Spoilers Things you LOVE about DSC so far

[Balok's Decoy]

In the interests of balancing out the "What do you hate most" threads, let's have a "What do you love about DSC so far" thread. No sarcastic praise, please. Let's keep things positive in here. There's room on this board for all kinds.

I'm really enjoying the show (obviously). Here are a few things that I love about The Vulcan Hello and The Battle at the Binary Stars:

• I think this is the strongest beginning to a Star Trek series that we've seen so far. Granted, DS9 opened with Emissary, which I love, but DSC seems to already have a sense of itself, great chemistry with its characters, and a clear vision. I think with the other series, it took quite a while for the show to figure out what it wanted to do and what it was all about. I don't get that "on the job training" sense from DSC.
• The chemistry between Burnham and Saru. This was a highlight. It started out kinda jaunty in Vulcan Hello, but I imagine Burnham will never forgive Saru for beaming her back to the Shenzhou before she could reach Georgiou. Interested how that will play out once they're both on the Discovery.
• The Klingons look and sound marvelous. I haven't been so interested in Klingons since DS9's The Way of the Warrior.
• In particular I'd already developed an attachment to T'Kuvma. Not that I agreed with the character's actions but I found him really compelling. I think Chris Obi did an outstanding job and I was sad to see him go.
• Sonequa Martin-Green is a great leading woman. Strong, determined, believable, and deeply flawed. I imagine DSC will be a story of redemption. I like that they're trying a new approach to a Trek story arc. SMG carries the show well, notwithstanding there's a lot of talent around her.
• Love how Burnham out-talks a computer in the finest tradition of James T. Kirk. Loved that.
• Got TMP vibes from Burnham's thruster suit trip to the Klingon beacon. Cool.
• The scene in the brig between Burnham and a wounded Ensign Connor was really deftly handled. Well-written, good use of silence, great dialogue.
• That space battle scene! Wow! I mean, WOW!
• I like the opening credits! Not as EPIC as late DS9 or VOY, but I can appreciate the understated elegance to it. I've had the theme song stuck in my head all day. Great visuals too.

That's just a few things I loved. Might add to this as more eps come out. Overall, I think this is a strong, bold beginning for a new era of Star Trek. The story structure and pace may be different than previous Treks, but I see this as a positive. Trek is evolving, and in ways I think are truly exciting. This is a great time to be a Trekkie. I would actually have been disappointed if they'd followed all of the old Trek cues and traditions without putting their own spin on things. I couldn't be happier after seeing Battle at the Binary Stars. Looking forward to the next episode!

So, what do you all love about DSC so far?

 

[seigezunt]

I just loved that we had stuff coming out of left field. Star Trek hasn't made me go WHOA in a very very long time.

 

[Balok's Decoy]

I just loved that we had stuff coming out of left field. Star Trek hasn't made me go WHOA in a very very long time.

Yeah there were several scenes and shots in the second episode where all I could say was, "Wow." Like I actually said "Wow" out loud.

 

[Jinn]

That the Black Fleet is now canon. I like that. A lot.

 

[Balok's Decoy]

That the Black Fleet is now canon. I like that. A lot.

I didn't recognize that concept when it was introduced. What's the backstory there?

 

[Butters]

I loved all of it mostly.

Didn't care for wonkycam, and the opening sequence didn't have as much pomp and circumstance as earlier series, but that don't matter.

It was good.

 

[SJA]

I love that it looks so cinematic and seems willing to take risks...There was a sense of peril too was far more 'real' than in other Trek shows...I feel they are prepared to shake the trek 'formula' up and that's exciting - even if it may be controversial! I think Sonequa is a great lead -l also liked Saru! Isaacs is always a class act - and should make an intriguing Captain! The other main cast look promising in brief clips we've seen so far - I actually like the Klingons - I liked the differentiation between the houses - they looked and felt alien - as opposed to appearing like extras in bad leather from a Pat Benatar video! I loved the scene of them retrieving their dead - I always thought the Klingons were 'defanged' by later modern trek - but I'm no continuity fundamentalist so maybe that's why! It's early days but the first eps give me hope!

