Star Trek: Discovery star Jason Isaacs temporarily landed himself in murky water when the actor offered some candid thoughts on Discovery and what it means for established Star Trek legacy.
In the New York Daily News gossip section, Isaacs is quoted as saying he was “looking forward to having the fun of them [the fans] being outraged” because Discovery is so different from previous Star Trek. He also noted how his show is “Star Trek, but not as we know it,” which is largely against what others involved in Discovery both on and off camera have said.
Perhaps most controversial of all, Isaacs asserted that the Discovery would “throw away” the legacy of William Shatner and Patrick Stewart, although this statement appeared in the article without attribution. This was enough to warrant a tweet from Shatner himself.
@jasonsfolly 😯 pic.twitter.com/kHUaFncFmk
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 14, 2017
When asked for clarification, Isaacs denied having said anything about throwing away anyone’s legacy, and he even dared those who say they will never watch Discovery to stay away from it.
Fun facts
Yours are unfillable boots: I'm going barefoot.
Never mentioned legacies
Said I didn't care about ATTRACTING the diehard fans
https://t.co/SkiUWkh9L9— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) August 16, 2017
That said, for the few idiots offended enough to tell me
1) to go fuck myself and
2) they'll never watch
1) I'm my top choice
2) I dare you— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) August 16, 2017
So ends a quick but potentially disastrous PR nightmare for Isaacs and his show, but this little issue serves as a reminder for how careful Discovery‘s actors have to be about selling Star Trek in 2017. As we noted in a recent editorial, Star Trek is on thin ice now. Even relatively innocent but off-the-cuff comments like what Isaacs assumingly said to the Daily News is a slippery slope.
It’s perfectly fine to say that Discovery will be different than the Star Trek we know and love (to an extent), but pushing that argument too far is a quick way to alienate fans. So far, the team behind Discovery has done a respectable job of promoting the show and its place in the Star Trek franchise; they’ve made sure to cement the show’s modernity with classic Trek in a way that sells to both newcomers and fans. This Daily News example should serve as a lesson to pick your words carefully, especially when talking about an issue as sensitive as a new Star Trek.
And another lesson: maybe don’t talk to the Daily News gossip section in the first place.
Star Trek: Discovery‘s 15-episode first season is set to premiere on Sunday, September 24 at 8:30 PM ET on CBS. Immediately following the first episode’s release, the second episode will be available in the U.S. on CBS All Access, with subsequent episodes released on Sundays. The first eight episodes will run from September 24 through November 5, with the series returning in January 2018.
TrekNews.net is your dedicated source for all the latest news on Star Trek: Discovery. Follow @TrekNewsnet on Twitter, TrekNews on Facebook, @TrekNews on Instagram and TrekNewsnet on YouTube.
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Arron Ratcliff
August 17, 2017 at 8:41 pm
it’s the die hard fans that will make or break discovery.They are the ones that will be paying the monthly subscription fee in the U.S for CBS All Access. the Rest of the world will get it threw Netflix. To Be honest i wish CBS had let Netflix handle the U.S distribution as well. I all ready have a Netflix account now i have to get an All Access account just to watch one show.
Lüke Hellwÿck
August 18, 2017 at 10:41 am
threw = has thown = he threw the ball
through = from one side to another = the world will get it through netflix
Arron Ratcliff
August 18, 2017 at 12:18 pm
The Finger = I just gave you the middle finger = You were flipped the bird
The Bird = A rude and vulgar hand gesture shown to those whom you dislike.
