Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 3x03 - "People of Earth"

[Bad Thoughts]

Just because there are silly conceits to the concept that we live with, doesn't mean more plausible real-world scenarios should also get a pass when they drop the ball. In Trek's (and probably our) 32nd century, we should be able to count the hairs on a mule's balls on a terraformed Pluto from Earth.

In Trek, probably yes, but in the real world, not being able to put telescopes into space greatly reduces what we can see. Not controling space would hinder Earth's ability to see things even within our solar system. Who knows with Star Trek's scannORs?

 

[cooleddie74]

And if the Burn affected all subspace as well as scanning technology and methods that Earth is familiar with then even locating a shuttle on the outskirts of the asteroid belt might be a challenge.

 

[fireproof78]

As well as any countermeasures for sensors that can be put in place.

 

[cooleddie74]

In the end it's Trek science: it makes sense to the extent that it drives the story.

 

[Crazyewok]

In the end it's Trek science: it makes sense to the extent that it drives the story.

But it didn't need to be titan to drive the story. They could of picked a more sensible location that can't be contacted by early 20th century tec.

I am less and less forgiving of needless bollocks cause witters are to lazy to know very basic science.

 

[fireproof78]

In the end it's Trek science: it makes sense to the extent that it drives the story.

Yup. Trek Science-driving the story forward since 1966. Now with more technobabble!

 

[cooleddie74]

DSC hasn't needed a lot of the things it's used to drive its stories, but in this case it's so far down the list of my issues with the series' writing that it doesn't really bother me.

 

[eschaton]

But it didn't need to be titan to drive the story. They could of picked a more sensible location that can't be contacted by early 20th century tec.

I am less and less forgiving of needless bollocks cause witters are to lazy to know very basic science.

Berman Trek's use of biology was laughably awful. Like, every single time they bring up something related to DNA or evolution, it's just totally wrong.

I suppose one could argue writers have less excuse now though, since they can just look anything up on Wikipedia. And we know they check things on Memory Alpha.

 

[fireproof78]

DSC hasn't needed a lot of the things it's used to drive its stories, but in this case it's so far down the list of my issues with the series' writing that it doesn't really bother me.

Indeed, yes. It' simply part of the story. Mileage will vary on enjoyment, but I hardly feel that the writers deserve any sort of call out any more than other Trek writers.

 

[cooleddie74]

Again: how did 22nd century Earth not know that John Frederick Paxton had constructed a warp-capable spaceship on the Moon that masqueraded as a mining headquarters? How did Earth intelligence not detect Terra Prime's plans to launch terror attacks on Earth? They were just on the Moon and later Mars.

Trek is full of bureaucrats and officers who miss the obvious or aren't even looking for something.

 

[Noname Given]

How many people here hated: "Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan"?

I ask because the entire setup for that film is the fact that the USS Reliant couldn't tell that:

- Ceti Alpha VI exploded in a star system that was well mapped.

- That somehow Ceti Alpha V was blown/moved into the exact same orbital path that Ceti Alpha VI had previously occupied.

- Couldn't tell that there was a breathable atmosphere on Ceti Alpha VI (And there was because all Khan and his followers were wearing were breathing filters. No one was wearing a sealed EVA style suit).

Yeah I can see why Star Trek fans really hate "Star Trek Ii The Wrath of Khan'... Oh wait.

So yeah if there ever has been a period of:
"Jar Jar JJ Abrams style Trek..." where the writers really don't care about details...
^^^
It started long before Star Trek Discovery hit the airwaves / streaming services.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

This episode fell flat for me.

I am continually frustrated with the Fall of the Federation story arc. With this year and all the events of the last four in our world, I have little desire to watch a dystopia even if it's about rebuilding utopia. Also, I've seen that on other Roddenberry properties: Planet Earth, Genesis II, and Andromeda.

Also, what was the point of moving the show into the far future if there's a lack of futurism and worldbuilding? Earth looks exactly like it does in DISCO (season 2) and PIC.

San Francisco in TMP is far better futurism than any of the other Treks, with less urban skyscrapers and more reclaimed lands. The original concept was Earth built underground urban areas so as to allow the planet's surface to heal.

