Mike Smithwick

I am part of a meetup group currently going through all of TOS, three episodes at a time. I forgot how many great stories there were, a far higher percent than any of the spin-offs which has always been frustrating. Too much tech "magic" coming at the right time, people demonstrating knowledge way out of their field, wooden characters and taking itself far too seriously. SNW is an attempt to reassert the formula that made TOS a far more credible and watchable series. Real people with the strength and weaknesses and foibles and all the things that give us characters that we actually care about. Doing more eposodic stories than the wildly overcomplicated plot lines (i am talking to you Discovery!), allow the characters to reveal their own unique, funny, and oft-times charming selves. (However, Discovery has Tilly, the intern, who I adore). I was at a con once about 15 years ago and the producer of Voyager was there with a couple of the writers. She said that after the first two seasons they're finally hitting their stride. My thought was "shouldn't you have done that in the very first episode?" These guys do. Anson Mount is terrific as Pike, getting away with his goofy little asides that makes him a joy to watch. Both Singh and Number One have their budding relationship to build upon with "Enterprise Bingo" being one of the funniest bits across the entire franchise. It was just priceless. "Turbolift Shout Challenge" anyone? "Use the transporter to reflavor gum"? We'd never see that in TNG, Voyage and othersr and it has been a long time coming, "Phaser stun challange?" heeheehee....