The episodes being on average about 54 minutes long gives each episode more time to flesh out its plot and character interactions. I don't recall the episodes being that long last season, although I could be wrong.
Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 4x04 - "All Is Possible"
- Thread starter Commander Richard
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The episodes being on average about 54 minutes long gives each episode more time to flesh out its plot and character interactions. I don't recall the episodes being that long last season, although I could be wrong.
To expand on my post. I thought this was a great episode. All three stories were engaging. I liked the Tilly and Adira pairing with the cadets. It was a standard story about putting aside prejudice and working together to overcome a common threat. It can't beat Odo and Quark's version in The Ascent but it was still good, and this version had a twist, at the end we find out the story was really about Tilly finding her path in life. Neat.
The plot with Burnham and Saru was engaging largely due to strong acting from the two plus the Vulcan and Earth presidents. I also give the story credit for the worldbuilding (something I always enjoy) and political intrigue might be a hidden talent in the Discovery writing room (they also did it well in S3 with negotiations between the Emerald Chain and the Federation). Solving with problem with a nebulous committee seemed like a very Vulcan like solution. And while I would normally roll my eyes at Burnham being the savior, I didn't because it actually made sense this time.
Also the scenes with Book and Culber were outstanding. Now that Michelle Yeoh is gone these two are my favorite actors in the series, so I'm on board with any scene between them. David Ajala in particular elevates all the scenes he's in. I've always been critical about Discovery's emphasis on feelings but THIS is how you do it. He doesn't need to have a cheap, over the top Stamets-style outburst or break down in tears to show you he's in pain, you can see it in his eyes. I also like that the mind meld from the previous episode only provided temporary relief and that makes sense because there is no quick fix, no easy answers. The guy lost his entire world and he's just gotta work through it, one small step at a time.
The plot with Burnham and Saru was engaging largely due to strong acting from the two plus the Vulcan and Earth presidents. I also give the story credit for the worldbuilding (something I always enjoy) and political intrigue might be a hidden talent in the Discovery writing room (they also did it well in S3 with negotiations between the Emerald Chain and the Federation). Solving with problem with a nebulous committee seemed like a very Vulcan like solution. And while I would normally roll my eyes at Burnham being the savior, I didn't because it actually made sense this time.
Also the scenes with Book and Culber were outstanding. Now that Michelle Yeoh is gone these two are my favorite actors in the series, so I'm on board with any scene between them. David Ajala in particular elevates all the scenes he's in. I've always been critical about Discovery's emphasis on feelings but THIS is how you do it. He doesn't need to have a cheap, over the top Stamets-style outburst or break down in tears to show you he's in pain, you can see it in his eyes. I also like that the mind meld from the previous episode only provided temporary relief and that makes sense because there is no quick fix, no easy answers. The guy lost his entire world and he's just gotta work through it, one small step at a time.
Michael's odd pronunciation of "Bajor" is a throwback to how Picard pronounced the planet's name in "Ensign Ro(TNG)" so I like the fact that a person who may never have heard of Bajor before she traveled to the 32nd century learned enough to know about their history but still has her own take on how to say the name.
Rated a 6.. Why?
Rogue Gamma burst? It seems the writers went to Google and looked up space weather.. Should have looked up cosmic weather on memory alpha.. I immediately yelled at my tv.. ROGUE GAMMA RAY? Not the first time this series that a space weather that wouldn't affect ships knocks them out... But that was a minor crit.. May take it down 1 point.
My big crit? The cadets and tilly plot... Just.... Frustrating..
I REALLY wanted Tilly to break out of her shell and go full drill instructor mode. Lay down the law, no back talk no snipping at the other cadets.. Just straight survival.
Oh.. The making the Orion "special" was also annoying.. Everybody can't be "special" have him as a normal every day orion, but to solve the Tellerites bigotry.. Just say..HE wasn't the one who opressed you.. He is here with you Now..
Oh.. Wish the tellerite was more insulting .. Like other telerites.. Not just cocked off at the Orion.
Rest was good, love the flirting going on with Saru and ms presedentie!
