Star Trek Beyond: 10 Things It Did Better Than J.J. Abrams

In both Star Trek ’09 and Into Darkness, the plot has involved Earth, because it is assumed that an audience will only invest in a story that directly affects them. This is an erroneous assumption, and it clearly assumes very little of humanity. After all, the theory is essentially suggesting that people only care about themselves, and cannot sympathise with the struggles and plights of outsiders.

In the original series, the plot rarely involved Earth, and Earth was rarely in danger. In the show, the audience would be introduced to new races, and would be given reasons to care about the continued survival of those races. Having the plot constantly revolve around humanity is selfish, and as a narrative device, it’s exceptionally cheap. It involves no effort, or thought. I mean, you’re told to care about Earth because it’s Earth, and that’s where you live, so care about it.

In Star Trek Beyond, the story takes place predominantly on an alien world, and the only humans in danger are those who occupy the remote space-station, Yorktown. The Earth is mentioned sparringly, and is never in any real danger. There is a small suggestion that the planet might one day be affected by the threat of the film, but it's only a passing comment, and it isn't elaborated upon.

Instead, we’re introduced to a brand new place, and all new characters, and we’re given plenty reasons to care about each of those things, which might be a first for this particular trilogy.