You know you're an absolute Trek nerd when you get goose bumps about the prime directive. I got the same feeling when Archer gave his prime directive speech in enterprise.
@@JackBurton.Trucking - You can set the bar as high as you like. This was a great pilot episode. They knew before making the episode that this is what the audience wants.
The bit when Spock changes back to his normal form, screams from the pain, and then stands back up totally dead-pan had me cracking up. I cannot remember a time that Star Trek made me laugh that hard
The biggest UP for me-Spock’s retinal scan failing in the same place where my wedding photos were taken! Filmed on the campus where I met my husband with our photos taken there…I had to rewind to check. I’ve recognized many Toronto landmarks but that was just super cool!
You missed a great classic sci fi reference, when Pike is talking with La'an onboard Starbase One he talks about the habitat domes on board Starbase One that scientists had launched during WWIII to preserve Earth's plant life. This was an obvious nod to the 1972 film "Silent Running" with Bruce Dern and directed by Douglas Trumbull, who went on to become the Visual Effects Supervisor for Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
It's funny to see the community agree on this one so much. I feel the same. It was a great pilot, the characters felt great. The episode (and second too) feel like Star Trek again. They dialed down the effects a bit and the tech feels more grounded but with upgraded effects and budget. I like this Enterprise a lot. The Engine room seems to look very different (more like after the refit) but great. But boy, the first two episodes were just plain fun. I hope it will continue like this. I like all the characters and I agree that one can feel the chemistry between them.
For One Reason, this is the episode all Star Trek has waited for: The one one hour thing you can show to anyone to introduce them to "See? This is Star Trek!" Perfektly, on point! Well, done everyone!
After this first episode I’m not surprised that they already cleared a season 2 before the show even aired. This is the Star Trek I was hoping we could get for enterprise
I like Discovery and Picard too, but also this one is more rounded and enjoyable like individual episode-adventures. Something I love in this type of shows, not only Start Trek, but also, for example, Stargate.
I assumed the "Number One" gag with both responding was a callback to the TNG episode "Disaster" where Picard is trapped in a turbolift with three children and gives them ranks to help ease their minds and work together. After declaring Marissa his First Officer, he calls her Number One throughout the episode, leading up to the amusing ending where he gives Riker an order, calling him Number One as always and both Riker and Marissa respond "Aye, Sir."
1:54 - As someone who currently holds a clearance, I can tell you that the security folks do stress that there is a difference between having a high enough clearance and something called "need to know." Basically, it doesn't matter how high a clearance you hold, if you don't have a need to know, you're basically not authorized to access the information.
Thank you. It annoys me when people go “oh but they have a higher security clearance or a higher rank, they must be told” ummm, no, sometimes a ensign knows more than a admiral and cannot say anything to said admiral.
Anson Mount's warm delivery as Captain Pike aboard Discovery sold me on the potential for SNW being a great show. The episode 1 scene where La'an apologizes to Pike for not earlier telling of her connection to Una recaptured that magic. "Tell me about it now," he replies. Pike is so disarming. Anson Mount "had me at hello". I look forward to the rest of the series.
I love how Pike's personal dilemma reflects the one he had way back in "The Cage", when he was also considering resigning from Starfleet. Dr. Boyce tells him in that episode, "A man either lives life as it happens to him - meets it head-on and licks it - or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away" - pretty much exactly the choice Pike has to make here.
"Now you're beginning to talk like a doctor, bartender." "Well, you take your choice; we both get the same two kinds of customers: the living...and the dying."
This first episode was incredible. One other point I have to make: the uniforms are so good! It's clear that they are basically just the TOS uniforms, but subtly updated to maintain SNW's modernized look, and I am absolutely here for it!
The TOS uniforms did not come into service till after the second pilot episode Where no man has gone before so during pikes time as captain of the enterprise they did not wear the TOS uniform. In the second pilot where kirk is now captain the crew are still wearing the older uniforms that were first seen in the cage, The uniforms had 3 colours, Gold, Blue and Beige, The beige colour was replaced with Red when the uniform was finally changed to the TOS uniform that we all know and love.
@@russelldeck4168 I genuinely didn't remember that they were the same in the second pilot, but either way I was actually referring to the overall aesthetic and how I appreciated the fact that it managed to walk a line between looking modern and fitting into the TOS era. I was not trying to suggest that they were actually the same uniform.
There's an interesting parallel between La'an Noonien-Singh and Burnham. They both survived attacks from aggressive alien races. They both also identify the threat immediately in the first episode.
I am an original series man from way back! I watched it when it was airing for the first time way back in the 60s (yes, I am old.) THIS is Star Trek! I actually shed a few tears watching this... tears of joy!
This episode reminded me of a sci fi tv show about space explorers I used to watch. It was fun, exciting, and thought provoking. It had the beginnings of development for several characters. It left me wanting (not wondering) more. I loved it. It’s been many years since I’ve seen a show like this.
Comfortably familiar, exhilaratingly new. That’s how I feel about this series. They crew has that same bond that TOS and TNG had. Love it! So excited for this season and this show!
@@tubeguy4066 except for the fact it TOTALY could. Also , let’s be clear , they weren’t “protests.” They broke into the building , almost got to the senate chamber, destroyed , defected in the halls , looted things ….
@@tubeguy4066 they just showed a picture of the protest. if there's ww3 there's bound to be protests. I think you may be looking into it too much, or you're seeing what you want to see because you want to be mad.
