Originally Posted by : The Next Chapter of the Legendary “Star Trek” TV Franchise Will Premiere on the CBS Television Network, Then Move to CBS All Access Digital Subscription Service
Alex Kurtzman, Co-Writer and Producer of the Blockbuster Films
“Star Trek” and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” to Executive Produce
CBS Studios International to Distribute the Series Globally
For Television and Multiple Platforms
STUDIO CITY, CALIF. AND NEW YORK, N.Y. – Nov. 2, 2015 – CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new “Star Trek” television series in January 2017. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.
The next chapter of the “Star Trek” franchise will also be distributed concurrently for television and multiple platforms around the world by CBS Studios International.
The new program will be the first original series developed specifically for U.S. audiences for CBS All Access, a cross-platform streaming service that brings viewers thousands of episodes from CBS’s current and past seasons on demand, plus the ability to stream their local CBS Television station live for $5.99 per month. CBS All Access already offers every episode of all previous “Star Trek” television series.
The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.
Alex Kurtzman will serve as executive producer for the new “Star Trek” TV series. Kurtzman co-wrote and produced the blockbuster films “Star Trek” (2009) with Roberto Orci, and “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) with Orci and Damon Lindelof. Both films were produced and directed by J.J. Abrams.
The new series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout. Kurtzman and Heather Kadin will serve as executive producers. Kurtzman is also an executive producer for the hit CBS television series SCORPION and LIMITLESS, along with Kadin and Orci, and for HAWAII FIVE-0 with Orci.
“Star Trek,” which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, is one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. The original “Star Trek” spawned a dozen feature films and five successful television series. Almost half a century later, the “Star Trek” television series are licensed on a variety of different platforms in more than 190 countries, and the franchise still generates more than a billion social media impressions every month.
Born from the mind of Gene Roddenberry, the original “Star Trek” series debuted on Sept. 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons – a short run that belied the influence it would have for generations. The series also broke new ground in storytelling and cultural mores, providing a progressive look at topics including race relations, global politics and the environment.
“There is no better time to give ‘Star Trek’ fans a new series than on the heels of the original show’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. “Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we’re excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately.”
“This new series will premiere to the national CBS audience, then boldly go where no first-run ‘Star Trek’ series has gone before – directly to its millions of fans through CBS All Access,” said Marc DeBevoise, Executive Vice President/General Manager – CBS Digital Media. “We’ve experienced terrific growth for CBS All Access, expanding the service across affiliates and devices in a very short time. We now have an incredible opportunity to accelerate this growth with the iconic ‘Star Trek,’ and its devoted and passionate fan base, as our first original series.”
“Every day, an episode of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise is seen in almost every country in the world,” said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Global Distribution Group. “We can’t wait to introduce ‘Star Trek’s’ next voyage on television to its vast global fan base.”
CBS All Access offers its customers more than 7,500 episodes from the current television season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand nationwide, as well as the ability to stream local CBS stations live in more than 110 markets. Subscribers can use the service online and across devices via CBS.com, the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, as well as on connected devices such as Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku players and Roku TV, with more connected devices to come.
The new television series is not related to the upcoming feature film “Star Trek Beyond,” which is scheduled to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2016
Tangentially You can also see one of my favorite bits of Star Trek trivia on there, which is that The Wrath of Khan is set 12 years after The Motion Picture. It's generally accepted (but not canon) that after TMP Kirk had a second 5 year mission, and then Spock was captain for another 5 year mission after that. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Frazod:
This show keeps getting better and better. Really enjoyed tonight's episode. :-)
Finally got around to binge watching this season. Way better than last season. Special effects were better. Brought back Spock and Captain Pike. Better story. That last battle and episode was the best one of the series.
How did they up the quality of the show? Did they change show runners? [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Finally got around to binge watching this season. Way better than last season. Special effects were better. Brought back Spock and Captain Pike. Better story. That last battle and episode was the best one of the series.
How did they up the quality of the show? Did they change show runners?
I think they finally realized that they needed to stop pissing on their core fanbase. They gave us some familiar characters, and an Enterprise that, while updated, honored the look and feel of the original.
I wouldn't have watched another season of Burnam's gurlpower set in an unrecognizable universe. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
Finally got around to binge watching this season. Way better than last season. Special effects were better. Brought back Spock and Captain Pike. Better story. That last battle and episode was the best one of the series.
How did they up the quality of the show? Did they change show runners?
They moved on from whatever plot outline Fuller was angling for and they successfully used Pike and Spock with more nuance and care than Berman and Braga ever would have. [Reply]
I never did pull the trigger on the all access with season one, but you guys have convinced me to give season 2 a shot. Plus, with the Picard show on its way, might as well get all I can out of it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bowser:
I never did pull the trigger on the all access with season one, but you guys have convinced me to give season 2 a shot. Plus, with the Picard show on its way, might as well get all I can out of it.
Just watch Season 2. I can think of no reason to endure Season 1. I'll give you a small synopsis if you'd like.
Yeah, that's the plan. When you get the serious Trek fan saying WTF IS THIS SHIT to Season 1, I'll just give it the X-Men 3 treatment.
I'll admit the first thing I thought of when I learned what a Spore Drive was is how that thing might have been some use to Janeway and Voyager, lol. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bowser:
Yeah, that's the plan. When you get the serious Trek fan saying WTF IS THIS SHIT to Season 1, I'll just give it the X-Men 3 treatment.
I'll admit the first thing I thought of when I learned what a Spore Drive was is how that thing might have been some use to Janeway and Voyager, lol.
Here's what you need to know.
