Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series) Anomaly (2021) User Reviews

Too Much Emotional Baggage

[ashtonlc · 5/10 · 27 November 2021]

I get it, humans have emotional baggage, but when that's 95% of what you see it's a bit overkill. It really gets old. At the very least, can we please talk about how the character we are with triggers our deepest insecurities AFTER the life-threatening event has been dealt with and not during it? Is professional focus unreasonable to expect? And when we do explore the deep emotional wounds of characters, can it please not take the majority of the show? Also, can we at least TRY to be subtle rather than hamfisted with attempts to be progressive?

I miss the first two seasons and am about to give up in this iteration of Star Trek which is a shame because it started out so well in my opinion.

Trends that are accelerating this season

[goodwalk-63676 · 5/10 · 27 November 2021]

I've figured out what I don't exactly like about this season:

• The characters don't spend enough time talking about their feelings and emotions

• Also, too little time is spent celebrating their individual differences and their unique pronouns

• And too little screen time is given to the individual character's inadequacies, and how these traits which in a traditional world view might appear to be inadequacies are REALLY strengths. Yes. Much more time should be devoted to this theme.

• Much less time needs to be spent on traditional science fiction plot elements. Who would like that?

• And I did mention discussing feelings, right?

Too much therapy

[supergye · 5/10 · 28 November 2021]

I love Star Trek and Discovery having enjoyed the first three seasons. This episode spent more time on therapy then a Dr. Phil Show. Let's be real, within this universe, Federation ship officers are trained to handle high stress situations. Your officers are NOT supposed to need constant emotional therapy.

Granted the words of wisdom are fine, but is it that no one can work through any problem on their own? That ability just does not seem to exist in the future I guess, lol. Do so many need to be told how good they are, and that they can do their job, or that they are sorry they stepped on someones emotions? Too many conversations turn into a crying match.

Also, it is even worse when a pilot is in the middle of a high-risk death-defying mission and another officer is co-opting your precious time by trying to provide a feel good, love me Daddy psyche session. It would seem every other officer is just a big baby that needs a shoulder to cry on. Let's man-up a bit and have more meat in the stories, not this therapy filler.

I like the family atmosphere that the show is building on, but it needs to be more in the realm of doing things like kicking butt, and taking names. Keep the interesting sci-fi, and mysterious missions. Keeping audience super curious about what is really happening is key.

Too Much Personal Drama

[nebula0024 · 3/10 · 25 November 2021]

One of the key components to Star Trek/TNG/DS9/Voyager/Enterprise was their professionalism. While these shows had their drama and touching personal moments, this was never the focus of the show. There were of course certain exceptions in select episodes, but even then members of Starfleet always held themselves and their crew to a certain standard of professionalism.

With ST: Discovery, all that has been completely thrown out the window. We are constantly bombarded by emotionally charged and personal conversations taking place not only while on duty, but right in the middle of a crisis. People apologize for no good reason and characters are openly seeking validation from their peers with the emotional maturity of a child.

This episode was a perfect example of all these things, and probably one of main reasons why viewers simply tune out or skip forward to the next scene. Without all the personal drama, this episode was only about 15 minutes long.

Remember that kid from Mass Effect 3?

[isabellacheng · 4/10 · 25 November 2021]

The one that Commander Shepard is always having nightmares of, after seeing his shuttle blown up by the Reapers? Yep, he's being appropriated too.

Synopsis: The crew set out to measure the anomaly. "Emotions" and "feelings" happened along the way. The end.

• There are now two captains onboard Discovery. I have no idea how command structure works anymore. Like, why is Tilly reporting her findings to Saru instead of Burnham?

• They also made a reference to Picard's now "synthetic" body. Cute of the writers to think this is what fans care about.

• Nice of the writers to give Lt. Bryce a few lines, hope they are not gonna kill him off soon, like how they killed off Airiam after giving her some screen time. Good that she reincarnated into human form.

