Comment Stream

Re: DSC S5: Erigah

Perhaps like many others, given a seeming decrease in comments here, I have come to be fairly apathetic with the series at this point. I can appreciate that some may be lamenting the series' end - fair to them if this is their favourite or one they very much like - but I'm just seeing it out at this point. Might have had a different perspective if the series started with something akin to seasons four and five, which have been decent enough.

A serviceable episode: not much more, not much less. Three to go.

Re: DSC S5: Face the Strange

Another solid outing. As other's have mentioned, the episode was reminiscent of Voyager's 'Shattered,' and effectively weaved the present and past. Wish the series started out with such a solid string of episodes.

I must say I laughed when Burnham said Discovery saved the universe. I guess that's something every member of the crew can hold over others in any just about any argument or disagreement. :p

Re: DSC S5: Jinaal

Unlike many of the previous commenters, I really enjoyed the episode: Wilson Cruz was fantastic taking on another character; there were intriguing dynamics between both T’Rina and Saru, and Tilly and Rayne, trying to navigate their respective positions and relationships; and the message about respecting unique lifeforms was much appreciated, and very much in the spirit of Trek.

The understanding/treatment of Trills strained a bit of credulity, and the Adira-Gray storyline was rather dull (They were still in a relationship? Had not given that one thought in more than two years, and, reflecting back on Season Four, I cannot point out a specific thing either character did), but, otherwise, a very good outing.

Re: DSC S5: Red Directive / Under the Twin Moons

Will just add, in a far future where environmental suits can materialize when exposed to space, produce/replicate phasers, offer mobile transporters, and run detailed tricorder-like scans, it is a bit odd that they do not also offer some form of defense or shields. For that matter, it's a bit odd that some form of remote holo-emitter, like the one Geordi was experimenting with in 'Interace,' would not have been refined and exist by this point. Obviously the absence is for dramatic reasons, but the absence of plausible technology is, again, a bit odd. Then again, view screens are still the go-to three hundred years from now. Nitpicking.

Re: DSC S5: Red Directive / Under the Twin Moons

Came into the episodes not expecting much, even their release: for the first time in a long time, did not realize when the season was starting. With that said, I found both to be fairly enjoyable, in part due to some great visuals/alien worlds, and them being something of an homage to a past episode I quite like. Part of me also thought some version of these episodes would have made for a great introduction to the series. But, that's not what these episode are, and, by now, for me, the series carries with it a lot of baggage, most of which is not good. I like some of the characters - Burnham, Culber, Book, and the newest addition, Captain Rayner - just fine, but that's all. No real favourites. Consequently, I'll approach the season much like Grudge does a holographic mouse, with faint interest.

Somewhat relatedly, I am not looking forward to the new offshoots from the series: the Section 31 movie, and the academy series. Will likely and initially skip both.

Nothing particularly bad here, but nothing, for me, to get excited over either.

Re: SNW S2: Hegemony

Best episode of the series to date.

The action was genuinely intense, every character had a part to play, the introduction of a familiar face was handled excellently, and the conundrum involved diplomatic considerations and teching the tech alike (and even a conference room scene).

Yes, it is incredibly far fetched that there was only one survivor from the Cayuga, and that there has never been a more conveniently located environmental suit on any ship in all the history of Starfleet, but these, and other minor matters (e.g., Kirk's perfectly timed meeting arrival, and the crew's enthusiasm for retribution), are truly nitpicks.

I also agree with @Jeffrey's Tube, that 'the drama is not in whether the main characters survive, but in how they went about it,' and this episode delivered in abundance with regard to the latter.

Great episode. Great way to close a very solid season.

Re: SNW S2: Subspace Rhapsody

A charming episode overall, with emotional, character insights and implications aplenty (e.g., receiving personally bad news via collective, gleeful song would certainly cause most anyone, be it Vulcan or otherwise, to shut themselves out from their emotions and others).

Viewers mileage with this episode may vary - I'm not particularly a fan of musicals, and found some of the numbers to be a bit cringey - but I will give the writers and staff great credit for taking the leap, and possibly creating an episode that may hit a note, pun intended, with a new or different audience.

