Star Trek is undoubtedly an international phenomenon. Fans across the globe wait as the calendar draws closer to the release of "Star Trek: Discovery" on September 24th. Those same fans have already been made aware of some steps taken by the creators to keep the new series grounded in the Star Trek universe with which we are already familiar.
Similar Setting
The new series will be set between the oldest and newest series, "Star Trek" and "Star Trek: Enterprise" respectively. One would notice that, while set much closer towards the original series, the trailers show us a uniform much more closely resembling that of Enterprise.
The ship on which the show will take place was referenced in the first season finale of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Conspiracy". The episode centered on an alien species attempting to covertly take over Starfleet, an idea that would later be used (much more effectively), in "Star Trek: Deep Space 9." Is this a hint that this series will include such a plot?
As far as plot is concerned, we definitely know that the Klingons will be involved and that these events will likely lead directly to the events of the original series.
Familiar Faces
With the series being set so close to the original, the creators have been sure to add in established characters, such as a younger version of the con man, Harry Mudd, and Spock's father, Sarek.
Harry Mudd, referred to by his wife as Harcourt Fenton Mudd, was an antagonist in the original series that was frequently played for more charm and comic relief than any real suspense or threat. He is known for attempting to sell the crew a drug to make women more desirable and androids of similar, lascivious intention. His role as the morally questionable opportunist would later be somewhat replaced by the Ferengi, a race of humanoids that were similarly greedy, but far less charming.
In Discovery, Mudd will be played by Rainn Wilson, known for his work on The Office. It seems fitting to move from the awkward, antagonizing role of Dwight Schrute to the similarly awkward, antagonizing role of Harry Mudd.
It has already been stated that Sarek will be an adopted father figure to the lead, Michael Burnham. This does, of course, cause one to wonder why Spock never so much as mentioned the character, but this estrangement is something we are assured will be explained in the series.
Sarek will be played by James Frain, known for his work as Theo Galavan, or Azrael, in the television series, Gotham.
We know that the series plans on incorporating established events and characters; let's hope the series is able to do so while crafting its own identity
