strange new worlds was a bust, but i've been curious for too long to not try st: discovery. watching the first episode, i am really impressed at how it has all the same problems
spoilers, natch.
I've been going through Star Trek TOS and when any character does anything against captain's orders, it's the most dramatic shit, always a major plot point if not the core of the plot itself. These ships' continued operation depends on everyone aboard following the chain of command, if it falls apart, the ship could fall apart, literally, people could die, everyone could die. The safety and lives of hundreds of people depend on your decision, whether you follow order or disobey them.
It's a serious, intense question for any of the characters to consider: to obey, when you think the order is wrong or dangerous, could lead to death, but you would not be to blame. To disobey, you might be correct, but if you aren't, if, say, you didn't have all the information you thought you did, and people die because of your disobeyal, you are singularly responsible. You'd immediately be relieved of duty, arrested, your life ruined, and you'd have to live with the guilt of your mistake. It is not something to be taken lightly, and nobody ever does.
And then Discovery out here like "disregard the Captain's orders cuz I don't like their face."
I just watched the TOS episode "The Doomsday Machine" (S2:E6) and it's a great example of this, how serious the line of command is to ensuring the safety of the crew, and how no character takes changes of command or disobeying orders lightly. Modern Star Trek could never have characters consider their actions this seriously, they'd have Spock immediately nerve pinch Commodore Decker with triumphant music so we can have the audience cheer and clap and tweet about it, because that's all that matters.