And, finally, props to Celia Rose Gooding. What an incredible performance. She's sneakily 'stealing the show' this season. Love her work and what she's added to the character of Uhura.

Re: SNW S2: Under the Cloak of War

Just re-watched the episode and found it to better/more compelling on second viewing. Will revise my previous critique and say the episode does compare to some of the best in the franchise on the subject of war.

Still, as before, I wish there was some sort of breakthrough for any of the Starfleet characters who were part of the war. Number One mentions that everyone's path to forgiving is unique, and not linear, which is undoubtedly reasonable and true, but there was no progress toward such an end. To suggest that any one of Ortegas, Chapel, or M'Benga ought to have changed their feelings, even if a tad, may be quaint - admittedly, I may act similarly to them - but Trek of yore has offered examples of such a possibility (see Chief O'Brien in 'The Wounded,' or Captain Kirk in Star Trek VI). In short, then, I just wish the episode offered a sign that these characters were on a path toward healing.

Re: SNW S2: Under the Cloak of War

A solid episode with quite the twist, but I cannot help but feel that others, particularly 'The Wounded' and 'The Siege of AR-558,' offered more substantive treatises of war and its effects. I mean, Chief O'Brien's simple 'I hate what I became because of you' stands up incredibly well against anything here. And unlike a prior episode or two, where the running time ought perhaps have been cut a tad, this may have benefited from being lengthened, with further introspection (e.g., another scene with Spock trying to reach Chapel; anything more from Ortegas). Like many other episodes in the series, then, I found this one to be good/very good, but leaving me wanting more (and not in the positive sense).

Otherwise, I enjoyed the return of one particular actor; I will be that person and say I appreciated the return of the Klingon look of old; and I hate that the prologue reminded me of the awfulness of the first season of Discovery (abandon a war story line to venture to the mirror universe?! sigh).

Re: SNW S2: Those Old Scientists

Just an okay episode. It was certainly lighthearted and fun, but also reinforced, for me, how the tenor of Lower Decks is dislocated from live action Trek (not in spirit, but rather in behaviour and speech). Credit to the show runners and writers for taking the leap to make the episode at all though.

With that said, I think I would have better liked a version of this crossover that was more akin to 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit,' where two- and three-dimensional realities came up against one another and offered opportunity for exploration and hi jinks alike. I understand such a crossover would likely have thrust Lower Decks into a parallel universe, but I think it would have made for a cooler and more interesting outing.

Finally, given the nature of this episode, and the previews for the musical to come, I just want to offer some kudos to the writers for continually striving to make a fun series. The final products might not always work for everyone, but I will not fault the writers for trying to offer some joy with their Trek (particularly given the dourness of Discovery, and, to a lesser extent, Picard).

Re: SNW S2: Lost in Translation

PS I also appreciated how quickly Pike arrived at his decision relative to the space station. It was indicative of Star Trek's futuristic utopia. It is easy to see the converse today, how private and public entities alike favour industry and resource extraction over the survival and well-being of sentient or conscious beings. Sunk costs be damned. The Doctor Paul Stubbs of the universe are still out there, but, on this occasion, life took precedence.

Re: SNW S2: Lost in Translation

Similar to the previous posters, will say that this is my favourite episode of the season so far, and one of the best from the series: the mystery was entirely compelling, effectively weaved in a new species with a reflection on death, and supplemented existing cannon (I could not help but think, for example, of 'Plato's Stepchildren,' and how the events in this episode inform Uhura's unwavering trust in Kirk). The episode does exceptionally well in taking bits and pieces of stories past and to come and bring them all together to enrich characters and the ongoing narrative of the series.

The episode may not be an all-time great (see, e.g., 'The Measure of a Man,' 'The City on the Edge of Forever'), but it is just about as solid as Star Trek can get.

Two seasons of Strange New Worlds, and two fantastic Uhura-centred episodes. Huge credit to Celia Rose Gooding for what she has brought to the character.

