New Star Trek Discovery trailer!

Thanks you, but it was definitely not. Aside from the fact that many, possibly most episodes feature no monsters, the series features a continuous story with exceptional continuity. I don't even know what overarching plot elements are, but these elements seem like pretty damn concrete plot points to me.

For example, knowledge gained in episode 2 is what allows Olivia to solve a crime in season 3, episode 8. The episode also introduces the concept of accelerated pregnancy into the universe, which becomes integral to the plot in season 3, episode 18. Additionally, there's a ton of thematic foreshadowing regarding Peter and Bell's fates, a certain misfortune that befalls Olivis in season 3, and Walter's big crime. Also, Peter and Walter's car for the first season is recovered here.

The third episode is about a ZFT terrorist attack, although their names hadn't been revealed yet. These guys are the primary malevolent force of season 1 (and... more), so this entire episode is clear-cut story arc stuff. However, it also introduces the amber substance which becomes one of the series' most iconic visuals and important substances at the end of season 2.

Episode 4 is one of the most densely packed episodes of the entire series. It formally introduces the Observers and all their characteristics, most of which tie into their motivations and origins, rogue Observers, Observer beacons, Walter and Peter's history and relationship to the Observers, and Olivia begins to see visions of her old partner, John Scott.

Episode 5 mainly serves to follow up Olivia's visions of John Scott and establish how human experimentation works and the ways it can go horribly wrong in the Fringe universe, particularly for people with low mental fortitude, in preparation for revelations regarding Olivia's history as a drug trial test subject, which is possibly the most important aspect of her character, mythology-wise.

Episode 6 is all about Olivia's childhood. Her abusive stepfather, what happened to him, the ways it affects her psychologically into adulthood, the way it conflicts with her job and her insecurities regarding that fact. She also shares this information with Peter, developing their relationship. This stuff becomes plot-important later, particularly throughout season 4.

Episode 7 develops ZFT and introduces David Robert Jones, the leader of the organization and primary antagonist of season 1(...). I'll quit here, mainly because I don't want to continue but also because the episodes up to this point tend to be the ones most commonly labelled "monster of the week," and after this it becomes easier to track character progression and plot advancement/setup.

I skipped a lot of stuff in these summaries, but even still, the show wasn't monster of the week. It was either setting up major plot points or simply progressing the plot. The show doesn't pivot into serialization at season 2. You just noticed it then. Hell, season 1 ends with the death of its main antagonist and not one but two Earth-shattering twists that completely alter your perspective on the entire story up until then and moving forward.

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