ErectiousProlapsius
December 21, 2017 at 4:06 pm
So satisfied to see you’re still bringing the world to justice by fixing online grammatical errors. Sounds like a shit job, but someone has to do it. I luh you boo.
mr joyce
August 22, 2017 at 12:44 pm
ive got netflix too, and will be watching the show, i wont be getting cbs all access though, thats for sure, but i will be watching the pilot by ‘other’ means, im sure you will be doing somewhat the same
Arron Ratcliff
August 23, 2017 at 12:10 am
I’m actually gonna break down and get a subscription for the first month of the series.So that will cover the first four episodes and if i don’t like it i’ll cancel it and wont watch any more episode. if i do like it after my first month subscription expires i’ll figure out other means of watching lol. If CBS was smart they would go ahead and stick Discovery on the CW. since every cable company carries at least one local CW station around the country. At least then fans couldn’t complain about having to pay for it.
mr joyce
August 24, 2017 at 9:52 am
good point
EDIT;
although, ive just actually realised, its only on netflix here in england anyway, so i wont have to get all access thankfully 😛
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:00 am
Why not wait until all 15 episodes have aired, then subscribe to the service for your free trial week and binge them all over the course of a weekend?
Arron Ratcliff
September 25, 2017 at 11:30 am
I thought about that but decided on watching the first few episodes would be the fairest way. This way i paid for the show and gave it a chance to empress me and if it doesn’t. When i cancel my sub it’ll tell CBS This one fan wasn’t happy with the way the series was playing out.
Rob Wilkins
January 31, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Watch more. Its getting great. Saw on the news it beat out Walking Dead And Stranger Things …. 35 million people watching it after 13 episodes. Did not like first few but now its as good as any Trek. Just different. It has to be. Its not the 90s anymore. Those who cant change with the times fail. In everything. Hey… Im not thrilled about gay kissing im forced to watch even though i dont care if someone is gay , i just shouldnt b forced to see it. And HATE those uniforms. But overall. Its among the best of the franchise. All Trek season one sucked. And this one got great after like 6 or 7 episodes. Let it find its footing like all trek had to. Not one pilot was ANY good this one was no exception.
Arron Ratcliff
January 31, 2018 at 10:53 pm
While i hate the uniforms and the design of discovery the ship. it looks like a frigging pizza cutter. i’m enjoying the story telling the show is doing.and the whole same sex couple kissing on screen doesn’t bother me. i actually like the story involving the Doc and Stamits.And i am loving Lorca as captain holy crap Trek has never had such a bad ass for a captain. I’m bummed out now because there is only two episodes left to go before the season final and then we have to wait nearly a year to get more.
Rob Wilkins
January 31, 2018 at 8:19 pm
I hear it VERY hard to cancel once u have it. Ill say my debit card got lost after episode 15 get a new card with a new number then add it with my Amazon Prime package. They have All Access now too. But ill wait till season 2 for that as NO good Network TV exists. Only good TV u have to pay for or Torrent. I do both.
Bob Mielke
January 31, 2018 at 8:29 pm
I agree with you wholeheartedly on no good network TV. The only shows I watch on “commercial” network TV are “Lethal Weapon” (highly underrated) on FOX, “The X-Files” also on FOX, and “Better Call Saul” (OUTSTANDING SHOW!) on AMC. Everything else? HBO, Starz!, Netflix and Amazon. Nothing on the “big four” (ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX) other than the shows mentioned above hold my interest at all.
But if you’re looking for some GREAT shows to watch, if you haven’t started them yet, try “Mindhunters” (Netflix) and “Counterpart” (Starz!). Very highly recommended on both of those.
Then, I’m not sure what channel broadcasts it, but if you don’t object to subtitles, you should definitely torrent “Deutschland ’83”. PHENOMENAL Cold War espionage thriller… from the East German point of view no less!
America is Kiked
October 16, 2017 at 7:57 pm
I hope you got a refund
Arron Ratcliff
October 16, 2017 at 8:35 pm
actually i’m enjoying it more as the episodes progress. last nights episode felt like a real Star Trek episode
America is Kiked
October 16, 2017 at 7:56 pm
I DL’d it via torrent, and saw how bad it is. Who the hell would pay for it?
Rob Wilkins
January 31, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Gets better and better. And latest numbers on viewers…35 mil. Better than walking Dead and Stranger things. An unstoppable monster was a quote i read when that 35 million viewers shot blew me away. I love it now. Took like 7 episodes but never has Trek had a good season one. Never.
Demode
August 17, 2017 at 9:33 pm
I am a diehard TOS and TNG fan, and I’m sure this new show will be great. People need to lighten up.
hneftafl
August 18, 2017 at 7:49 pm
So if it sucks, you’re going to pretend to like it anyway?
