Kelvin Timeline all but confirmed

[captainkirk]

I know we were just told that Discovery is a true prequel to TOS, but I think by now we've all seen the trailer and realized that that can't really be true. In fact, when Bryan Fuller initially said it was set in the Prime Timeline he also said that it could be in either one. But a direct comparison shows which timeline it most closely matches:

And while not a direct comparison, look at the design on this helmet compared to the Klingon architecture in STID:

I don't see anything in the trailer that resembles TOS, it's all clearly based on the aesthetic of the new movies (just look at all the lens flares.) So until we get a real indication to the contrary, I'm going to say that Discovery is set in the Kelvin Timeline.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The supervising producer has already told us that the show is set in the prime timeline.

It doesn't matter a pair of fetid dingo's kidneys what the show LOOKS like. Everyone knew this show wouldn't LOOK like TOS. But the fact that the show LOOKS different doesn't mean jackshit in terms of what timeline it's in.

The producer says it's the prime timeline, so therefore, it fucking IS the prime timeline. End of story.

 

[Michael]

Aesthetic. Timeline. Canon. Not the same thing.

Thread = closed.

 

[Amaris]

The supervising producer has already told us that the show is set in the prime timeline.

It doesn't matter a pair of fetid dingo's kidneys what the show LOOKS like. Everyone knew this show wouldn't LOOK like TOS. But the fact that the show LOOKS different doesn't mean jackshit in terms of what timeline it's in.

The producer says it's the prime timeline, so therefore, it fucking IS the prime timeline. End of story.

This. The Kelvin Timeline is Star Trek with modern special effects, aesthetics, and sensibilities. So of course Discovery is going to carry over some of that look. I think it looks great, myself, and can't wait to see the actual Discovery on screen.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Besides, I'm fairly sure that DSC couldn't have been set in the Kelvin timeline even if they'd wanted to. Kelvin is the sole property of Bad Robot and its ilk. They won't let the novelverse deal with it, and so it stands to reason that they wouldn't let DSC do it either.

 

[RAMA]

*groans* visual reboot*visual reboot* It's a reimagining.

I know we were just told that Discovery is a true prequel to TOS, but I think by now we've all seen the trailer and realized that that can't really be true. In fact, when Bryan Fuller initially said it was set in the Prime Timeline he also said that it could be in either one. But a direct comparison shows which timeline it most closely matches:

And while not a direct comparison, look at the design on this helmet compared to the Klingon architecture in STID:

I don't see anything in the trailer that resembles TOS, it's all clearly based on the aesthetic of the new movies (just look at all the lens flares.) So until we get a real indication to the contrary, I'm going to say that Discovery is set in the Kelvin Timeline.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

*groans* visual reboot*visual reboot* It's a reimagining.

Exactly. Words carry very specific meanings. Reboot requires a break in continuity; reimagining does not.

 

[cultcross]

I know we were just told that Discovery is a true prequel to TOS, but I think by now we've all seen the trailer and realized that that can't really be true. In fact, when Bryan Fuller initially said it was set in the Prime Timeline he also said that it could be in either one. But a direct comparison shows which timeline it most closely matches:

:
.

That chair really is similar, no wonder I got such a Kelvin vibe

The show is prime timeline, that's been confirmed. Kirk's dad is alive, no Nero, just the one Spock.

The aesthetic of the show, however, super duper JJ. As we expected, it is a sci-fi show for 2017, which is a lot closer to a movie for 2009 than a TV pilot for the 1960s.

Keep in mind that all the USS Kelvin stuff is also in the Prime Timeline.

 

[captainkirk]

Obviously we don't know what the story will involve, but since the series is set before the main events of either TOS or ST09 at which point both timelines were pretty similar. But the main point is that so many people were clamoring for Prime because they wanted TOS 2 instead of JJ-style Trek, well it's clear which style they're going with for the series and it ain't TOS. So it might as well be set in the Kelvin Timeline. It would certainly prevent a lot of canon violation complaints.

 

[cultcross]

It would certainly prevent a lot of canon violation complaints

Not a chance. The argument would just change slightly to "How would Nero destroying the Kelvin change the tricorder??!?!!"

 

[Spider]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Kelvin timeline start AFTER this series takes place?

 

[Noname Given]

You forget. The U.S.S. Kelvin was built and LAUNCHED in the PRIME UNIVERSE. (Remember the timeline didn't diverge until Nero's ship appeared), so again, the Kelvin as depicted - Bridge and all - flew IN the 'Prime Universe' timeline.

