First as non-theatrical Star Trek feature (one that is debuting almost a decade later Star Trek Beyond), Star Trek: Section 31 It seems like the type of project that could easily feel “made for TV” to tell a satisfying story that does its characters justice. but Section 31 It’s firing on all cylinders, and even though research At this point behind us, the film charts an interesting new course Star TrekThe potential future of
Michelle Yeoh was an icon long ago Star Trek: DiscoveryBut her performance as Captain Philippa Georgiou was part of what revived her career and put her on track for a much-deserved Oscar win in 2023. research After Yeoh’s exit in Season 3 changed, there was hope that Giorgio’s story could continue when it was first reported that CBS was interested in another spinoff series with him at the center. Due to delays related to the Covid-19 pandemic, Paramount Plus’ Star Trek: Episode 31 was reworked into a movie rather than a show from director Olatunde Osunsanmi – a move that research Executive producer Alex Kurtzman’s optimistic vision For more discoveries in this era of the franchise.
You don’t really need to look research to sink into Section 31. But it certainly helps to know a little bit about how, after the death of the real Philippa Georgiou in Season 1, her alternate-universe counterpart took her place and gave the USS an entirely different kind of exploration. brought energy While the prime universeDa Georgiou was a kind leader who believed in the mission of the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet to peacefully explore the galaxy, his mirror universe double was a ruthless tyrant who embodied the fascism of the Terran Empire.
until the end of researchIn the first season, it was clear that Emperor Georgiou was turning over a new leaf and sticking around to be a part of it. Section 31A secret team of operatives tasked with missions that run counter to Starfleet’s held beliefs. Giorgio and the rest of the members of Section 31 return often researchLater seasons as a morally questionable ally / foil to the show’s heroes. but Star Trek: Episode 31 Tells how Georgiou was convinced to join Starfleet’s secret team of deadly space spies.
mostly Section 31 Takes place in Georgio’s present, where she has become the owner of a seedy nightclub (which is also a spaceship) parked somewhere outside Starfleet’s jurisdiction. But the film opens in the past when young Giorgio (Miku Martineau) is one of the many Terran children locked in a battle royale meant to decide who will become the next leader of the empire.
Apart from his fellow contestant San (James Hiroyuki Liao / James Huang in flashbacks), no one understands the pain that defined Giorgio’s youth. And while adult Giorgio has come a long way since his days of ruling the Terran Empire with an iron fist, he’s still haunted by his memories of San and the things he did in his pursuit of power. Digging a little deeper into Giorgio’s backstory is one way Section 31 sets itself up to act as a continuation of threads from research And a jumping-off point for this era Star Trek. It gives you a taste of the darkness that made him so research The villain and inner turmoil that turned himself into the ultimate antihero. But it also helps you understand why Section 31 agent Alok (Omari Hardwick) tries to recruit Georgiou into his team for a top-secret mission that could use His special skills.
for all of Thorny philosophical questions about Starfleet and Star TrekThe main motto of Section 31 (Institution Raises) is a light-hearted comedy for Alok’s team’s presentation of the film. Like Georgiou, the shapeshifter Kwasi (Sam Richardson), the ersatz Vulcan Fuzz (Sven Ruegrok), and the telepath Mele (Humberly Gonzalez) each have unique talents and iffy principles that make them perfect for Starfleet’s off-the-books dirty work. . But they awkwardly bump into exoskeleton pilot Zeff (Robert Kaczynski) and human Starfleet officer Rachel Garrett (Casey Rohl), often making this iteration of Section 31 feel even more so. guardianA style group of ragtag misfits than an elite squad of wetwork soldiers.
That energy does work Section 31 Quite well as it depicts a high-stakes heist that Alok needs Georgio’s expertise to pull off. There is a bioweapon engineer who has created something so dangerous that Starfleet (unofficially) sees killing him as an acceptable measure if it means Section 31 can protect his creation. But the film’s tendency to err on the comedic side makes it feel a little awkward in moments when it tries to be serious about Giorgio’s personal demons and what the existence of Section 31 really says. Star Trekframing the Federation as a utopian society.
Image: Jan Thijs / Paramount Plus
Yeh is clearly chewing every scene she can get her hands on Section 31 Takes Giorgio out of his club – a place that looks like a dazzling fusion between The fifth elementFloston Paradise of and Star Wars‘ Galactic Senate – and throws him into the proverbial deep end. At times, the film’s mix of humor and flashy action sequences that result in the deaths of some of the Section 31 members seems like the way Paramount wants to play. Star TrekReply to Warner Bros.’ suicide squad Franchise.
It’s a fun atmosphere that gives the entire cast a chance to ham things up, but whenever Section 31 As Giorgio’s inner turmoil slows to zoom in, you get a sense of how much more substance these characters could have had they been fleshed out over the course of a series.
To its credit, Star Trek: Episode 31 The whole thing doesn’t feel like a movie cobbled together from ideas from a finished TV show. It works as a standalone story and leaves its surviving characters with a new situation that feels primed for further exploration in future projects. With many new ones Star Trek It’s easy to imagine that the show was recently canceled by Paramount Section 31 It is characterized as an experiment to see how interested viewers might be in watching Giorgio mix it up from week to week.
It feels like a success because of the trial run method Star Trek: Episode 31 leaves you wanting more, and while a full-on follow-up series may not be in the cards, it could be the start of a new era of surprisingly fun streaming. Star Trek Characteristics.
Star Trek: Episode 31 Hits Paramount Plus on January 24.
