Star Trek-Strange New Worlds episode 1 review

[@rciscon]

Most of the creatives involved with TOS had a background in the military because of WW II. None of the people involved in the production of any of the new Trek shows has any concept of how the military operates, hence the silliness.

[@silverjohn6037]

James Doohan was wounded on D-Day. If you watch carefully you can notice his one hand is missing two fingers.

[@rbu2136]

That’s why the current crop of writers view male leadership as toxic masculinity and has neutered Captain Pike of any male traits.

[@TheBrewjo]

It's a really important point especially when it comes to the discussions between Gene and the crop of TNG-DS9 writers that took the helm in the 90's... The 'new' guys get credit for maturing Trek from Gene's 'fantasy world'. But, Gene Roddenberry legitimately captained a Bomber in the Pacific campaign, he joined the LAPD and earned the role of SGT afterwards. The guy had his fill of war and social conflict, that's why he wanted to put humanity in a better place and explore issues through a 'space-western'.

[@hemaccabe4292]

Brilliant analysis sir.

[@axelhopfinger533]

I doubt they have any involvement in anything of value except first year film school soap opera writing and incestuous Hollywood society. And i'd bet my entire retirement fund that none of them got into their positions by actual merit or accomplishment.

[@liljenborg2517]

"The rest of the show was pure Orville." And that line says everything that needs to be said about Secret Hideout Star Trek: that the man behind "Family Guy" makes a wannabe Trek show that's more Trek than actual Trek shows.

[@Elfrunner]

Exactly. And when Seth McFarlane features a female stronger than her male counterparts on The Orville, it's because she comes from a planet with higher gravity. Very smart writing.

[@TurusDJava]

Well Seth MacFarlane is a treasure 😂

[@ChromeJob]

@@Elfrunner I still chuckle at, "hey could open this jar of pickles for me."

[@Elfrunner]

@@ChromeJob 🤣 That was a good one! I also thought it was sweet how she gifted him a jar when the character left the show.

[@dennisthomas8618]

Well said

[@wayoftheforesthand]

Your descriptions are by far the best out there. Your take on this was both funny, thoughtful, with a nice level of annoyed with out being that normal youtube rage over 1st yr script writing that has plagued SciFi shows in general for so long. I think your background in the industry allows such a unique and thoughtful take on this stuff. You aren't over the top in your annoyance at what is the modern tripe that is TV in general these days.

[@CallMeChato]

Thank you.

[@davidsanders5652]

I agree with much that you say but do have problems with the abuse of canon. The T'Pring thing DID bother me and, in some ways, they proved how little they know about TOS by throwing in references inappropriately. The Gorn being mentioned for example. They are unknown until Kirk encounters one. The the USA's second civil war (?) which folds into the eugenics war which folds into WW3. The wind farm virtue signaling sucked. Wind farms when the world is powered by fusion? Why? That said I had just finished season 2 of Picard which must be the worst Star Trek so far which made the okayness of Strange New Worlds feel pretty darned good.

[@markaurelius61]

I couldn't even finish Picard. It was witches and demons, not sci-fi at all.

[@davidsanders5652]

@@markaurelius61 I think I have a disorder. If I start a show I stick with it whatever. For that reason I avoided Prodigy completely. I'd rather be more like you.

[@markaurelius61]

@@davidsanders5652 I'm often like that. I was only able to skip the last episode of Picard because SNW has started. I watched the first few with my wife and found I was apologising to her for making her watch something that neither of us enjoyed. The last episode or 2 that I watched I watched alone, for the sake of completeness and hope. That hope was dashed.

[@davidsanders5652]

@@markaurelius61 I am a single man but suspect that a happy marriage is way better than masochistic obsession. 😀😀 She did you a favour.

[@Qacc6]

Why is wind farm virtue signaling? There are people today who burn wood at their country lodges, when the world is powered by electricity and oil.

[@yumyumeatemup]

I'm fine with hearing reviews from you Chato. Always good to hear varying opinions, especially from those who know and love Star Trek as deeply as you have shown in other videos of yours

[@rbu2136]

He’s really a breath of fresh air with a warm, congenial manner.

[@Thandar324]

I appreciate your watching this to review it for the rest of us. I am still reluctant to watch any Kurtzman Trek since I honestly do not believe he understands nor cares what Star Trek from Gene Roddenberry was supposed to be about.

[@ThePopcast]

DO yourself a favor and watch SNW, you're only depriving yourself of something entertaining. If you don't want P+ then take to the high seas like a pirate. Either way, unless you just don't have time for entertainment your missing out on this one.

[@joey_after_midnight]

I totally agree.. Season 2 Episode 1, Picard (almost) got me to watch, and Kurtzman pulled the rug out from everyone. I'm Thrice Shy of Anything involving Kurtzman now.. he's pure evil.