Pilots are always weak when looking back over the season or multiple seasons. This is one of the best pilots I’ve ever seen of any show. I really felt like I was watching an episode from the second or third season. If the pilot is this strong I have very high hopes for the feast of the season and beyond
@@Sonlirain True, but at least these episodes will be more episodic so they basically get a do over every episode instead of being stuck trying to continue the story after a wrong turn.
Regarding the eugenics wars. They’re basically moving them. The research was done in 1996 (and possibly cancelled) to maintain the year mentioned in TOS, but the Picard finale is hinting that Soong is going to start it back up or finish it after the Season 2 events, thus pushing back the Eugenics War.
Soong just lost all the digital data of his genetic research. The old Project Khan file was likely the (space) seed of all his work. Returning to this hard copy document is his desperate way of going back to the drawing board.
Fingers crossed that the rest of the season stacks up to this wonderful start to a new star-trek! No downs, no major canon violations, episodic in nature with cautionary tales presented optimistically and a cast that really jelled right from day one. Great job, great start, hope to see this trend continue!!! Thanks for the video TrekCulture, you folks rock!
That discussion about security clearances makes a lot of sense - just because you have a given level of clearance does not mean you can just access anything classified at or below that level - you still need to have the "need to know". So she might have a higher clearance than Pike but she's not been read into everything around Discovery.
One other connection I thought of: those domed biosphere that were sent into space at the start of WW3.... didn't that remind anyone of Silent Running? Have they incorporated that film into Star Trek lore? :D
I loved this episode. I thought it felt Star Trek, it felt perfect. The set, the story, the characters, the scenes, the music - it was spot on. Your point about Pike not raising his voice but getting his way was spot on. The one thing I will say that had me going "huh?" was the time factor of Spock on Vulcan and then on Earth in what was like day. I thought it would take longer. But I can whatever that scene as things around it were great. I don't own Paramount+ so its going to be hard to watch this but this was awesome.
Even if quality tanks after this, SNW gave me that glimmer of hope for the first time since Enterprise was canned, and for that alone I will always love that episode.
It feels like a return to 1968 and TOS gets renewed for another full season with Roddenberry still at the helm. More exploring and less space battles. Well maybe just a couple.
2 things I noticed: 1. M’Benga is wearing the shiny McCoy style shirt that velcros close at the right shoulder & 2. every time they beam, they use The Cage transporter sound effect. In addition, Mitchell could be a nod to Gary Mitchell from TOS’s Where No Man Has Gone Before…
Giving Chapel credit for the "disguise" treatment (a long-lived Trek trope) was a nice touch. Still waiting for Spock to raise his right eyebrow, though. 🙂🖖
I loved the Vulcan "flirting" and "teasing" that is shown. My only problem was their kiss. It should have been the two-finger touch like in TOS with the same reaction from the waiter.
Sarek and Amanda do the two finger touch all the time even at diplomatic functions, so no it should not have been done here to represent Spock and T'Pring's youthful exuberance of being engaged. If they just did the touch, the waiter wouldnt have gotten cranky.
Absolutely loved this. Such a great pilot. StarTrek has been a part of my life since I was born into this strange world. I have loved every version of the shows and movies. Hands down this is the best pilot and certainly most like the original show. This is going to be such a great adventure
I was about to point out that Janeway absolutely did take Voyager into a low orbit over Earth that time they were thrown into the 1990s, but in reflection I believe it was actually Harry Kim in the chair at the time, so, fair enough.
The fact that it was not an orbit--that nobody involved in the production seemed to know or care what an orbit is--made me feel comfortable and happy. Like coming home from school and realizing that the apartment you grew up in has always smelled like cabbage, but that cabbage smells like home.
Have watched it twice already, will be watching it again and again and again until episode 2! It will be burned into my screens! Just awesome new classic feel good lift your spirits TREK!! YES TO STRANGE NEW WORLDS! Just feels so familiar!
To be fair though, Discovery was the first New Trek show to be created. It was probably the hardest one to land a homerun on. SNW had the whole second season of Disco to use Spock and Pike to get the feel and what the fans liked and disliked.
Pike's cottage (his horses, and 50 miles of park land) was a reference to The Menagerie, when Pike was taking with Dr. Boyce when Pike was thinking about quitting after what had happen before at Rigel 7, and how he is tired from the responsibility of the lives on the ship.
I have another huge up: the bridge set. It doesn't look like a holo mess with neon lights and stuff. It looks like a reimagination of the original Enterprise bridge and I love it.
Also... Pike's speach on the planet gave me the feels.. my eyes may have even become a little glassy. ... This is what Star Trek is like when its at its best.
