroy Culber, or decided to stay with him in the network, closing the door between forever.

Instead we got lots of talking and about as anti-climatic set of scenes that I can remember.
 
Choosing between the choices that the producers were up front about the character returning right from the start and believing the internet conspiracy theories that I'm reading in this thread, I'll choose the simplest explanation, which is that the producers were telling the truth. Occam's razor and all that.
 
I was hoping they would really tear our hearts out with making Stamets either have to destroy Culber, or decided to stay with him in the network, closing the door between forever.

Instead we got lots of talking and about as anti-climatic set of scenes that I can remember.

Truly the epic love story of the ages, because of that one time we got to see them brushing teeth together.
 
Regardless, isn't it better to presume - if you're a Disovery fan - that bringing back Culber was a retrospective decision?

Because if that explanation is the best they can do with foresight, it doesn't speak to their skillz.

No.

Because as a Discovery fan, if I believe the writers and the producers are taking their queues from online feedback, I might as well cancel my subscription right now.
 
At the end it looked like they would have to destroy Culber, but I'm not sad how it ended up. I'm not going to second guess the writers motives, but I bet most of you didn't complain when Atlantis did it.

Who here is 100% certain the resurrection is straightforward? This species has already caused hallucinations of somebody being rescued. Or there could be BUM BUM BUM something wrong with him and the way he was brought back. They may tear out our hearts yet.
 
Regardless, isn't it better to presume - if you're a Disovery fan - that bringing back Culber was a retrospective decision?

Because if that explanation is the best they can do with foresight, it doesn't speak to their skillz.
The way they brought Culber back is no less ridiculous than the way they brought Spock back. And, yes, I believe that they're playing the long game with these two characters, and have been from the start. As to whether they have a set end game in place for them, I couldn't tell you. Probably not. They may have broad strokes planned out with an idea where they're heading, but the creative process is a fluid one, subject to change and / or better ideas.
 
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