More changes for Star Trek: Discovery and Trek

With Star Trek: Discovery’s debut fast approaching, CBS continues to release more information about how they will change the franchise.

More from Star Trek: Discovery

• Will Star Trek: Discovery feature a satisfying ending to the series?
• When is Star Trek: Discovery’s fifth and final season coming?
• Sonequa Martin-Green talks about how Star Trek’s Michael Burnham changed her life
• Star Trek: Discovery’s final season may have some of the series’ best villains so far
• Star Trek’s mysterious “Galactic Barrier” (un)explained

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Discovery showrunners Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts discussed a fundamental change to Trek: conflict. And now, I’m not talking about intergalactic war here; I’m talking about a longstanding conflict between crew members. I think this sounds similar to Battlestar Galactica and Stargate: Universe.

Historically, Star Trek has been known as having very few conflicts between characters. Occasionally there would be an issue here or there, but it would undoubtedly be resolved by the episodes 4th act.

This mentality of ‘everyone working together in harmony’ is a staple of Trek; something that dates all the way back to one of Gene Roddenberry’s main tenants for the franchise. However, in a potentially bold move, CBS is looking to warp away from this concept. Instead, opting for a more ‘dramatic’ tone with the show.

“So we do have our characters in conflict, we do have them struggling with each other, but it’s about how they find a solution and work through their problems.” said, Harberts.

But the changes didn’t end there. A new photo released with a the EW interview showcases a new type of ‘away team’ body armor and the transporter room.

So where does this leave Trek?

It would seem Star Trek is heading for a complete paradigm shift; away from Gene Roddenberry’s vision. With the inclusion of crew conflict we can expect to see some of the following dramatic tropes associated with the genre:

-Affairs
-Murder
-Crime
-Mutiny
-Scandals
-Dramatic Action

Final Thoughts.

I think it’s fair to say that I have mixed emotions about this news. Even though this completely goes against the ideals of what Star Trek has stood for in the past, who is to say that this new show won’t resonate with a new group of fans? If the writers are able to provide meaning conflict-resolution for our characters, perhaps today’s youth can learn something more from it.

Only time will tell!

Next: Play The Star Trek: First Contact Game

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