This was, possibly, the most satisfying, fun episode of Star Trek to date. The numbers in the video don't lie. I don't know what the writing staff is doing for this show, but they need to keep doing it, whatever it is. Copy pasted from another video: When Pike said, basically "Screw the rules" my reaction was YEEAHA! and finger guns. I like most Trek, don't mind it if it doesn't get too dark, but this was an awesome out-of-the-gate experience. No bad acting, it was like the whole cast had been playing these parts for years. I only had a slight issue with Noonian-Singh, trying to decide if she's a Mary-Sue or not, but I loved her otherwise. (She took the pain from the transformation and thought on her feet. She done earned that spot as security chief!) I guess time will tell. Can't wait for the next episode. I know the entire series will be "woke", which isn't my favorite, but most shows are now. Also, bonus points to Uhura's cool, conversational head with the native species. Cuuuuute moment. ^_^ I'll want to see more like that. (I will take it gladly over Disco's severed heads moment. Eww.) ----------------------------- Meaningless to most people, but that was a beautiful horse in the opening scene! Kyle is my new woobie/eye candy. I have fallen in luv with Spock again, beard or no beard. That voice! He could be reading an instruction manual for a nuclear power operation system and I'd be enthralled. (Oddly, his face isn't that hot for me, but it's details. Too bad he'll never have stubble, but maybe we'll get that OG mirror universe Spock with the beard back this time around? Holla!) Pike needs to stop being such a dang charming smooth operator. Haha, nah, he does. Half the males on the crew can be my new biases, why not? Hemmer, get over here! XD (When Paul Wesley gets on this ship, I am going to lose my mind. Been drooling over him for like a decade, but never watched him in anything because it was nothing I liked.) I want to see more of Singh and Callaway, and more Singh and Number one interactions. We stan a good mentor story!! Might come back to this later. Great start, can't half believe some people didn't like it!!
It was an OK episode. Great by new trek standards. The dialogue is.. Better.. But still forced and unnatural. Almost as if the writers have never really engaged in a face to face conversation before. Time will tell if they can really pull it together and make these people seem like real people.
The "Number 1" gag was a call back to TNG S5E5 Disaster where at the end Picard said something to "Number 1" and both Riker and the girl he designated as Number 1 responded.
Don't forget that Lt. Kyle was often at the Enterprise's transporter controls in TOS, later rising to the rank of Commander and serving as comms officer on the Reliant under Capt. Terrell.
Sean, we need an answer to this. Is this an ethnic recasting like April or a new character with coincidentally the same name? Both were transporter chief. It seems unlikely to be a new person with the same last name and position when Dr. M'Benga, Nurse Chapel, Sam Kirk, Admiral April and Cadet Uhura are all returning characters.
Loved this ep….lovin’ Anson Mount’s Pike…it’s little things they throw in that tickle me…. “Hope we didn’t catch anyone with ur hair wet or ur pants down” & they show the bridge crew smirking…epic…. I loooooove the spin they put on the title theme for the opening credits too….that drum beat as the music builds…perfect !! Love the vids Sean & team…& g’day from Down Under LL&P to all….stay safe
This is what happens when they listen to the fans and make the show THEY want, absolutely superb and although she has only been on screen a little, Uhura is fantastic.
No the picard and SNW fit perfectly. The trick is dealing with the fact that we are now past the TOS dates for the eugenics wars by setting a date clearly in the 2030s and 40s for the eugenics wars. Matches with enterprise as well
Genuinely enjoyed the first two episodes and it's great to see the community seemingly in agreement on how good it has started. It "feels" like a Trek show and the speech Pike gave at the end of the pilot was Trek all over. Hoping it goes on to be very successful.
I started watching this really being prepared to hate it. I was wrong. The ten year old me would have been delighted with this episode. Well done to all connected with this - superb!
Am I the only person who thinks it's a shame they didn't have Rebecca Romijn play dual roles as both Number One AND Christine Chapel? As a tribute to the late Majel Barrett.
I think it'd be more amusing if people keep saying they look alike. Especially in situations where they very clearly can't...ie injuries changes in hair etc.
I loved it. Been watching TREK since it premiered, in glorious 12" B&W when I was 5, so I caught a lot of the Easter Eggs and references. Thank you for expanding on the padd and the starchart. That was cool. Looking forward to subsequent episodes!
I dont generally care for prequels (didn't even watch DIS until they went into the future - love it, btw) but the did GREAT!!! That episode was simply phenomenal!!
Downs - They figured out warp (antimatter?) via brief telescopic observation. That's pretty much it for my downs. This was a stellar first episode that used all our collective knowledge from TOS/TAS/Disco to great effect. The cast were all great, and the feel, vibe, whatever was tremendous. I don't watch Disco anymore, and I grumble/eye roll through Picard. This on the other hand, well done.
We can make and store antimatter right now with current technology. There's no reason to assume that that civilization hasn't already advanced in that direction, too. Perhaps they only needed to make the connection between antimatter and warp fields.
I just noticed a sort of Easter egg. I feel that when April told Pike, we need you, it was a callback of The Undiscovered Country when they needed Kirk for the Klingon negotiation. As I said, it's not exactly an Easter egg, but it is a very similar situation.
I was so pleased they did something interesting with Chapel. She's been a fixture in the ST universe. It's long past time she got some fun character development.
Not sure if it was intentional, but when La'an suggested raising shields, I felt a throwback to Wrath of Kahn with the camera play between her, Pike and Spoke being very reminiscent of Saavik, Kirk and Spock.
This pilot was beautiful. Pike's speech on the planet (after he smoothly beamed in and stood between the 2 leaders) pulled my heart strings a bit - almost like preempting what could happen in years to come but also as though it was a message to the world today to stop what could be from happening. 🥲
It is, what Star Trek does best. I think that's what has been missing from Discovery and to a certain extent Picard, bringing it back to a reflection of the things happening today and being a hell of alot more grounded :)
So impressed! Can't wait for more! Sean, thanks for the planet names listed...must have taken quite a while to get that down (and used more pages in your book!).
"They're calling it the Prime Directive."
"Oh, that'll never stick."
You know you're an absolute Trek nerd when you get goose bumps about the prime directive. I got the same feeling when Archer gave his prime directive speech in enterprise.
