Change Your Image
micahmcbay
Reviews
Star Trek: Discovery: Choose to Live (2021)
Go Back to Basics
I have no issues with the supposed "wokeness" of the show. I love Gray and Adira and I'm glad to see them represented on the show. My issue with this incarnation of Trek is the radical departure from key elements that made the show work for over fifty years. What we all loved about Trek was the family of characters that faced different situations each week. Sometimes those situations were dangerous, serious, and deadly. Other times the situations were comical or light-hearted. Discovery has spent some time creating the family dynamic between the characters, but in abandoning the episodic approach that was the backbone of Star Trek we've lost the multiple character development episodes needed to help us connect to and love the characters.
Give us episodes and not these long, drawn-out galaxy threatening stories. It's also a bit ridiculous that this crew is continuously the only group that can save the entire galaxy. Yes, that is something of a trope in Trek and almost every crew had that opportunity, but every freaking season? Come on. I want to see an episode about Tilly, and another about Detmer and Owosekun and why they're such good friends, and explore the relationship between Stamets and Dr. Culber, and give us another episode showing Saru in his homeworld.
As for this specific episode, that J'Vini wouldn't simply ask for the dilithium from the Federation is nonsense. Her excuse for not asking? She didn't want to reveal the existence of this species to keep them safe. From what?? Non-interference with other species is LITERALLY THE PRIME DIRECTIVE of Starfleet. Also, the species is clearly technologically advanced so the Federation is exactly who she should want to connect them to so that they would have support as they rebuild their society on their new homeworld. It's just stupid writing from people who are either attempting to be different simply to be "edgy", or have no clue about what makes Trek work.
I want to like this show. There are a lot of positives here. Yes, it's still Trek in some format, but not like all the other Treks that came before. And for me, and apparently lots of others, why mess with the basic formula that worked for every other iteration? Bring in new characters, give us interesting stories, that's all great...but please take this show back to the episodic formula that works. My guess is that when Strange New Worlds premieres and follows that original formula it will push Discovery to close...and that's a shame because there are some solid and important characters on this show that I want to see stay in the Trek universe and learn more about. Fix it please.
The Rest I Make Up (2018)
Lovely and Inspiring Documentary
This beautiful documentary presents a moving picture of Maria Irene Fornes, one of the unsung heroes of the Off-off Broadway movement of the 1960s and a powerful playwright and educator. Anyone interested in history, the arts, theatre, and the power of women to bring lasting change should take time to enjoy this piece created by Michelle Memran. You will be inspired to continue your own journey of creation by watching Michelle and Irene.