Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Finale Takes Fans on an Incredible 'Indiana Jones'-Inspired Adventure, Says Jonathan Frakes

Summary

Star Trek: Discovery season 5's finale is compared to Indiana Jones by director Jonathan Frakes, who views it as an action-adventure show.

Star Trek: Discovery was officially cancelled in March 2023, prompting reshoots to ensure a satisfying finale. The premiere of Season 5 on Paramount+ has been postponed to early 2024 due to ongoing strikes. However, if the strikes conclude beforehand, the premiere is still anticipated to proceed as planned.

Jonathan Frakes, beloved by the Star Trek community, recently compared the thrilling season 5 finale of Star Trek: Discovery to the iconic Indiana Jones movies. The acclaimed director directed the first half of the two-part finale, while executive producer Olatunde Osunsanmi took charge of the second half. However, following the news of the show's cancellation in March 2023, reshoots were swiftly organized to ensure a fitting finale for the series. In a pre-cancellation interview featured in Star Trek Explorer issue #8, Frakes enthusiastically discussed the exciting and action-packed tone of Discovery season 5, drawing a parallel to the beloved adventure films of Steven Spielberg. Have a look at his quote below:

"In Discovery season 5, we really embraced an action-adventure vibe that channels the spirit of the legendary Indiana Jones. It's been an exhilarating journey, and I can't wait for fans to experience the thrilling finale."

When Will Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Premiere On Paramount Plus?

The first half of this year's season finale of Discovery takes on an Indiana Jones vibe, striking a refreshing departure from the heavier and more emotional tone of season four. The show has successfully steered back towards its roots as an action-adventure series, evidently driven by a directive that resonates throughout the entire team, from Michelle Paradise and Alex [Kurtzman] to the cast members. The renewed energy and purpose are palpable, and personally, I found great delight in discovering moments of lightheartedness interwoven within certain scenes. This calculated balance was one of the reasons why First Contact resonated so well – it allowed the tension to build before subtly injecting a touch of humor to provide relief and set the stage for new developments. Levity has always been well-received by the audience, and this is exemplified perfectly by the reference to Indiana Jones. It's a commendable skill that nobody executes better than Spielberg.

The release of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 on Paramount+ has been postponed to early 2024 following its cancellation announcement. Initially, there were plans for a series of media events in 2023, where the cast and creatives would promote Discovery's final season. This included a Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2023. However, these plans were disrupted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The writers and actors involved in the strikes were unable to participate in discussions or promotions for Discovery season 5. While no specific premiere date for season 5 has been revealed, it is currently tentative for an early 2024 release, assuming the strikes conclude before then.

During the production of Star Trek: Discovery season 5, neither the creatives nor the actors, including Jonathan Frakes, were aware that it would be the final season for Discovery. The actors have expressed their excitement for the upcoming season, highlighting its more adventurous tone. In season 5, viewers can expect the introduction of new alien characters portrayed by Elias Toufexis, Eve Harlow, and Callum Keith Rennie, who will join the series regulars led by Sonequa Martin-Green as Captain Michael Burnham. As Jonathan Frakes puts it, Star Trek: Discovery season 5 aims to conclude the Paramount+ show that started it all with a thrilling sense of adventure, akin to the spirit of Indiana Jones, when it eventually becomes available for streaming.