 

[Balok's Decoy]

I loved all of it mostly.

Didn't care for wonkycam, and the opening sequence didn't have as much pomp and circumstance as earlier series, but that don't matter.

It was good.

My gf said she had trouble with the camera angles too, at least in Vulcan Hello. When we watched Battle at the Binary Stars she said it wasn't that bad.

 

[BillJ]

Saru.

That is all.

 

[Balok's Decoy]

I love that it looks so cinematic and seems willing to take risks...There was a sense of peril too was far more 'real' than in other Trek shows...I feel they are prepared to shake the trek 'formula' up and that's exciting - even if it may be controversial! I think Sonequa is a great lead -l also liked Saru! Isaacs is always a class act - and should make an intriguing Captain! The other main cast look promising in brief clips we've seen so far - I actually like the Klingons - I liked the differentiation between the houses - they looked and felt alien - as opposed to appearing like extras in bad leather from a Pat Benatar video! I loved the scene of them retrieving their dead - I always thought the Klingons were 'defanged' by later modern trek - but I'm no continuity fundamentalist so maybe that's why! It's early days but the first eps give me hope!

Totally agree about the Klingons. They actually feel dangerous and threatening again. Almost scary. In the other Trek shows, I felt like they'd almost become parodies of themselves. They were like a hair metal band or something.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

I didn't recognize that concept when it was introduced. What's the backstory there?

http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Fleet sums it up quite concisely.

 

[Trajet]

I love the obvious stuff like the very impressive sets and visual effects, and the less obvious stuff like the interpersonal dynamics between the crew of the Shenzhou.

Burnham and Saru come across like siblings with a competitive, mildly adversarial relationship seeking the approval of their maternal figure, Captain Georgiou. There was some really great stuff between the three of them on the bridge, most notably when Georgiou openly mocked both Saru and Burnham in an off-the-cuff remark to Ensign Connor, and Burnham asked if such sarcasm was necessary, with Georgiou replying "Necessary? No. But I do like it".

Also, I really enjoyed Ensign Connor's little pre-flight announcement for Burnham. That struck me as the kind of thing Janeway would roll her eyes at and admonish Tom Paris or Harry Kim for doing.

All in all, I love the fact that they seem more like real people than the dour, sanctimonious and holier-than-thou recruitment archetypes for Starfleet previous series have given us.

 

[jaime]

I love the obvious stuff like the very impressive sets and visual effects, and the less obvious stuff like the interpersonal dynamics between the crew of the Shenzhou.

Burnham and Saru come across like siblings with a competitive, mildly adversarial relationship seeking the approval of their maternal figure, Captain Georgiou. There was some really great stuff between the three of them on the bridge, most notably when Georgiou openly mocked both Saru and Burnham in an off-the-cuff remark to Ensign Connor, and Burnham asked if such sarcasm was necessary, with Georgiou replying "Necessary? No. But I do like it".

Also, I really enjoyed Ensign Connor's little pre-flight announcement for Burnham. That struck me as the kind of thing Janeway would roll her eyes at and admonish Tom Paris or Harry Kim for doing.

All in all, I love the fact that they seem more like real people than the dour, sanctimonious and holier-than-thou recruitment archetypes for Starfleet previous series have given us.

I find it amusing that you accuse the previous Treks of containing less real people, while referring to three Voyager characters to use as examples.

I liked Georgiou. Shame she couldn’t stay.

 

[Balok's Decoy]

I love the obvious stuff like the very impressive sets and visual effects, and the less obvious stuff like the interpersonal dynamics between the crew of the Shenzhou.

Burnham and Saru come across like siblings with a competitive, mildly adversarial relationship seeking the approval of their maternal figure, Captain Georgiou. There was some really great stuff between the three of them on the bridge, most notably when Georgiou openly mocked both Saru and Burnham in an off-the-cuff remark to Ensign Connor, and Burnham asked if such sarcasm was necessary, with Georgiou replying "Necessary? No. But I do like it".

