Star Trek: Discoverywas trying to achieve a pretty specific goal when it brought the franchise back to TV screens in 2017, butStar Trek: Strange New Worldspulled it off far better than its parent show ever did. AlthoughStrange New Worldsbecame its own show in 2022, it actually began when the entrance of Captain Pike (Anson Mount) and the USS Enterprise became a major storyline inDiscoveryseason 2. The connection between both projects is tangible, but the spinoff’s notable differences make for two very disparateStar TrekTV shows.
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5’s endingmeans it’s probably the last we’ve seen of Captain Michael Burnham and the show’s titular vessel - at least in the show’s original format. WhileDiscoverydoes divide theStar Trekfan base, pretty much all fans can agree that it was worthy of being made - even if only for its role in the creation ofStar Trek: Strange New Worlds. WithStrange New Worldsseason 3on the way (as well as season 4), the Mount-led show proudly remains as the franchise’s flagship show, and for more reasons than one.
Star Trek: Discovery’s Franchise Overhaul Was Intended To Welcome In A New Generation Of Fans
Discovery was the first Star Trek TV show in 12 years
WhenStar Trek: Discoverydebuted in 2017,there hadn’t been any active TV shows within the saga sinceStar Trek: Enterprise’s endingin 2005. JJ Abrams made his three Kelvin Timeline movies during that time, but those were set in an alternate reality. So,Discoveryhad the incredibly difficult task not only of honoring the franchise’s rich history but also updating the space opera for modern audiences. It attempted to do this in several ways, and some methods turned out to be more successful than others. The overall focus was giving brand-new fans somewhere solid to jump on board.
10 Ways Discovery Made Star Trek Better
Although Star Trek: Discovery made some divisive decisions during its 5-season run, the show made many positive contributions to the franchise.
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 1 had an entirely new cast, so newcomers didn’t have to know or recognize the characters. This was the first time the franchise had done this since introducingStar Trek: The Next Generation’s castas the first live-action show sinceStar Trek: The Original Series. Other changes included moving away from previous shows' episodic format and adopting a serialized approach instead that told one long story over an entire season. Plus,Michael Burnham was clearlyDiscovery’s primary protagonist, while previousStar Trekseries traditionally championed ensemble casts. Plus, the visuals received a glossy overhaul.
Strange New Worlds Is A Better Starting Point For Modern Star Trek Fans Than Discovery - But It Isn’t A Perfect One
The Discovery references in Strange New Worlds' opening episodes could make it tricky to follow
I feel like I’m in the minority of people who wereStar Trekfans beforeDiscovery, but also liked the show when it first aired in 2017.Discoveryseason 1 was incredibly well-made, but even I will admit it felt very little like aStar Trekshow. I heartily acknowledge it’s part of the Prime Universe, but I would never suggest it to someone who was thinking about getting started on the franchise and isn’t sure where to begin.I would be far more likely to tell them to start withStrange New Worlds, despite technically being aDiscoveryspinoff.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 is expected to arrive in Summer 2025.
If I were to be given free rein when advising someone about whichStar Trekshow to begin with, I’d probably say one of the classic shows. However, I know the age of those projects can put certain people off. So,Strange New Worldsis a great middle ground.It retains more of the feel of classicStar Trekwhile also boasting a gorgeous modern aesthetic. The issue that could arise from this is that some context is needed aboutDiscoveryseason 2’s ending - althoughStrange New Worldsdoes provide the shell of an explanation in its opening episodes.
I think it’s a great starting point that stands a good chance of converting a speculative fan into a proper Trekkie.
If a newStar Trekfan can navigate the confusingDiscoveryreferences at the beginning, then I think it’s a great starting point that stands a good chance of converting a speculative fan into a proper Trekkie. Plus, there’s the added bonus that withStar Trek: Strange New Worldsalso serving as a prequel toStar Trek: The Original Series, the adventures of Captain Pike are more likely thanStar Trek: Discoveryto lead viewers to watch the franchise’s first-ever show - which is great forTOS' legacy and longevity.
Star Trek: Discovery
Cast
Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.