E. Lee Zimmerman
August 19, 2017 at 4:30 am
That’s usually what the involved do. Sad what our society has become.
(Roc) Wayne Alford
August 19, 2017 at 10:37 pm
What i see is a bunch of old people that remind me of the ultra patriots during the vietnam war acting like a bunch of close minded idiots.
Before you storm the white house with your Federation flags held high how about watching the show?
It’s pretty much normal procedure to get their panties in a bunch even past the first 2 seasons before they claim it’s gods gift to sci-fi.
E. Lee Zimmerman
August 20, 2017 at 12:11 am
Dude, you make no sense.
Rob Wilkins
January 31, 2018 at 8:35 pm
Sure he does. Its the old people like me , 50 or more who refuse to like anything but TOS from 1966. I loved that one as a kid now ?… TOS is the only one i wont watch. Old cry babies who refuse to even try to like one of the best Treks to date.
E. Lee Zimmerman
February 1, 2018 at 10:46 am
Agreed. You do sound like an old crybaby.
hneftafl
August 20, 2017 at 6:46 pm
See my previous comment.
solerso
September 25, 2017 at 4:35 am
Just watched the pilot..it sucks AND blows….
Rob Wilkins
January 31, 2018 at 8:36 pm
Yes. The pilot was bad. Every Trek pilot was bad. Its awesome now. Give it 7 or 8 episodes. Wait till they go mirror universe and get stuck for 4 episodes or 5
Demode
August 20, 2017 at 11:18 pm
Nope. If it sucks, I will say so. But I’m going to give it a chance first.
Rob Wilkins
January 31, 2018 at 8:38 pm
It sucks at first then becomes one of the best about halfway…. Totally worth sticking with it.
Black Knigth
August 17, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Star Trek IS Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Gene Roddenberry and many others, if the network does not know that the series is doomed, Fans want the underlying nuance, not action packed assholes
John Berry
August 20, 2017 at 9:52 pm
I am afraid they really are that stupid.
Lee Mc Donald
August 18, 2017 at 12:06 am
Old Trek fans will watch or they won’t. Just like the relaunched movie series. New fans will be necessary to keep the franchise going. In that sense Jason Issacs is correct, and it’s his job, along with the rest of the group (actors, writers, producers) to do just that.
JB
August 18, 2017 at 8:46 am
I don’t see why new fans would need to be any different than old fans. Will new fans not resonate with moral, hopeful messages? Also, people who grew up with TNG, DS9, ect aren’t super old. They have all a lot of the buying power and they have kids, some of them the same age as when or parents introduced us to Trek. In the end, Isaac’s comments are just dumb for being so tactless.
Joe D.
August 18, 2017 at 10:45 am
Isaacs tweeted me after I commented the Klingons were messed up and told me I was going to watch either way so he will win. It’s like he doesn’t understand how things work. I’d say you were the worst Captain ever but The Orville already has that covered and will no doubt be a better show. He can’t even fail correctly.
Greg K Nicholson
August 18, 2017 at 11:05 am
Well, then… Are you going to watch? Or do you accept Lorca’s Dare — to _never_ watch an episode of Discovery for as long as you shall live and prosper? 🙂
Gen. Chang
August 18, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Orville will succeed, where Disco will fail. The fan base is already PO, and all he did was throw gas on the fire! What an A$$ !
And when the fan base writes about how horrible the show is, I suppose Issac’s will applaud the negative PR? The only thing I’ll be watching, is the free reruns after the show is cancelled.
Luv
August 22, 2017 at 7:41 am
Chucking continuity and respect for the past was the first insult, but the redesigned Klingons are the kiss of death. They’re so damned AWFUL!
The political correctness is another put-off. People are sick and tired of it in the real world; we want to escape to a better world, where this kind of garbage isn’t flung in our faces every day.
The music in the trailer is annoying. Apparently, no lessons were learned from that punk, grunting thing they slapped onto the beginning of Enterprise.
