‘Star Trek: Discovery’ is slowly making its way to the small screen, and every new piece of information of visual look fans get at the series seems to divide Trekkies ever further. Will it be a bold new look at and direction for the franchise? Or does it seem like a “money grab” on CBS’ part of simply bastardizing the franchise?
We won’t know for sure until ‘Discovery’ hits the airwaves this Fall (relatively speaking, of course, as only the first episode or two will actually air on the CBS network before the series moves to their streaming-only All Access service for the remainder of the run), but co-showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen J. Berg have recently spoke in an interview about ‘Discovery’ moving away from a decades-old Trek “golden rule.”
Gene Roddenberry, the late creator of the franchise, has long been adamant that Starfleet crew members do not have any major conflict amongst themselves in the shows. While often a source of contention to the writers and creative powers-that-be working on the various TV installments of ‘Star Trek’ throughout the years, it is what it is: a direct mandate from the creator, and one that Trek TV has worked to live by. Now, however, ‘Discovery’ is essentially throwing all that out the window. As Harberts explains:
“We’re trying to do stories that are complicated, with characters with strong points of view and strong passions. People have to make mistakes — mistakes are still going to be made in the future. We’re still going to argue in the future. The thing we’re taking from Roddenberry is how we solve those conflicts. 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.”
Berg chimed in, because you know, co-showrunner and all:
“The rules of Starfleet remain the same. But while we’re human or alien in various ways, none of us are perfect.”
What do you think, readers? Will this change help strengthen the storytelling options for ‘Star Trek: Discovery,” or will it dilute the brand that Trek has worked hard to create? Sound off in the comments below!
