Best-Case: No One Gets Killed Off
It seems like since The Walking Dead started killing off main characters at the drop of a hat that every series feels pressured to up the ante when it comes to drama. Much ado was made of Stamets and Dr. Culber’s relationship early on in the series. But, instead of having this pairing continue throughout the series and showing the spirit of Star Trek by portraying a healthy, loving couple deal with everyday problems (a couple that just happens to be two men) it was decided to kill off Culber so that Ash could have a shocking reveal as a Klingon sleeper agent.
As I stated above, one of Star Trek‘s greatest strengths has always been the ensemble cast. In the history of the franchise, only three of the main cast have died. One of them was revived (Spock), another came back in a different body (Dax), and the third died in the last episode of the series (Tucker). Part of what made previous Trek series, so endearing was the characters coming together as a team and solving problems. Discovery apparently thinks a modern Trek is better suited having the main characters snapping each other’s necks.
Culber’s death is a portrait of how much the previous showrunners did not understand the spirit of Trek. It was a dumb, throwaway moment and removed a character that had a lot of potential. Hopefully, those behind the helm at the series now realize that you don’t need contrived deaths of leading cast members as a vehicle for drama. If you just write well, the tension will still be there without having to rely on “shockers.”
Worst Case: The Discovery is Destroyed
I don’t feel like the team behind Discovery will go for another central character death since now it’s predictable. If the writing continues the tone of the last season, though, I can see them reaching for a new shocking twist. What better than blowing up the namesake of the show?
The USS Discovery is a ship that’s grown on me. I didn’t really like its flat, angular, look when I first saw it, but there are some nuances to the design that I’ve come to appreciate. The setting of each Star Trek series has tended to develop its own character, the Enterprise and Enterprise-D, DS9, Voyager, and others all came to be just as crucial to the heart of their series as the cast.
The Discovery hasn’t had that chance yet, unfortunately. With how tight the focus has been on Burnham we’ve only gotten to see the ship through her eyes for the most part. I hope in season 2 we get a chance to see more of the Discovery and its allowed to develop its own character.
Unfortunately, I could see it not getting the chance. The Discovery is once again going into danger this season, and I could see it not making it out this time. Unfortunately, with the grimmer tone the series is taking it wouldn’t be a surprise if the ship is destroyed near the end of the season and the action is moved to the Enterprise for the finale.
