Out of all the newer Star Trek shows, Discovery has to be my favorite. I think I connect with this series more because it has a darker, more eerie tone…and something about that just resonates with me.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love every series. (Next Generation is the one that started this very healthy, totally reasonable space obsession of mine.) But there’s something about Discovery that just hits different.
When I first heard they were coming out with a new series, after so long, I was stoked. The last Star Trek series (Enterprise) ended in 2005, and we went through a bit of a dry spell there. We did have a few Star Trek movies pop up in the meantime, but those live in their own category…and yes, we’ll get to those in a separate post. But hearing that a new series was finally happening? I was ready.
And when Discovery launched, it came out with a bang. It didn’t just return, it announced itself.
The special effects? Absolutely mind-blowing. The visuals were on a whole new level. From the ships to the space battles to the way the sets were lit and shot, it was cinematic from day one. It looked like a Star Trek movie, but it was coming to my screen every week.
The first time I watched it, I was in awe of how big everything felt. The scale, the stakes, the emotions. It wasn’t the slow-and-steady Trek I grew up with—it was more like Star Trek if someone poured a double shot of espresso into the warp core and said “go.”
Now I’m re-watching it, and somehow… I love it even more.
Watch on Amazon, through Paramount+ [Star Trek: Discovery]
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🚀 What Makes Discovery Stand Out
More serialized than most of the other Star Trek series.
Instead of the classic “one adventure per episode” format, Discovery gives you season-long stories with high stakes and major character development from beginning to end. Which may make it more addictive!
One of the biggest things that sets it apart is the scale. Everything feels big. The ships, the battles, the tech, the plot twists that make you pause and go wait, what?! It’s like Trek turned all the dials to 10 and said, “Buckle up.”
And visually? Still some of the best in the entire franchise. The special effects are movie-level good. You can feel the weight of the ships, the energy in the room, the tension in space.
Oh, and speaking of surprises, let’s talk about the cat. The silent star, they really dropped this majestic creature into the show and just let her exist like royalty. And she kept showing up! As someone who deeply appreciates a good cat cameo, in love.
But what surprised me most was how emotional it could get. This show isn’t afraid to sit in the heavy stuff: loss, fear, sacrifice, identity, purpose.
It explores what it means to be human (and not human), and what it means to belong somewhere when you don’t fully fit in. It asks big questions, and makes you feel things along the way.
And of course, we have Michael Burnham. A lead character with heart, fire, and the kind of growth that’s honestly inspiring. She carries so much of this show’s emotional weight, and watching her evolve from where she starts to where she ends up?
It’s funny when I first watched the show I didn’t like her character, but that didn’t last long. I got to know her character, and I understood what she was trying to do with her role. She became a favorite character, besides Grudge.
💙 Why This One Hit So Deep
I didn’t just enjoy this show I felt it.
I think I just see myself in these characters. In their struggles, in their loneliness, in the way they carry responsibility and try to stay strong even when they’re unsure. Me in everyday.
There’s something comforting in that. It reminds me I’m not alone. That maybe the parts of myself I used to hide or didn’t understand are exactly what make me strong.
The relationships feel like home. The friendships, the tension, the loyalty…it’s the kind of emotional richness I always looked for growing up but didn’t quite find in my own world. The show gives you a chosen family. And even as an adult, I still lean on that.
These characters remind me who I want to be. They make me feel seen. They make me believe that being curious, compassionate, and kind still matters.
🧭 Where It Fits in the Star Trek Universe
Discovery kicked off the new wave of Star Trek—and it did it by blowing up everything we thought we knew.
It was the first series in years and completely changed the tone of what Star Trek could be. Gritty? Emotional? Cinematic? Yep. But still full of heart and hope? Absolutely.
It takes place before The Original Series, but don’t let the timeline stress you out. Just know that it’s the reason we got Strange New Worlds, Picard, Lower Decks… basically all the new Star Trek goodness.
And yes—Spock is in it. A younger, moodier, still-figuring-it-out version of Spock. And handsome too! Who isn’t a fan of Spock? Seeing him here felt like reconnecting with an old friend who’s going through some stuff, but in a hot, space-Vulcan kind of way.
We also get to meet a ton of characters who got their own spin-offs or showed up in other shows. Like Captain Pike and Number One, who did so amazingly in Discovery they got their own series.
Discovery, it expands the universe in ways that are bold, sometimes messy, but definitely surprising. It reminds you that Star Trek is still evolving, still pushing boundaries, and still has room for all kinds of stories. I seriously hope it never ends.
