Approaching the final season of Star Trek: Discovery feels bittersweet. The adventures of this crew have been unique, primarily because of their time-jumping. The future of Star Fleet always had potential, and Discovery tapped into that well. No matter how you feel about Star Trek: Discovery, it’s been a show that wears its heart on its sleeve and opened the door to new viewers in the process. The final season kicked off at SXSW 2024, and the big screen premiere lived up to the venue.
Star Trek: Discovery Plot
After the events of Season 4, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonnequa Martin-Green) struggles to move on from Book (David Ajala). His betrayal landed him a rotation with Star Fleet, and he bounces around the galaxy, helping relocate those displaced by the DMA. When an 800-year-old Romulan ship suddenly appears, Kovich (David Cronenberg) joins Discovery to pick up its cargo. However, a pair of salvagers, Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak (Elias Toufexis), beat them there. Discovery hunts for the two couriers, only to realize the treasure will lead them on a chase one thousand years in the making.
The Critique
Star Trek: Discovery has not always had the biggest action setpieces, but it uses them effectively when possible. The premiere, however, showcases a higher budget and grander stakes. The adventure of this final season becomes immediately apparent, but it never sacrifices the development or morality of our characters. The opening sequence sees Martin-Green surfing a ship in hyperspace, there are crash landings on planets, and even a speed bike chase. This says nothing of the hand-to-hand combat, which takes another step up this season.
While Star Trek: Discovery has been away for nearly two years, these characters have not lost a step. Martin-Green and Ajala maintain their brilliant chemistry and showcase banter, which makes them one of the series’ best love interests. Cronenberg remains one of the highlights of the show, even if he does not have many episodes. His presence speaks for itself, and he adds an oddball energy that’s endlessly charming.
Doug Jones continues to shine under layers of makeup. He emotes despite the prosthetics, affirming his place as one the greatest “creature” performers of all time. Mary Wiseman returns and brings much-needed comedy to the premiere. I cannot wait until the show deploys Wiseman and Tig Notaro at the same time. Finally, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Cruz, and Blu del Barrio continue to be a perfect image of found family in the universe. Their questions about purpose and legacy strike a chord.
Newcomers Harlow and Toufexis get their moments to shine as well. They do not need much to communicate the history of their relationship, and a few moments help us fill in the blanks. Additionally, they get excellent help from the stunt teams to establish them as threats. Since Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise have guided the show, some antagonists have taken a back seat to the crew. Hopefully, the premiere is truly just a taste of what’s to come from the new cast.
In Conclusion
The return of Star Trek: Discovery is exciting for Paramount+. Their first foray into the iconic franchise undeniably left its mark on the franchise. It broke barriers and helped the show become more inclusive than ever before. That says a lot when you’re talking about Star Trek. The final season kicks off with a bang, as well as ties to The Next Generation in surprising ways. While this storyline can certainly stand on its own, it’s set to reward decades-long plot threads.
In doing so, Star Trek: Discovery can not only place itself within the larger context of the franchise but invite new viewers to take a look at the long-running franchise. Star Trek has always been a story of stepping into the unknown. With the backstories and development of many characters already set in stone, Discovery finally gets a chance to show its cinematic side.
8/10
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