I think the script deserves some scrutiny, too.
I’m not one to complain about “quippiness” or whatever - humour in the face of danger is fine! - but there were a couple of moments on the Farragut* in particular that bumped me, with the characters seemingly shifting from somber to lighthearted from moment to moment.
Anyways, I don’t want to turn this into a second episode discussion thread, but it’s pertinent to the interview.
StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 4 days ago
I’ve got a rewatch upcoming with my spouse so I’ll take another look at if from that angle.
Perhaps that can help sort out whether the episode might have been handled better by another director.
Interestingly, I find it’s the Trek actors turned directors that manage mixed and shifting tones well. Frakes in directing First Contact, Dawson in directing The Andorian Incident, Robert Duncan McNeill directing Body and Soul are examples.