Star Trek Section 31 Review
Paramount+

In 2017, CBS introduced its new Star Trek show, Discovery, to launch its commitment to bringing the franchise back to television. It was exciting, as it had been far too long since it had been on TV (Enterprise wrapped up its run in May 2005). Flash forward eight years, and with the release of the TV movie Star Trek: Section 31, it’s abundantly clear that it’s time for a change. Those in charge seem lost, relegating a once proud franchise into a shadow of its former self.

“Section 31” is the code name for a secret organization in Starfleet that answers to a different set of rules. Their mantra is to protect the United Federation of Planets. To do that, they will bend the rules and break them if necessary. It is an interesting idea and, in the right hands, could have been a lot of fun. However, the TV movie was far from fun, quickly crumbling into dust under the weight of bad writing while trying to be something it is not.

Michelle Yeoh is back as Philippa Georgiou, once Emperor of the Terran Empire in the Mirror Universe, to lead a group to stop the sale of a weapon that could send the Federation into chaos and possible war with the Terrans. This is not Yeoh’s first rodeo with “Section 31,” as she first dipped her toes in Discovery. Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, and Discovery all brought “Section 31” into their collective series, albeit in very small doses, and all did a better job than what we were given here. 

There is a lot to play with, including the idea that a secret organization runs black op projects right under everyone’s nose. Yet it feels like an aborted TV series morphed into a ninety-minute TV movie with B-movie action and lines of dialogue that must have made some of the actors cringe. Chasing down a weapon of mass destruction (this one is called the Godsend) is an old reliable, yet acceptable beginning. However, the in-between stuff, such as interactions, is what fans cherish most, but here, it’s just a mess of rehashed nonsense. 

The characters are like knockoff Suicide Squad members, shadows of actual characters with weird accents and awful one-liners. Alok (Omari Hardwick), Quasi (Sam Richardson), Zeph (Robert Kazinsky), Rachel (Kacey Rohl), and Fuzz (Sven Ruygrok) round out the team that has almost zero chemistry and lack depth, except in the odd moment which makes it even more frustrating. We get to see some of Philippa’s backstory and the moments that haunt her. It’s quite a coincidence that it rears its horrible flashback head here, something else that feels like it was put in just for story filler. 

Yeoh tries her best, maybe even too hard, and can still kick some ass in her early sixties. Still, it’s not enough to save the movie. Some pieces were actually interesting, snippets of characters and story ideas, but the powers that be, I’m looking at you, Alex Kurtzman, seem to have lost sight of what drew Star Trek fans in the first place. It’s not about big explosions, big set pieces, or wonderous planets and other species, but making compelling characters and writing for adults. Section 31 is like a cardboard collection of cutouts, ideas laid out in the most barebones way; only nothing ever develops. 

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There is not much left of the Kurtzman era of Trek, save Strange New Worlds, which is heading into that all-important third season after a solid start and an average to good follow-up season. Picard, Discovery, and Lower Decks have all bowed out, and the only new project on the horizon is Starfleet Academy, which I’m not sure many asked for or are looking forward to. (I hope I’m wrong, but the track record is spotty.). For the most part, this era has suffered from too many cooks in the kitchen, with ideas being shaped more like agendas than true arcing Trek storylines. 

However, there is always hope, and the ten-minute short Star Trek 765874: Unification is an excellent indication that there are those out there who understand. It is a fan-made short film with no dialogue that gives us a quick stroll through Captain Kirk’s life, visits some old characters, and offers a wonderful moment between Kirk and Spock. It is intelligent and emotional and should be required viewing on how to connect with viewers.

The Kirk and Spock dynamic was built over a long time and is hard to duplicate today. The heart, sense of wonder, and clever writing have been left behind. If anything, Section 31 is a blatant reminder that this current reboot of televised Trek is not working. Perhaps it’s time to let it lie until someone with a fresh, new vision is ready to take the reins and “boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Star Trek: Section 31 is now streaming on Paramount+.

Rating: 2/5 Stars

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