I am sure that this will please all the Star Trek fans out there. I want to call you Trekkies, but my research indicates that maybe it’s not the right term. Whatever you call yourselves, you will be thrilled to hear that CBS is extended the season for Star Trek: Discovery. Just by one episode though. But that’s better than nothing. The original plan was to air eight episodes as part of the first chapter and then the remaining seven episodes beginning in January. But thanks to positive subscription numbers, there will be nine episodes during the first half, and six airing early next year.
So, you’re really not getting an extra show. You’re simply getting more in the first sitting. The premiere drew a record number of subscriptions for CBS All Access. Which is their digital, on-demand streaming service. And it was the most streamed premiere of any CBS show. CBS Interactive President, Mar DeBevoise said in a statement:
“The build up to the show’s premiere led us to a record-setting month, week and ultimately day of sign-ups. The second week of the series has also exceeded our expectations and is a credit to the brilliant and dedicated work of the show’s entire creative team and cast. We can’t wait for fans to see what comes next for the U.S.S. Discovery and its crew.”
These numbers are really good for CBS, but why aren’t they picking this up as a regular show? I mean, are there any shows on TV like this? Not specifically a Star Trek show, but this kind of genre. I want to say no because of how unique Star Trek is. Yes, there might be some that come close, but none of the same species, if you will. The network aired two episodes back to back. The first episode saw 1.17 million viewers, while the second saw 1.2 million. This doesn’t include the numbers from the Canadian network or people who viewed on-demand or using a PVR.
If you’re not familiar with the series, it takes place 10 years before Captain Kirk and his crew, in the original series from 1966. I wonder if it will be successful, or if it will come across like another franchise reboot? I grew up watching The Next Generation with my Dad and brother. Mostly against my will. At the time, I wasn’t really into sci-fi, but it didn’t take long for me to get interested.
Because this one takes place before the original, it makes you wonder if fans will tune in just because? It’s a prequel, isn’t it? Which means it will give you some information to how the story all began. In many instances, this is something that helps a viewer understand the story better. And in some cases, understand the characters better. But will Discovery do that for us? Maybe not the characters, as that’s not how this works. But perhaps the storyline. Or the history of the story as it’s being told. All of that aside, we are going to get to see a ninth episode before the winter break, which is exciting nonetheless.