I audibly laughed and said “wrooong” at this moment. I love it. So good
I do find it incredibly ironic that a Noonien Singh saved the Enterprise by ordering the shields to be raised.
It wasnt Kirk caught with his pants down this time!
Great catch there :)
You got it! 😉
This was one of the best, if not the best, episode of modern Trek we've gotten so far. Incredible episode.
Amen brother👍👍👍 100% agreed
That bar is soo low I cant but in good conscience agree, it was entirely not terrible
@@JackBurton.Trucking - You can set the bar as high as you like. This was a great pilot episode. They knew before making the episode that this is what the audience wants.
Totally agree.
I didn't like it, but I guess I'm in the minority here. I'll stay tuned.
The bit when Spock changes back to his normal form, screams from the pain, and then stands back up totally dead-pan had me cracking up. I cannot remember a time that Star Trek made me laugh that hard
It was a Horta-style scream...PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIINNNNNNN!!! :D
"The pain is unbearable."
"Wha--...?"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
"Oh."
Very Spock in response. He would only let his emotional state through if it was completely beyond him to stop it.
The whole series is an absolute disgrace to the positive, open-minded, diverse, creative and visionary Star Trek from the 1960s.
The biggest UP for me-Spock’s retinal scan failing in the same place where my wedding photos were taken! Filmed on the campus where I met my husband with our photos taken there…I had to rewind to check. I’ve recognized many Toronto landmarks but that was just super cool!
Oh thats so cool! And belated congratulations!
So cool.
I grew up in Mississauga and know the GTA quite well. It's absolutely awesome knowing there filming 2 Trek series in our home town!!🤘😊🖖🇨🇦
You missed a great classic sci fi reference, when Pike is talking with La'an onboard Starbase One he talks about the habitat domes on board Starbase One that scientists had launched during WWIII to preserve Earth's plant life.
This was an obvious nod to the 1972 film "Silent Running" with Bruce Dern and directed by Douglas Trumbull, who went on to become the Visual Effects Supervisor for Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
One of my fave movies!
It's funny to see the community agree on this one so much. I feel the same. It was a great pilot, the characters felt great. The episode (and second too) feel like Star Trek again.
They dialed down the effects a bit and the tech feels more grounded but with upgraded effects and budget. I like this Enterprise a lot. The Engine room seems to look very different (more like after the refit) but great.
But boy, the first two episodes were just plain fun. I hope it will continue like this. I like all the characters and I agree that one can feel the chemistry between them.
For One Reason, this is the episode all Star Trek has waited for: The one one hour thing you can show to anyone to introduce them to "See? This is Star Trek!" Perfektly, on point! Well, done everyone!
After this first episode I’m not surprised that they already cleared a season 2 before the show even aired.
This is the Star Trek I was hoping we could get for enterprise
I just watched picard's final. After that, ı watched that. I yelled at home THİS İS THE STAR TREK.
@@ertuncozvural yes it is
@@Peaceforall20111 Season 2 Picard was so bad, we should move on and forget that happened
@@ertuncozvural i mean season 1 was terrible.
@@skipper4126 Season 1 was okey. At least, Borgs werent more friendly than vulcans.
I felt like I was finally watching star trek again. Discovery and Picard are ok, but this really scratched that itch and it was so refreshing
Picard is ok... Discovery sucks... I agree with you about SNW
I like Discovery and Picard too, but also this one is more rounded and enjoyable like individual episode-adventures. Something I love in this type of shows, not only Start Trek, but also, for example, Stargate.
I assumed the "Number One" gag with both responding was a callback to the TNG episode "Disaster" where Picard is trapped in a turbolift with three children and gives them ranks to help ease their minds and work together. After declaring Marissa his First Officer, he calls her Number One throughout the episode, leading up to the amusing ending where he gives Riker an order, calling him Number One as always and both Riker and Marissa respond "Aye, Sir."
I haven’t watched that episode since first run but remember it fondly. Good spot.
This was so good I shed a tear because I saw that great Trek is still possible. I hope they keep the awesomeness going
I was right there with you. It felt light and hopeful and I found myself wishing the episode were longer. I really hope they don't screw it up.
HAHAHAHA omg that's hilarious🤣🤣🤣
1:54 - As someone who currently holds a clearance, I can tell you that the security folks do stress that there is a difference between having a high enough clearance and something called "need to know." Basically, it doesn't matter how high a clearance you hold, if you don't have a need to know, you're basically not authorized to access the information.
Thank you. It annoys me when people go “oh but they have a higher security clearance or a higher rank, they must be told” ummm, no, sometimes a ensign knows more than a admiral and cannot say anything to said admiral.
Need to know beats "I have I high clearance" every time.
That actually makes sense.
Hewy dewy and lewy?
@@TTony-tu6dm - I think you replied to the wrong comment.
Anson Mount's warm delivery as Captain Pike aboard Discovery sold me on the potential for SNW being a great show. The episode 1 scene where La'an apologizes to Pike for not earlier telling of her connection to Una recaptured that magic. "Tell me about it now," he replies. Pike is so disarming. Anson Mount "had me at hello". I look forward to the rest of the series.
Honestly, this episode made me teary eyed a bit. I never thought I'd see the Star Trek that I fell in love with again.
Same.
glad im not the only one
makes it even more obvious how shiity discovery is
@@WiSMs Same directors, producers and writers. No?
Me too!
This has captured my feeling watching SNW Ep1, it’s like coming home to the Star Trek I watched beginning in 1966. Loved it so much!
uhora's pinky bend was spot on. clearly someone has been watching old episodes in preparation for the role.
