Michael Burnham is the Chosen One

[Timo]

Probably not difficult to do - the number of colorful little triangles on Kirk's chest was evenly matched by the chests of the Captains in his Board of Inquiry in "Court Martial", say.

She'd in all likelihood have to make Captain first. But that can't be all that far off now.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[BurnhamAll]

Probably not difficult to do - the number of colorful little triangles on Kirk's chest was evenly matched by the chests of the Captains in his Board of Inquiry in "Court Martial", say.

She'd in all likelihood have to make Captain first. But that can't be all that far off now.

Timo Saloniemi

I think the long term goal has always been to make Burnham captain, and I like the fact that there's going to be a build-up to it. She was on the fast track, screwed up, and is going to have to re-earn it.

I also think the criticisms of the premiere that she is described as "the best at everything" is a response to fan criticism that she's not worthy of the starfleet uniform. Remember, there was a vocal fan backlash that said because of her decision, she "wasn't starfleet material" (which is total crap, go back and watch "Hollow Pursuits," "Lower Decks," and "Good Shepard" to see some speeches on how all kinds of people can make a good Starfleet officer, even flawed ones).

I'll agree that that's the wrong response to that criticism, but I certainly understand where its coming from.

 

[XCV330]

I get the feeling about Burnham I got about every single person in Rogue One half way through the movie.

I'm not selling her any life insurance.

 

[eschaton]

I've said before I think one of the critical mistakes Discovery made is that it couldn't really commit if it wanted to do a deep dive into a wounded character in a highly focused manner, or an epic tale of heroism across the quadrant. Thus it tried to do both and didn't really succeed at either.

Basically, as Chuck noted at SFDebris, Discovery decided to focus on Burnham to a degree that no series had to date. But they decided to make her not only the focus of the narrative, but also the plot fulcrum. This was a mistake, because "heroes" often have shallow and inconsistent characterization, because they do what they have to do to resolve the crisis at hand, which may or may not align with previous actions.

Imagine if Discovery allowed other characters to play the hero more often. Like say that Tilly was the one who figured out the tardigrade stuff, and that Micheal was initially dismissive, but then came around. The story could still have been framed from Micheal's perspective. But Micheal would have ended the arc somewhat humbled, and actually learned something important - that her first instincts regarding situations are not always correct, and that sometimes her shipmates have excellent ideas to contribute as well.

 

[Kane_Steel]

Why do you care?

How sad.

Why so serious. Lighten up dude.

The tone of this thread should be evident.

Imagine if Discovery allowed other characters to play the hero more often. Like say that Tilly was the one who figured out the tardigrade stuff, and that Micheal was initially dismissive, but then came around. The story could still have been framed from Micheal's perspective. But Micheal would have ended the arc somewhat humbled, and actually learned something important - that her first instincts regarding situations are not always correct, and that sometimes her shipmates have excellent ideas to contribute as well.

Problem is the other characters (Tilly, Saru, Stamets) are merely just glorified backup singers to the Michael Burnham chorus.

Pike is really the only one coming in with agency of it's own, and major hero potential. If they turn him into a tool used to prop up Burnham, which is likely, that would be very unfortunate. It would be reminiscent of how the cringy CW Supergirl show handled Superman.

 

[Tuskin38]

Problem is the other characters (Tilly, Saru, Stamets) are merely just glorified backup singers to the Michael Burnham chorus.

Not really.

It would be reminiscent of how the cringy CW Supergirl show handled Superman.

That show handled him fine.

 

[Kane_Steel]

There seems to be significant disagreement on that.

 

[Mudd]

Problem is the other characters (Tilly, Saru, Stamets) are merely just glorified backup singers to the Michael Burnham chorus..

I liked Stamets and Saru, but I'm also predisposed to like those two actors. Stamets, after all, is Mark Cohen and gets a life time pass from me.

I liked Tilly too, but she never seemed to fit into that milieu. She's, I dunno, a graphic artist working for a web design or marketing company in Seattle.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

I liked Tilly too, but she never seemed to fit into that milieu. She's, I dunno, a graphic artist working for a web design or marketing company in Seattle.

