Captain Pike Returns for Discovery

CBS All Access' serialized "Star Trek: Discovery" might be as polarizing as the current strand of "Star Wars", "Doctor Who" and CW's "Supergirl", if not for folks having to pay for it. (Too many already shell out for far too little. Why add another pay station in an endless line of the unwatched?) On the other hand, it appears that some might be deterring the series due to its reputed  ambiguity of which universe it should occupy, not to mention where it falls in any given timeline.

With that said, any such controversy stemming from "Discovery'"s design and purpose must wait for another post. This one will focus on Captain Christopher Pike's return to the franchise.

For the sake of "Discovery", Pike is now portrayed by Anson "Hell On Wheels" Mount. (Mount had a cut-way-too-short run as Black Bolt on ABC/Marvel's "Inhumans". Damn shame...)  Anyway, Mount has the right look and demeanor for Pike. It comes through in "Discovery'"s sequel season teaser. 

Pike was established by actor, Jeffrey "King of Kings" Hunter, who'd have continued as classic "Star Trek'"s lead, if not for his wife objecting to the show's science-fiction content, inspiring Gene Roddenberry's switch to Bill Shatner's James T. Kirk. 

Hunter's portrayal, which resonates with identifiable depth in "The Cage" and its modified, Kirk/Spock wraparound edition, "The Menagerie", set the standard for Pike, and since such time, Sean "the Corpse Grinders" Kenney (in mute form) and Bruce "Nowhere Man" Greenwood (in J.J. Abrams' alternate-reality, theatrical track) have portrayed the Enterprise NCC-1701's first captain.

It's odd that a long-term series hasn't been done on Pike. (Some would argue that it's as baffling that a Captain Sulu series hasn't surfaced, since it seemed a given after George Takei's flashback appearance on "Voyager".) Who knows? This "Discovery" deal could spawn an extended Pike trek, perhaps.  

I only hope for Pike's sake (just as I hope for the proposed Patrick Stewart/Captain Picard spin-off) that CBS doesn't muck it up. Mount can pull this off, but if his exposure goes skimpy or against the grain (and knowing CBS, these are grim possibilities), a historic opportunity will be lost. That would be as bad as if Pike's re-entry hadn't come at all--no, make that worse. 

Oh, well, fingers crossed...

("Star Trek: Discovery, Season 2" premieres Thurs, Jan 17.)

I saw Inhumans...

As most know, the live-action edition of Marvel's "Inhumans" sprung from out ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.", but this Kree offspring has since become its own entity. To strengthen this intent, the initial installment has premiered via IMAX: a clever way for the network to spark interest in the show, especially since the once secured "S.H.I.E.L.D." has bordered on cancellation; plus we all know what happened to "Agent Carter" (such a damn shame). Well, so much for the past...

The hero of Marvel's latest, filmed endeavor is Jack Kirby/Stan Lee's Black Bolt (a nifty name that jives with the man's stylish attire), King of Attilan (a kind of moon-base Atlantis), played by "Hell On Wheels'" Anson Mount (one of my favorite, current thespians). There's emphasis on Bolt's cultural background and its connecting deceit in the early phase of the story, with royal panache and colossal-canine CGI complementing the progression.

Bolt doesn't speak and yet isn't necessarily mute. Though Anson's character communicates mostly through sign language, his mutagenic specialty is a destructive scream, which can obliterate opponents in a snap (and even those close to him, if he's not careful). 

Supporting Anson/Bolt is Iwan Rheon as Maximus, our hero's shifty, power-hungry brother; Serinda Swan as Bolt's fiery haired Queen Medusa (okay, she may not turn one to stone, but if you get fresh, she'll likely smack you with her crimson strands); Sonya Balmores as Auran; Isabelle Cornish as Crystal; Eme Ikwuakor as Gorgon; Ken Leung as Karnak; Ellen Woglom as Louise; and Mike Moh as Triton. 

Indeed, there are obvious nods to Greek/Roman mythology by the mere mention of certain names, but any variation of superhero, to some extent or another, can trace its roots to those forever popular, ancient ones. Indeed, this incarnation exudes as much of an Olympian regality as it does Atlantean. 

For the record, the ninety-minute (or thereabout), theatrical premiere is a swell kickoff: sprawling, exotic and cool. The ponderous padding of "S.H.I.E.L.D." is non-existent as well, replaced by a swift sweep into fugitive-on-the-run fun.

It's sure nice to get the early scoop on the eight-episode series, and I hope we'll get a larger crop of episodes somewhere down the line, assuming the ensuing entries equal the premiere's wonderment. Who knows? "Inhumans" might even surpass Phil Coulson and his anguished agents in televised longevity.

"Inhumans" debuts on ABC September 29.

ANSON MOUNT IS BLACK BOLT!!!

As a huge Anson Mount fan (and as such, a long follower of AMC’s “Hell on Wheels”), I’m pleased as punch that the actor is headlining ABC’s upcoming “Inhumans” series. Incidentally, word has it that Mount was once considered for Bruce Wayne in "Batman v Superman"; perhaps, therefore, it was only a matter of time that the star officially enter the comic-book adaptation realm. 

Mount will portray Black Bolt, the Inhumans leader. Bolt, in case one is unaware, was spawned from two loving Inhumans and is the amazing result of the incredible Terrigen Mist. Bolt has the extraordinary ability of rocking situations with his supersonic scream. (Somehow I can’t imagine Mount in a screaming capacity, even if it’s supersonic, but I’m sure it’ll all pan out for the series.)

I must confess, I was wary that an "Inhumans" series would manifest, considering that "Agent Carter" met an untimely demise and “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is currently on real shaky ground, but hey, this spin-off appears confirmed, so I guess something of substance is, indeed, developing.  

“Inhumans” is slated for ABC’s fall schedule, with the initial two episodes intended to premiere in advance via select IMAX theaters.