I love how Pike's personal dilemma reflects the one he had way back in "The Cage", when he was also considering resigning from Starfleet. Dr. Boyce tells him in that episode, "A man either lives life as it happens to him - meets it head-on and licks it - or he turns his back on it and starts to wither away" - pretty much exactly the choice Pike has to make here.
"Now you're beginning to talk like a doctor, bartender."
"Well, you take your choice; we both get the same two kinds of customers: the living...and the dying."
This first episode was incredible. One other point I have to make: the uniforms are so good! It's clear that they are basically just the TOS uniforms, but subtly updated to maintain SNW's modernized look, and I am absolutely here for it!
There will always be 20% changes for licencing,
@@corribyrne1481why? I thought that changed when paramount bought cbs. Genuinely asking.
The TOS uniforms did not come into service till after the second pilot episode Where no man has gone before so during pikes time as captain of the enterprise they did not wear the TOS uniform. In the second pilot where kirk is now captain the crew are still wearing the older uniforms that were first seen in the cage, The uniforms had 3 colours, Gold, Blue and Beige, The beige colour was replaced with Red when the uniform was finally changed to the TOS uniform that we all know and love.
@@russelldeck4168 I genuinely didn't remember that they were the same in the second pilot, but either way I was actually referring to the overall aesthetic and how I appreciated the fact that it managed to walk a line between looking modern and fitting into the TOS era. I was not trying to suggest that they were actually the same uniform.
@@corribyrne1481 does the 20% difference apply to Spock's back story and Vulcan culture as well? Just curious.
There's an interesting parallel between La'an Noonien-Singh and Burnham. They both survived attacks from aggressive alien races. They both also identify the threat immediately in the first episode.
Sean missed Starbase 11 on the map, which is a big Easter egg tied to Pike because that is where future disabled Pike was located in The Menagerie
I am an original series man from way back! I watched it when it was airing for the first time way back in the 60s (yes, I am old.) THIS is Star Trek! I actually shed a few tears watching this... tears of joy!
This episode reminded me of a sci fi tv show about space explorers I used to watch. It was fun, exciting, and thought provoking. It had the beginnings of development for several characters. It left me wanting (not wondering) more. I loved it. It’s been many years since I’ve seen a show like this.
It took me back to the days when I used to write SF stories for the pulp magazines. Or was that a dream?
Or am I the dream?
@@eshafto The dream is the dreamer; the dreamer is the dream.
Comfortably familiar, exhilaratingly new. That’s how I feel about this series. They crew has that same bond that TOS and TNG had. Love it! So excited for this season and this show!
S1E1 was brilliant. Felt like a conversation with an old friend. Everything about this episode just felt proper.
Yes !!! That’s what it was like , well said !
lol remember when they said the Jan 6 protest led to WW3?
@@tubeguy4066 except for the fact it TOTALY could. Also , let’s be clear , they weren’t “protests.” They broke into the building , almost got to the senate chamber, destroyed , defected in the halls , looted things ….
@@tubeguy4066 they just showed a picture of the protest. if there's ww3 there's bound to be protests. I think you may be looking into it too much, or you're seeing what you want to see because you want to be mad.
‘Prime Directive…that will never catch on’ had me giggling😂😂😂
Pilots are always weak when looking back over the season or multiple seasons. This is one of the best pilots I’ve ever seen of any show. I really felt like I was watching an episode from the second or third season. If the pilot is this strong I have very high hopes for the feast of the season and beyond
Ditto
True in most cases, but the TOS pilot “where no man…” was excellent though. 😀
Early Picard episodes were better then the rest of that series too.
And we know where that went.
@@Sonlirain True, but at least these episodes will be more episodic so they basically get a do over every episode instead of being stuck trying to continue the story after a wrong turn.
@@thecaptain6730 Technically, the TOS pilot was Man Trap, not WNMHGB...
I was in tears by the end of the episode. We finally have a proper star trek show again.
Also, did anyone get Guy Fleegman (Galaxy Quest) vibes from Sam Kirk when he walked in? LOLOL I love it!
YES!
Oh yeah!
Regarding the eugenics wars. They’re basically moving them. The research was done in 1996 (and possibly cancelled) to maintain the year mentioned in TOS, but the Picard finale is hinting that Soong is going to start it back up or finish it after the Season 2 events, thus pushing back the Eugenics War.
That was what I thought as well.
Agreed.
I figured the Eugenics war would be like Riker’s and Troi’s relationship in TNG-whoever the writers needed it to be for that episode.
Soong just lost all the digital data of his genetic research. The old Project Khan file was likely the (space) seed of all his work. Returning to this hard copy document is his desperate way of going back to the drawing board.
Fingers crossed that the rest of the season stacks up to this wonderful start to a new star-trek! No downs, no major canon violations, episodic in nature with cautionary tales presented optimistically and a cast that really jelled right from day one. Great job, great start, hope to see this trend continue!!!
Thanks for the video TrekCulture, you folks rock!
I hope it’s more episodic than serialize compared to the recent Star Trek we have been getting
The bar is now “no major canon violations” 😭
I had a down that seemed to violate cannon. But liked the episode.
@@Michael.Eddington "The bar is now “no major canon violations” 😭" It's been like that since Next Generation.
@@TheInfiniteSheldon TNG spit on canon regularly. I am guessing you mean that.