Or a graphic artist working for a web design or marketing company in Seattle who decides to join Starfleet.

 

[fireproof78]

Why so serious. Lighten up dude.

The tone of this thread should be evident.

It's not.

 

[Mudd]

Or a graphic artist working for a web design or marketing company in Seattle who decides to join Starfleet.

Well, Starfleet does seem to be that kind of fantasy gig, doesn't it? Those of us square pegs who can't cut it in or won't put up with any organization with too many rules and regulations figure we're destined for a Captaincy.

To be fair, my latest favorite version of Kirk didn't do anything to disabuse us of that notion.

 

[Awesome Possum]

Why so serious. Lighten up dude.

The tone of this thread should be evident.

One, not a dude. Two, oh I know it's a joke. Just not the kind you think it is.

There seems to be significant disagreement on that.

It's a bit smaller than you think or try to claim. It only seems to be unreasonable manchildren with major insecurity issues projecting their own hurt feelings onto Superman, which is laughably absurd. No one else cares or finds the pathetic reaction from a small whiny minority to be a good source of humor.

 

[Tuskin38]

There seems to be significant disagreement on that.

A loud minority

 

[LJones41]

Pike is really the only one coming in with agency of it's own, and major hero potential. If they turn him into a tool used to prop up Burnham, which is likely, that would be very unfortunate. It would be reminiscent of how the cringy CW Supergirl show handled Superman.

Pike is NOT the lead character of "Discovery". Michael Burnham is. Pike shouldn't even be a regular of the show. If you want Pike to fulfill his "major hero potential", then you should consider writing to CBS or Alex Kurtzman and demand that Anson Mount be given his own show. However, there have already been three Trek shows set aboard a ship called Enterprise. A fourth one would be just too much in my eyes.

Superman is NOT the lead character of "Supergirl". Kara Danvers aka Supergirl is. You can write to the CW DC Comics Television or the producers of Arrowverse and demand that Tyler Hoechlin be given his own series, starring as Superman, so that he can fulfill his "major hero potential".

 

[Tuskin38]

Pike shouldn't even be a regular of the show

Kind of hard not to be when he’s the (temporary) captain

 

[Timo]

They managed to keep the Chief Engineer out of the picture for a full season, in a show about an engineering marvel that gets used and abused to win a war and a throne - at the cost of the health of a man central to all of it, but the Chief Sawbones stands it out for the season, too. I wouldn't put it past them to make the CO an infrequent guest star if there ever was a story need. Indeed, this would be fun to (not) see!

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Awesome Possum]

Pike is NOT the lead character of "Discovery". Michael Burnham is. Pike shouldn't even be a regular of the show. If you want Pike to fulfill his "major hero potential", then you should consider writing to CBS or Alex Kurtzman and demand that Anson Mount be given his own show. However, there have already been three Trek shows set aboard a ship called Enterprise. A fourth one would be just too much in my eyes.

Superman is NOT the lead character of "Supergirl". Kara Danvers aka Supergirl is. You can write to the CW DC Comics Television or the producers of Arrowverse and demand that Tyler Hoechlin be given his own series, starring as Superman, so that he can fulfill his "major hero potential".

We’ve had enough shows focused on men (all who are white, straight cis males) with “major hero potential”. Women like sci-fi and comics, so do people of color and LGBTQ people. Making a few shows and movies that appeal to them just makes sense, but some little boys are selfish and want all the pie for themselves.

For what it’s worth “major hero potential” sounds like a gay porn film.

 

[Agony_Boothb]

They managed to keep the Chief Engineer out of the picture for a full season, in a show about an engineering marvel that gets used and abused to win a war and a throne - at the cost of the health of a man central to all of it, but the Chief Sawbones stands it out for the season, too. I wouldn't put it past them to make the CO an infrequent guest star if there ever was a story need. Indeed, this would be fun to (not) see!

