Star Trek Strange New Worlds Pilot

Since Anson Mount came on the scene, he had become one of my favorite TV actors as Cullen Bohanon in Hell on Wheels. I even liked him in The Inhumans. Then he was cast in the third season of Star Trek Discovery as Captain Christopher Pike, the legendary Star Fleet Captain and hero. 

Mount's performance was so good that Paramount decided to build a new in continuity series set at the same time as the original 60s classic. In fact, Pike was the Captain of the Enterprise before Kirk took over. We also know how Pike's life will change after an accident makes him a cripple ten years in the future. This is an unavoidable truth that the pilot gets right to dealing with. How will such knowledge affect Pike's ability to be Captain? All of these points make for a strong base for strong storytelling especially if you are an old school Star Trek fan like me.

There is a solid mix of new characters and old ones like Uhura and Spock. I liked the mix. The settings are amazing as is the look of the ship. Not as old as the Enterprise of the past but looking good enough to still maintain that illusion and the thrill that comes from seeing everyone's favorite space vessel.

The writing is also Classic Star Trek moralizing that was the heart of the original series and Strange New Worlds understands that very well. This episode we learn when and how the Prime Directive came to Starfleet. You know that pesky little non-interference rule that Kirk broke whenever he could?

This will become a Thursday favorite I can assure you. I wish I could stream the whole first season right now but somethings are better when they are anticipated instead of just given away all at once.