That discussion about security clearances makes a lot of sense - just because you have a given level of clearance does not mean you can just access anything classified at or below that level - you still need to have the "need to know". So she might have a higher clearance than Pike but she's not been read into everything around Discovery.
One other connection I thought of: those domed biosphere that were sent into space at the start of WW3.... didn't that remind anyone of Silent Running? Have they incorporated that film into Star Trek lore? :D
That's what I thought! Silent Running! Great film!
I thought the same thing.
This is the first I hear about this movie and just went to watch the trailer. I now 100% place this in my headcanon as a pre-ENT movie.
@@pokealex388 glad I was able to broaden your sci-fi horizons 🙂
I was waiting for Huey, Dewie, and/or Louie to zip by.
I loved this episode. I thought it felt Star Trek, it felt perfect. The set, the story, the characters, the scenes, the music - it was spot on. Your point about Pike not raising his voice but getting his way was spot on.
The one thing I will say that had me going "huh?" was the time factor of Spock on Vulcan and then on Earth in what was like day. I thought it would take longer. But I can whatever that scene as things around it were great.
I don't own Paramount+ so its going to be hard to watch this but this was awesome.
Even if quality tanks after this, SNW gave me that glimmer of hope for the first time since Enterprise was canned, and for that alone I will always love that episode.
It feels like a return to 1968 and TOS gets renewed for another full season with Roddenberry still at the helm.
More exploring and less space battles.
Well maybe just a couple.
Yet everyone used to say Enterprise was do bad back in the day....
@@docknightphilco4550 They never watched it...
2 things I noticed: 1. M’Benga is wearing the shiny McCoy style shirt that velcros close at the right shoulder & 2. every time they beam, they use The Cage transporter sound effect. In addition, Mitchell could be a nod to Gary Mitchell from TOS’s Where No Man Has Gone Before…
I've been waiting decades for this show....it was everything I had hoped for. Just perfect.
Giving Chapel credit for the "disguise" treatment (a long-lived Trek trope) was a nice touch.
Still waiting for Spock to raise his right eyebrow, though. 🙂🖖
Some younger viewers may think Spock was ripping off The Rock if he did that.
I loved the Vulcan "flirting" and "teasing" that is shown. My only problem was their kiss. It should have been the two-finger touch like in TOS with the same reaction from the waiter.
Sarek and Amanda do the two finger touch all the time even at diplomatic functions, so no it should not have been done here to represent Spock and T'Pring's youthful exuberance of being engaged. If they just did the touch, the waiter wouldnt have gotten cranky.
Absolutely loved this. Such a great pilot. StarTrek has been a part of my life since I was born into this strange world. I have loved every version of the shows and movies. Hands down this is the best pilot and certainly most like the original show. This is going to be such a great adventure
One little observation that I enjoyed was mixing in the old transporter beaming sound effects from The Cage.
I was about to point out that Janeway absolutely did take Voyager into a low orbit over Earth that time they were thrown into the 1990s, but in reflection I believe it was actually Harry Kim in the chair at the time, so, fair enough.
The fact that it was not an orbit--that nobody involved in the production seemed to know or care what an orbit is--made me feel comfortable and happy. Like coming home from school and realizing that the apartment you grew up in has always smelled like cabbage, but that cabbage smells like home.
Reminds me so much of those original Trek shows I watched with my Dad as a kid. Loved every minute of it!
Or grandpa,it was like 70 years ago.
Have watched it twice already, will be watching it again and again and again until episode 2! It will be burned into my screens! Just awesome new classic feel good lift your spirits TREK!! YES TO STRANGE NEW WORLDS! Just feels so familiar!
"Take me to your leader." I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a deadpan delivery before lol
That Q snap was perfectly executed. Very well done!
Kirk was the first one to encounter the Gorn, though. When he had to fight the Gorn captain in The Arena, he had no idea what species it was.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Strange New Worlds!
I thought it had a much stronger start than Discovery; and the "The Day the Earth Stood Still" style speech Pike gives is brilliant.
To be fair though, Discovery was the first New Trek show to be created. It was probably the hardest one to land a homerun on. SNW had the whole second season of Disco to use Spock and Pike to get the feel and what the fans liked and disliked.
The Day the Earth Stood still and Pikes Speach perfect example of "Set Up and Pay Off" Done Right.
Best part? When Pike was giving his pep talk at the end, and Uhura says "Cool!". Loved her smile, it mirrored my own.
ST:SNW delivered basically everything I wanted from a new Star Trek series! I can't wait to see more!
I waited 55 years for this story I’m a little more than excited and I can’t wait to watch the entire season
I can name everyone on the bridge after one episode. I can't do that on Disco after several seasons.
Pike's cottage (his horses, and 50 miles of park land) was a reference to The Menagerie, when Pike was taking with Dr. Boyce when Pike was thinking about quitting after what had happen before at Rigel 7, and how he is tired from the responsibility of the lives on the ship.
Anyone else look at the character La'an Noonien-Singh and say, "Wow, we're not aping Camina Drummer from the Expanse at all are we?"
yep, immediately thought of her
Thank you. I couldn't figure out why the character seemed familiar.
Yup. I immediately called her Baby Drummer. Got somewhat similar physical appearance, the eyeliner and attitude to match.
She does come across as Drummer-like for sure, which I suspect is intentional. Drummer was an awesome character in The Expanse
I have another huge up: the bridge set. It doesn't look like a holo mess with neon lights and stuff. It looks like a reimagination of the original Enterprise bridge and I love it.
