In this academic analysis, communications and literature professor Carey Millsap-Spears makes a strong case that, while Star Trek has long drawn inspiration from Gothic literature, Star Trek Discovery draws particularly on the tradition of the “Female Gothic,” including [b:Frankenstein|202271050|Frankenstein|Mary Shelley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700166549l/202271050._SY75_.jpg|145353852], Ann Radcliffe’s romance novels and [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557343311l/10210._SY75_.jpg|2977639].

Millsap-Spears’ introduction is especially well-done, outlining the components that define Gothic literature and the Female Gothic in particular and using examples from across the Star Trek canon to both illustrate the concepts and highlight how pre-streaming Trek drew inspiration from them.

Part of me wished that this book had come out after the show finishes later this spring, because so much great work went into it and it feels unfortunate that the final season wasn’t able to be included. But on the other hand, when many of us are re-watching Seasons 1-4 in preparation for the Season 5 premiere, I really appreciated having this new lens with which to view the series—and the Female Gothic classics that I love.

You can find my more detailed review of this book over at the Women at Warp blog.