Burnham's parents died. She was raised by Sarek and Amanda as a ward, and grew up with Spock.
She got in trouble early in Season 1. Later she got out of trouble. She's basically Rey from Star Wars, with science instead of the force. She will solve your problems, Mr. Man, and don't you forget it.
Michele Yeoh's character (Georgiou) is the mirror universe counterpart of Burnham's mentor, who is dead. Burnham's mirror was Georgiou's protege. So even though mirror Georgiou is a more than a bit on the twisted side, they still have a mother-daughter bond going on. A recurring character and now member of Section 31. Lots of fun.
Stamets, the chief engineer, has to physically hook into the "spore drive" to allow Discovery to jump instantly from place to place. I don't remember why; something about some sort of space hippo. It doesn't really matter. I mainly try to block out scenes with Stamets, who is basically the gay Jar Jar of Star Trek. Every episode I hoped he'd die. He didn't.
Tilly is the living avatar for every fat ugly nerd chick with bad hair that loves Star Trek. She starts to grow on you eventually. Not nearly as annoying as Stamets.
Ash is a Klingon altered to look human and is now sort of a conflicted double agent type. Burnham has the hots for him. The Klingon chancellor has the hots for him. Basically he's just kind of there.
Suru is sort of Discovery's captain/XO/whatever depending on the situation. He's probably the least annoying regular cast member.
Can't remember the names of any of the rest of the Discovery bridge crew. They're mainly just cardboard cutouts that occasionally speak.
On the other hand....
PIKE IS AWESOME
THE ENTERPRISE IS AWESOME
NUMBER ONE IS SMOKING HOT AND AWESOME
THE TIE IN WITH THE ORIGINAL PILOT IS AWESOME
Spock is a bit off, but he grows on you, and eventually becomes mostly awesome.
If anybody else can think of anything to add, feel free. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Frazod:
Here's what you need to know.
Burnham's parents died. She was raised by Sarek and Amanda as a ward, and grew up with Spock.
She got in trouble early in Season 1. Later she got out of trouble. She's basically Rey from Star Wars, with science instead of the force. She will solve your problems, Mr. Man, and don't you forget it.
Michele Yeoh's character (Georgiou) is the mirror universe counterpart of Burnham's mentor, who is dead. Burnham's mirror was Georgiou's protege. So even though mirror Georgiou is a more than a bit on the twisted side, they still have a mother-daughter bond going on. A recurring character and now member of Section 31. Lots of fun.
Stamets, the chief engineer, has to physically hook into the "spore drive" to allow Discovery to jump instantly from place to place. I don't remember why; something about some sort of space hippo. It doesn't really matter. I mainly try to block out scenes with Stamets, who is basically the gay Jar Jar of Star Trek. Every episode I hoped he'd die. He didn't.
Tilly is the living avatar for every fat ugly nerd chick with bad hair that loves Star Trek. She starts to grow on you eventually. Not nearly as annoying as Stamets.
Ash is a Klingon altered to look human and is now sort of a conflicted double agent type. Burnham has the hots for him. The Klingon chancellor has the hots for him. Basically he's just kind of there.
Suru is sort of Discovery's captain/XO/whatever depending on the situation. He's probably the least annoying regular cast member.
Can't remember the names of any of the rest of the Discovery bridge crew. They're mainly just cardboard cutouts that occasionally speak.
On the other hand....
PIKE IS AWESOME
THE ENTERPRISE IS AWESOME
NUMBER ONE IS SMOKING HOT AND AWESOME
THE TIE IN WITH THE ORIGINAL PILOT IS AWESOME
Spock is a bit off, but he grows on you, and eventually becomes mostly awesome.
If anybody else can think of anything to add, feel free.
Fraz you forgot to sum up Lorca who was the highlight of season 1.
Stammets (named after a real life mycologist) is needed for the fungus drive because only an organic being has the computing capacity (for the 23rd century) to sift through the navigational data to make accurate fungus drive jumps. He serves mainly as a friendly foil to Tilly, the continued romantic plotline between himself and Junior Medical Officer (aside: I love they made the main cast doctor not the CMO) Dr. Culber and as Basil Exposition when the script doesn't logically call for either Michael or Tilly to fill that role.
Saru is from a race of technologically primitive herbivore pacifists who manages to scrap together tech (through his genius) and circumvents the Prime Directive to get rescued from his homeworld by prime Georgiou.
The rest of the bridge crew is made more relevant (ish) in season 2, but basically they're all a bunch of TNG season 2-6 Miles O'Briens.
Also a reminder: pay for CBS all access through Prime and not its native application. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower:
Fraz you forgot to sum up Lorca who was the highlight of season 1.
Stammets (named after a real life mycologist) is needed for the fungus drive because only an organic being has the computing capacity (for the 23rd century) to sift through the navigational data to make accurate fungus drive jumps. He serves mainly as a friendly foil to Tilly, the continued romantic plotline between himself and Junior Medical Officer (aside: I love they made the main cast doctor not the CMO) Dr. Culber and as Basil Exposition when the script doesn't logically call for either Michael or Tilly to fill that role.
Saru is from a race of technologically primitive herbivore pacifists who manages to scrap together tech (through his genius) and circumvents the Prime Directive to get rescued from his homeworld by prime Georgiou.
The rest of the bridge crew is made more relevant (ish) in season 2, but basically they're all a bunch of TNG season 2-6 Miles O'Briens.
Also a reminder: pay for CBS all access through Prime and not its native application.
Lorca was the highlight of Season 1, but doesn't factor into Season 2 at all. That's the only reason I didn't mention him.