Re: SNW S2: Charades

Very much enjoyed this episode. Jess Bush as Chapel continues to be both charming and believable, and the episode offers some substance on identity, acculturation, and prejudice. This series, I may dare say, might also be the genuinely funniest in the entire franchise.

With that said, the bend toward lighthearted comedy might detract/hamper deeper ruminations on any potential messages. Compare, for example, this, another Spock hijinks episode, with writers' treatment of B'Elanna Torres in 'Faces,' 'Barge of the Dead,' and 'Lineage.' There just seems to be a hesitancy on the part of the writers, at times, to tackle topics or matters with greater earnestness.

Still, lots to enjoy, and I'm here for 'Spapel.' And favourite little moment: the crew teaching Spock how to speak like a Vulcan. Terrific stuff.

Re: SNW S2: Among the Lotus Eaters

This was perhaps my least favourite episode of Strange New Worlds to date. I'm just not too certain what to take away from it. There were a few nice moments, mostly centred on Ortegas's aptitude, and there is something to be said about the crew holding firm to their core characteristics in a difficult circumstance, but the latter did not come through particularly well, or occur evenly. The closing line on the planet from Pike, for example, rang a bit hollow given what was about to play out before another memory recall.

The title also appeared to be more apt for an episode like The Original Series' 'This Side of Paradise.' Relatedly, in that episode, the captain's core character outdid the intervening effect (i.e., the 'lotuses').

Kirsten Beyer is known, in part, for creatively expanding and building upon canon in the literary universe, and she shows her ability to do so here, following-up on a sliver of a story from more than fifty years ago, but, I have to admit, she's now penned some of my least favourite episodes in each iteration of modern, live action Trek (along side Discovery's 'Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum' and Picard's 'Mercy.')

With that said, the performances of the cast remain solid, and I'm still looking forward to what the next episode brings.

Re: SNW S2: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

As someone born and raised in Toronto, I loved this episode!

Irrespective of that, I found the majority of the episode to be a lot of fun, and found it to be a great rendition of a Star Trek staple, time travel.

As mentioned elsewhere, my one nitpick would be with regard to how quickly La'an and Kirk were able to travel to Vermont and back, via four buses no less. If anyone might ever wonder or question how La'an could come to have feelings for Kirk as quickly as she did, they need only consider the two full days or so the two would have spent together cooped up in a bus. As Seinfeld will tell you, a weekend trip to Vermont can take a relationship to the next level... or cause it to come crashing down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvELDRKeyKc). :p

Re: SNW S2: Ad Astra Per Aspera

Samuel T Cogley would be proud.

An excellent episode. Yes, some of it felt a bit sappy or cliche (e.g., the crew nearly engaged in a slow clap), and I suspect there are plenty of nits to pick with regard to the procedures of the trial (e.g., should asylum not have been sought prior to applying to Starfleet), but the monologuing compares to some of the best in Star Trek's catalogue of trial episodes and the commentary was on point. Credit to Yetide Badaki as Neera too; she was great.

Favourite little moment: Ortegas and Dr. M'Benga assessing Vulcan body language from afar.

Re: SNW S2: The Broken Circle

An okay episode. Not great, not terrible. Certainly entertaining.

I've enjoyed Jess Bush's Nurse Chapel and Babs Olusanmokun's Dr. M'Benga from the start, and although I suppose it may be innovative to play them against character, as action heroes, that bit of the episode was not particularly interesting. Based on season previews, I was expecting not to like Carol Kane's Pelia, but, upon viewing, I came away with the exact opposite impression: she was incredibly charming. The highlights of the episode for me ultimately came with some of the 'smaller' character moments: Uhura protecting her station from interference; and Spock's interactions with Chapel. The cast as crew continues to be quite likeable (with Ortegas perhaps ... perhaps being the lone exception), and there is clear chemistry between them, which makes coming back episode after episode incredibly easy.

Re: PIC S3: The Last Generation

Not the best episode of the season, but a solid ending for the story arc and crew all the same. Count me among those who are incredibly satisfied with this send-off, and appreciative that the crew can live/continue on in one's imagination (cf. Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country).

