I've been enjoying Star Trek since the 70s and even the most hardcore fan has to acknowledge that for all it has to offer, much of it is not for everyone. The success of Star Wars can be attributed in part to it's ownership of the non-sci-fi audience. Trek's tendency to be laden with backstory, techbabble, and hard science fiction elements can cause it to be less accessible. This has been my feeling so far about Star Trek: Discovery.
Until this episode.
The simplicity, humanity, humor, romance, and broadness of the story gives every character directly involved with it something interesting to feel and do. Rainn Wilson was born to play the part of the impish, campily vindictive, pirate-like, opportunist Harry Mudd. It's Groundhog Day in space. And, the sci-fi elements provide the context for the story, but don't interfere with it. It's just super entertaining. It's a genius-turn in writing to finally bring Tyler and Burnham together over and over, exploring their feelings for each other in different ways via a set of repeating circumstances. And, happy Stamets continues to bring me joy. I was also relieved there were NO KLINGONS in this one. Gads, they're annoying. My only gripe is that the lack of consequences for Mudd's actions made little sense.
The episode has been decried by some for borrowing the storytelling device from the TNG episode Cause and Effect. But, Cause and Effect did not originate it. And sheesh, it aired in 1992, folks. At what point can we call it an homage? This episode works so well, who cares anyway? This is super-fans complaining to super-fans, in my opinion. It's a non-issue.
This was the first episode I brought my non-fan +1 in on and she was hooked on the series immediately, which is a sign of resonant writing and not easily accomplished in an operatic series. Looking forward to more!
Until this episode.
The simplicity, humanity, humor, romance, and broadness of the story gives every character directly involved with it something interesting to feel and do. Rainn Wilson was born to play the part of the impish, campily vindictive, pirate-like, opportunist Harry Mudd. It's Groundhog Day in space. And, the sci-fi elements provide the context for the story, but don't interfere with it. It's just super entertaining. It's a genius-turn in writing to finally bring Tyler and Burnham together over and over, exploring their feelings for each other in different ways via a set of repeating circumstances. And, happy Stamets continues to bring me joy. I was also relieved there were NO KLINGONS in this one. Gads, they're annoying. My only gripe is that the lack of consequences for Mudd's actions made little sense.
The episode has been decried by some for borrowing the storytelling device from the TNG episode Cause and Effect. But, Cause and Effect did not originate it. And sheesh, it aired in 1992, folks. At what point can we call it an homage? This episode works so well, who cares anyway? This is super-fans complaining to super-fans, in my opinion. It's a non-issue.
This was the first episode I brought my non-fan +1 in on and she was hooked on the series immediately, which is a sign of resonant writing and not easily accomplished in an operatic series. Looking forward to more!