Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (2026 – present)

This is just dumb beyond recognition. It's not even funny. I's worse than any Epic Movie sequel anyone can imagine.

Really stellar entry point for modern sci-fi fans to fall in love with Star Trek. Being a younger person, I always saw Star Trek as a sort of looming force over the genre, though watching some of its old episodes (mainly of the original series) never really impressed me on account of their shoestring budget and practical effects that, at the time probably were pretty good, but looked amaeture to the modern eye used to so much flasy CGI. The old Star Trek's social commentary also didn't resonate on account of being decades in the past. But this new series really presents Star Trek in its best light, as I've seen in the first couple episodes. Compelling characters, believable relationships, intensely human and hopeful at its core that we might see a good future. And being absolutely gorgeous, musical, and giving a sense of awe and wonder at the best of times.

Yes, I have to confess I came to this expecting very little and got even less. This is really just more of the woke sci fi souffle, that refuses to rise, so why not change the recipe? Based on Discovery's ratings with audiences, it's clearly not an appetising formula. Is there an upside? Visuals are amazing; there's no denying this is CGI at its zenith, but you can't get by on eye candy alone. Nor by recalling actors from successful series from the 1990s. Maybe there's a reason people liked those characters and series; do you think? In summary, more of the usual woke nonsense no one asked for but definitely wants to stop. Now, I wonder how long it will take for my review to get trolled, probably by some outraged, blue-haired marketing executive?