[@joey_after_midnight]

@@ThePopcast The Studios tried pandering to Piracy when Netflix ended the Discovery deal.. Pirates turned them down.. it was hilarious watching from afar. They didn't have Internationl distribution for months.

[@IAmTheMegaMan]

Kurtzman destroyed Star Trek. I don't believe he is incompetent, I think it was on purpose. Every Star Trek fan, should not watch any of these shows if they want true improvement. This goes back to market forces. If the audience remains extremely low, at some point the shareholders will demand the Corp either cancel it or remove the team in charge. At some point, it comes down to money and the best use of limited capital.

[@eldenben5179]

There is no way he did it on purpose - that would mean he got up in the morning and said "I want to consciously choose to make a grab show with abysmal ratings, even though it has a pre-existing fanbase that made the previous iteration the most popular TV episodic across multiple decades, and which was renowned for its high-quality writing".

[@IAmTheMegaMan]

@@eldenben5179 There is a certain worldview that the woke with power in Hollywood like and the dismantlement of the strong heterosexual male is something these people love. Kurtzman, thinking about his best-vested interests, appeased the woke wankers for his financial benefit. After all, how is it that his Star Trek shows and Clarice come dead last in the ratings, yet keep getting funded (Clarice was canceled)? Who else gets rewarded for failure? I suggest watching The Critical Drinker, Overlord DVD, or RedLetterMedia for their take. Contemplate this on the tree of woe.

[@jamesbizs]

@@eldenben5179 some of these people have literally said they don’t care if movies lose money, as long as they get the message across. So yeah. They do.

[@H1Guard]

@EldenBen Yes, absolutely. Kurzman does wake up every morning and choose not to make a show that fans like and would have great ratings. People of this sort think their genius so outshines the pedantic original that their hack version of the IP will eventually replace any notion of the original. Don't take my word for it. Compare to what Kathleen Kennedy has openly said about George Lucas and the original trilogy. Bob Iger said that Disney didn't have to advertise the Star Wars experience. Just build and they will come. Slap SW on the crap films and merch. The stupid fans will buy anything.

[@eldenben5179]

​@@H1Guard I understand your point but remember they expect their genius to satisfy fans. They get up thinking "my worldview is fascinating and nuanced enough that I can make a TV show about it". This is the same thing Gene Roddenberry thought - both Roddenberry and Kurtzman are trying to write TV shows people like. It's just that Roddenberry was right when he thought that about his perspective, whereas Kurtzman was farcically mistaken.

[@algorithmicalychallenged.291]

I'm happy you did this review. Can't wait to see more of your opinions.

[@leetxjd]

The professionals are the technicians, set designers, and wardrobe designers. It “looks” well done. Then it’s philosophy is brought forward in casting and plot/writing. That is where it fails. The intellectual sophistication is “middle school”. The effort to make things consistent or make sense is zero. It is a failure.

[@Thandar324]

To me, Alex Kurtzman's defilement of Star Trek is similar to Amazon's defilement of MIddle Earth in Rings of Power.

[@mephistoxarses8585]

Top comment. (Should be)

[@kaizokujimbei143]

It's akin to religious sacriledge.

[@ThePopcast]

Love you brother, let me fix some ideas here. The foreshadowing of Pikes vision of his death is not for us Trekkies, it's for the normies that didn't watch The Cage or other TOS episodes from last century. My wife loved the premier and she's never seen a single episode of TOS and only a few episodes of TNG or STD So it's needed for the normal fans getting into Star Trek. About Spock and T'Pring: it's never established that they never met, so this is not breaking canon it's actually adding to existing canon. This is a good thing, prequels worth their salt should add to canon and not remove from it. As for other complaints, it's all pretty minor stuff. I don't think there was anything I can point to that was overtly "woke" or anything like that. My only real complaint is the beaming of meds into Spock's eyes, that was over the top but I'll give them a pass for everything else working so well. I think us as fans, and I've been a massive trek fan for 40 years need to separate the objectively horrible Discovery crap from Strange New Worlds and judge this series as its own. I'd you like disco or Picard that's all good, I personally found far to many problems watching those series to enjoy it BUT if your not a lifelong Trekkie or your just not that deep into the lore I can see you liking it. For me there was just to many issues and the characters were all hyper cringe unlikable. Strange New Worlds as a stand alone series is looking way up, and I personally hope it continues on this path and we get a new Golden Age of sci-fi. Thanks for the video.

[@CallMeChato]

Thanks for the comment. I do not wish it ill.

[@chipvogel]

I didn't feel like slitting my wrist and I was entertained. Huge improvement.

[@itsallfunandgames723]

Promises made, promises broken! I think most people would be interested to hear what somebody who had a career in TV thought about specific episodes of TV.

[@robertpearson8798]

I just watched this episode and one of my thoughts was that if Pike saw his own death (or severe disfigurement) and knew it was almost a decade away, that should have made him absolutely fearless, knowing that he was charmed until that incident, not fearful and hesitant.

