Ok I wasn’t expecting anything that happened. This episode was a surprise a minute. I mean we had seen the trailer clips of Kirk in the past but I never would have thought this is how that happened.

It’s weird because last night I watched a different show that pulled just the main character out of their usual setting, paired them with a guest side character, and nobody else appeared. This episode had background with some of the crew but apart from Pelia they didn’t even really talk. Pike had one line and M’Benga had two, but like one scene only deals. Otherwise it was one regular on a two-hander with a guest side character.

Of all the characters to pull out from the ensemble and make carry the entire episode really, its interesting that it was La’an. I mean you could argue episode 1 was for Spock, but M’Benga and Chapel had their side story, there was banter with Uhura and La’an. Episode 2 was Una focused but Pike had a role, and so did La’an again, and Spock also testified etc. So even though they were focused, the rest of the crew didn’t entirely disappear. But yeah this was a two-hander really.

Interesting that if what happened, always happened, then Pelia saw La’an in the past. She said she was terrible with faces though so might not remember.

The end with La’an space skyping with Kirk was a bit odd. I mean I get her being impulsive given the emotional ride but Kirk just didn’t blink. Her lie wasn’t convincing so what was he thinking?

Interesting that the episode began with M’Benga saying La’an should talk, and now she isn’t allowed

I’m still a bit stuck on the genesis of dumping the ensemble for the La’an and Kirk hour. I guess they could shoot that second unit? And it wasn’t on the sets mostly either? So perhaps it was a production thing? Although all that location shooting (which they don’t usually do just have been expensive?) or perhaps the episode required less CGI and other sci-fi making things so was cheaper?

Although speaking of expensive. They sure did manage to buy a LOT of stuff from Kirk winning a few chess games. I mean that hotel suite? That was insane! That had like a lounge and two bedrooms.

I wonder why La’an’s hand opened the door? She said marker in her DNA but it wasn’t drawing blood and how could it know that fast? I mean it seemed like it wasn’t supposed to be very far into the future from now.

Anyway I liked it but stylistically it was so left field I am still processing.

Pure Trek. Reminded me a little bit of that TNG episode where Data was in court and Picard defended him as an individual.

The speech Neera gave about how legal wasn’t always right gave me chills. What I liked the most though was for all it was calling the Federation out, saying that they had become what they wanted to destroy (kinda) in being the persecutors and making the prejudice law, it was also so hopeful.

It really was the essence of what makes Trek great. The institution is flawed but the people believe in the principle, and they try – oh how they try. They hope that the future will be better and are working to make it so.

I don’t disagree at all with how Picard pointed out the Federation/StarFleets failings and mistakes. Where I took particular issue (especially in season 3) was how the characters didn’t fight against that. Didn’t take up positions and debate amongst themselves. It was just A ok that the Federation had done wrong, because they are the Federation/the good guys and therefore everything is automatically right /sarcasm.

But this in SNW was just spot on. I suppose the only thing they could have done was give a little more emphasis to the prejudice. The Vulcan dude was mostly silent and Batel was obviously conflicted, and so was April. Although that was interesting in of itself with Batel “just following orders” and April “well I don’t like those augments but I like Una” which is a bit like knowing someone who is homophobic but because they like you decide to give you specifically a pass like that then makes it ok that they hate a part of you (it doesn’t, it still hurts).

I think this is one of the most classic Trek episodes in ages. SNW has done it again.

@purlturtle

A bit sad that they opened up all these big questions about laws potentially being not ethical, and then didn’t take that anywhere – but then that might have been a bit much for 42 minutes

I don’t know it seemed quite on brand to want to treat it as a “special case” rather than acknowledge that it’s a systematic issue. Refusing to confront there’s a problem and pushing it on down the line is kinda how things work

Ok I did a complete rewatch just last month and I don’t really recall much reference to Chapel and M’Benga’s war records? But clearly they did some major serving if they carry a Hulk serum with them everywhere. Like whoah!

Spock going rogue will never not be funny 😁 I bet Pike will be so proud. And I laughed myself sick over that trailer line of “I want the ship to go now” because still funny.

Really not liking the romance they are pushing between Spock and Chapel. Isn’t Spock still engaged? Not cool.

I didn’t really like how April didn’t acknowledge that if Spock hadn’t gone rogue they would have another war. He was just like “you went against orders and nearly started a war” when there definitely would have been one if they weren’t there. I suppose it was implied as he let him off, and also I guess the brass never like to admit they were wrong, but ugh I wish they would.

I think I always say Ortegas needs more screentime but they so do. I like that they seem to be making their operations partner a regular. I don’t think she has a name though?

Has Chief Jay replaced Chief Kyle? I hope not, I liked him. But I doubt we will have both.

New Chief Engineer Pelia is certainly… interesting. Being like “oh you are going rogue, sounds fun” is so Nikola Tesla school of immortality. Because why not? It’s interesting 🤣 I thought I had missed something as I didn’t recognise the species of “Lanthanite” but apparently it’s brand new.

The article I googled said it was “buck wild that apparently people discovered some point in the 2100’s that aliens had been living among them and have known all this time” (paraphrased) and I was a bit like dude, this is not new information. I watched Picard Season 2 and Guinan was running her bar in 2024. A Romulan watcher (Tallinn) was around. Probably lots of aliens. Would it have been a shock to learn? Ehh maybe. It’s pre-Federation/StarFleet probably and they didn’t develop the Prime Directive until after Archer’s time and them infiltrating less advanced worlds would have given them an understanding of the opposite POV. So I don’t know 🤷‍♂️

But yeah I’m not bothered by that revelation as like I said Guinan was on earth in 2024 so it’s not a big leap other aliens could have been too.

I’m still stuck on M’Benga and Chapel going all warrior hulk to be honest. That is my main ??? takeaway this week.