Jeff Jones

While the first episode was a bit clunky, it showed promise, so I kept watching. And I have been rewarded for doing so. My review is as follows Strengths: 1) Discovery is not Star Trek or The Next Generation. That formula has grown stale. I loved Kirk, Spock, and Picard but Star Trek canon desperately needed a refresh, otherwise we wound up with tedious, interminable shows like Voyager. Yuck. Discovery has a different look and feel, and tries to tell a different type of story. 2) Diversity is a good thing. More women in command, gay couples, and damaged souls trying to be heroic is a much more interesting recipe then the old sci fi paradigm where every character is GI Joe. 3) Darkness is part of life. Every episode doesn’t have to end with everyone smiling on the bridge, as they sail off to the next happy adventure. This show is set during a time of war. I’m glad that there are losses, tears, and grief. That keeps the story compelling. 4) Great casting. All the actors (with one notable exception) play their parts extremely well, neither overdoing nor under performing their characters. I especially like Mary Wiseman as Cadet Tilley, Jason Isaacs as Captain Lorca, and Rainn Wilson as Harry Mudd. Weaknesses: Sonequa Martin-Green. She still projects neither the charisma nor the gravitas to inhabit her character. Perhaps it’s partly due to the writing or the direction but I’m not into her. She’s too bland. For her character, I would have appreciated someone more fiery, like Michelle Forbes when she played Ensign Ro Laren on The Next Generation.