Ok what is starfleet?

This opening is really good! First I think it’s super clever how they are presenting this episode totally as a mockumentary. SNW has been cool with experimental like that – I mean did the musical. It’s a fun side to things. I won’t beat the dead horse and say I’d like it more if the episodes weren’t so limited (but I mean yeeeeah!)

Anyway these questions. I have always thought that Starfleet does have quite a colonising side. They fight for territory like an empire and it was Discovery that made me really gasp I think with the whole fear about how they “come in peace” because assimilation and homogenisation is a potential loss of culture for sure. And in the best sci-fi way maybe that’s reflecting back how “the west” on Earth has imposed itself over so much.

Are those Ortegas quarters that look like an engineering garage? I knew they could fly but I didn’t know they were a grease monkey as well! I wonder if they would have got on with B’elanna?

👀 oh what???? Una darling not your place to question orders? Are you kidding me? Isn’t your very existence like a question because if the federation was right about everything – you wouldn’t be in starfleet. I mean I know Una believes strongly in the principles/ideals of starfleet but that is NOT the same as the reality/implementation and she of all people should know that – unless that’s the point? Maybe because she is on camera she thinks she has to parrot the party line stronger than anyone so starfleet brass don’t doubt her loyalty as she is already suspect in their eyes.

I really want to know how M’Benga wound up in special forces. Was he a doctor before or after? There is so much story there!

Awww poor Uhura I feel like he kinda ambushed her with news of her dead friend to catch her reaction on film 🙁 I thought he liked her?

This juxtaposition between Pike and Una’s cynical acceptance, like it sucks but it is what it is, and Uhura’s naive “ofc I believe in every mission, starfleet only does good things” is so compelling. Especially because I can detect the bias in the documentary because he is clearly trying to show starfleets dark side. I hope Uhura doesn’t become too disillusioned by the end :/

I do find the whole “following orders” thing whether we “like it or not” quite uncomfortable because these are supposed to be the heroes. Yes in real life folks follow orders when maybe they shouldn’t because there has to be order or there is chaos, but ‘heroes’ can be mavericks. They can buck orders because they always do the right thing. This doesn’t feel right and them tacitly acknowledging that and doing it anyway sucks.

Uhura is so filled with hope and light and she is so passionate in her belief about helping 🥺 volunteering to talk to the creature.

Awww yes Pike promising that the creatures young will be left safe – this is what we want to see from our heroes. BUT that is a promise he can’t make, he doesn’t have the power to back it up. He can’t make the Lutani leave them alone, or make starfleet try and enforce that. Though it seems starfleet is backing his play making it a sanctuary world.

I feel for the Lutani a bit because they are desperate and dying and starfleet is dictating what they can do, taking away this weapon BUT I am reminded of people “deciding sacrifices have to be made, but they aren’t the ones doing the sacrificing”. The Lutani wanted to sacrifice another sentient being for their benefit. It just made me pause a bit with the whole “starfleet will help in other ways” because will that be enough? We have the real world example of Ukraine who gets some weapons but often not what they ask for.

Ooooh Uhura’s painting ❤️ I love the little glimpses of their hobbies and off hours. Una and M’Benga sparring feels like a natural continuation of a friendship that started when Una backed him over his daughter.

Oh man the TOS music 😍