Coast of Utopia: Star Trek: Discovery‘s odd future
While many of the core elements of Star Trek‘s “wagon train to the stars” model remain in Discovery, the series’ ideological focus and relative disinterest in depicting futurity sets it apart from much of the rest of the franchise. To be sure, there are many laudable elements early on–the strong opposition toward the rhetoric of racial purity, an animal cruelty plotline, and an interest in extensively representing diversity in both the cast and themes. However, in exchanging an idealised future for the quasi-present, Discovery abandons many of the solidaristic elements of prior series’ political utopianism and offers a flawed depiction of racial disharmony in their stead.
By James Rushing Daniel.