• It is hilarious to see explosions (fireworks) blowing all over the bridge. Hilarious in the sense that you can literally see them hidden in holes/vents specifically designed for those fireworks.

• Towards the end, Book gave up trying because reasons, or more like because the writers needed conflict. But don't you worry child coz sure as hell Michael saved the day. Oopsie, spoilers.

• On the bright side, we get to know "Lieutenant Aloka" and "Ensign Neville" perished alongside Commander Nalas last episode. At least they have names.

Much Improved from first Episode of Season

[ctdan · 6/10 · 2 January 2022]

The writing continues to be preachy, and even though I generally agree with the messages, I'm wishing the story told the message more than the monologues.

The annomoly is beginning to feel like a Star Trek thing from past series and movies, which is good. The stakes are high, but not threatening all life as we know it and that is also a good thing. The scenes where they are confronting the phenomena are engaging, though personal struggles getting in the way could be interesting if they also weren't trying to resolve them in the moment. Making for some very unrealistic interactions. For example: Saru grounds the show- but his conversation and coaching of Burnham in the moment of crisis around her personal feelings is just out of place and unrealistic. The writers should take a page from TNG or DS9. When characters talked about their emotional development, it wasn't in a time sensitive emergency, it was during hobbies that normal people can relate to. This both kept the flow of action sequences going and made the characters more believable and relatable to the audience. I can't name a hobby or like of any character on this show besides Saru taking care of plants.

There are massive plot holes throughout this episode, but if we tune them out the episode can be entertaining, though tuning out obvious flaws takes some effort. Why is Book the only pilot flying into the phenomena? Detmer, who is really competent and not a bag of crazy at the moment, seems like a reasonable backup. Book would learn his lesson way better if Burnham couldn't pull him back from his grief and instead he had to trust Detmer.

Incidentally- I want more of the blond officer on the right hand side of the bridge. She seems calm and capable in a crisis, as does the male officer to Micheal's left. Having Micheal, Book, Tilly, Adira and Stammets as superstars that also swing and miss wildly from time to time would pack a far stronger punch if they were balanced with and supported by more Detmer like characters. People who rarely rise to super star status, but often provide the little boosts necessary for the heroes to rise, or conversely, not totally blow up.

As a side note, the relationship between Stammets and Booker is awkward in the moment and its development rushed, but the concept is good. They are two very different people. Stammets is not at all the person he was in season one, and is very much figuring this new empathetic version of himself out. Booker is likely to change a lot given what he has gone through. The collaboration and friendship between the two could be interesting if developed slowly and creatively. Especially if they never really like each other, but grow to respect each other and even care for each other. This respect and caring would be best if never fully spelled out for the audience but made obvious simply by their actions.

The writing on this show has gone to absolute garbage.

[goggolya · 1/10 · 25 November 2021]

This isn't the same show as s1 and s2 was, started going downhill with s3. I feel so embarrassed for the writers.

I still find it infuriating that 70% of the airtime is forced subpar drama for the sake of drama instead of good stories.

Like arguing about what Book does with his ship. His no Starfleet, he does what he wants, end of discussion.

Georgiou was the only capable crew member, everyone else is just an useless crybaby.

This episode was a copy of the encounter with Sphere Data from season 2.

Planet explodes and Saru asks if there are survivors. Now this is a stupid question right here!!!

The scene in the hallway between these two was so cringe to watch: Tilly: "Have you got taller?" Saru: "Have you got fatter?"

Book: "Detmer doesn't know how to fly my ship." Season 3 says otherwise when she destroyed Osyraa's ship with it...

The artificial gravity keeps failing on the ship and the crew doesn't remember that they have mag boots. Also the consoles are made of programmable matter that could extend and follow its user. And if they replicate chairs with seat belts the loss of gravity wouldn't be a problem. But the crew is useless and can't solve any problems.

Special effects in episode 1: flamethrowers and flying rocks on the bridge. Episode 2: flamethrowers and fireworks on the bridge.