The whole franchise was put into a death spiral when they started the war with Axanar. The smart thing would have been to co-opt Axanar.
Gen. Chang
August 26, 2017 at 10:47 pm
I agree with all you said, but would add that the Studio’s did Co-opt Axanar. They literally stole the idea of the 4 years war. They only initiated the lawsuit as cover for their heinous act. By the way, do you visit FanFilmFactor.com? If not, you really should check it out. He wrote a boatload of articles about the lawsuit during the whole thing. BTW, I’m a fan too, of Axanar, if you couldn’t tell.
Luv
August 27, 2017 at 12:34 am
Wow, I didn’t realize it was that bad. Okay, that’s the karmic clincher. What scum.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:26 am
I found Discovery to be FAR more compelling after just one episode than The Orville, which is a pale imitation that’s just trying too hard, after three.
Berggeist
August 20, 2017 at 7:26 am
He’s personally responding to people for -days- over this and it’s honestly not what I’d call dignified.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:09 am
I watched the pilot and am curious as to how the Klingons were messed up. Is it just because makeup techniques have advanced astoundingly since the commonly-accepted Klingon design was introduced in “The Search for Spock” in (1984)? And yes, I know there were Klingons with ridged foreheads in the first film in 1979, but they still looked different from the design from TOS and TSFS.
These new Klingons actually speak Klingon, they wear armor, they prize honor above pretty much anything else, they’re combative, and they worship Kahless.
So… again… how exactly have the Klingons been messed up, OTHER than by advancing makeup techniques into the current age of entertainment instead of leaving it three decades in the past?
ltrasczak
August 18, 2017 at 11:49 am
Jason Isaacs has dared me to never watch STD.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
Henry Bemis
August 18, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Just like any STD, it should be avoided. Ha!
(Roc) Wayne Alford
August 19, 2017 at 10:41 pm
I hope the old fans leave permanently. Let the new fans take over just exactly as it was when the Next Generation started. flush the rotten turds away and let the millions of new fans reign.
Berggeist
August 20, 2017 at 7:42 am
So what are your criteria for old fans? Simply having enjoyed prior content or is it a biological age you want to cut off? Surely you understand you’re as bad as the ‘turds’ you rail against right now.
bill c
August 18, 2017 at 2:10 pm
Discovery was doomed way before this for the same reason Enterprise failed. Star Trek is about looking forward, not backward. This show should have been about a 25th Century Enterprise and a new crew. The fact that they put it on All Access and are going to make us pay for it compounds its issues.
Fraize
August 18, 2017 at 6:46 pm
No.
bill c
August 18, 2017 at 2:16 pm
OMG, this just got worse. I just read that the main character, Sonequa Martin-Green, is Sarek’s adopted kid and sister to Spock. This is getting ridiculous.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:36 am
What else did you read, as opposed to see with your own eyes?
Edit: Just finished episode 2, and my suspicions were correct. You just made that up about her being adopted by Sarek and being Spock’s sister. Clearly, you have no idea as to what the word “ward” means.
Gen. Chang
August 18, 2017 at 2:23 pm
The fact that CBS & Paramount alienated a big chunk of the fan base last year is already an uphill battle. The arrogant A$$ Issac’s only makes it certain that a large number of dedicated fans will not pay to see this jerk. There are many more reasons fans hate Disco, namely the fact that it’s so far from Canon, yet the studio’s lied about it. The fact it looks like Kelvin timeline, is due to the fact that it’s being produced under Paramount and BadRobot, who produced??? You guessed it, the last three movies. CBS don’t care because Netflix paid enough to cover making this atrocity. But, Netflix is furious because they can’t lineup any after market products. Disco is doomed, and they know it.
America is Kiked
October 16, 2017 at 7:59 pm
his kind have a lot of chutzpah
I Liek Tacos
August 18, 2017 at 2:53 pm
At least the brotha is honest.
Tone
August 18, 2017 at 3:42 pm
This just goes to show how highly these people, including the show runners regard Trek and its fans. We are being told to shut up and like what we are being fed, or else.