Rogue Gamma burst? It seems the writers went to Google and looked up space weather.. Should have looked up cosmic weather on memory alpha.. I immediately yelled at my tv.. ROGUE GAMMA RAY? Not the first time this series that a space weather that wouldn't affect ships knocks them out... But that was a minor crit.. May take it down 1 point.
My big crit? The cadets and tilly plot... Just.... Frustrating..
I REALLY wanted Tilly to break out of her shell and go full drill instructor mode. Lay down the law, no back talk no snipping at the other cadets.. Just straight survival.
Oh.. The making the Orion "special" was also annoying.. Everybody can't be "special" have him as a normal every day orion, but to solve the Tellerites bigotry.. Just say..HE wasn't the one who opressed you.. He is here with you Now..
Oh.. Wish the tellerite was more insulting .. Like other telerites.. Not just cocked off at the Orion.
Rest was good, love the flirting going on with Saru and ms presedentie!
Interesting, I didn't realize the episodes were longer. I agree the pacing has significantly improved this season where the stories don't feel either unnaturally stretched out or conversely like they are moving 1000 mph. I attributed it to de-emphasizing the serialization but if the episodes are longer that could also be part of it.
That was a good solid episode. I gave it an 8. Strong story, good characters, some good action. The interior design of the shuttlecraft was very nice. Planetary side adventures were well realized.
I was a little less impressed with the Saru/Michael subplot. It was fine. A little clunky in places but it got the job done. I didn't think that Michael's solution was really that brilliant or believable. Ok, now we have committee. Yeah, we all know how great committees are at getting things done. But it keeps Michael in the thick of the political action that we now know is going to transpire.
I had no idea that Tily was leaving. Total surprise. I'll miss her character.
I was a little less impressed with the Saru/Michael subplot. It was fine. A little clunky in places but it got the job done. I didn't think that Michael's solution was really that brilliant or believable. Ok, now we have committee. Yeah, we all know how great committees are at getting things done. But it keeps Michael in the thick of the political action that we now know is going to transpire.
I had no idea that Tily was leaving. Total surprise. I'll miss her character.
Covid regs on set, I'm guessing, limiting who can all be on at certain times.
Me too, but for me the real test for the season will be with the finale. The S1, S2, and S3 season finales were all awful. Each one of them crashed and burned (some harder than others), so it will be interesting to see what happens this time around. I am encouraged by them de-emphasizing the anomaly, keep expectations low on that front and focus on individual stories and smaller arcs. I think that's a winning formula for the rest of the season.
The first part of S1 is still my favorite but S4 is quickly shaping up to be my second favorite if they stay on this track.
I remember reading that he's a historian and a Terran Empire expert. But now I can't find that article...
?!
It doesn't matter what others think if you're enjoying it. Just watch for the fun of it and forget others.What I think is happening simply that Discovery has not earned the goodwill of those who are not onboard with the series. Either the series let people down too frequently in early seasons, it wasn't "Star Trek enough" (whatever thethat means), characters are annoying, whatever. There isn't enough willingness to give Discovery a break because of the past, and it gets treated extremely poorly no matter what.
More an analysis than an impact on my enjoyment .
What I think is happening simply that Discovery has not earned the goodwill of those who are not onboard with the series. Either the series let people down too frequently in early seasons, it wasn't "Star Trek enough" (whatever the
To be fair, Discovery has had quite the history. First showrunner left and replaced by two co-show runners who were eventually fired for abusing the writing staff. Then Kurtzman was the sole showrunner, then Paradise was co-showrunner with Kurtzman and now (I believe) Paradise is the sole showrunner for season 4. That's a lot of turnover in just 4 seasons which is reflected in the inconsistent quality of the show. But despite all that it's still put out many good episodes.
I'm not sure how a co-showrunner arrangement works in practice but I keep thinking of that Office episode when Jim and Michael were co-managers. “It doesn’t take a genius to know that any organization thrives when it has two leaders. Go ahead, name a country that doesn’t have two presidents. A boat that sets sail without two captains. Where would Catholicism be without the Popes?”