[@CallMeChato]

Agreed.

[@TheMyrmo]

I like that you're able to wear two hats: fan, and network exec. Because as you've said, they're very different hats.

[@book3100]

Spock isn't a Buddhist. He's a Stoic. Start from there. The rest of the characters can be whatever, but Spock is a Stoic. Writers should read up on Seneca

[@AdventuringMind]

Pfft like the tumblrina film grad would ever read something so icky like Seneca. As if... lol

[@book3100]

@@AdventuringMind yea i know, but I gotta say it anyway

[@kathleenhensley5951]

good point. Writers actually reading the great Romans. (old dead white men, according to them?) 😆😆

[@cynthiacarter9055]

I suspect few modern writers have encountered the Stoics. Heck, a solid knowledge of ANY other way of viewing the world than that popular in the modern American university seems to be missing. Which I think is a fatal flaw for anyone wanting to write sci-fi--the whole point of something like Trek is to create alien societies that will feel relatable but still be alien, and to then see how the competing ideas clash, compliment, or synthesize when forced to meet. This isn't something most people could do at the best of times, and our current era seems especially averse to the thought it would take to do it well.

[@MAFion]

The biggest error I think was the too human portrayal of Vulcans. T'Pring could be an interesting character, but Vulcan society shouldn't resemble a perfume commercial. It looks like an upcoming episode is going to pay homage to Amok Time. But where can the Vulcan ponfar go after that pilot episode Vulcan nookie depleted any sort of build-up?

[@kimmccarthy7747]

We saw Vulcan nookie in The Enterprise Incident. That wasn't it.

[@mephistoxarses8585]

It's 2022 and i'm still re-watching TOS. Still loving it. Gets me back in touch with my humanity.....if even for a moment.

[@BeNice108]

My first impression: They almost understand Star Trek (which is shocking), but the quality of writing is going to have me banging my head off the walls before the season is over. That corny human line coming from Pock (not Spock) physically hurt. Gawd, I just wish The Orville didn't get delayed into oblivion. The humor is childish but Seth Trek is the only real Star Trek that's left.

[@arioch2112]

Gods above and below, I love you and your use of phrasing. To call forth Mrs. Slocum from beyond, we are unanimous in this. Excellent points as always and knowledge of source material, unlike those in charge of Trek currently.

[@TheRealOtakuJoe]

Your opening monologue was the most amazing bit of allegory concerning nu-trek I have ever heard! Right now I'm suffering from Stockholm syndrome so I'm loving it so far.

[@deeesher]

I've been seeing a lot of positive reviews on Strange New Worlds, so I was really hoping they got it right finally. I'm with you here. It was... okay. I think the main thing people are being hypnotized by is the fact that they actually turned on some lights so you can see what's going on for a change. And we aren't getting dizzy from the constantly revolving camera or blinded by lens flares. I'm also soooo happy they finally recognized that Vulcan women don't have to have the bowl haircut. This has bothered me since TNG. Re-watching the original Cage episode, Pike was already questioning his ability to command. But yeah, having so much PTSD on the bridge just makes for bad writing. I was also thinking, since when did they have the ability to change DNA? I know it was a pretty big deal for McCoy to operate on Kirk to make him a Romulan. So I would like to think they coulda/shoulda done a covert mission, hiding in the shadows as much as possible. Or at the very least not take a chance on Spock considering how unstable it was. And why was Chapel, a nurse, doing all this and not the doctor?? Final point that bothered me... Instead of talking about Earth's history, and trying to connect it to current events, why not this: "Have you ever heard of the Blahblobions? Well they were a planet a lot like you. Here's how they looked, and here's their wars, and now this is their lifeless world after they wiped each other out. You're following in their footsteps. Buh bye."

[@jamesmerritt8443]

If it weren't anachronistic, it would have been fun to see Cheron (TOS: "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield") as your proposed "example planet."

[@bcs2em625]

@@jamesmerritt8443 Yes, the planet Cheron would have been a great example, but as you say anachronistic. That said, how about the Triannon from ENT’s episode “Chosen Realm”. The story was basically the same as the TOS ep and would have been perfect to make the same point.

[@jamesmerritt8443]

@@bcs2em625 I'll have to go back and watch it again -- I watched all the ENT episodes originally but remember clearly only a few. Sounds like an excellent idea, though. Thanks for bringing it up! EDIT: Oh! The religious fanatic suicide bombers! Yes, that would definitely qualify, and would be a nice nod to a series that doesn't get the respect it deserves.

[@FishWheels]

The turbolift looked like a shower room with Etch-a-sketches on the walls, big bezels with small screens. What happened did their tech devolve to transistors and tubes?

[@qui-gonrick7002]

The bar has been set so low for new Star Trek, that being "okay ", seems like a miracle. Maybe it will get better, but having seen Discovery and Picard makes it really hard to be optimistic about that.

