Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 5x08 - "Labyrinths"

[Farscape One]

I just did a count of how many people voted on the episodes this season, based on the poll in each thread. (I coubted ALL votes, rankings 1-10.) So far...

Episode 1...132 votes
Episode 2...104 votes
Episode 3...92 votes
Episode 4...107 votes
Episode 5...110 votes
Episode 6...102 votes
Episode 7...88 votes
Episode 8...58 votes


Now, "Labyrinths" did premiere only yesterday, so the number may increase. But it's definitely much lower than the others.

 

[Kaelef]

In your brain VR even thinning hair may be self-replicating.

That's a good way to look at it, although I don't think that was the intent. My immediate reaction to her pouring out all that sand from the half-filled bucket was, "SHE'S POURING IT OUT WAY TOO FAST!" The nice-looking overhead look we were shown made it seem like it would take hours if not days to navigate that maze. Also, seemed like cheating that her computer could map out her path for her.

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

"Southern Californian accent"? The actress was born in Canada and has only appeared in Canadian productions. Where's this "southern Californian" business coming from?

As someone not from North America I have made the same mistake numerous times with Kurtz Trek and some other shows.
Even actors not from California all seems to end up with the same affected accent. To me practically everyone on Discovery minus Book sounds like they are on 90210.

We had a similar phenomenon in Ireland called the "Montrose" accent that everyone on TV develops.

 

[The Wormhole]

While there is an accent known as "Television American" that nearly ever actor in North America treats as a "default" accent, it doesn't sound anything like an accent from California.

 

[fireproof78]

you're going to tell me that's a good thing?

Yes.

And it's the framing of the show. Might as well complain about Kirk in every show.

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

While there is an accent known as "Television American" that nearly ever actor in North America treats as a "default" accent, it doesn't sound anything like an accent from California.

Okey dokey.
Not sure where your from but I can definitely tell ya the US and most certainly Hollywood California has some cheek lecturing people for mistaking an accent.
Hollywood is in California so if everyone in Hollywood speaks "television American" then that actually makes it a defacto California accent.

 

[The Wormhole]

Television American is based on the accent used in the Midwestern States. California is a Southern State.

 

[Cr0sis21]

Yes.

And it's the framing of the show. Might as well complain about Kirk in every show.

The difference is, is there even one episode of Discovery where Burnham isn't the main focus? Because TOS did have a few like that.
But let's also be realistic here. In 1966, 4 of the top five shows on TV were named for their leads. The idea of the Leading Man (Or Woman) was a driving force in showbusiness at the time. So using that as a template for your show 60+ years later (and leaning harder into it than even the original did) maybe isn't the best choice.

 

[Jayson1]

Oh god that’s totally a thing they would do…



…and so is this.

Both would be frustrating.

Not only will he bring back his world this will be the thing that gets through to Moll who will also bring L'ak back to life along with her farther. They will all have a happy ending living their. Book will also go home. Burnham will stay with Starfleet. If their had been another season they would likely have written a excuse to rejoin the ship but instead it will likely play as happily ever after for him and his people.

 

[Tiran O'Saurus]

The difference is, is there even one episode of Discovery where Burnham isn't the main focus? Because TOS did have a few like that.

The Terra Firma two-parter is focused almost exclusively on Georgieu.

 

[fireproof78]

The difference is, is there even one episode of Discovery where Burnham isn't the main focus? Because TOS did have a few like that.
But let

Yes.

 

[The Wormhole]

Even today there are plenty TV shows that are centered around their lead character. That Star Trek is doing with with Disco centered around Michael is nothing to get worked up over. Indeed, considering we've been getting complaints over in the SNW forum about that show being "too much of an ensemble" and that it would "do well to choose a lead character and make the show about them" is just making it look like Trek fans are going to complain regardless. Most of the time, Trek fandom just looks at a particular Trek series and asks "why isn't this doing the complete opposite of what it's doing?" That's when they're not asking "why isn't this more like [Current Sci-Fi/Fantasy Flavor of the Month]?"

 

[Cr0sis21]

The Terra Firma two-parter is focused almost exclusively on Georgieu.

You're absolutely right. And surprise, surprise, it's one of my favorites.
Although Burnham IS the primary antagonist in that episode, but yes, the protagonist is clearly Georgiou.

I just wish we got a few more like that.

 

[Jayson1]

Biggest problem is Burnham has never been interesting enough to really make sense for the show to not be a ensemble based show. Especially when it's cast is actually not that bad and most of the characters have decent potential that only once in awhile shows through with the not so great writing ad limited screen time.

 

[Cr0sis21]

Even today there are plenty TV shows that are centered around their lead character. That Star Trek is doing with with Disco centered around Michael is nothing to get worked up over. Indeed, considering we've been getting complaints over in the SNW forum about that show being "too much of an ensemble" and that it would "do well to choose a lead character and make the show about them" is just making it look like Trek fans are going to complain regardless. Most of the time, Trek fandom just looks at a particular Trek series and asks "why isn't this doing the complete opposite of what it's doing?" That's when they're not asking "why isn't this more like [Current Sci-Fi/Fantasy Flavor of the Month]?"

There are people complaining about SNW being an ensemble show? Really?
I have never, and will never, complain about Trek embracing an ensemble approach. And I don't think it's coincidence that both the most critically acclaimed and popular Trek series have all been ensembles.
The farther Trek moves away from that, especially post-TOS, the more it seems to struggle.

 

[The Wormhole]

There are people complaining about SNW being an ensemble show? Really?

Yep

 

[fireproof78]

There are people complaining about SNW being an ensemble show? Really?

Yes.

 

[Jayson1]

TOS is not really a ensemble show but it's not the Kirk show either even though he is the star. It was all about Kirk/Spock/Bones. Nobody on Discovery was ever treated as important to the show as Spock and Bones were to TOS. Book sort of is in the final season but for the most everyone's purpose on the show has to more or less been to come and along and affirm Burnham's feelings or skills or whatnot.

 

[Cr0sis21]

Yep

Thankfully, it looks like that was one person, with five pages of people telling him "No."

 

[fireproof78]

Even today there are plenty TV shows that are centered around their lead character. That Star Trek is doing with with Disco centered around Michael is nothing to get worked up o

Exactly. The standard always seems to shift to make Discovery sound like an outlier. It's ok to not like it but Discovery is not alone in being a main character driven show especially in genre fiction.

And Saru had several episodes dedicated to him. The way it's talked about here you'd think it was all Burnham all the time.