Star Trek: Discovery streams Thursdays via Paramount+ in the US. Here in the UK and internationally episodes air Fri-Sun at 9pm on PlutoTV and will be available to purchase on Digital platforms the same day.
Synopsis
After months spent reconnecting the Federation with distant worlds, Captain Michael Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery are sent to assist a damaged space station – a seemingly routine mission that reveals the existence of a terrifying new threat.
Review
“Kobayashi Maru” marks another huge turning point in the history of Star Trek: Discovery. Each year Discovery has opened strongly, always stepping up from its previous season. This year might just be the biggest leap towards reclaiming the Trek legacy that Discovery has ever taken.
Whilst I’ve enjoyed the series to-date there no mistaking the fact it hasn’t always had the strongest focus on character. Discovery is a show which tells huge scale stories in a Star Trek world, rather than exploring the galaxy through the eyes of its cast. It’s this chance in the fabric of Star Trek which has angered some fans right back to J.J. Abrams 2009 movie. But now, entering its fourth season, Discovery is striking a remarkable balance between character and action.
Never has this show embodied both sides of the franchise so clearly. “Kobayashi Maru” shows the ensemble cast working at their strongest amidst what is arguably their biggest story so far. With three seasons and a jump 900 years into the future under their belts, the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery is finally working as a well oiled machine. Written by the trio of Michelle Paradise, Jenny Lumet and Alex Kurtzman, the episode feels like a shining example of everything that contemporary Star Trek should be.
Critics of the so-called Kelvin Timeline movies pointed to a lack of discernible character in amongst the deluge of bright, reflective surfaces, pulse pounding action and, at times, confusing amounts of lens flare. Whilst Discovery hasn’t been quite so action-packed many of those criticisms have carried over.
Throughout “Kobayashi Maru” the newly minted Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) leans heavily on her entire bridge crew allowing the supporting cast to all play a major role in the main storyline. Though they have always been present, the bridge crew hasn’t always functioned like this and it is instantly evocative of all the crews who have come before them. If this is a signifier for the season ahead of us then Star Trek: Discovery is soaring out of the gate at warp speed.
This season the production has notably begun using the video wall technology made famous by The Mandalorian. It’s evident here during the Starfleet headquarters scenes which feel more grandiose. But it’s also clear just how much the visible environments impact on actors’ performances. Martin-Green, Mary Wiseman, Anthony Rapp and the rest of the crew certainly appear more steeped in the worlds around them and it positively impacts the episode.
The cold opening, mid-away mission is reminiscent of the opening of Star Trek Into Darkness. The VFX are, surprisingly, on the same level. Discovery has never looked as cinematic as it does in this episode. Though there are one or two CGI character moments which fall under par, the overall aesthetic of the series is massively enhanced by the technology in use. Alien worlds are immersive, creature designs are inspired and it feels like everyone is firing on all cylinders.
Verdict
Star Trek: Discovery returns with its strongest season opener to-date. The high-octane action we’ve come to know from the series is underpinned by a strong determination to connect with the core values of the Trek franchise.
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