If you happened to be watching the National Football League game featuring the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs this past weekend, then you got quite a surprise.
A new ad campaign debuted designed to promote the shows and films available on the new Paramount+ network. While we saw cartoon characters from MTV and Nickelodeon, actors from CBS shows like Blue Bloods, we also saw Mr. Spock and Captain Christopher Pike walking up Paramount Mountain.
This was a nice surprise for all Trek fans, to say the least. Especially since Trek producer Akiva Goldsman told Variety that he had “no idea” when filming would begin on the newest Trek show, which will feature Pike and Spock — Strange New Worlds. The Toronto International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union site doesn’t show Strange New Worlds on its upcoming production schedule either.
The addition of Pike and Spock puzzled some fans, wondering why CBS / Paramount chose to feature these characters, portrayed by Anson Mount and Ethan Peck, respectively. Why not show Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) or Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) instead?
Some speculate that it’s because Paramount wants to promote their new show that will likely come out in late 2021 or early 2022. Others fans said that it could be contractual reasons — since Mount and Peck are have agreed to appear in the upcoming Strange New Worlds show, they’d have no choice but appear. This is likely true.
But I think it’s because in just 30 seconds, Paramount had to show pack the most iconic characters into this space as they could. We saw Beavis and Butthead, Dora the Explorer, athletes, and others — but just for a moment.
Say what you want, the blue Discovery uniform does not say Star Trek to those who are not familiar with the show. In fact, Michael Burnham’s costumes in Season 3 were mostly black and gray, which does not exactly scream Star Trek. Patrick Stewart, who narrated the ads, specifically asked not to be in his old TNG uniform.
Who better to show off to a wide audience than the most iconic Star Trek character of them all, made famous by Leonard Nimoy? It made sense to show Spock, as he is pop culture royalty, and is recognizable by millions. He’s also cited numerous times as being a culturally-significant figure. Star Wars has Yoda, but we’ve got Spock.
Captain Christopher Pike on the other hand, thanks to his yellow uniform, looks a lot like a certain captain portrayed by William Shatner. Though Mr. Mount is rocking the silver fox look, he still could pass as an updated Kirk for those who are casual Trek fans.
The team at Paramount+ are not a bunch of dummies. They’re telling the audience watching that if they want Star Trek, subscribe to our network. And besides, Michael Burnham appears on the streaming service front page as soon as users log in.
CBS All Access will become Paramount+ on March 4.