If the ship depicted in the ST: D promo is from that same period IE the 2230ies (and it looks old and has design elements from the NX-01 in the Saucer section and Deflector) - then that Bridge is 100% consistent with a Prime Universe Bridge from the 2230ies.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Kelvin timeline start AFTER this series takes place?

Nope - ST: D is in the 2250ies. The U.S.S. Kelvin event and divergence was in the 2230ies

 

[captainkirk]

Not a chance. The argument would just change slightly to "How would Nero destroying the Kelvin change the tricorder??!?!!"

You're probably right.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Kelvin timeline start AFTER this series takes place?

No. The Kelvin was destroyed in 2233. Discovery is said to be 10 years before Kirk, which would put it somewhere in the 2240s or 2250s.

You forget. The U.S.S. Kelvin was built and LAUNCHED in the PRIME UNIVERSE. (Remember the timeline didn't diverge until Nero's ship appeared), so again, the Kelvin as depicted - Bridge and all - flew IN the 'Prime Universe' timeline.

If the ship depicted in the ST: D promo is from that same period IE the 2230ies (and it looks old and has design elements from the NX-01 in the Saucer section and Deflector) - then that Bridge is 100% consistent with a Prime Universe Bridge from the 2230ies.


Nope - ST: D is in the 2250ies. The U.S.S. Kelvin event and divergence was in the 2230ies

True, but there's absolutely nothing in the trailer that visually resembles TOS. Imagine for a moment that in the entire first season, there are no plot element that contradict either Prime events or Kelvin events (impossible, I know. But use your imagination.) Do you accept that it's Prime because the producers said so, or do you accept Kelvin because that's what it actually looks like?

 

[Amaris]

You're probably right.

No. The Kelvin was destroyed in 2233. Discovery is said to be 10 years before Kirk, which would put it somewhere in the 2240s or 2250s.

True, but there's absolutely nothing in the trailer that visually resembles TOS. Imagine for a moment that in the entire first season, there are no plot element that contradict either Prime events or Kelvin events (impossible, I know. But use your imagination.) Do you accept that it's Prime because the producers said so, or do you accept Kelvin because that's what it actually looks like?

Prime universe because the producers said so. They would know, you know? The aesthetic is modern, like the JJ films used a modern aesthetic. Look, alone, does not denote timeline.

 

[Captain of the USS Averof]

The ship's bridge looks like the bridge of the NX-01. Prime universe confirmed. See, two can play that game!

 

[Captain_Amasov]

You forget. The U.S.S. Kelvin was built and LAUNCHED in the PRIME UNIVERSE. (Remember the timeline didn't diverge until Nero's ship appeared), so again, the Kelvin as depicted - Bridge and all - flew IN the 'Prime Universe' timeline.

If the ship depicted in the ST: D promo is from that same period IE the 2230ies (and it looks old and has design elements from the NX-01 in the Saucer section and Deflector) - then that Bridge is 100% consistent with a Prime Universe Bridge from the 2230ies.


Nope - ST: D is in the 2250ies. The U.S.S. Kelvin event and divergence was in the 2230ies

In addition, the U.S.S. Franklin from "Beyond" had more than a few design similarities (windowed viewscreen; joystick controls... etc.) to the Kelvin, and that's also supposed to be from the prime timeline as well:

 

[USS Triumphant]

a pair of fetid dingo's kidneys

Nice Douglas Adams reference.

You forget. The U.S.S. Kelvin was built and LAUNCHED in the PRIME UNIVERSE. (Remember the timeline didn't diverge until Nero's ship appeared), so again, the Kelvin as depicted - Bridge and all - flew IN the 'Prime Universe' timeline.

I am in no way convinced this is true. I still believe the point of divergence was well before the Nero even arrived - back to the events of Star Trek: First Contact in 2063, perhaps - and that Star Trek: Enterprise actually took place in the nuVerse. I'll admit that there's nothing in canon that fully supports my position - but there's also nothing that definitively contradicts it.

None of which negates that this new show is stated as meant to depict events in the Prime universe. I will accept that as correct unless/until actual events depicted (not just effects, but actual events) seem to me to contradict it.

 

[BillJ]

It doesn't matter a pair of fetid dingo's kidneys what the show LOOKS like.

It kinda does. Since TV is a visual medium, the "look" is a huge part of the equation.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Why do people care so much which timeline it's in? If the story is written with even an ounce of credibility, it will never matter.

As for the style: Of course a good chunk of it is Kelvin-derivative. Where people really expecting otherwise?

 

[Amaris]

Dammit, I won't be happy until all the controls are jelly beans, and the ship is decked out solely in primary colors, as if a lego factory exploded all over the place!