I love Star Trek. I have an unusual introduction to the franchise in that my first real experience with Star Trek was catching the 2009 movie in the theater with my then boyfriend, now husband on date night. While I know the Kelvin timeline is hit or miss with some folks, I loved it. I loved it so much that I went back and started watching the original series. Over the course of the next 6 years, I watched every single Star Trek film and television series, falling in love with each one, no matter if it was cheesy (Star Trek IV, anyone?) or if it was well-received or not. Each Star Trek story has its merits in my opinion, but what is universal across each series is the message of hope and heroism found in each one. Those are themes I love in any story, but the courage shown by the characters in each series is something that keeps me coming back to Star Trek.
I held off on starting Star Trek: Discovery because I just couldn’t justify signing up for one more streaming service, but after the addition of Spock in the second season, Picard next year, and Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone, I just couldn’t say no anymore. Last week, I signed up for a year of CBS All Access and blasted at warp through Discovery. I expected to like it, but I was not expecting to straight up love it. With its unique narrative perspective (main character isn’t the captain), the modern day television storytelling (one long narrative vs. one-shot episodes), and its compelling characters, Discovery far exceeded my expectations. Here are three things I’m hoping for next season.
To Boldly Go
The crew of Discovery was jettisoned into the beta quadrant at the end of last season, and in order to protect them and the time jumping technology developed by Michael’s mother, no one is permitted to speak of them again, and all others are to be told the crew of the Discovery died in the battle. While that hits me on a deep emotional level, it also makes me excited to see the adventures Discovery will encounter in the beta quadrant. For me, this also feels like Discovery is now going to be something more along the lines of traditional Star Trek television, going on its own adventures and not figuring out where it ret-cons into the Prime universe. This effectively renders these first two seasons as a type of prologue to the series. I want to see new adventures in new areas of the galaxy, further expanding the final frontier.
What We Left Behind
I feel like it would be a disservice to not get a little peek into the lives of the pre-Kirk Enterprise. Anson Mount as Captain Pike and Ethan Peck as Spock are both extremely compelling, and I’ll fully admit that I’d feel a bit robbed if we didn’t get any more info about what they’re up to post-Discovery. I’m also curious to see if there will be ways for Discovery and Enterprise to communicate covertly. Spock is one of my favorites from TOS and I absolutely adore the dynamic between him and Michael. I’d love to see more of that, if at all possible.
Second Chances
Michael and Ash are breaking my heart every chance they get. I want so badly for them to be together, but circumstances beyond their control keep getting in the way. Can they please just get to be happy together? Please?? With his new title as commander of Section 31, it is possible that they will get to reconnect, but we will have to wait and see. My little shipper heart can only hope.
What are you looking forward to in Star Trek: Discovery next year? I’m really enjoying this new direction for Star Trek canon and I’m excited to see Discovery boldly go into next season.
Star Trek: Discovery season three will premiere in 2020. Seasons one and two are streaming on CBS All Access.
