Let's Do The Space Warp Again.
14 Episodes. Starring: Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Mary Wiseman, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Cruz, Jayne Brook, Hannah Cheesman, James Frain, Ethan Peck, Michelle Yeoh & Anson Mount. Created By: Brian Fuller & Alex Kurtzman.
Make it so. That's what I say to the idea of a Picard spin-off series helmed by number one himself, Will Riker. Although there is only one man who could take the captain's chair in a series like this. There is only one Jean Luc. And besides Sir Patrick Stewart still looks the same as he did back in 'The Next Generation' days anyway. Make it so number one. You have the conn. But still there is no one more perfect to boldly go with this than Jonathan Frakes, who following his first season order makes every episode he directs in 'Discovery' S2 definitively epic. As a matter of fact with all due respect to this talented team created and curated by Brian Fuller and Alex Kurtzman for this 'Star Trek', as classic now to this franchises multi-strand of the same stars storied history as it's own subtley triumphant take of the iconic theme. Can he just direct every episode in this canon? Case in point, the utterly emotional episode arc of Airiam played by Hannah Cheesman that played like a mid-season finale. No longer looking like parts of a Marvel Nebula rip-off in this 'Endgame', this paranoid android dreaming of more than electric sheep became a true guardian of the galaxy. That's just the kind of season this 'Star Trek' enterprise has been having in deep space, on its 'Discovery' of new life and new civilisations. Boldly going where no Spock has gone before (Riker beard territory). And is that Christ like Red Angel saviour, iconic heroic figure heaven sent, or a little closer to home? Still, spreading its wings the real warp core like glow here on red alert is their familiar, fond friend reuniting with family this season. And we aren't talking about the pointy ears of Hollywood classic legend Gregory Peck's grandson Ethan, nuanced like his grandfather and Nimoy Spock forefather. The third Spock from the sun after those original rumors and petitions for hero Zachary Quinto. No not this Peck, but Pike. As the former 'Inhuman' Anson Mount is a real marvel of captain charm and commanding charisma in this universe. The critically underrated Black Bolt character without a voice finally has his say. And boy does he sing at phaser stunning, warp speed as Christopher Pike. So much so you don't want to not tell everyone his name. As with all due salute to the brilliant Bruce Greenwood, Anson Mount redefines this definitive character, making him as legendary sounding as his own name. Sure the captain's chair in 'Discovery' has been a revolving one from day one, episode one (the gravel gritty Jason Isaacs and the Hong Kong to Hollywood movie legend and crazy rich Asian icon Michelle Yeoh (back!? You bet!)), but Mount Pike is so good off the iconic, geek cult Enterprise-with all the automatic door opening sound bells and digital whistles-that fans are starting petitions for Anson to captain his own Pike place spin-off series. Make it so.
2009 was an odyssey. 10 fitting years ago to this next month for this space opera. But originally a decade gone, screened first just a few weeks ago from today in Sydney's Opera House in Australia. Way before 'Star Wars' was a rebooted thing from the outstanding, original trilogy, beyond the embarrassment of Pod Racing and Jar Jar ("me so sorry"). An awakening force with a winning Oscar Isaac inspired intro of cool charisma, the galaxy, far, far away's biggest threat in the expanded universe-the no man, boldly going space pirate explorers to their wild solar system Western-'Star Trek' had their own redemptive, revelatory reboot with their own cocky, influenced introduction of refreshing spirit in an electric Chris Pine on a socket fuelled moped. And it was all from J.J.'s world yet again like the return and 'Rise Of Skywalker' this fall after 'The Last Jedi'. And all these circling calenders later coming back around like a warp spore to the system, 'Discovery' continues this redefining new trend where the nerds of geek culture are now the cool kids and their cult heroes suited up in the fanciest of dress, tunic to beam me up badge are as honoured as the old fashioned stars and stripes of avenging Captain America's spangled shield with no endgame in sight. Abrams lasting vision that now rules both sides of the solar system is so deep here in the ships hull it almost looks like he's directed it himself, with more lens flares than the first day of May on your aviators. But we are 'Beyond' Pine time now (and sadly Chris or that of his fictional father and now God of Thunder Hemsworth appearing in another movie due to some monetary concerns. Shut up and take my money! I still want to see this fourth film. I still have new hope) and with J.J. Abrams moving from set phasers to stunning 'sabers its another new generation for this enterprises voyages in deep space. And it's still the half-Vulcan Sonequa Martin-Green's show, even if she is now officially joined by her more famous older brother. Sibling rivalry aside, a stunning Sonequa makes 'Star Trek' series' like the movies cool again in a quantum leap. And Green having her day in a show that's always been inclusive and diversive since the swinging Sixties day one is the perfect role model for young people everywhere. Evoking even more epic emotion and worn but weary-less will in a time and timeline were with blurred lines of the dichotomy, dual sides of good versus evil everyone's is tested to the brink of breaking point in this boiling pot of a spoon stirring looking ship. 'The Walking Dead' star has never been more alive on a screen, even lost in space.
Photon torpedoes blast through the rest of this energized cast like shields all the way up. Hail them. Like the latest creature creation from original 'Hellboy' favourite Doug Jones. The lizard from the Oscar winning 'Shape Of Water' movie and the best actor whose face you never see, but is in every other thing in this CG age you do, this side of the white dot, mo-cap of Gollum and Caesar ape Andy Serkis. Bringing even more humanity behind the prosthetics here. And how sassy is that walk? Or how about the creator behind Tyler, Shazad Latif? Just when you thought his Klingon was done and dust, Ash is welcome back aboard. Not exactly with open arms but oh how he spreads his character and acting wings this season like a Klingon Bird of Prey. TlhIngan maH! Then there's the two set phasers to stun love of hero Anthony Rapp and medic Wilson Cruz (wait...what?! He's back too? Flashbacks surely? Well I won't spoil and tell). The heart and humour of Mary Wiseman's Tilly. The veteran presence of Spock pops James Frain and the ship to ship commanding presence of amazing Admiral, Jayne Brook (salute). And a whole host of guest stars being beamed aboard we won't spoil. Among the perfect cast and crew (like the Carlton Banks lookalike on the conn), behind another return of another different form of a fond favourite character in Michelle Yeoh. Unleashing the dragon and the same tongue that lashed as the disapproving mother in last year's mega movie, game and industry changer, 'Crazy Rich Asians'. There are so many epic episodes here that make this season of change the furthest thing from a sophomore slump but instead more formidable than the first. Like the church of 'New Eden'. The homeworld of 'The Sound Of Thunder'. The 60's throwback down to the opening credits of 'If Memory Serves'. And the reveal of 'The Red Angel' amongst more holy rollers. But in the end there's still so much space out there for more to come. Kirk? Tribbles? Scotty? We canny tell Captain. But this one has the power to live long and you know what, two fingers held together and apart. This is the prime directive. And there's so many more new lives and civilisations for 'Discovery' to discover. Punch it! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Star Trek (2009)', 'Star Trek (1968)', 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'.
No comments:
Post a Comment