[@Augustus087]

I enjoyed your chat with Vic. I'm glad to be one of the people who recommended Star Trek Continues to you. It's too bad that more episodes were not made, but those are the rules for the owners of the IP. IP standing in this case for a different acronym, which I will leave to your imagination.

[@mattrobinson47]

“I accept your Deng Xiao Ping” come on man. It’s Sunday, I haven’t even had coffee yet. I really like your videos and humor--thanks!

[@DarrenHughes-Hybrid]

I love the "School House Rock" T-shirt. And thank you for this review.

[@2OldGeeksTalking]

I respect your opinions so much. You certainly have a way of putting your and our thoughts into words.

[@HessTruckBOOKS]

As a former network executive, I was surprised you didn’t see (or say) how every show has its “first episode”. As far as Pike being traumatized in the beginning, I thought it connected well to DIS & TOS in regards to his fate. Otherwise let it play out and let’s reconvene in another ep or two. Btw Orville’s first ep was eeeechhh. But by the 3rd and 4th episode WOW!

[@newargot]

Paul is milking his "former network executive" status somewhat. He was head of CBC Television Comedy - for two years - 30 years ago.

[@karrdashen9190]

@@newargot for how many years were you a network exec?

[@kevinintheusa8984]

@@newargot Still counts.

[@newargot]

None, which is about as long as Paul. He's never been in charge of scripted dramatic series. CBC Comedy at that time had specials and sketch comedy shows. I don't think they even had any sitcoms.

[@newargot]

@@kevinintheusa8984 Paul is certainly an expert when it comes to comedy. When it comes to scripted dramas, not so much.

[@captainpike2468]

Best analysis on KZbin ! The Hair is the Star LOL - they been to bring BACK the TOS soundscape , sound effects - bridge ambience , little bridge button pushing effects - that’s part of the coolness

[@greenarrow219]

No constant crying and telling us how diverse they are every 2 minutes. Definitely a big improvement with a modern feel with a few call backs to the original series. I watched the original series with my dad 45 years ago, so I have fond memories of TOS. I don't want to be overly critical of SNW because we have a new audience watching it now and it's only episode one.

[@cgthms]

Well put Marcus!

[@noneya3635]

Why are you afraid to express your opinion? It’s just episode one, so you still have a view just speak up and stop trying to be the positive only fan.

[@greenarrow219]

@@noneya3635 what are you waffling on about

[@kaizokujimbei143]

It's gonna devolve into SJW ideological drivel in the next episode.

[@greenarrow219]

@@kaizokujimbei143 probably

[@paulk.dicostanzo2279]

This summed up the experience quite accurately.

[@iudfr]

sum up everything that was erking me with the first episode that i could not explain why and mention stuff i didnt realize main one was getting me was...pike's lines regarding earth's past and certain footage(s) used

[@I_am_Raziel]

I can't help it. I keep watching the speech of captain Pike over and over again. Truly remarkable. (When you see it, you will know which one I mean.)

[@StevePastor50]

Number One and Spock singing in the lift was the "I don't need to go there" moment for me.

[@davidconnellan6875]

Making Pike "reluctant" character is a story line that should have happend before he becomes a captain. If that's how they wanted to introduce him as a whole new character. They are starting at page one of The Heros Journey. But Pike is already established. They should have started right in the middle of an action sequence or having to deal with a serious command decision. Like the pre credit set up of each episode of TOS.

[@TentaclePentacle]

Well the TOS pike was also relucatant. The first scene was he talking to the doctor about how tired he is being captain.

[@liaminwales]

Or maybe later on like with Riker in that TNG epp with the odd cloaking device, once the charter is developed as a way to bing in conflict with himself and his mission on what is right and wrong. Something to make the audience wonder if he will do the wrong thing or not.

[@artboymoy]

Sisko was also reluctant to take DS9 and was considering leaving Starfleet as well. How does he not know that?

[@davidconnellan6875]

@@artboymoy cause I have a life outside of star trek and ds9 neved appealed to me because the first few episodes put me off.

[@liaminwales]

@@artboymoy Sisko had the pilot epp that set up why he was thinking about leaving Starfleet, his wife died & he had a son. The backdrop was linked to TNG epp's so the foot work was set. I dont think it's a good comparison, the motivations where well set up. Id also point out as the show is set up to be a nod to TOS not DS9 or later TNG.

[@harvey1965]

I LOVE your first 2 minutes of the review: you adequately described the 'Kurtzman abuse' I have experienced over the last, very long, five years!

[@Vipre-]

That was one of my big downs as well, T'Pring didn't at all feel Vulcan. The whole apartment scene read Romulan. There's like 50 years of women playing Vulcans to draw from and yet the characterization totally missed the mark.

