Star Trek: Discovery Opening Title Sequence Pays Homage To Past Series

Even before it left the ground, “Star Trek: Discovery” already had fans and critics eagerly anticipating its launch. Every little bit of news about CBS’ reboot of the Star Trek universe seemed to promise something grand and groundbreaking. A series composed of firsts, like its predecessors before it. The first Star Trek series since Enterprise ended its run in 20015. The first series to feature both a female Captain and a female First Officer. And both women of color, at that!
But “Star Trek: Discovery” isn’t just a series of firsts. It’s also a tribute to the “Star Trek” series created before it. In honor of that, CBS released “Discovery’s” opening title sequence in advance of the series’ Sunday night premiere. From the iconic Vulcan salute to the standard issue Starfleet phasers to the music itself, the opening title sequence is a loving tribute to the past and a thrilling sneak peek at what the future holds for the crew of the USS Discovery. You can check out the sequence here.

Opening Title Sequence Looks Back And Looks Forward

“Star Trek: Discovery” is intended to be a prequel to “Star Trek: The Original Series.” It lays down the foundation for the USS Enterprise crew, as well as subsequent crews like Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. Fittingly, the opening sequence itself unfolds like a blueprint of what’s to come. To music reminiscent of The Original Series’ iconic theme, we see ship designs, space suit drawings, and phaser schematics. A hand forms into the Vulcan salute made iconic by Leonard Nimoy’s Spock. We also get a clear look at the USS Discovery at the center of two Klingon vessels, foreshadowing the conflict between the two sides.

Star Trek: Discovery premieres on Sunday on CBS All Access. It also drops on Netflix the next day. Each episode will be released weekly on Netflix less than 24 hours after each CBS premiere.