Also, I really enjoyed Ensign Connor's little pre-flight announcement for Burnham. That struck me as the kind of thing Janeway would roll her eyes at and admonish Tom Paris or Harry Kim for doing.

All in all, I love the fact that they seem more like real people than the dour, sanctimonious and holier-than-thou recruitment archetypes for Starfleet previous series have given us.

Loved all this too. Ensign Connor's preflight bit was funny. I like small touches of dialogue like that.

 

[Jinn]

I didn't recognize that concept when it was introduced. What's the backstory there?

It's from The Final Reflection and I'm always happy when something from the novel gets mentioned in an actual show

 

[Boomer359]

I really liked that the tech wasn't used as a stand-in for magic. The scene where they're trying to scan for something and Georgiou tells Saru to boost the signal and he just shuts her down because there simply is no signal to boost. I don't recall too many exchanges like that in past Trek. It was refreshing.

 

[KirkusOveractus]

I love that I could make out some signature sounds from TOS, as well as the props having a direct lineage toward TOS.

I also love the visual effects, which are definitely more detailed and ornate than anything in Trek before.

 

[jaime]

I love that I could make out some signature sounds from TOS, as well as the props having a direct lineage toward TOS.

I also love the visual effects, which are definitely more detailed and ornate than anything in Trek before.

There was a load of TNG era fx in there. Like straight off the generations soundtrack cd. They are more noticeable cos tons of stuff have used them since as well.

 

[gblews]

I think the first thing I noticed that I loved was the "size" of the show. DSC has an "epicness" that most sci fi shows simply don't have.

Like others, I loved the Burnham/Georgiou relationship. as well. You could tell right away that their was more than just a professional relationship there. Loved when Georgiou knew Burnham was "having fun" when she was on her way to check out the nebula.

Loved that Burnham had managed to maintain her humaness after being on Vulcan for so long. She refused to hide this from Sarek.

Love that the show is grounded. I can see some time travel in futue episodes, but no Q.

Love the way they seem to be slowly building the characters. They could have rushed us right to the Discovery, as some fans have wanted, but they took time to actually show us in real time, what happened to Burnham on the Shenzou. This kind of slow build is invaluable in establishing the characters.

 

[Vger23]

-Production Design: This is the first Trek iteration since the TOS movies where I have been captivated by the sets, the costumes, the props etc. It's truly awesome. Love it!
-Main Character Interplay: The chemistry between Burnham, Georgiou, and Saru feels real, dymamic, and organic. It doesn't feel manufactured or forced.
-Captain Phillipa Georgiou: Awesome, believable, well-balanced Starfleet leader. Caught my attention immediately and pulled me in, as I thought to myself "THIS is the captain the franchise has been missing since Prime Kirk"
-Plot Twists: I love that there some surprises that are genuine. There were several turn of events that I wasn't expecting...and I love that.
-Prologue Philosophy: I love that the first 2 hours were basically just a set-up for the thrust of the story. It was a prologue. It's a risky approach given the need to hook viewers to CBSAA...but it's a fresh and much-appreciated approach.
-SMG: The lead actress nailed it in the premier 2 hours...at least far better than anyone "nailed it" since Shatner and Nimoy in WNMHGB.
-Klingon Updated Look and Style: Although I thought the Klingon scenes were "tough" at best and "ponderous" at worst...they are now aliens, and not angry aggressive human-like guys who like to fight. They felt and came off as very alien, which was fun. Hopefully they can make these scenes flow better in the future.
-Ship Design: I love the design of the Federation starships so far. I'm not huge on the Klingon ships (which are gorgeous but almost impossible to nail down the basic lines), but the starfleet ships are the best in terms of general design characteristics since the TOS movies. Better than TNG era and far better than Kelvinverse ships.