Timo Saloniemi

I think it would be hilarious if from next season, whenever we see the new captain his face obscured like wilson from Home Improvement

 

[DarKush]

The DISCO creators were up front that this show would be about Burnham as the main character and they mostly followed through on that, so I don't get why some people seem shocked by that. I can see if some people don't like it, and it wasn't seamless, but Burnham as the lead was how they intended to go. I don't buy the Burnham praise chorus stuff so much because the first season showed her screwing up and having to redeem herself. It explained why Georgiou, Lorca, and Sarek had attachments to her, and why praised her. It just didn't say that Burnham was super awesome and leave it at that. She faced challenges, and for a brief period almost all the Federation hated her and she hated herself. Burnham, while getting praise, also got a lot of ire coming her way on the show.

I think DISCO was trying to be different than other Treks and there's nothing wrong with that. They didn't want to do the ensemble thing as much as in TNG, VOY, and DS9, and to a lesser extent in TOS and ENT. However, older fans-like me- might have not have adjusted well to that different approach to storytelling. In any event I think the end of Season 1 had a more ensemble feel and from what I've seen/heard about Season 2, it will have more of an ensemble feel, though I take it with Spock being involved and the Red Angel mystery, this will keep Burnham at the center of the show, as it was long intended.

I also think that when it comes to criticism of her being good at a lot of things, this follows in the footsteps of many Trek characters. Kirk was the youngest captain-at one time-and a walking library-who flouted orders with little repercussion throughout his career. Spock was a living computer pretty much. McCoy was one of the best doctors in the fleet, etc., etc. We saw this kind of stuff on the other shows as well. (Re-watching a little of Discovery and Burnham at times reminds me of Seven of Nine even). And when we get to ENT, they don't even try to justify why Archer is captain outside of his dad's accomplishments and him being friends with Admiral Forrest, and throughout the show we hear stuff like he is the greatest explorer of the 22nd century and how good he is, but IMO it was rarely shown on the show itself. I came to accept Archer, though only during the Xindi arc because of how they tested his character.

 

[DaveyNY]

The DISCO creators were up front that this show would be about Burnham as the main character and they mostly followed through on that, so I don't get why some people seem shocked by that. I can see if some people don't like it, and it wasn't seamless, but Burnham as the lead was how they intended to go. I don't buy the Burnham praise chorus stuff so much because the first season showed her screwing up and having to redeem herself. It explained why Georgiou, Lorca, and Sarek had attachments to her, and why praised her. It just didn't say that Burnham was super awesome and leave it at that. She faced challenges, and for a brief period almost all the Federation hated her and she hated herself. Burnham, while getting praise, also got a lot of ire coming her way on the show.

I think DISCO was trying to be different than other Treks and there's nothing wrong with that. They didn't want to do the ensemble thing as much as in TNG, VOY, and DS9, and to a lesser extent in TOS and ENT. However, older fans-like me- might have not have adjusted well to that different approach to storytelling. In any event I think the end of Season 1 had a more ensemble feel and from what I've seen/heard about Season 2, it will have more of an ensemble feel, though I take it with Spock being involved and the Red Angel mystery, this will keep Burnham at the center of the show, as it was long intended.

I also think that when it comes to criticism of her being good at a lot of things, this follows in the footsteps of many Trek characters. Kirk was the youngest captain-at one time-and a walking library-who flouted orders with little repercussion throughout his career. Spock was a living computer pretty much. McCoy was one of the best doctors in the fleet, etc., etc. We saw this kind of stuff on the other shows as well. (Re-watching a little of Discovery and Burnham at times reminds me of Seven of Nine even). And when we get to ENT, they don't even try to justify why Archer is captain outside of his dad's accomplishments and him being friends with Admiral Forrest, and throughout the show we hear stuff like he is the greatest explorer of the 22nd century and how good he is, but IMO it was rarely shown on the show itself. I came to accept Archer, though only during the Xindi arc because of how they tested his character.

My assumption is that Archer didn't pick up the tagline of "Greatest Explorer", till after he brought the NX-01 back mostly in one piece, at the end of his tenure as Captain.
We only hear that kinda thing from Daniels during the show and he's from the future anyway.

What we actually saw was a guy who believed in his heart he could fulfil the mission, but learned on many an occasion the hard way, that belief wasn't enough.
He found out that having a great crew and a lot of Luck, also plays an integral part.