[@NatashaEstrada]

I think it can work. They can build up a backstory about the relationship starting to sour to the point where she was willing to have Spock kill or be killed in order to have Stonn. It'll show that Spock has always been bros before hos. I'm ok with them being less formally Vulcan because logically if they matched T'Pring with Spock then she must have been open to his human side.

[@ijoxi]

T'Pring felt like she belongs on Sex and the city tbh

[@khatharrmalkavian3306]

I love that Ahura is always smiling and excited, just like in TOS.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

Uhura was not always smiling on TOS

[@mephistoxarses8585]

I dont believe you have actually seen any episodes of the TOS. Uhura was a professional Starfleet officer at the comms....she wasn't always "Smiling"

[@maarkaus48]

Good to hear a balanced, non ranting, view on the series. I don't get to see the new Star Trek, but have been curious, being an old Trekkie. Saying its 'meh' is actually the most fair I have seen so far. Other reviewers are either angry about it, or loving it. Not a big fan of extremes. When the Next Gen came out I remember not liking it at all. I was hugely disappointed, and am still not a huge fan. But it grew on me over the years. Same with DS9. Started rough, and didn't like it, but by season three loved it. Voyager is the only Star Trek of the TNG era that I liked from the get-go right to the end. I would like to give the new trek a chance.

[@Daramouthe]

Alright, Schoolhouse Rock. Remember those songs till this day. Thanks for being awesome Chato.

[@originaldarkwater]

After suffering through the first season of Discovery, I had no intention of watching this, like any Kurtzman-trek since. It was killing me, too, because the trailer looks SO good, visual-style-wise, but after seeing Pike's self-deprecatory hemming and hawing upon beaming into whatever council chamber, I feared (and still do fear) the worst. But your review convinced me to at least give it a chance. Of course, being JJ alumni, Kurtzman and co have a mystery box. That's the only writing trick they know. First-year film school level of scriptwriting is about the best they are capable of. They must have pulled out all the stops to rise above their usual bad-fan-fic level of scriptwriting. I fear they will descend back to that level all too quickly and things like their inability to make an alien culture seem at all alien is a bad sign. But I'll grit my teeth, hope for a miracle and check out the first episode. At least I can enjoy the fantastic-looking sets and costumes.

[@originaldarkwater]

@SpaceAlienBatWitch He beams in and immediately leans forward, so his body language is already "don't hurt me". He follows that up with a soft-spoken, drawn-out "Hiiii...." and a slight, wavering smile, as if he's embarrassed at being there, almost like he beamed there accidentally and is begging forgiveness. Captain Kirk would have turned a phaser on himself before behaving like that in front of alien dignitaries. If he's going to beam into the council chamber like that, it must be important and urgent. Stand tall, own it and when the chamber goes quiet, speak loudly and confidently. Start with strong "Councilmembers, I have important information for you" or something like that. That's what any pre-Kurtzman captain would have done.

[@originaldarkwater]

@SpaceAlienBatWitch You know it's bad if even the edibles don't help...

[@bartmaas437]

You are spot on with the abuse scenario. I was so glad to have an episode of Star Trek where the problem is not soved with a faser or crying, that I was willing to forgive the other little failures. Which is not really a glowing endorsement of a beloved franchise.

[@chuckpoore]

This episode left me cautiously optimistic because it didn't totally suck. When the ep ended, I said to myself, "I didn't hate this!". That's a positive thing I guess, but it just shows the depths to which the franchise has descended, that an episode that doesn't make you wretch is actually something that gets a fan excited. I agree, it would rank barely mid-level among TOS stories. I was concerned about the canon violations though, and I think the T'Pring thing is worse than just "they didn't meet as adults until year 2 of the 5 year mission." It's more than that. The whole point of the Amok Time was that T'Pring did NOT want to marry Spock, she did not want to "be the consort of a legend." She wanted Stonn, not Spock. In this show, she wants Spock, so it retcons Amok Time out of existence completely, because it undermines her whole point of the "fight for her." I also think the mention of the Gorn is a problem, because that retcons "Arena" out of existence, because that was a first contact. If the Federation already knew about the Gorn, they would NOT have set up the colony on Sestus III in Gorn space. I also think Samuel Kirk is a canon problem, because there was no evidence he was ever assigned to the Enterprise. If that was a thing, don't you think that would have come up once Kirk was given command? Plus, was Sam Kirk even Starfleet? It's been a while since I saw Operation Annihilate, so maybe I am misremembering, but I thought he was a civilian. If this took place in the Kelvin-verse, we could probably excuse these as "alternate timeline" issues, but isn't this show supposed to be in the prime timeline? Lastly, the writers of this show do not understand Trek-science. There is no such thing as a "warp bomb." A space warp is a thing created by the power generated by the matter/anti-matter reaction, generating enough power to warp space and create a "bubble" that allows the ship to travel FTL. Warp would not be a bomb. What they mean is an anti-matter bomb, but clearly they don't know the difference. And also, could even advanced scientists engineer an anti-matter bomb from observing something through a telescope? I'm not a physicist, but that doesn't make sense or seem likely. Other than these canon violations, the episode was okay. I'm willing to give them a few weeks to see if it goes in the right direction or not.

