Spoilers Star Trek Academy [spoiler thread]

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

So far, I overall liked it. Not everything, but I am intrigued enough by the main character's "mission" and just seeing more of the Federation in the 31st century. We'll see where it goes.

I also like Holly Hunter's role, and it's nice to see Admiral Vance back.

 

[Stalker0]

One episode in, so far I'm enjoying it. The cadets were mostly likeable, I like the division betwen "academy mode" and "starship mode" in terms of operations. There's a strong emotional core that it establishes.

I think Arcade and the Villain's back and forth was a bit too cheesy, but other than it was a damn solid first episode.


As for the "shock collars" thing, as the recruiter for Arcade said....we are trying to get back to the pure proper federation. Which I think is a cool element of this time period that I hope they will continue. The federation was decimated, and in crisis like that you lose yourself and your morals. A lot of "unfederation like behavior" came out as a result. But while the guiding star dimmed it never went out, and now they use it to try and get back to the ideals of its former self.

That's a cool story, and allows a darker tone without being unfaithful to the cannon of the show. Ultimately this isn't the federation we are used to, and we may see some things that don't seem right on a star trek show....because their not and that's the point. But this culture is trying to get back to the federation we know and love, one rocky step at a time.

 

[Vael]

Right now I'd say I'm just a little lukewarm on Caleb. I dunno, the kids are all broad and standard school archetypes, and I'm gonna need some more nuance here.

Either that or it's just my age showing, 'cause I'm liking the teaching staff. Holly Hunter has great energy, glad to see Oded Fehr back and looking fine as Vance, Gina Yashere is funny ...

 

[Morrus]

I've changed the thread type to a poll just to guage folks' reaction. Very simple thumbs up thumbs down rating.

 

[Stalker0]

Second episode in. Continuing to like it. I really appreciate that they are actually using this new time period to create interesting new problems. Ok we are trying to rebuild the federation, how to bring the old gang back to the table. Things are familar but different, as was noted in teh negotations. Do we try to go back to exactly how it was, or do we need to build into something different?.... a very important argument that defines not just the plot of the show....but honestly Paramount's struggle with Star Trek itself.

I do think Caleb's "rebel actions" are getting a bit much, but as we saw at the end of this episode he is taking a step forward, and I think as long as they keep doing that I don't mind it....because its real behavior. You can't expect a kid who has had to bypass the system his entire life to just get with the program in one fell swoop.

I will say, moving the Federation capital is a MASSIVE thing, I knew Betazed was important but hot damn. I guess the notion taht with Betazed might come 20-30 other worlds was just that important.

My only plot question with this epsiode. When they found Caleb and the Betazed girl, they acted like they had done something massively wrong. I'm not sure what the problem was though, I mean yes they were clearly liking each other but hadn't done anything "inappropriate", and with the security on the campus they should have know where they both were at all times. They acted like they violated some great edict or something.

 

[Morrus]

I’m me thing that is bugging me is the CGI floating robots all over the place. Not only are there too many of them, they don’t work right—they don’t interact with the actors and scenery correctly so they stand out like sore thumbs. It’s like some of the shoddy Star Wars special edition additions, but somehow even worse.

But that’s a minor thing and I’m sure it’ll get better. TNG had some really ropey effects in early seasons too.

 

[Willie the Duck]

online discourse around it has been... divisive.

So business as usual regarding Star Trek.

Makes you wonder, with that big a time skip, is there any value to it being a Star Trek story beyond name recognition?

I'm thinking the more likely situation is that the time skip won't have a lot of value over a 50-100 year time skip (just enough to reshuffle who is aligned with who). If Discovery had jumped forward to 2460 (about 50 years after Picard) and said the galactic collapse happened then, this could have been set in 2470 instead.

 

[Vael]

I’m me thing that is bugging me is the CGI floating robots all over the place. Not only are there too many of them, they don’t work right—they don’t interact with the actors and scenery correctly so they stand out like sore thumbs. It’s like some of the shoddy Star Wars special edition additions, but somehow even worse.

But that’s a minor thing and I’m sure it’ll get better. TNG had some really ropey effects in early seasons too.

The campus scenes are almost too busy. Like, I enjoy seeing Exo-comps that aren't Peanut Hamper and the Dots are fun, but there is a lot going on, and it's sometimes less "Feast for the eyes" and more "too much visual noise".

 

[Zaukrie]

Episode one was good, and Stephen Miller hates it, so I might need to subscribe and watch it.

 

[Ryujin]

Interesting Easter Egg, early in Episode 2, but I thought that the Charonites were extinct.

EDIT - The opening scenes from episode 1 reminded me of "Dark Matter" or "Killjoys." The opening credits of episode 2 are essentially "The Expanse."