🚀 Meet the Crazy Huge Cast of Star Trek: Discovery
Michael Burnham – Sonequa Martin-Green
The heart and soul of Discovery. Burnham’s journey is a rollercoaster of loyalty, grief, and finding her place in the universe. I loved watching her character unfold.
Saru – Doug Jones
Saru, a towering Kelpien with nerves of steel and a heart of gold. His alien perspective adds unique depth to the crew’s adventures. And those shoes look like such a challenge to walk in, wow, I’m seriously impressed!
Paul Stamets – Anthony Rapp
Resident science genius and mycelial network master. Also: grumpy but lovable. I wonder if that’s like me.
Hugh Culber – Wilson Cruz
The doctor with the softest heart and the most chaotic husband (see above).
Sylvia Tilly – Mary Wiseman
The eager and optimistic Starfleet cadet who brings lightness and humor to the sometimes heavy moments aboard the Discovery. Our queen of awkward brilliance. She’s basically all of us trying to keep it together in space. She reminds me of high school.
Jett Reno – Tig Notaro
The scrappy, no-nonsense chief engineer who’s tough as nails but fiercely loyal. Hilarious at times, and one of my favorite characters.
Emperor Philippa Georgiou / Mirror Georgiou – Michelle Yeoh
Steals every single scene. Sharp, savage, and weirdly lovable despite being… well… terrifying. A fierce Asian lead, loving the representation and absolutely here for it!
Book – David Ajala
A man with a shadowy past, Book brings a grounded, sometimes rebellious energy to the crew, challenging Starfleet norms in unexpected ways.
Grudge the Cat
She’s not just a cat. She’s a queen. Every time she appears, I cheer.
Ash Tyler / Voq – Shazad Latif
Yeah, this one was complicated. But so compelling to watch unfold.
Keyla Detmer – Emily Coutts
Our badass pilot with the cybernetic implant and serious focus face.
Joann Owosekun – Oyin Oladejo
Quiet strength and always head strong in a crisis. Underrated but essential.
Gen Rhys – Patrick Kwok-Choon
Tactical officer. Another one of those “oh yeah I like this guy” characters. And another Asian character, I’m here for it!
Nilsson – Sara Mitich
Small role, but still noticeable.
Gabriel Lorca – Jason Isaacs
He plays a complex and mysterious role. He’s charismatic but keeps a lot hidden beneath the surface.
Adira Tal – Blu del Barrio
Adira is an interesting and unique character. Their relationship with Gray added a beautiful emotional layer to the story.
Sarek – James Frain
Sarek’s presence always carries weight, and in Discovery, he connects the show back to Star Trek’s roots. Logical, stoic, and deeply complex, he’s a pillar in the larger universe.
Captain Christopher Pike – Anson Mount
His character originated from The Original series. His acting in Strange New Worlds, got him a spin-off show. Which I love!
Note: There are so many other actors and characters not mentioned here, and they are just as important in bringing Discovery to life. Every one of them played a meaningful part in the journey.
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🌟 Final Thoughts
I started watching thinking I’d casually enjoy a few episodes and now I’m re-watching every series.
This show is just so much, and I mean that in the best way. It’s big, it’s beautiful, it’s chaotic, and it’s packed with moments that make you pause and stare at the screen like, “Well. That got me.”
I love that it starts one way, and then completely shifts directions, and more than once.
Whether you’re a lifelong Trekkie or just dipping your toes into the Starfleet pool, Discovery has something to offer. It’s bold, emotional, visually insane (in a good way), and filled with characters that stay with you.
So yeah. I wasn’t ready for the feelings—but I’m so glad I came back.
Now excuse me while I go start another episode like the fully functional, emotionally compromised space nerd I am.
There were things I was super stoked about, a few parts I questioned, and even some things I wasn’t the biggest fan of, but overall, it was totally worth the watch. The ups far outweighed the small handful of downs.
Spoiler-ish
💔I’ll be honest though, when I heard Discovery was ending, I felt a real wave of sadness. It’s hard when a show you’ve grown attached to…one that’s meant so much and grown with you, gets cut short. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
We still got several seasons (and I’m so grateful for that), I can’t help but wish there was more. More growth, more stories, more time with a crew that had become familiar, comforting… almost like home.
But even in its end, Discovery left a mark. And I’ll always carry that with me, just like I do with the rest of the series that shaped who I am.
Watch on Amazon, through Paramount+ [Star Trek: Discovery]
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