Star Trek: Discovery brought the space opera back to TV screens in 2017 after 12 years away, and it did so while using a specific formula the Star Trek franchise still hasn't repeated since. Star Trek's modern era began with Discovery, and although the show wasn't universally praised, it did at least try several new things and open the door for more movies and TV shows. Not every season of Star Trek: Discovery followed the same blueprint as the show's inaugural run, but it did revisit the concept a little in later seasons.
The first effort from the TV franchise's modern era stood apart from every Star Trek show that had preceded it. Although there were several ways in which Discovery ultimately made Star Trek better, it was also criticized for straying too far from what made the franchise such a success. That being said, the show began with at least one huge hallmark from Star Trek's golden age, and it has perhaps been underappreciated for this reason. None of its successors have tried to pull it off again, nor does it look like Star Trek intends to attempt it any time soon.
Star Trek Hasn't Had A Completely Original Set Of Main Characters Since Discovery's Season 1
Star Trek's modern age began similarly to all the older shows
Star Trek: Discovery season 1 was the perfect jumping-on point for new fans. There was no requirement for those watching to have any previous experience with the franchise, but pre-existing Trekkies could still pick up on its canonical relevance - such as the show's place in the Star Trek timeline. One of the most notable ways Discovery achieved this was by introducing an entirely new set of main characters. There was no backstory to be aware of other than the information supplied in the episodes.
There is perhaps an argument for Star Trek: Prodigy season 1 filling this same criteria, but the presence of members of the Star Trek: Voyager cast means it didn't do what Discovery did.
Of course, this wasn't anything new at the time. Every previous Star Trek show had done exactly the same thing - perhaps with the exception of Star Trek: The Animated Series - which was really just a continuation of Star Trek: The Original Series. However, Star Trek: Discovery was the last show to begin this way. There is perhaps an argument for Star Trek: Prodigy season 1 filling this same criteria, but the presence of members of the Star Trek: Voyager cast means it didn't do what Discovery did.
Star Trek: Lower Decks is also in the argument for beginning with a wholly original batch of characters. On the other hand, the animated comedy is so riddled with cameos and references to the larger canon that the Star Trek franchise itself almost becomes a living, breathing character. While it's an absolute wonderland for established fans, it would be very difficult for newcomers to fully appreciate it.
Even Star Trek: Discovery Eventually Brought Franchise Legends On Board
Captain Pike's USS Enterprise was a huge part of Star Trek: Discovery season 2
Star Trek: Discovery season 1 wasn't technically void of any references to big franchise characters. The controversial link between Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Spock (Ethan Peck, eventually) was woven through the show's first run, but it didn't actually get properly paid off until Star Trek: Discovery season 2. Then, the show did what all of its successors were guilty of and revolved heavily around famous franchise characters like Spock and Captain Pike (Anson Mount).
Because Star Trek: Discovery season 1 looked so different and had so few references to the larger canon, there were swathes of long-standing fans who believed the show wasn't set in the Prime Universe - with one possibility being JJ Abrams' Kelvin Timeline from the rebooted movies. Bringing in legacy characters like Captain Pike and introducing the USS Enterprise-A settled this debate once and for all.
Discovery's introduction of Pike's Enterprise meant the show became a prime (pun intended) breeding ground for spinoffs - such as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Section 31, and the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
If Star Trek: Discovery had continued in its own little narrative bubble, it might not have had the chance to establish itself as part of the Prime Universe before jumping to the 32nd century at the end of season 2. As well as proving it wasn't unfolding in an alternate timeline, Discovery's introduction of Pike's Enterprise meant the show became a prime (pun intended) breeding ground for spinoffs - such as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Section 31, and the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
None Of Star Trek's Upcoming Projects Will Follow Discovery Season 1's Character Formula
Robert Picardo's return as Voyager's Doctor in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a notable example
The immediate future of the Star Trek franchise is exciting, but all of the upcoming movies and TV shows are avoiding what Star Trek: Discovery season 1 did. They all feature legacy characters to some degree, and some are even played by their original actors. For instance, Robert Picardo will be reprising his Star Trek: Voyager role, taking the Doctor into the 32nd century as part of the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy cast. Plus, Chris Pine is expected to return to the Kelvin Timeline as Captain Kirk with his other reboot co-stars for a long-awaited fourth movie.
The advantages of this decision are obvious. The presence of familiar Star Trek characters and actors is essentially fan service, as they're more likely to make the projects more appealing to established Star Trek fans. The franchise no longer seems too concerned with farming an entirely new crop of viewers with its upcoming slate, but rather trying to keep its current viewership engaged. It's not a terrible decision, but it's still a shame that Star Trek's future doesn't seem to have a direct replacement for Star Trek: Discovery and its cavalcade of new characters.
