Starfleet Academy

[+ Gar1eth]

I've watched the first episode. If I can borrow a term from literature, it looks like it's going to be a 'bildungsroman' for the co-lead character Mir-a journey from inexperienced youth to adulthood although this youth starts out at the age of 21. 

I liked the episode. But something happened at the end --(minor) SPOILER ALER-he does something incredibly stupid and gets basically a slap on the wrist. Other than that it was a good 1st episode.  

The actor playing Mir is Sandro Rosta who has very little experience before this. But I think he did very well in Episode #1. I could probably watch the show just for him. In his initial scenes there's not much to his shirt. And his arms and shoulders are enormous. He's 6'2" per web search. And he has a commanding presence even  once he's fully dressed in his Starfleet cadet uniform. His cadet uniform puts you in mind of Logan's Run-a one piece white/silver outfit. 

Even if you don't plan to watch the series, if you're a fan of muscular thick shoulders and enormous forearms, I'd def watch the first 20 or 30 minutes. 
 

 The other lead is Holly Hunter. She  plays the captain. I knew I knew her. But I didn't recognize her. I actually had to go to IMDB to find out who was playing the captain. I hadn't seen her in a long time. She's playing a humanoid alien. Her chin looked somewhat 'pointed' to me. I wasn't sure if that was an alien characteristic or whether she's had some work done. Looking online I think it's more likely she's has some work done-or it's just age related changes. She's 67 now.  

 

 

Edited Friday at 08:36 AM by Gar1eth

[dutchal]

Binge-watched the first six episodes over the long weekend.  The later episodes don't focus on Caleb Mir as much as the early ones do.

The show is clearly the progeny of the original Star Trek.  Some of the plot twists and turns, taking advantage of the fact that almost anything can happen in science fiction, are cheesy.  But some of it is riveting and fascinating.

Sandro Rosta/Caleb Mir is a hunk and a half.  And every episode gives the lustful viewer just enough of his skin to keep you coming back for more.  His physical presence goes beyond his physicality and is impressive.  In the show, he's an intriguing character, although by the sixth episode his development is becoming predictable.  We'll see what the remaining episodes bring.

I fail to understand why Holly Hunter's character seems to be allergic to a hairbrush.  Her hair always looks like she just got out of bed and then walked through a wind tunnel.  She also plays an intriguing character, and the dynamic between her and Caleb Mir is both central to the show and the most complex and best written part of the plot.

The Robert Picardo/Doctor character as a 900 year old holograph hooked on opera does not work well.

The conflict between the War College and Starfleet Academy lacks a credible basis.

The most intriguing character of all so far is Karim Diané as Jay-Den Kraag, a Klingon cadet.  There is clearly more of his story in the offing.

It's interesting to see Paul Giamatti play a tough bad guy. I think he overplays it sometimes.

I'll confess that at this point I'm hooked.