So far it's programmable matter and personal transporters as futurism. That's it.

But that's not what really bugs the crap outta me. The show has a fantastic, diverse cast and the writing wastes them.

The writers continue to take shortcuts to deliver us to unearned emotional and overly sentimental moments. An episode or two on Burnham's yearlong adventures would've gone a long way to earn the moment of her return and also SHOW her character changes.

Nope. Gotta get to the next emotional moment without doing the real character work. It favors melodrama over actual drama.

Love Saru as captain. But why the hell does he have to give a freaking motivational speech each time the crew needs to do anything!? We get it. He lost his sense of fear and is the bravest of all the Kelpians now.

I really like the show, the cast, and the production, but the writing is the one thing that continually falls short for me. After three years, the show still doesn't have a clear vision of the Trek it wants to be. Hoping this year it finally does.

 

[Discofan]

The Ferengi would shit bricks if they could have seen for themselves Discovery's massive dilithium vault. I'd pay good gold-pressed latinum to see the looks on their faces.

I don't know, since Rom's Grand-Nagusship, it's likely that the Ferengi have changed their ways and are now the do-gooders of the galaxy. It's even possible that they've abandoned a Latinum-based economy.

 

[jackoverfull]

Dammit, Kurtzman, you monster!!

I’m sure that once he removes his helmet he will turn out to be human.

But it didn't need to be titan to drive the story. They could of picked a more sensible location that can't be contacted by early 20th century tec.

I am less and less forgiving of needless bollocks cause witters are to lazy to know very basic science.

Yep.

Berman Trek's use of biology was laughably awful. Like, every single time they bring up something related to DNA or evolution, it's just totally wrong.

I suppose one could argue writers have less excuse now though, since they can just look anything up on Wikipedia. And we know they check things on Memory Alpha.

Just because we’ve seen totally wrong science and continuity in the past is no justification if this keeps happening. As you correctly point out, checking a basic fact is extremely easy nowadays.

I really like the show, the cast, and the production, but the writing is the one thing that continually falls short for me. After three years, the show still doesn't have a clear vision of the Trek it wants to be. Hoping this year it finally does

Agreed: the main issue so far with Discovery has been the writing. In the first three episodes of this season I found a huge improvement on that front, though, with mostly sensible plots and less stilted dialog, I hope this continues.

 

[BillJ]

Indeed, yes. It' simply part of the story. Mileage will vary on enjoyment, but I hardly feel that the writers deserve any sort of call out any more than other Trek writers.

Every single Trek writer has been called out over sloppy or non-sensical writing. Going all the way back to Roddenberry.

 

[BillJ]

How many people here hated: "Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan"?

I ask because the entire setup for that film is the fact that the USS Reliant couldn't tell that:

- Ceti Alpha VI exploded in a star system that was well mapped.

- That somehow Ceti Alpha V was blown/moved into the exact same orbital path that Ceti Alpha VI had previously occupied.

- Couldn't tell that there was a breathable atmosphere on Ceti Alpha VI (And there was because all Khan and his followers were wearing were breathing filters. No one was wearing a sealed EVA style suit).

Yeah I can see why Star Trek fans really hate "Star Trek Ii The Wrath of Khan'... Oh wait.

And in most every thread that that particular movie gets discussed, these things get called out, even after nearly forty years.

 

[fireproof78]

Every single Trek writer has been called out over sloppy or non-sensical writing. Going all the way back to Roddenberry.

As long as we're consistent.

My point is this is not an Abrams era thing.

 

[Nerys Myk]

The most recent data is 900 years out of date;; but the spear has data going back I think at least 10, 000 years or so.

Then hopefully dilithium went boom at least once before.

 

[BillJ]

My point is this is not an Abrams era thing.

Honestly, Discovery folks have gotten off relatively easy here compared to Voyager, Enterprise and the Abrams films.

 

[fireproof78]

Honestly, Discovery folks have gotten off relatively easy here compared to Voyager, Enterprise and the Abrams films.

True enough, though it depends on where you're chatting. Abrams got it the really bad.