[@cgthms]

I couldn't have said it better. Good observations and comment Chuck!

[@brachiator1]

The whole thing with T'Pring is minor and does not necessarily violate canon. There is no such thing as Trek-science. There is only varying degrees of plot-expedient techno-babble.

[@NatashaEstrada]

There is going to be a lot of time between this episode and Amok Time so there is plenty of time for her to start hating his guts and maybe we will find out why. I think the 3rd or 4th episode is called Amok Spock so I assume it'll be addressed in that one. I think it's easier to accept that this is the Prime Universe but not 100% the exact same timeline. One of those subtle variants like Worf jumped between in TNG's Paralells. There are over 700 episodes of various Star Trek it's really hard to have good storytelling and then have to adhere 100%.

[@ThatsMrPencilneck2U]

Around the turn of the 21st Century, the standards for television were raised significantly. Compare Law and Order to Dragnet. In sci-fi in particular, Babylon V made space battles exciting, while StarGate SG1 raised technobabble to high literature, making Star Trek SD9, arguably the best ST series, look dull. We've seen a new standard, but these people can't meet one that is over half a century old. We're not dealing with people that are trying and failing. The people making this stuff are deliberately trying to offend us.

[@JohnnyStroud]

Wow. A very good assessment sir. As a Sci-Fi writer myself, I have long been waiting the return of great show, and I have such great hopes for Strange New Worlds.

[@eriktred]

Thank you for your nerdy review. Fenrir and I are nodding our heads in agreement.

[@jameskerr3258]

Day of the Jackal was unstoppably awesome. Reference that, and I will love everything you post.

[@petermartin1954]

I’m just glad they mentioned the Gorn, Only enterprise and TOS ever did justice to this race. I love the brutality of the backstory it makes sense even though they weren’t originally recognized until Kirk.

[@Hellgie1]

I'm curious. Did they create any new iconic setting music? The original series had music that they used for certain situations that we all can remember to this day. The battle music, Spock's theme, and the same musical theme when things looked grim. You're probably hearing them in your head right now!

[@Enriqueguiones]

The "abuse" metaphore was 100% accurate. Also, I enjoyed the Jackal stuff. I always loved that movie!

[@thac0twenty377]

The Jackal is effingclassic

[@edmontontangobar4991]

I think you missed the point of Pike knowing his fate is a kind of nod to Classical tragedy where the hero knows his good deeds will result in his downfall and perpetual torment.

[@aoiyoru94]

Dang Chato, that example felt real but I feel you 🤣

[@boytype]

I think that people are grading this show on a curve because of STD and Picard. The copium is strong with a lot of reviews. But it could have been worse.

[@joey_after_midnight]

"It could have been... worse" is not exactly a singing endorsement. I'll pass.

[@boytype]

@@joey_after_midnight If you take into consideration that its likely to get worse and not better, you are probably making the right choice. This was the entire Kirkman team doing everything they could to try to salvage something from their total failure to make anything worthwhile before they lose the Trek license. And the best that can be said about it is definitely that it could have been worse.

[@BitCounter]

You hit on all + more of the issues I saw with it. Especially the Orville part. I got De ja vu thinking do they not watch what others have already done..

[@desertsoldier41]

In the orginal pilot for TOS "The Cage"...Pike was conflicted over many crew-members dying on Rigel. So maybe this was a callback to the original Pilot episode.

[@geminicricket4975]

"They did a good job of mimicking TOS." I haven't seen ST:SNW and I doubt I ever will, but I think this sums up nicely exactly what Kurtzman & crew are doing. Mimicking, not story-telling. The mimicked Star Wars and Game of Thrones for Discovery. They did the same for Picard. Now, they're mimicking TOS without GoT -- I don't know about Star Wars... And they learned it all from the Grand Vizier of Mimicry, Jar Jar Abrams. And, doesn't this fit nicely into your argument about hiring only young fresh-out-of-school employees? "The best writers write to their own experiences". When you have no real experiences, what can you do but mimic? Nope. I won't be watching this. However, fire Kurtzman & Co, replace them with some real and experienced, preferably scifi, writers? Then we'll talk. :)

[@Eric_the_Hiking]

It bothered me that the La'an Noonien-Singh character is like Camina Drummer in The Expanse.

[@worndown8280]

The "no real experiences" really hits the target. Its one of the reasons so much modern writing feels hollow and fake. Most writers can barely form a coherent plot let alone dialogue.

[@SecretsofSaturn]

@@Eric_the_Hiking Bingo.

[@artboymoy]

@@Eric_the_Hiking or that other chick on The Orville.