Perfect score on TrekCulture, 100% Fresh score on the Tomatoes that AREN’T Rotten… I think this is off to a good start. 😜🖖🏼
Also... Pike's speach on the planet gave me the feels.. my eyes may have even become a little glassy.
...
This is what Star Trek is like when its at its best.
I just loved it! I felt like I did as as a kid back in the 70's watching Trek for the first time!!
Captain Pike's beard early in the episode is truly legendary. The pilot to Strange New Worlds is my favorite since DS9's.
This was, possibly, the most satisfying, fun episode of Star Trek to date. The numbers in the video don't lie. I don't know what the writing staff is doing for this show, but they need to keep doing it, whatever it is.
Copy pasted from another video:
When Pike said, basically "Screw the rules" my reaction was YEEAHA! and finger guns.
I like most Trek, don't mind it if it doesn't get too dark, but this was an awesome out-of-the-gate experience.
No bad acting, it was like the whole cast had been playing these parts for years. I only had a slight issue with Noonian-Singh, trying to decide if she's a Mary-Sue or not, but I loved her otherwise. (She took the pain from the transformation and thought on her feet. She done earned that spot as security chief!) I guess time will tell. Can't wait for the next episode. I know the entire series will be "woke", which isn't my favorite, but most shows are now. Also, bonus points to Uhura's cool, conversational head with the native species. Cuuuuute moment. ^_^ I'll want to see more like that. (I will take it gladly over Disco's severed heads moment. Eww.)
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Meaningless to most people, but that was a beautiful horse in the opening scene!
Kyle is my new woobie/eye candy.
I have fallen in luv with Spock again, beard or no beard. That voice! He could be reading an instruction manual for a nuclear power operation system and I'd be enthralled. (Oddly, his face isn't that hot for me, but it's details. Too bad he'll never have stubble, but maybe we'll get that OG mirror universe Spock with the beard back this time around? Holla!)
Pike needs to stop being such a dang charming smooth operator. Haha, nah, he does. Half the males on the crew can be my new biases, why not? Hemmer, get over here! XD (When Paul Wesley gets on this ship, I am going to lose my mind. Been drooling over him for like a decade, but never watched him in anything because it was nothing I liked.)
I want to see more of Singh and Callaway, and more Singh and Number one interactions. We stan a good mentor story!!
Might come back to this later. Great start, can't half believe some people didn't like it!!
It was an OK episode. Great by new trek standards. The dialogue is.. Better.. But still forced and unnatural. Almost as if the writers have never really engaged in a face to face conversation before.
Time will tell if they can really pull it together and make these people seem like real people.
The "Number 1" gag was a call back to TNG S5E5 Disaster where at the end Picard said something to "Number 1" and both Riker and the girl he designated as Number 1 responded.
Good start. Let’s hope it keeps going in this direction
This show is finally giving the Nurse Chapel character a chance to shine.
True! As much as Majel Roddenberry is Star Trek royalty, she is a very wooden actress, truth be told. This Nurse Chapel is going to be fun!
Don't forget that Lt. Kyle was often at the Enterprise's transporter controls in TOS, later rising to the rank of Commander and serving as comms officer on the Reliant under Capt. Terrell.
In the finale, there will be a transporter accident that turns him white.
Clearly this isn't the same Kyle.
@@AceOfSevens well that explains April 😅✌️
Different Kyle. Could be related though.
Sean, we need an answer to this. Is this an ethnic recasting like April or a new character with coincidentally the same name? Both were transporter chief. It seems unlikely to be a new person with the same last name and position when Dr. M'Benga, Nurse Chapel, Sam Kirk, Admiral April and Cadet Uhura are all returning characters.
Loved this ep….lovin’ Anson Mount’s Pike…it’s little things they throw in that tickle me…. “Hope we didn’t catch anyone with ur hair wet or ur pants down” & they show the bridge crew smirking…epic….
I loooooove the spin they put on the title theme for the opening credits too….that drum beat as the music builds…perfect !!
Love the vids Sean & team…& g’day from Down Under
LL&P to all….stay safe
THIS is the Star Trek that we fans both wanted, and deserved. 🖖
All I can say is that this show makes me incredibly happy. I just love Trek.
They missed a serious opportunity by not saying Pike's horse was named "Tango."
I recall this from the "The Cage" and I was waiting for Pike to say the name Tango. It just never happened. That would have been nice.
@Gail Everett I know Tango wasn't black in "The Cage ", but after all these years does that really matter?
They missed a better opportunity not to beam both Pike and the horse back to the ranch once he'd agreed to return to space 😂
@Gail Everett Pike says to Boyce "Remember I told you I had two horses?"
Maybe this is the other one.
This felt like the Star Trek I watched with my dad in the 80s & 90s. Now, I've started watching with my girls.
Its very good, love the show, got very high hopes for this show!
This is what happens when they listen to the fans and make the show THEY want, absolutely superb and although she has only been on screen a little, Uhura is fantastic.
Did you notice that she even touched her earpiece the exact same way Nichelle used to? I am loving this Uhura!
@@margaretanglade5293 I noticed that straight away! It's these little touches where you just have to be a trekkie to get it.
And she's even more fantastic in episode 2! I already adore her and I wasn't even sure I would like her at all.
