"Balance of Terror" is a touchstone for the Discovery story arc

[Commander Salad]

I hope this means that Discovery will be a more realistic naval show, which is fine with me.

 

[Jedi_Master]

I hope this means that Discovery will be a more realistic naval show, which is fine with me.

In all fairness, some of the "naval" touches in that episode were a bit anachronistic. "Silent running" with the big mistake made by Spock was allowing an alarm to be sounded, which somehow the Romulans detected through the vacuum of space.
"Loading the torpedo tubes"? - yeah that's no really a long and involved process.
Having each phaser bank manned by it's own crew? That's an unneeded affectation.

 

[mdtauk]

In all fairness, some of the "naval" touches in that episode were a bit anachronistic. "Silent running" with the big mistake made by Spock was allowing an alarm to be sounded, which somehow the Romulans detected through the vacuum of space.
"Loading the torpedo tubes"? - yeah that's no really a long and involved process.
Having each phaser bank manned by it's own crew? That's an unneeded affectation.

It wasn't so much the sound made by the console powering up, but the fact it would display on sensors as an energy signature, but yes I agree it was written with the mindset of the times.

 

[shapeshifter]

In all fairness, some of the "naval" touches in that episode were a bit anachronistic. "Silent running" with the big mistake made by Spock was allowing an alarm to be sounded, which somehow the Romulans detected through the vacuum of space.

Romulans have a special membrane in their ears. It allows them to hear though vacuums.

 

[nx1701g]

That's the whole Discovery story arc right there.

https://www.wired.com/wp-content/up.../uploads/2012/10/Federation_RomulanPoster.jpg

I would watch that series though.

 

[metaluna mutant]

My own "personal fan theory" I had is that the Vulcans knew, or highly suspected who the romulans really were all along, but kept silent not to alienate their human allies. Also, perhaps a *very* select group at the top echelon of the federation knew (or very strongly suspected) this -- but would never, ever admit it publicly. Going public was would be VERY divisive. "Hey, remember that bloody Romulan war against an enemy we never even saw? Turns out our oldest alien allies, the Vulcans, are their relatives! It's a small galaxy, ain't it?"

That would also explain WHY the Romulans were never personally seen in the war - a Vulcan and/or star Fleet coverup. That would also explain the generic warning for "Romulan spies" aboard ship.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Romulans have a special membrane in their ears. It allows them to hear though vacuums.

So they make excellent janitors/spies?

 

[{ Emilia }]

Back story is the laziest, least dramatic and usually least effective approach to characterisation

Lost would like to have a word with you.

Just wait for it, we'll get a Trek show full of flashbacks.

 

[Stewey]

Back story is the laziest, least dramatic and usually least effective approach to characterisation - which is probably why we see it so often and certainly why it dominates in fan fiction. It's a form of exposition.

It's not obvious from later Trek, but Michael Piller particularly disliked "let's bring in someone from one of our characters' pasts" as a way to launch a story.

What's wrong with writing characters that have a history, and are more 3-dimensional?

 

[Borgminister]

Nothing as long as events move forward, I think. Past experience influencing present actions. Just no dwelling on backstory.

 

[Philip Guyott]

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[Captain of the USS Averof]

^^^ The Discovery looks great here!

 

[publiusr]

It would be interesting if the asteroid base in McQuarrie's painting was the asteroid outpost the Bird of Prey destroyed...