Here’s why to vote for ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ in the Bingewatch Awards

At the 2019 Bingewatch Awards, bingewatching multiple shows at once is honored as the noble and important art form it truly is. In recognition of this noble following, we’ll be recognizing Best U.S. Streaming Platform & Best Show to Bingewatch as two important and controversial categories.

We’ll also be posting new polls each day, filled to the brim with different shows we want your opinion on. Make sure you join the conversation over at Twitter, and be sure to Tweet at us if we missed anything to let us know why we should add it to the category.

Star Trek: Discovery can boldly go . . . to the front of this list. The show has been renewed for a third season after a major cliffhanger at the end of season two. So what can we look forward to in the series’s future?

What’s in store on Star Trek: Discovery?

Season 3 premiered October 15, 2020, and ran through January 2021. The season focused on the crew adapting to the 32nd century after The Burn. Expectations around Picard proved accurate as both debuted around the same period. The season two finale of Star Trek: Discovery saw the USS Discovery jump 930 years into the future. Keep in mind, Discovery only takes place a decade before Star Trek: The Original Series, so jumping nearly a millennium into the future is uncharted territory for the franchise. Plus, Captain Pike was left behind in the jump, so Discovery is deep in the thirty-second century with no captain.

We’re gonna get a new captain!

Star Trek: Discovery captains have the same problem as Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers at Hogwarts: they don’t last very long. Saru served as acting captain through much of season 3. Michael Burnham was promoted to captain by the end of season 3. Burnham remained captain through seasons 4 and 5. With the time jump, we’ll be seeing a new captain take over Discovery. Star Trek: Discovery has had the most turnover in the captain’s chair in the history of the franchise, with three separate captains having helmed the ship in a mere two seasons. Season one’s Captain, Gabriel Lorca, is dead – as is the fella from the alternate universe posing as him – while S2’s Captain Pike was left behind in the twenty-third century. No word yet if an existing character will take over or if a new captain will somehow be introduced.

Madness in front of the camera – but who’s behind it?

Co-creator Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Heroes) stepped down as executive producer after season one and the rest of the executive producer drama is just messy, so we won’t go there. All you need to know is co-creator Alex Kurtzman is still on board as executive producer for season three alongside executive producer Michelle Paradise (Exes and Ohs). Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise served as showrunners for the entire run. Season 5 was the final season and shortened to 10 episodes. Bryan Fuller involvement ended after season 1 as originally noted.

Who will be making this Back to the Future-style journey?

Most of the cast we’ve gotten to know is still on Discovery and coming with us into Star Trek’s future. Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), leader of the time-travelling mission, is definitely making an appearance in season three. Saru (Doug Jones) is currently the acting captain of Discovery after being made so by Pike, so he was naturally on board through the time jump. From the original crew, Lieutenant Stamets (Anthony Rapp), Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman), Dr. Culber (Wilson Cruz), Gen Rhys (Patrick Kwok-Choon), R.A. Bryce (Ronnie Rowe Jr.), Joann Owosekun (Oyin Oladejo), and Nilsson (Sara Mitich) all are still alive and on Discovery. Jett Reno (Tig Notaro) of the USS Hiawatha is on the future Discovery as well as Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) of the USS Shenzhou. Core cast including Martin-Green, Jones, Rapp, Wiseman, and Cruz returned for all seasons. New additions like David Ajala's Book became series regulars. Michelle Yeoh's Georgiou departed after season 3 for the Section 31 project.

How much longer do we have to wait for Star Trek: Discovery season three?

Season 3 released in 2020-2021 as previewed. The show continued with seasons 4 (2021-2022) and 5 (2024). Series ended May 30, 2024, with a finale and epilogue. There are no official dates yet, but season three of Star Trek: Discovery is in production now with an intended early 2020 release date. Star Trek: Picard is also filming now, so we expect both shows to follow the same schedule. However, during the Star Trek TCA panel, Variety tweeted that the showrunners are expecting a later 2020 release.

How Discovery's 32nd Century Era Shaped the Franchise

Season 3 introduced The Burn as a galaxy-altering event disconnecting Starfleet. The era allowed exploration of new technology, species, and Federation rebuilding. Later seasons built on this setting through seasons 4 and 5. The jump placed the crew in a future where the Federation had fractured and needed reconstruction, giving the writers room to examine how institutions recover from catastrophe.

Discovery's Role in the Modern Star Trek Renaissance

Discovery premiered in 2017 and paved the way for Picard, Strange New Worlds, and others. It was the first new live-action Trek series in over a decade at launch. The series ran until 2024, contributing to sustained franchise output. That run established the streaming model for Trek, moving the brand from broadcast to on-demand and opening the door for more series than the franchise had produced since the nineties.

The Series Finale and Epilogue Closure

Season 5 ended May 30, 2024, with Burnham as admiral and a family epilogue. Additional scenes were filmed post-renewal decision to provide closure. The coda tied into the earlier Short Trek episode Calypso. The final scenes showed Discovery in a far-future resting place and confirmed the ship's place in canon history, giving longtime viewers a satisfying loop back to the Short Trek vignette.

New Characters and Expanded Universe in Later Seasons

David Ajala joined as Cleveland Book Booker in season 3. Blu del Barrio and Ian Alexander introduced as Adira and Gray Tal. These characters featured prominently through the series end. Their presence expanded the show's focus on found family and queer relationships, moving the franchise forward in ways that felt earned rather than forced.

Star Trek: Discovery proved the franchise could survive a time jump, a new captain, and five seasons of reinvention. The series left the 32nd century more crowded and more hopeful than it arrived, which is exactly what fans expect from a show that refuses to stay put.