The recent Ghostbusters fiasco should have been a lesson in respecting your fan base, but these lefties just can’t take any kind of criticism of their opinions, and just must have their own way.
Yep, turning on your fan base is not a good way to take a steady pay cheque. He will most likely be looking for work again come the spring next year.
Fraize
August 18, 2017 at 6:49 pm
I’m a fan, and I love what they’re doing. Recognize please that there’s a diversity of opinions regarding Star Trek, and you are not its gatekeeper.
E. Lee Zimmerman
August 19, 2017 at 4:31 am
Stupidity comes in all shapes and sizes, too.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:38 am
As evidenced by your comment, apparently.
E. Lee Zimmerman
September 25, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Back at ya.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Oh that was clever. No imagination, huh?
Tod Abbott
August 18, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Before we go too far against Lorca’s dismissive and disrespectful comments, think about the incredible disrespect this show has received from a vocal part of Trek fandom. Imagine yourself committed to a show, working very hard, and pouring in a lot of emotional and intellectual energy to make it successful — and receiving predominantly negative comments from people who know very little about the show and have never seen an episode (and pledge not to).
Yeah, I can give Lorca a break on this one. Besides, staying up late arguing about the show is a longstanding pleasure and tradition. This reminds me of the brouhaha that was kicked up by Shatner’s “get a life” comment way-back-when. We laugh about it now, but people were seriously offended at the time.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:39 am
This! EXACTLY this! Thank you!
hneftafl
August 18, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Paramount has a long, looong history of screwing up ST. At least they’re consistent.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:40 am
Examples please.
hneftafl
September 27, 2017 at 3:31 pm
https://www.google.com/
Bob Mielke
September 27, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Thanks, but Google won’t have links to your personal opinion. Only you can provide that. I am genuinely interested in why *YOU* feel Paramount has that history.
For me, I have to THANK Paramount for removing Roddenberry as a producer of his property after “The Motion Picture” and installing Harve Bennett in that role, which directly led to us immediately getting the best Trek film out of all thirteen (so far), “The Wrath of Khan”, which sparked the unquestionable resurgence of all things Star Trek. Then, in 1986, they wooed Roddenberry back to TV and let him create “The Next Generation” directly for syndication, giving us the best Trek TV series of all time (again, so far). Without Paramount, we would have received neither of those things.
So this is honestly not to start an argument or feud. I am genuinely interested in a dialogue for your opinion.
hneftafl
September 28, 2017 at 12:29 am
You already have my opinion. I’m not getting paid to write you an article. As a long-time fan of the franchise, I have read a lot about it’s back-end and perhaps you could do the same.
Bob Mielke
September 28, 2017 at 1:11 am
If that’s the way you want to play it. Oh well…
Yes, I have your opinion. Backed up by… well… absolutely nothing. But in my previous message I laid out my opinion and backed it up with supporting facts based on everything I’ve read over the many years of my own fandom, which is four decades and still going.
Your refusal to do the same courtesy only tells me that you just want to pile on the other people bitching about the current state of the franchise, but when pressed for details you can’t come up with any. Your “Google It” response is simply the lazy and uninformed-revealing answer of someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
“Not getting paid to write me an article”? My responses took less than two minutes apiece, and I didn’t try to overinflate my own sense of self worth with such a chickenshit excuse to not answer.
So, yes, NOW I’m responding with a deliberately condescending tone, because your lazy ass deserves it this time.
Ciao!
hneftafl
September 28, 2017 at 9:18 am
You’re a fucktard. Get a life.
Bob Mielke
September 28, 2017 at 10:50 am
Thank you for proving my point for me. 😀
Gigabear
August 18, 2017 at 8:44 pm
I’ve waited so long for new trek that I’ve likely forgotten most of the old shows. If this show is garbage, which it increasingly looks like it will be between all the delays, the politicking of the crew setup, doing ANOTHER prequel show in an established universe, and now dissing their fanbase, I may end up watching those instead.
My only real regret is that I won’t get a decent new installment to the Trek franchise, and this might kill it outright.