[@geminicricket4975]

@@Eric_the_Hiking I dunno... I guess I don't mind them "borrowing" characters from anywhere. But as long as their writing skills aren't even a pale shadow compared to a show as intelligent as the Expanse, I will continue not to care.

[@jorgedasilva7665]

I swear, writer's only know about the Hero's journey anymore and EVERYTHING must conform to it. You know sometimes it's fun to watch a show about someone who already went through that.

[@magiciansway]

So love your excellent delivery and high quality content. Thank you.

[@poguemahonie1501]

My only problem with the episode was where they had the disguise serum beamed into Spock's eye. Not that I don't think a transporter could do it. But isn't Spock's eye already full of ocular fluid? Wouldn't beaming MORE fluid (the serum) into Spock's eye - in the amount shown in the vial - make Spock's eye EXPLODE?!?!

[@dgrhm08]

Agreed. It was okay. Seemed like the first half of the episode wallowed in touchy feely crap before they finally got to the story about rescuing a stranded crewmate. I liked it better than Farpoint.

[@jamesmerritt8443]

Farpoint was wretched, imho, as was much of the first couple of seasons of TNG. But those of us who loved Star Trek reveled in the victory that the show was finally back as weekly television, and we relished the opportunity to learn about the new characters, settings, and situations of Picard's Enterprise and century. In many ways, "the long-awaited return of Trek" is the theme and sentiment that welcomed both shows and kept TNG floating until it could get its bearings -- with luck, SNW will similarly benefit from the phenomenon.

[@milojones8508]

Haven't watched it yet but the only Trek worth watching these days IMO is "The Orville". Closest thing we've had in a long time. (Season 3 coming soon)

[@MarkMeans]

I totally believe that, yes, this WAS the best they could do and it was probably an uphill struggle all the way. I just rolled my eyes at Spock, of all people, being one upped by any character...never mind that it had to be (of course) a woman. That said, I went in with zero expectation and was pleasantly surprised. The problem now being, I now HAVE expectations for the next episode and I just hope they can deliver.

[@NeverDoubtMe23]

Well said....I feel the same way, like an abused child I am waiting for the slap after getting praised and having hope.

[@TastierBackInThe80s]

I'm glad you're breaching the subject. One of the few people I'd trust their opinion or take on.

[@LaughingLion4Ever]

Can we just drop the whole cast and crew on Talos IV now and save ourselves the heartache?

[@probably_afk]

I liked the parts where Anson Mount wasn't letting everyone overstep their boundaries. Those were some great 28 seconds. Also the wide shots of the Enterprise were nice.

[@jfh9219]

Good valid points. Good review!

[@mister-x2]

unrelated, but mr. Canoehead was one of my favorite superheroes when I was 5. So thanks for that. If you want to listen yourself in spanish, search for "4 locos en el set"

[@chrischreative2245]

Spock hasn’t been Vulcan since his last appearance on ST:TNG

[@gordiebrooks]

With the Spock scene they have set it up to follow canon !! He accepted the proposal but didn’t consummate the relationship and she said she wouldn’t chase him across the Galaxy.

[@STho205]

I had absolutely no problem with it. It is the strongest opening episode of any Star Trek show...including Man Trap (Outer Limits), Mission to Farpoint Stn (wawn and goofball), DS9 (pretty good but this was better), Voyager, Enterprise (started good, fell apart). Pike was always the self doubting captain. That's how the show started in 1965. One of the NBC requests was the same as yours...a self assured lead. Spock was great. Macho and strong willed. Possibly as good as Nimoy with time. Nimoy started pretty rough. We'll see. This however is as 60s as you're going to get.

[@joejacquesschulz8514]

I once used the word "desparation" instead of "despair" and my female English colleague laughed about me. That was not good. It only became worse when she asked me to say "squirrel" which has to sound like "squirl". No need to look for Aliens to experience different civilisations in collision.

[@willpower8061]

I agree, giving me less poop on my plate is great, but its still poop. Why not just create a new I.P, Orville proves one can.

[@NewAgeDIY]

I get it, it was just Okay for me as well. Compared to ST Picard it was a big improvement. I just watched the last 2 episodes and it was truly painful to watch. But SNW was like going back home after a year travelling the world. It was pleasant and exciting. SNW will be on my must watch list. Picard may not be back next year I sure, no loss.

[@axelhopfinger533]

It still is just a hollow vehicle for blatant progressive political messaging and DEI agenda pushing. It's merely a slightly more polished turd than Discovery or Picard, but with Anson Mount as a shiny hood ornament bolted on to sell it to the desperate and starved trekkie suckers. It's a Trojan horse pimped up with an extra thick layer of nostalgia bait, nothing more.

[@NatashaEstrada]

Picard is definitely back next year. They've almost finished filming season 3 but that's the last one.

[@sobebabe7169]

Thank you. Your beginning analogy cracked me up. Again we true believers are being fed something that has exited the backside of a Gorn.

[@billprator3594]

YOU ARE SO GOOD AT THIS.

