Since last we spoke, I found out a lot more about this series. If listen to the producers you'll believe that all the changes to the lore, the fact that it takes place in the past, the changes in the looks of some of the alien races is an expression of the writers and a way to make themselves original. Not so. Apparently CBS and Paramount arent as close a they used to be. The first Star Trek series (Star Trek, TNG, DS9, VOY and ENT) were indeed a product of CBS/ Paramount. But since then, then there was a split. Most of the Star Trek rights belong to Paramount. CBS is licensing the Star Trek name from Paramount, but thats about it. They arent using anything else beyond names. From the uniforms to the proper ship shapes and appearances of the alien races are different because if they used anything else that's part of Star Trek proper would mean more of a profit share with Paramount. This series is only Star Trek in name and marketing. It explains why Paramount as announced the development of another series that will exist within the main Star Trek universe slated for release next year.