Gen. Chang
August 18, 2017 at 11:06 pm
Cheer up Gigabear,
You can watch all the Series six days a week, one episode from each, every night on Hero’s and Icons TV. Look them up for station locations throughout the US. Broadcast and on cable in some places. But every state is included.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:45 am
Or… should you choose to subscribe in order to see all of Discovery… you then also get access (no pun intended) to every series, every season, every episode of Star Trek that you can watch on your OWN schedule instead of being fed one episode at a time. You can binge multiple episodes, and you can pick and choose which ones you want to watch, when you want to watch them, instead of waiting for the good ones to air on someone else’s schedule.
E. Lee Zimmerman
August 19, 2017 at 4:33 am
Pulls out the classic TOS on DVD. They never get old.
Mike Perry
August 19, 2017 at 5:24 am
Eight episodes and then we’ll have to wait 2 months? CBS… Are you trying to fail on purpose?
Daniel Fleming
August 19, 2017 at 10:17 am
I’m a long time fan and Isaacs rebuttal was hilarious. I like the guy already just from that alone! I think he has some good points. I love Star Trek but some of the more vocal fans can be very stuck in their ways. Personally, I’d hate to see the same old thing in brand new drag. It’s such a fascinating universe, something new (Stylistically, story structure and character development wise) to explore would be amazing. I’m probably one of the few who thought star trek enterprise is right there at the top with TNG and DS9 as it tried something new. They may have stumbled in the first couple of seasons, but 3 and 4 I thought were among the very best of all trek. RIP Trip :'(
I think this show could be great and open a new chapter to explore. I do expect it stumble about at first (TNG, DS9, VOY and ENT all had that issue), but I think it’s worth giving a chance.
Darcy Fournier
August 20, 2017 at 8:30 am
CBS already pissed of many with the pay to watch crap. Then, they go in an rewrite history with Sarek having an earthling protege growing up around Spock, the hairless golden Klingons…female captains before Kirk’s time…the actor is right- this is not trek as we know it and the only reason Sarek is even in it is to make a link to an otherwise unrecognizable offering into the Trekverse.
Bob Mielke
September 25, 2017 at 11:49 am
Wait… What? One of your objections is that there were female captains before Kirk???
We have female captains, commanders, etc. in our time RIGHT NOW, and you’re complaining that in a fictitious universe 250 years from now that there won’t be female captains until AFTER Kirk?
Darcy Fournier
August 20, 2017 at 8:33 am
No “new fans” will sign up to pay to watch this show. Those already subscribed to CBS all access may or may not watch…its the DIE HARD’S that will tune in…or out and that must be respected. If it were on a free channel or already one one in the channel lineup you are already paying for, new fans might just tune in…it’s fking insulting to have to pay to watch this outside of my normal Direct TV package.
Ron H
August 21, 2017 at 7:16 pm
Isaacs is drumming up publicity and you all are falling for it. My message to Isaacs and his show:
https://youtu.be/3Oc8DJ4t1jc
Dax Jacobson
September 4, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Crafting a Trek new and old care about might be impossible, my decision NOT to watch is made easy thanks to requiring I sub to CBS All Access, something I’m unwilling to do. IF ST:NG had been behind a pay-wall I would have NEVER cared to watch it, and it sucked for a few years too, and Gene Roddenberry was still around to keep it on track. Leslie Moonves is not someone I trust. I’m going to be watching the Orville on Fox instead.
doddododododdo
September 25, 2017 at 4:45 pm
so, CBS wants you to pay 6$/month with commercials or 10$/month without to watch the STD of StarTrek, oboy are they gona make a killing off of you and the sponsors….i liked e01 and e02 but from what i seen of the rest i may not like it, and there is no way in hell am i gona pay for it…just my 2 cents worth…ooops i paid for it..can i have my 2 cents back
America is Kiked
October 16, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Star Trek Discovery is swarming with queers, yids and other degenerates – couldn’t run a stage coach, never mind a starship
Faggot Lips
November 26, 2017 at 3:26 pm
This show was made by faggots!!!
Jack
January 6, 2018 at 12:28 am
Apparently, the “die hard” Trek fans are all whiny little bitches.