Burnham: "You have to ride the next gravitational wave that comes in the next 2 minutes or you die." Starts a 5 minutes monologue right after this sentence.

This is not Star Trek anymore, but a cheesy space soap opera with mediocre special effects.

Return of Saru

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 13 January 2022]

Saru has come back, and this was something that was sorely needed.

But, Books planet blew up and he's gone blooey.

But his ship is the only ship that can take a look at this "anomaly", and he's the only one that can fly it.

Plus he has to deal with having a hologram of Stametz with him, so the odds are not looking very good at the moment.

Despite these issues, discovery is able to pull in some information about this planet killing anomaly, for whatever good it will do. Which doesn't appear to be much.

The president of the Federation has called together all of the members and nonmembers that could possibly help with this issue, including the former planet Vulcan. Hopefully this will do some good.

Whatever this thing is, it is worse than the doomsday machine that the original enterprise encountered that was chopping up planets and eating them. At least the movements of that thing could be predicted.

But whatever this thing is, it seems to be resistant to science. No way to figure out exactly what it is, what it is doing and how to deal with it. Which is what makes it interesting.

What? The episode is over?

[rrtiverton · 6/10 · 28 November 2021]

The first episode of this season felt EPIC and tied a lot of season 3 into 4, this one seemed very specific. I am glad that the writers focused on Book's pain over the loss and glad they did not repurpose the destruction of Vulcan from the Abrams timeline.

Loved Book and Stamets evolving.

I am still intrigued as to where this season is going. Thankfully, no "Emerald Chain" drivel to work through.

Please, Dear God, ENOUGH WITH THE WHISPERING! Kirk, Picard, Cisco and Janeway never whispered! BURNHAM!!! SPEAK UP!!! You're the freaking CAPTAIN!!!

But then the episode ended. It felt way too short.

It lost it's mojo!

[stjhagens · 1/10 · 25 November 2021]

I don't know what's going on with Disco... I loved S1, it was edgy, it was messy and it went all over the place but it just clicked with me. S2 clicked even better with me. It was paced better and it had a great connection with Star Trek of old.

I was really excited for S3 and it had a great start, but halfway it started to lose me. I just didn't enjoy it anymore and was looking at my phone for the entire time because it was just so boring. The finale was just too much, full of last second saves and very thick plot armour. There was just never any real sense of danger for whichever character.

I had high hopes for S4 and was genuinely excited for episode 1. It wasn't the best but I enjoyed it more than the entire 2nd half of S3. But this episode just wasn't that good. It has been said here before many times but it contained a lot of trademark crying and whispering. How are we supposed to care for any of these characters when there is never any real danger and when we still hardly know any of them?

I like the idea of the anomaly being a metaphor for the COVID crisis but buildup is the same as the mystery of last season. Hopefully this time the conclusion is not that underwhelming. I don't know what it is but Disco seems to have lost its magic. Other ST series were never perfect but they had something that clicked with me. The science, the camaraderie, the humour, the wonders of exploring space, getting to know those characters and seeing them become a family. There is barely anything of that in Disco. It evokes hardly any emotions from me because 4 seasons in the writers expect us to care for these characters while giving us all these emotional scenes but it just falls flat. Gives us some more bridge crew and less Micheal. DS9 wasn't exclusively about Sisko either.

Neither the best nor the worst of the series

[DJAlexWhalen · 7/10 · 9 June 2022]

I love this show, but I'm not yet sure what to make of this season. There's yet another existential threat to the galaxy, and I've no issue with that. And I'm absolutely down with explorations of the meanings of family and grief and love and loss as part of the typical ST-style galactic exploration. So this is very much not a complaint about that either. It's more that in this one case, I wish there'd been a bit more meta-plot and a bit less meta-personal.

Either way, enjoyable enough and on to the next!

Michael saves the day again and cries

[benjilee-20979 · 2/10 · 25 November 2021]

It's almost as though there is a standard script for each episode and season.