[@noseotter-01]

I'm really loving your take on things, you're definitely contributing to the whole conversation. Thanks!

[@JLE8811]

Please review the episodes. If not, I'll never know what happens on this show. Btw Anson Mount is a highly underrated actor. I cited "Hell on Wheels."

[@davidu8283]

Dang it! 😐 I can't believe it! You totally spoiled "The Day of the Jackal " for me, thanks man! 😆

[@williamroberts6803]

My wife doesn’t get shots or gas to get any dental work. She can’t stand pain medication. She got root canals without shots. Now that’s tough.

[@jameslibby481]

Perfect analysis!

[@franksalidivar7342]

The 'SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK' shirt is classic!

[@sirequinox4874]

This is one of your best vids. Some very sharp observations.

[@calamitysi]

Remember the first episode of Picard Season 2? Remember how, it too, wasn't absolutely terrible and how grateful we all were for the morsel of good 'Trek' thrown our way? Yeah...we also remember how the rest of that season went...History repeating itself...again...and again...

[@DJWHITE_]

It feels more like Star Trek, the messaging is there BUT I rolled my eyes quite a few times due to lazy writing. Mostly: 1. When the communicator was called a phone 2. Spock was asked to get married, having to watch Vulcan foreplay and then Pike's cockblock vid call 3. Pike went for the booze as soon as the mission started and then left the bottle out. 4. They broke the precursor to the PD without a second thought. Get some proper consultants and some creative writers. I think they'll do what they always do and WOKE it up with the message at some point very soon!

[@OgamiItto70]

"Outside of the movie _Hairspray_ no other hair has been more important to a creative endeavor." Ah, but you're forgetting _Miami Vice._ And _The Hardy Boys Mysteries._ And Jeff Conaway on _Taxi._ And Mel Gibson in _Lethal Weapon._ An especially David Cassidy in _The Partridge Family._

[@CallMeChato]

Damn you follicle fanatics.

[@GOODEUSMAXIMUS]

I’m going back to Orville, TOS,Tng, Ds9, voy and Ent to get my fix

[@jimsummers3313]

Intelligent, spot-on commentary!

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Only one episode released, there’s plenty of time to screw it up. If anyone knows how, they do, I have absolute confidence in their ability to do so.

[@lordshittington135]

It was woke, had modern dialogue and full of crappy CGI. It will only get worse. *Edit -Love your School House Rock T-shirt.

[@chrislutz416]

I agree. The more I think about it, the more I dislike the episode. As someone said, a lot of people are grading on a curve and SNW was better than STD or Picard.

[@jamesbizs]

Not just modern dialogue, but they literally showed modern real videos from American politics that were happening at the time of the filming. It’s insane. The show runners specifically made it a point that they had to put politics into the first episode. At least pretend. But to come right out and admit it?

[@jamesbizs]

Those still not as woke as the last two shows

[@georgiahoosier]

That's what's been missing from TV for so long...we haven't had hair like that since Jack Lord

[@mattmack222]

“..do the bloody show, you twats; we get it”. Ha ha ha! You’re killing me, Chato!

[@michaelbrashears8293]

The other thing is when an alien on board the enterprise escapes sick bay and 1 no one calls for ship security and 2 no one in the corridors even react to hey who is this strange being no one has seen before. Just a sad miss for me

[@sitoudien9816]

It was familiar and didn't break any new ground. They played it safe. Don't get your hopes up. It's Kurtzman trek. Bait and switch!

[@nufosmatic]

9:46 - the two Harry Mudd episodes in ToS were two of the most memorable of the series... wishin' there were more... the Harry Mudd episodes in Discovery are actually some of the better episides there...

[@ThePopcast]

agreed, the only episodes of Discovery I remember liking was with Mudd. HOWEVER his "clone/robot" tech is a massive canon breaking issue. So as a stand alone episode of scifi it was fine but the moment it attempts to bear the weight of Star Trek canon it fails horribly.

[@mcdonnellpadraic]

Can't wait to watch it, and return for this review.

[@paulvmarks]

Yes - no one becomes a Star Fleet Captain without being utterly focused on the job. That is why they are often unmarried - they can not really marry one of the crew (discipline problems and so on) - and who else do they really get to know?

[@The10thManRules]

It was the first game at the start of the season, coming off of a previous disastrous season of few wins. So, I'm hopeful. That said, I want to see Uhuru "out of uniform". Black is beautiful!

[@psmith6166]

I really enjoyed your review and would like to see more of them. Finally not a gushing or sky is falling review and a plot summary any of us normies can give. The story writing points were unique and refreshing.

[@hardwickd]

I wouldn't be too worried after just the first episode. Just go watch the first season of TNG again to remind yourself how even some good shows can get off to a rocky start. We'll only know for sure when we look back on this a year or two from now. It is sad that they don't understand that Vulcans have their own distinct culture.