New CBS ‘Star Trek’ Series Called ‘Discovery’ And All 726 ‘Star Trek’ Episodes To Be Streamed On Netflix

Trekkies worldwide are having a galactic week experiencing a cosmic trifecta. First, the new movie Star Trek Beyond premiered last weekend. Then, CBS announced that the new series will be called Star Trek: Discovery. Best of all, Netflix is finally going to make all of the previous Star Trek series available for streaming, worldwide.

Besides topping the box office with Star Trek Beyond, fans have been excited about the anticipated new show. CBS All Access used the 2016 Comic-Con to not only announce that their new streaming program will be called Star Trek Discovery, but they introduced a short clip with the new Starfleet ship appropriately called the USS Discovery. In addition, the first episode will be shown on CBS before all of the episodes move to CBS All Access in the United States and on Crackle in Canada.

Deadline reported more information on the new Star Trek. David Semel, most recently of The Man In the High Castle, will direct and executive produce the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery that will air on CBS in January 2017.

At Comic-Con, Star Trek: Discovery Executive Producer Bryan Fuller explained how the series is going to going to be more like a novel, not episodic like the other Star Trek series.

“Individuality should be celebrated. Star Trek celebrates diversity. It seems like a great statement from Gene Roddenberry, who felt the human race just has to get along.”

While the episodes will be a little bit different in the way the story will play out, the overall Star Trek message that Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry first told remains the same.

“The new series has to remind audiences the message of Star Trek — continuing to push boundaries.”

EP @BryanFuller explains what the new #StarTrekDiscovery title means to the series: https://t.co/pMGeqKOq5Y pic.twitter.com/IooSJVjYCZ

— Star Trek on Paramount+ (@StarTrekOnPPlus) July 24, 2016

In conjunction with the the release of Star Trek: Discovery, Netflix users are going to to be able to watch every single episode of Star Trek that was ever made in the past fifty years. That is a neat 726 episodes! Netflix purchased the international rights to all of the previous series.

Odds are, there are a few Star Trek gaps in even the most ardent fan. This is also a great time to watch old series and reevaluate which series is really the very best. The Star Trek series collection includes Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise. Netflix viewers outside of the United States and Canada can add the new Star Trek: Discovery to this series mix, after the episodes are released in early 2017.

So, why now, 50 years after the first release, is Star Trek still so important now? Bryan Fuller further reflected on the Roddenberry message.

“We do have to celebrate a progression of our species because right now we need a little help.”

Brent Spiner, who played Data, from Star Trek: The Next Generation reflected at Comic Con on the current political turmoil and pointed out that the Star Trek approach to individuality and respect is needed now more than ever.

“We’re in a time now where identity is under attack. It’s disturbing. Politicians could learn from Star Trek.”

Scott Bakula, who portrayed Captain Jonathan Archer in the Star Trek: Enterprise series, was also philosophical.

“Science fiction has always fascinated me not jut because of the science but also the optimism. Even when it’s dark, I feel human beings will work it out.”

Are you excited about the new Star Trek: Discovery? How do you plan on watching the older series on Netflix? Will you watch the series or episodes you missed, or start from the beginning and watch all the way through the 726 episodes?

[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]