Why Did Star Trek Discovery’s Explanation for the Burn Miss the Mark?

It was not the first or the last “lame storyline” put out by the Star Trek: Discovery showrunners. They failed to invest much effort into plotting.

The Complexity of the Burn

The storyline behind the Burn in Star Trek: Discovery has sparked much debate among fans. The Burn, which causes dilithium in starships to become unstable and explode, was revealed to be caused by the emotional distress of a young child, Adiras, who had a childhood friend that suffered a traumatic experience. This explanation was found wanting by many for several reasons.

Complexity vs. Simplicity

Complexity vs. Simplicity: Some viewers felt that the emotional root of the Burn was overly simplistic for a franchise known for its exploration of complex themes. Fans often expect intricate plots with grand implications, and the Burn's origin felt more like a personal tragedy than a galaxy-wide crisis.

Expectations from Star Trek

Expectations from Star Trek: Star Trek has a legacy of tackling philosophical and moral dilemmas. The Burn's resolution did not align with the high-stakes, thought-provoking narratives that fans associate with the franchise.

Expectations for a grand narrative, involving deep thematic elements, were not met by the Burn's explanation, leaving viewers feeling underwhelmed with the magnitude and complexity of the storyline.

Pacing and Development

Pacing and Development: Critics pointed out that the buildup to the Burn's explanation lacked sufficient foreshadowing and depth. It felt rushed and underdeveloped, with the reveal coming at a point in the series where viewers were expecting a more substantial payoff. The build-up was not as carefully crafted as the payoff, leading to a sense of disappointment among fans.

Character Focus

Character Focus: While the emotional story of the child was intended to add depth to the narrative, some fans felt it detracted from the broader implications of the Burn and how it affected the galaxy at large. The focus on individual trauma rather than collective consequences meant that the wider narrative suffered.

Exploring Alternatives

Some fans wished for a different exploration for pulling the Federation apart and then allowing Discovery to show up and save it. An explosion of Omega molecules, for instance, would have made more sense. It would have permanently destroyed warp travel everywhere, introducing a different dynamic to the narrative. However, this solution would have its own set of issues, given the impact on the broader universe.

While some viewers appreciated the emotional angle and character-driven narrative, others found it unsatisfying in the context of the larger Star Trek universe and its storytelling traditions.