Poll Do you wish the tone of the series would be darker or lighter?

[CuriousCaitian]

I'm liking what little we've seen of Discovery so far, with one caveat - it's coming across to me in the trailers as pretty deadpan; even Harry Mudd is po-faced and humourless. While I can certainly understand a need to set it up as a serious show with serious themes and serious stakes, I hope that serious isn't all it is.

If nothing else, it would be a real shame if the spirit and cameraderie of the cast didn't show through on screen. All that said, given how misleading trailers can often be - look at Wonder Woman, and Beyond's first teaser - I could well be fretting pointlessly, and Discovery will possess plenty of that Star Trek spark. We shall see.

 

[fireproof78]

I'm liking what little we've seen of Discovery so far, with one caveat - it's coming across to me in the trailers as pretty deadpan; even Harry Mudd is po-faced and humourless. While I can certainly understand a need to set it up as a serious show with serious themes and serious stakes, I hope that serious isn't all it is.

If nothing else, it would be a real shame if the spirit and cameraderie of the cast didn't show through on screen. All that said, given how misleading trailers can often be - look at Wonder Woman, and Beyond's first teaser - I could well be fretting pointlessly, and Discovery will possess plenty of that Star Trek spark. We shall see.

Trailers are often nonsense from a story or filmmaking point of view, so I wouldn't worry too much about it

 

[tomalak301]

I want a balance. Gritty is good, but so is levity. If they go all gritty all the time like BSG, I might lose interest. I think shows like Farscape and DS9 struck the right balance and if that's in Discovery, than more power to it.

 

[fireproof78]

I want a balance. Gritty is good, but so is levity. If they go all gritty all the time like BSG, I might lose interest. I think shows like Farscape and DS9 struck the right balance and if that's in Discovery, than more power to it.

Let's be fair-Farscape had some clearly unusual, Alice in Wonderland level, weirdness. I mean, it could get seriously dark, but it could get really out there too. I don't think "balance" is quite the right term.

All that said, I agree that if DSC is like BSG, I'll be done. But, I highly doubt that.

 

[Vger23]

I think it's FAR too early to tell what the overall tone of the series will be. All the Trek series have done a fair job of mixing tone. Even TNG had its share of doom-and-gloom or "darker" episodes.

My wish is that the show is "realistic" and "relatable."

If it's constantly dark and depressing, it's really not the optimistic Trek we've been hearing about. If it's constantly optimistic and hopeful and ends with a belly laugh every week, it's really not very realistic.

I think there's ZERO chance of it being dark and depressing like nuBSG or GOT. I think you're much likely to see a modern, realistic take on what TOS tried to do: have an ultimately positive overall vibe, but with the drama and variation of tone as situations change.

So, I'd cast my vote for "FAR TO EARLY TO TELL" because you can't tell the overarching tone of a series (particularly one that's going to have diverse stories within an arc) by a 2 minute trailer that's meant to appeal to the masses.

 

[KirkusOveractus]

It's way too early to tell right now. The first episode has yet to air, and I can't really make a call on it based on the trailers and clips.

Some production team interviews hint at the brighter future we'll have, and this show reflecting some of that, but not sure where they're taking that.

At this point, I can't really vote on this until I've seen it.

 

[tomalak301]

Let's be fair-Farscape had some clearly unusual, Alice in Wonderland level, weirdness. I mean, it could get seriously dark, but it could get really out there too. I don't think "balance" is quite the right term.

.

I think that was the show's advantage though. Maybe Veriety is a better word because yeah you had the serious and gritty, but Farscape also was fun and like you said weird. I don't think a show should lean heavily one way or the other.

 

[Vger23]

DS9 was a war show that tackled all kinds of dense and gritty subject matter...but I wouldn't call the overall tone "dark." It still felt like it had the Star Trek optimism at its core. I see no reason that DSC would be any different.

 

[fireproof78]

I think that was the show's advantage though. Maybe Veriety is a better word because yeah you had the serious and gritty, but Farscape also was fun and like you said weird. I don't think a show should lean heavily one way or the other.

I agree. I just wouldn't try to replicate that style in Star Trek.

DS9 was a war show that tackled all kinds of dense and gritty subject matter...but I wouldn't call the overall tone "dark." It still felt like it had the Star Trek optimism at its core. I see no reason that DSC would be any different.

I agree on this point.

 

[Vera]

Keeping aside the tone of the show, I hope the lighting isn't dark. Often movies and tv seem to think that a darker tone to the storytelling should be showcased by filming everything in dim lighting.

 

[Tesophius]

Keeping aside the tone of the show, I hope the lighting isn't dark. Often movies and tv seem to think that a darker tone to the storytelling should be showcased by filming everything in dim lighting.

Yes, I'm opposed to both, but if you're going to do "gritty" try to do it with bright lighting. There are really no reasons to use poor lighting at all, regardless of the tone of the show.

 

[Hugo Rune]

I'll go with something around...mmm.... Babylon 5

 

[kirk55555]

Since everything today is trying to go "grim and gritty", I think a lighter tone would be a nice change of pace.

 

[SPCTRE]

given how misleading trailers can often be

some people would do well to remember that indeed

 

[Philip Guyott]

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[Jedi_Master]

Balanced is best, although I imagine this show will trend towards "darker, brooding, dramatic" with the occasional humorous moment to give the audience a break.

 

[Ralphis]

It's hard to judge since I haven't seen a minute of the show yet, but I would say maybe a little lighter, but with some shades of gray. Don't get me wrong, I'm optimistic about DSC, but I am a little concerned that the tone might be too dark.

 

[galad2003]

It's hard to judge since I haven't seen a minute of the show yet, but I would say maybe a little lighter, but with some shades of gray. Don't get me wrong, I'm optimistic about DSC, but I am a little concerned that the tone might be too dark.

How many shades of gray? Would you say 50.....


Sorry I couldn't help myself

 

[Ralphis]

How many shades of gray? Would you say 50.....

I walked right into that. I deserved that.

 

[Cake]

Lighter or darker than what? Sorry i am confused as to what our baseline is that I am supposed to be comparing it to. Darker than old Trek? Sure. lighter than the trailer we have seen? Sure.


The trailer made it look too dark IMO but I want something darker than TNG.

But...I haven't actually seen DSC so who knows. I am just going on my general impression from the trailer so far.

I meant darker or lighter than the impression you have of DIS based on the trailers, interviews, etc. So not compared to other Star Trek series. Just what you wish DIS would be like tone wise vs. what you think it will be like.