My Issue with Star Trek: Section 31 as a Longtime Fan

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❗️Caution: The following content may reveal SPOILERS for the series ‘Star Trek: Section 31‘. You can watch it using a Paramount+ subscription, but view with caution to avoid spoiling your experience!

Critics have weighed in on the latest release, “Star Trek: Section 31,” and for those who haven’t yet perused professional reviews of previous “Star Trek” films, they weren’t flattering. Although the movie has managed to garner some supporters while streaming on Paramount+, I believe it’s crucial to discuss one significant blunder made by “Section 31” that can’t be overlooked by dedicated fans like myself.

Upon catching the first preview of Section 31, I publicly declared it as one of my most eagerly awaited productions for the year. Although I admired the series’ ambition to innovate and adore the ensemble, the narrative didn’t quite meet my expectations in a crucial aspect, leaving me puzzled as to why the audience seemed like an afterthought when it came to incorporating Philippa Georgiou back into Star Trek.

Star Trek: Section 31 Being Accessible To All Audiences Is A Major Downside For Fans

If you’ve never watched a single “Star Trek” project during your lifetime and have been hooked on “Section 31” from its inception, this might be intriguing for those who are simply seeking an action-packed movie outside the fandom. However, it could come as quite a surprise for the typical “Trek” fan, considering that almost every film in the franchise has relied on some familiarity with the characters and their backstory.

I didn’t realize its importance until encountering unfamiliar characters placed in peril. Despite their undeniable talent, their predicament holds no emotional weight for me as a spectator because they’ve been part of my viewing experience for so long that they might as well be background characters. The one character with connections to previous series, Rachel Garrett from Star Trek: The Next Generation, is significant because her survival is crucial due to events in the future of TNG, making her the character most viewers feel will survive unharmed.

A regular viewer probably isn’t familiar with these details, which means they likely weren’t as upset about it as dedicated fans might have been. However, it appears I wasn’t the only one who was excited about this Star Trek movie, given that we’ve just bid farewell to Discovery and Lower Decks. Watching something like this after such a year, and then being presented with a film that intentionally ignores fan expectations, feels like an unwelcome surprise.

The Movie Relies On A Character Central To Star Trek: Discovery, But Shuns The Series And Other Recent Trek Shows

In just a few initial scenes, Section 31 provides us with essential details about Michelle Yeoh’s character Georgiou. Born in an alternate universe known as the Mirror Universe, she ascended to become the Terran Empress following a tragic event where she had to take the lives of her own family. Despite her complex past, she is the main protagonist of the story. However, I can understand how newcomers might find this character’s status initially perplexing.

In a different phrasing, although Georgiou from Yeoh’s Star Trek series can be likened to Darth Vader, she demonstrates more virtuous traits in the show Discovery. It might seem unusual for someone who has already decided to watch this film to then seek out Discovery to understand her character fully, but I would have hoped that the movie would delve a bit deeper into why she possesses the potential for good despite her history of malevolent actions.

In simpler terms, while there are some superficial ties to the extensive Star Trek history, the intricate details and characters introduced in recent live-action shows aren’t featured in Section 31. I was hopeful when Strange New Worlds actors attended the film’s wrap party, but given that it’s set during an era of Trek previously unexplored, it would have been challenging to include them in the storyline.

In a departure from typical Star Trek film traditions, the movie opted to cater to a broader audience instead. This approach felt unusual, especially considering the dedicated fanbase nurtured by the series over the years. However, it’s possible that Paramount saw potential in attracting new viewers, given Michelle Yeoh’s first Trek project following her Academy Award win.

Did The First Star Trek Movie In Almost Nine Years Need To Be For Anyone Other Than The Fans?

As a devoted Star Trek fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the latest film in the series, which has been nine long years in the making. For many of us in the fandom, the announcement that “Section 31” would be the title was a significant milestone. The anticipation was palpable, and it wasn’t just about Michelle Yeoh returning to the franchise; it was about diving into a story centered around the enigmatic, secretive organization known as Section 31.

Unfortunately, due to its focus on appealing to a broader audience, the film fails to fully explore and appreciate the depth of character and elements from Philippa Georgiou, Section 31, and other aspects of Star Trek that devoted viewers cherish, resulting in a less impactful experience. As I mentioned earlier, there is indeed an entertaining action-adventure within this movie, but it’s not the film that longtime fans were eagerly anticipating.

It seems clear that the negative reviews from devoted fans may have been influenced by their high expectations for this film. Admittedly, it might have been unrealistic to anticipate such greatness from this movie. Regardless of the circumstances, we can’t deny that this isn’t the first critically panned Star Trek film. Given Michelle Yeoh’s interest in reprising her role as Georgiou, there’s a possibility for another attempt at a sequel, if Paramount decides to proceed with its production.

If you haven’t yet watched “Star Trek: Section 31” on Paramount+, I highly recommend giving it a try. While I personally found the film more engaging than many other fans, I must admit that it seems to have been primarily crafted for a different audience.

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2025-01-29 04:07