One big bad, slowly introduced.

Each week a new problem that Michael fixes and then cries.

It's like it's been written by a child who is particularly bad at writing science fiction and anything good.

Sad, cry, whisper, repeat..

[philhemstock-11782 · 1/10 · 25 November 2021]

Ad nauseum. This is just terrible. Words have now failed me with this show, I've written many reviews in the hope it would improve but it just doesn't. The writers of this show need sacking, putting on a Spacex rocket and launching into the sun. It really is awful.

Meet the (nu)ferengi

[batmanforever-93249 · 25 November 2021]

-Actually this is not such a bad episode,it has exploration ,but if that (nu)ferengi is not a hybrid ,then i want to ask the producers ,why they are still changing the races even if they know the fans will be very deranged by this,it has no sense,they will loose audience and nobody wins nothing from this and certainly will not bring new fans because of the angry reviews. Star Trek has become ,just like the Mtv after the year 2000 ,something weird and senseless. The only solution to bring back the fans,who certainly will leave when B5 will rise again,is to erase everything they made after Star Trek Enterprise and start again with a sequel without any modification to alien races . And by the way ,Wilson Cruz saying good bye and blocking the fans who are politely showing their disapproval on the new Star Trek changes on Twitter is not helping the franchise. Somebody should remind him that he or not even the new producers are not owning the Star Trek franchise and they are still living from the fans audience so they will do better listening our suggestions when is still time to repair the damage.

More emotion driven than content driven but still not bad

[MadValkyrie · 7/10 · 26 November 2021]

It's no surprise that much of Star Trek Discovery is the Crying Michael Show more often than not. And that emotion, identity and trauma are more of a constant theme in these last two seasons than the previous ones. While this episode delves more into the former with minimal progression of the scientific plot line, it is by no means a bad episode. No Star Trek series has explored the discovery of both space and self simultaneously as Discovery does (although DS9 truly set the groundwork). This episode definitely lacks in a few areas but is not off brand for the new format of Discovery; not a memorable episode but not a bad one.

Quite possibly the worst episode of Star Trek ever written.

[cmitche27 · 1/10 · 26 November 2021]

These writers are VERY bad.

No spoilers in my review, but this is likely the straw that broke the camels back for me watching this series any further.

People need to stop attacking Discovery for the "crying"

[youngtrek · 8/10 · 27 November 2021]

People really need to stop attacking this show over "the crying". Yes, in some cases Burnham seems to do it too much, like every scene she's shedding tears. However, I like the direction her character has taken with the start of this fourth season. And as for the tears in this episode, well, they are entirely warranted in this case as Book has lost his entire family and is in intense grief over it.

The scenes on the Discovery bridge were handled quite well, I thought, and Dr. Culver and Saru are again the most interesting and enjoyable characters to watch, in my opinion.

The only thing I found a bit "too much" was the Adira and Gray stuff also going on (although I did like the references to Soong synths and Picard, referencing what happened at the end of "Picard" season one but sorta explaining why that particular breakthrough wasn't repeated on a larger scale).

Overall, I found this to be a very enjoyable episode.

(Oh, and another minor quibble. Why the heck would Book take Grudge with him on that dangerous mission when he could have left her back Discovery outside the anomaly? Yes, things got dicey on Discovery but that wasn't what had been expected and even so things were still much riskier on board Book's ship, hence Stamets going as a holo.)

Hugh and Paul make the show worth watching!

[sparklefish · 7/10 · 29 January 2022]

I zone out every time Michael is on screen. If I turn up my volume loud enough to hear her whispers, my neighbor complains that he can hear my tv through the wall. So I keep it at a normal volume and miss out on Michael's lines. Don't care.

The scenes with Book and Paul were excellent. Anthony Rapp is a phenomenal actor. I hadn't liked Book this whole time, but in this episode Book started to win me over.

Adira and Grey are adorable.