I want oneOne of my highlights of the episode
A
Amaris
Guest
Pros:
Tilly and cadets facing adversity together, building teams.
Gray is adorable.
Hugh is fitting in well as a counselor.
Cons:
* Mary Wiseman leaving for a while. "Tilly" is one of the reasons I tune in.
* "Shuttle knocked off course to crash on planet because of <insert random space weather>."
* The continued sidetracking of the 5 light year wide black hole. It hasn't hit anyone else yet, which is interesting, since it's 5 LIGHT YEARS WIDE AND TRAVELS AT WARP. Seriously, they shouldn't have even bothered with this story line. I kind of wonder if they've realized it was overkill and are trying to pare it back?
I'm just really not connecting with this season. It started off strong enough, and there are some interesting moments, but I'm just not making a connection. I'm not remaining interested while watching. I literally checked my email while I was watching it, and normally I don't look at my phone while I watch TV.
The cadets on the L class planet didn't do anything for me. It felt like a B story that didn't too much in the way of payoff (for me, anyway), and I don't even remember the name of the cadet that was killed. I feel too detached from the proceedings, I think. All of this just doesn't feel like it matters to me, and while I realize that's a subjective factor, it still weighs in on how I see the episode. It has to entertain me in some way, whether that's to get me thinking, get me involved in the action, or whatever it may be, but I don't feel at all engaged.
Plus, again, no Tilly for at least a few episodes, and that is going to degrade my interest if there isn't anyone to pick up the slack.
This one gets a 5 from me.
Tilly and cadets facing adversity together, building teams.
Gray is adorable.
Hugh is fitting in well as a counselor.
Cons:
* Mary Wiseman leaving for a while. "Tilly" is one of the reasons I tune in.
* "Shuttle knocked off course to crash on planet because of <insert random space weather>."
* The continued sidetracking of the 5 light year wide black hole. It hasn't hit anyone else yet, which is interesting, since it's 5 LIGHT YEARS WIDE AND TRAVELS AT WARP. Seriously, they shouldn't have even bothered with this story line. I kind of wonder if they've realized it was overkill and are trying to pare it back?
I'm just really not connecting with this season. It started off strong enough, and there are some interesting moments, but I'm just not making a connection. I'm not remaining interested while watching. I literally checked my email while I was watching it, and normally I don't look at my phone while I watch TV.
The cadets on the L class planet didn't do anything for me. It felt like a B story that didn't too much in the way of payoff (for me, anyway), and I don't even remember the name of the cadet that was killed. I feel too detached from the proceedings, I think. All of this just doesn't feel like it matters to me, and while I realize that's a subjective factor, it still weighs in on how I see the episode. It has to entertain me in some way, whether that's to get me thinking, get me involved in the action, or whatever it may be, but I don't feel at all engaged.
Plus, again, no Tilly for at least a few episodes, and that is going to degrade my interest if there isn't anyone to pick up the slack.
This one gets a 5 from me.
I like Discovery - like I've really enjoyed it - but I'm gonna need this season to move along. We are way too deep into the feelings, being whole, being seen and all that stuff for me to stay engaged. We need to blow up an aggressive alien ship or something. At this point I'd settle for a Borg cube trying to assimilate something - that's a joke. For real though......not every episode has to be about deep character development. Oh and now Burnham has saved the entire Federation....AGAIN!
I agree. 9. Well written, superbly acted.
I am also taking the 1 away because Tilly is leaving.
That and a shuttle that travels through space should be well insulated against temperature extremes, but that's usual Trek plot accommodation.
high points: a diplomatic mission that didn't have some dangerous dark underpinning. They actually had a reasonable solution. And the Pres and Burnham actually have started to navigate their differences. Book and Culber continue to be stand-outs in this series.
the hunter giant big things were suitably creepy, as was getting your feet flash frozen onto a lake bed.
The missing:
I can start to see how they managed to do a lot of this filming around COVID. A lot of the actors are just not present. Mem Alpha lists LInus in a lot of episodes this season but I will have to take their word for it. Was nice to see a Saurian at the talks.
Always good to have a Kovacs appearance. Still not sure what it is he does.
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