Has Season 2 made use of any of the background characters?

[MakeshiftPython]

And that's all he was until they introduced Keiko in season four.

I’d say once they gave him a name that’s when he became a character in the second season. He graduated from co-starring to recurring character, getting a personality and was hanging out with the characters at Ten Forward or playing poker. But he wouldn’t really get an episode that focused on his character until “The Wounded”.

 

[Turtletrekker]

We didn't learn anything about her origins, but we saw a good demonstration of Airiam's abilities in an off the bridge setting today.

 

[tomalak301]

This episode got back to the tone of the first two episodes of the season and yes the Background characters were used a lot more. I don't expect them to be used as major characters, but what is wrong with wanting to know more about them because they are interesting. I find Airiam and Detmer interesting. It's not a criticism of the show. It's more something I hope they might take more advantage of.

 

[cultcross]

The last thing Discovery needs are diversions where we find out more about the communications guy for some reason. If those characters fit the story, flesh them out, otherwise they're fine as they are. They are there to react to what's going on, provide believably consistent crew complement and deliver short exposition lines. Just like equivalent characters in a myriad of other shows. They are the Norman Walter Davis Harriman of Discovery. More first names than lines.

 

[Tosk]

They are there to react to what's going on

And I could even do with less of that, to be honest. Every dramatic moment seems to cut to three or four reaction shots in a row, almost to comical effect sometimes. (Like the dramatic reactions a daytime soap opera would have before a scene or ad break.)

 

[cultcross]

And I could even do with less of that, to be honest. Every dramatic moment seems to cut to three or four reaction shots in a row, almost to comical effect sometimes. (Like the dramatic reactions a daytime soap opera would have before a scene or ad break.)

It reminds me of TNG season 1 where they would always have Data and Geordi giving each other a look, sometimes in front of whoever Picard was speaking to on the screen. I think that was when they saw Data's character as a little more comedic than he turned out to be.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

Ahh good times. I always figured Data was trying out some 'human faces' each time he did that before realizing he wasn't using the right ones.

 

[Freman]

So I've watched the first 4 episodes of Season 2, and am pleased with the heightened amount of screen time the background ppl are getting. This is all I wanted. I feel like some of them are actual people now.

Carry on.

 

[XCV330]

I see Season 1 Transporter engineer is back. He must have an alternate shift with Vizor Guy

 

[Nerys Myk]

I see Season 1 Transporter engineer is back. He must have an alternate shift with Vizor Guy

He's gotta pee sometime.

 

[XCV330]

He's gotta pee sometime.

Assuming Federation citizens excrete. There is still no sign of a starfleet toilet outside of a brig.

 

[Terok Nor]

Discovery is by design The Michael Burnham Show. Although the background characters are more likeable and would probably be more enjoyable to watch, it's simply not going to happen. Discovery is not an ensemble show. It's about one character. All other characters exist only to service her and the plot.

 

[Hythlodeus]

Discovery is by design The Michael Burnham Show. Although the background characters are more likeable and would probably be more enjoyable to watch, it's simply not going to happen. Discovery is not an ensemble show. It's about one character. All other characters exist only to service her and the plot.

except when it isn't and we get whole episodes that focus on another member of the ensemble

 

[Terok Nor]

except when it isn't and we get whole episodes that focus on another member of the ensemble

To the exclusion of Burnham? Name the episode. She's always involved. Every character revolves around her to service her storyline.

It's not even shade. I'm just stating facts.

Burnham > Saru > Red Angel > Spock > Burnham

It always circles back to Burnham in the end. It's the whole premise of the show.

 

[Elephant999]

Discovery is by design The Michael Burnham Show. Although the background characters are more likeable and would probably be more enjoyable to watch, it's simply not going to happen. Discovery is not an ensemble show. It's about one character. All other characters exist only to service her and the plot.

Although I quite like Burnham, I do think Series 2 is giving other characters a chance to shine. The arrival of Pike has added something to the show. Burnham in Series 1 sent me catatonic at times.

 

[fireproof78]

To the exclusion of Burnham? Name the episode. She's always involved. Every character revolves around her to service her storyline.

It's not even shade. I'm just stating facts.

Burnham > Saru > Red Angel > Spock > Burnham

It always circles back to Burnham in the end. It's the whole premise of the show.

You forgot Pike.

 

[Terok Nor]

You forgot Pike.

Tilly looked to Burnham for orders even in the presence of Pike in the latest episode. Pike is the captain simply because the series is intended to be told from the perspective of a lower ranked crewmember per the premise.

 

[fireproof78]

Tilly looked to Burnham for orders even in the presence of Pike in the latest episode. Pike is the captain simply because the series is intended to be told from the perspective of a lower ranked crewmember per the premise.

Yes, and Picard has looked to other officers for assistance as well. I have no issue with the dynamic or Burnham as a character.

 

[Terok Nor]

Yes, and Picard has looked to other officers for assistance as well. I have no issue with the dynamic or Burnham as a character.

Picard was part of an ensemble. The main part, but still an ensemble. Just like the Captains in all the other shows. Burnham stars in this show and the others are support. The bridge crew are even less important than Sulu, Chekov and Uhura were in TOS.

Pike gave an order to Tilly. She looked at Burnham before she followed it. That never happened in the other Treks. The Captain's word was always final. And I accept that since the other Treks were not told from the point of view of one main character who is not the captain. I'm just going by what the creators told us the premise was. It's The Burnham Show. I thought Discovery fans wanted people to accept that fact?

 

[fireproof78]

Picard was part of an ensemble. The main part, but still an ensemble. Just like the Captains in all the other shows. Burnham stars in this show and the others are support. The bridge crew are even less important than Sulu, Chekov and Uhura were in TOS.

Pike gave an order to Tilly. She looked at Burnham before she followed it. That never happened in the other Treks. The Captain's word was always final. And I accept that since the other Treks were not told from the point of view of one main character who is not the captain. I'm just going by what the creators told us the premise was. It's The Burnham Show. I thought Discovery fans wanted people to accept that fact?

Here's the thing. I don't believe these are statements of acceptance. I think these are statements of critique. So far, I have felt like the secondary characters have had as much participation as early secondary characters in other shows. I feel like I have a better grasp of the dynamics between the characters here than say with ENT or DS9 at this juncture.

Also, with due respect to the production team, one of the reasons Denise Crosby left is because she was told it was the Picard and Data show. I guess we will have to wait and see how it actually turns out.