This piece originally appeared as part of my weekly newsletter, The Full Lid. If you liked it, and want a weekly down of pop culture enthusiasm, occasional ketchup recipes and me enjoying things, then check out the archive and sign up here.

So I’m massively excited by the new Discovery trailer. Not just because it’s full of the exact stuff I like (SPACE RESCUE! SPACE ANGELS! MORE SPACE RESCUE! SPACE JOKES! SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE) but because there’s a very subtle piece of thematic connection I can’t help but notice.

One of the first things we heard Captain Georgiou say in the promos for season 1 was this:

One of the first things we hear Captain Pike (Hi Anson, in case you’re reading!) say is this:

Two idealists, linked by a ship they both command and the ideals they both embody. And both, we know, make vast sacrifices for.

One of the problems a lot of people had with the first season was how deeply grumpy it was and that’s fair. But with the war over, and an actual honest to God Space! Mystery plot, this looks to be a very different year. And one suffused not just with hope but with the idea of hope. Because make no mistake, that’s what Starfleet is, and what it represents at it’s best; hope. The willingness to push out past the known because something amazing may be out there. To engage with both the pragmatic conceit of exploration and the nebulous confection of belief in something bigger than you are. And for this crew, all veterans, and all abuse survivors, to do that is especially courageous. But then again, their other commanding officer showed them the way:

Discovery returns in January when hopefully, the four short episodes they’re releasing will also be broadcast outside the US too. Although I may be talking about those soon too…

 

This piece originally appeared as part of my weekly newsletter, The Full Lid. If you liked it, and want a weekly down of pop culture enthusiasm, occasional ketchup recipes and me enjoying things, then check out the archive and sign up here.