No the picard and SNW fit perfectly. The trick is dealing with the fact that we are now past the TOS dates for the eugenics wars by setting a date clearly in the 2030s and 40s for the eugenics wars. Matches with enterprise as well
It'll be the 2060s in no time and we still won't have warp drive:(
@@J.Wolf90 Then will have to retcon all the dates forward 100 years
Genuinely enjoyed the first two episodes and it's great to see the community seemingly in agreement on how good it has started. It "feels" like a Trek show and the speech Pike gave at the end of the pilot was Trek all over. Hoping it goes on to be very successful.
Strange New Worlds was:
Incredible, mystical, magical, awesome, excellent, and fun
On so many levels. I love this series already
This show knocked me out . Well done . Peck at times even sounds like Nimoy. Great cast .can't wait for ep 2
He has the intonation down perfectly.
HE WAS PHENOMENAL.
I started watching this really being prepared to hate it. I was wrong. The ten year old me would have been delighted with this episode. Well done to all connected with this - superb!
"I'm gushing. I regret nothing."
Nine months later, this is still a perfect review. Keep it up! (Yes, it was an incredible start to the new series.)
Am I the only person who thinks it's a shame they didn't have Rebecca Romijn play dual roles as both Number One AND Christine Chapel? As a tribute to the late Majel Barrett.
I think it'd be more amusing if people keep saying they look alike. Especially in situations where they very clearly can't...ie injuries changes in hair etc.
@@rubaiyat300 "Aren't you supposed to be blonde?"
"No, that's the other one."
seeing Anson Mount on horseback with that beard took me all the way back to Hell on Wheels.
Does anyone else feel like this was the Trek we've needed?
So much
Oh my yes! This and Lower Decks restored my faith.
Lower decks definitely made me laugh and I love it ao much. This restored my faith
Not only the Star Trek we needed....
But the Star Trek we deserved.
✨ 5 stars to these creators.
I watched the episode twice in one day. I think the last time I did that for a Star Trek episode was "Yesterday's Enterprise'. Wholehearted thumbs up!
The navigator name Mitchel could be a nod to Gary Mithcel from "Where No Man Has Gone Before"
@@johnchampagne8383 yes thank you. Will edit the comment
I loved it. Been watching TREK since it premiered, in glorious 12" B&W when I was 5, so I caught a lot of the Easter Eggs and references. Thank you for expanding on the padd and the starchart. That was cool. Looking forward to subsequent episodes!
I dont generally care for prequels (didn't even watch DIS until they went into the future - love it, btw) but the did GREAT!!! That episode was simply phenomenal!!
The mustache on Samuel Kirk made me think of Sam Rockwell in Galaxy Quest! That's a good thing by the way, it just was pretty funny!
Downs - They figured out warp (antimatter?) via brief telescopic observation.
That's pretty much it for my downs. This was a stellar first episode that used all our collective knowledge from TOS/TAS/Disco to great effect. The cast were all great, and the feel, vibe, whatever was tremendous. I don't watch Disco anymore, and I grumble/eye roll through Picard. This on the other hand, well done.
Not only figure it out by telescopes, but they did it in 3 months.
@@kkehoe5 I wonder what webb telescope will find
We can make and store antimatter right now with current technology. There's no reason to assume that that civilization hasn't already advanced in that direction, too. Perhaps they only needed to make the connection between antimatter and warp fields.
@@HermanVonPetri True. Really the details were left vague enough that even though I counted it as a down it could be neutral.
Yeah, this was a very weak plot point.
This show is the best of old and new Trek. The substance of the old mixed with new visuals and current cultural mirroring. It's beautiful
Mount gets is so right, it makes all other new trek look bad. The guy is just awesome and the Enterprise looks fantastic! Also loved the tri-corders
He was great as black bolt too in DS2, but died so pathetically...
I just noticed a sort of Easter egg. I feel that when April told Pike, we need you, it was a callback of The Undiscovered Country when they needed Kirk for the Klingon negotiation. As I said, it's not exactly an Easter egg, but it is a very similar situation.
Mitchell is obv Gary Mitchell from the TOS episode 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'. Wonder if they'll bring up the esp thing again.
The new old Enterprise looks fantastic. Not too different from the original but an upgraded look and feel.
I feel like Chapel is going to end up becoming my favourite character.
Risking going too "Isn't she kooky?!" with her. Could be fun if they don't go too far.
I have to say Pike first then Uhura. Celia is just awesome and plays the role so well. I loved her "cool... sir!"
I was so pleased they did something interesting with Chapel. She's been a fixture in the ST universe. It's long past time she got some fun character development.
So great to see Chapel again!
Not sure if it was intentional, but when La'an suggested raising shields, I felt a throwback to Wrath of Kahn with the camera play between her, Pike and Spoke being very reminiscent of Saavik, Kirk and Spock.
I was surprised and disappointed when Spock and T'pring kissed in the human traditional way rather than in the Vulcan method (finger touching)
Perv.
Good point
It’s not your dads Star Trek. It’s your grandads. And that is perfect.
This pilot was beautiful.
Pike's speech on the planet (after he smoothly beamed in and stood between the 2 leaders) pulled my heart strings a bit - almost like preempting what could happen in years to come but also as though it was a message to the world today to stop what could be from happening. 🥲
It is, what Star Trek does best. I think that's what has been missing from Discovery and to a certain extent Picard, bringing it back to a reflection of the things happening today and being a hell of alot more grounded :)
I enjoyed this immensely. I like all the trek. This did not disappoint
So impressed! Can't wait for more! Sean, thanks for the planet names listed...must have taken quite a while to get that down (and used more pages in your book!).