We got more Saru and I think that will improve the show.

Every time I see the misaligned hems on the new uniforms I want to attack my tv screen with a pair of scissors.

One of the most boring and pointless episodes in the history of Star Trek !

[martinsmarkss · 1/10 · 26 November 2021]

One of the most boring and pointless episodes in the 55-year long history of Star Trek! Or as I prefer to say NuTrek DISCO wasn't good from the get-go but at least Season 1 and Season 2 was somewhat interesting, had some things I liked and enjoyed. Endless crying and Galactic ending threats that's all DISCO writers can do now, and judging by the quality of Season 4 they already have run out of ideas!

Fantastic!

[tlunsf · 9/10 · 1 December 2021]

To me this was one of the best episodes of the best Trek series. The acting is some of the best of the entire series. I'm stunned by the hate here.

Maybe some of the haters can explain what they would like to see instead of what they hate? Would you really prefer to see Frakes "acting"? No, thank you.

This season is so bad I hope it gets canceled and I love Star Trek

[Nassocci · 1/10 · 25 November 2021]

I understand that we need to diversify, but stop making it so cringe.

It feels like we are getting force-fed some narrative that makes 0 sense.

This is just not Star Trek.

I'm sorry.

I stop watching this series because it's too far gone to be rescued.

Just let it burn and sink to the bottom of the ocean where it belongs.

This is horrible writing and entertainment, someone has to say it.

It's really bad guys...

[msbattleacc · 2/10 · 25 November 2021]

Star trek discovery was always mediocre sci-fi at best. Season 4 so far is simply an abomination. Plot is shallow and overly emotional. I feel like I am watching bad and weird version of hallmark sci-fi crossover that shouldn't exist. It definitely has nothing to do with Star Trek we all know and love. If creators didn't want to make star trek show than why call it a star trek. Just call it something else and stop lying to Star Trek fans all over the world please.

Burnham arguing and crying

[eamonn-23668 · 3/10 · 26 November 2021]

This has to be the last season of this series. It's been really really bad since Captain Pike,Spock and number one left. Burnham is a truly dreadful character. Can u imagine Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway and Archer crying, whispering and arguing every episode. The visuals and sets are good but the rest of it is terrible. I really hope they don't screw up Strange new worlds and hope it has different writers.

When you do not have any expectations, and you are still let down.

[dinoplahutnik · 3/10 · 26 November 2021]

Well, isn't this a shame...ful display of bad writing, bad acting, bad CGI, bad everything?

So, they encounter an unknown anomaly. Admiral Vance asks: "What exactly is it?" Well, it is an unknown anomaly, Admiral! :)

Okay, so what did they do? Hmm, I thought that they have the sphere intelligence aboard, "entity containing data spanning hundreds of thousand of years, which it collected from countless civilizations"? Maybe you can ask the entity if it knows what it is? No? Oh, you use the entity only when it suits you to push the plot? Okay. So dumb.

There is other stuff, like everybody breaking down mentally and emotionally at once. I mean, come on! Everybody has something or someone bothering them, everybody needs counseling, pep talks, pampering. Writers should not reflect so much their own phobias, frustrations and complexes in a sci-fi shows, especially in such a bad way. Star Trek always had time dedicated to handling personal issues, but not in such poorly written and BAM! In you face amateur way. Also, the show is so diverse, that at one point you have the female president of Ni'Var, female president of Federation and the female captain of the Discovery. Well, I guess the ferengi is male. I guess. And on the bridge there are five females and two guys. Well, when you have to check all the boxes...

Finally, the moment when I did not know whether to laugh or to cry: Burnham: "Here it comes, everybody brace!" Nobody braces! Not one person. Even the people seating down. Not even the person yelling to brace. :) And the CGI when they are thrown in the air, so bad. Someone wrote that they have mag boots, why don't they use them? Or, here is an idea, when someone yells brace, you...brace. I know, revolutionary.

This is so bad.