Also appreciate the manner in which this season and its final minutes offer a prologue for the continuing adventures of Seven of Nine, and that the post credits scene effectively thumbs a nose at the previous season.

Seasons one and two of Picard are skippable/forgettable, but this one surely was not. Kudos to Terry Matalas and the cast. :)

Re: MAND S3: Chapter 24: The Return

Review reflects many of my sentiments and feelings.

Not much to add other than that with Grogu becoming a Mandalorian, and with his powers having been used to tame large creatures in the past, there is a wonder as to whether he will ultimately be the one who bonds with the mythosaur. Not a particularly original thought, as a quick internet search reveals The Nerdist predicted the same, but that's what the ending brought to mind.

On to next season, and, hopefully, a return to form.

Re: PIC S3: Vox

My bad: Jack was not responsible for the assimilation. Quite likely, he will turn out to be everyone's saviour. Still a lot to process with all the death and destruction. Shades of modern Trek in that regard.

Starfleet should have listened to Geordi.

Re: PIC S3: Vox

Of two minds with this episode: on the one hand, Jack has now brought considerable death and destruction, more willingly than his father ever did, suggesting that our heroes and the Titan should have indeed been more prudent; on the other hand, or, at the very least, the ending was glorious, and the crew has been afforded one, final grand obstacle to overcome.

Re: MAND S3: Chapter 23: The Spies

One of the better episodes of the season, but still lacking. I think my perception in this regard is based on, one, the lack of true drama between the Mandalorian sects (much of which is told, but not elucidated, and limited to a single space chess scene); and, two, that I prefer the portions of the franchise that attend to the ascension of our heroes rather than their foes (see Rogue One, Andor, and Chapters IV-VI as opposed to I-III). I mean, it's not exactly a whole lot of fun watching villains succeed, and, in the case of the prequel trilogy, a majority of Jedi being slaughtered. I understand all is part of a greater story/arc, but still.

Re: PIC S3: Surrender

The hostage scenes were a bit too drawn out, and the mystery surrounding Jack Crusher remains frustrating, but, otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. Many of the one-liners, once again, landed with me; and, as others have noted, the scenes with Data, and the crew at the end of the episode, were incredibly satisfying. Spot saves the day, yet again. :)

Should Troi be given a central role early in next week's episode, as appears likely, then credit to Terry Matalas and the writers for giving each of the old Next Generation members an opportunity to excel this season.

Another very good outing.

Re: MAND S3: Chapter 22: Guns for Hire

This was perhaps my favourite episode of the season, highlighted by the trip to the droid bar/cantina. The episode showcased what Star Wars tends to do very well, make a world, in this case Plazir-15, feel multifaceted and alive. This is something that Star Trek, typically confining an entire planet to a single beam down point, has long struggled with in comparison.

With that said, and in line with others, I cannot help but feel this season is more meandering and campy than the first two. This is not to say that the first two seasons did not have lighthearted moments, but there is something of a tonal shift here, as though whoever thought up the scooter gang in The Book of Boba Fett has been given creative charge (highlighted here by the performances of Jack Black and Lizzo). This entire season has just felt a bit... off.

And my critique of Mandalorian politics remains, in that any potential drama seems to often be quickly resolved by creed. Credit to Mandalorians, I suppose, in devising a set of ways that minimizes political discord to standalone fights or meetings. This is the way.

Finally, nepenthe oil... if only Din Djarin and Grogu had to visit Riker and Troi to get to the bottom of the issue, and enjoy a pizza for their efforts. :)

Re: PIC S3: Dominion

This was perhaps the weakest episode of the season, and the first that made me truly feel the cinematography was too dark, the setting too confined, and the reveal of Jack's secret too belaboured/drawn out. Given that changelings have infiltrated most every level of Starfleet, it makes little sense that stealing Picard's body was central to a Frontier Day-related plot; and it was a bit unsettling to hear both Picard and Crusher explicitly abandon their ideals/morals. The best bits were the reveal of Vadik's backstory, and Amanda Plummer's acting. Everything else was largely superfluous.