Logline
Starfleet commandeers the Enterprise for an alien pursuit that grows far beyond its original orders.
Written by: Alan B. McElroy
Directed by: Sharon Lewis
A pretty good episode that got a lot more interesting in the final act.
For the most part, it came off as a story that we’ve seen before, albeit a well-told one. But the reveal that Kirk drugged Reeger in order to make him unfit for commend is a genuinely compelling idea, as is the idea that M’Benga just torpedoed his career to cover it up.
The B-plot was decent, too - it was good to see Uhura do some ass-kicking.
They sure do like to talk about the Klingon War as if it’s ancient history when it only ended about five years ago, though.
SpaceScotsman@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
I really enjoyed this one. The core moral dilemma of orders versus morals, captured in a strong A story and a decent B story. Genuine character growth, and an out for M’Benga that made sense, was in character, and felt justified. The direction was really nice, it captured the tense nature of the episode. The treknobabble for the A plot was pretty decent, and in the B plot I enjoyed the cave set - it felt used and full, not bare like they sometimes do. I really enjoyed the acting here - the Andorian leader gave me a hint of cardassian in his analytical takedown of humans, and the badmiral was really enjoyable from his upbeat arrival to steady decline into madness. The two Kirks getting along really well was enjoyable, and the synchronised walk and talk at the end was a nice way to wrap up the episode.
From this season’s approach, I’m guessing this episode drawing from old war films, in particular I am getting flavours of submarine hunts, chasing after wakes, and handling big questions of WMDs, the sanity of the chain of command. This is exactly the way I like those references embedded, allowing the trek to shine through, rather than the gimmick taking over.
My only immediate quibble in this episode was when Uhura went Rambo in the caves, it did feel like the Andorians went down a little easy, but I wasn’t that bothered by it. A’Sha leaving is fine, I guess, she didn’t feel very present throughout the season anyway.
Please, more of this type of episode.
ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
Maybe it’s just because the writers of the (alleged) next Trek film have been talking about it, but I did think of “Crimson Tide” several times during this one.
I can’t help but think there’s still more to come with her - they haven’t dropped her off yet, after all. Something about it seems unfinished, somehow.
SpaceScotsman@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
Maybe she was an undercover romulan, sent to report if enterprise go too close to finding the cloaked ship, and now that Reeger is likely no longer a threat, and enterprise probably isn’t going to want to follow up, her job’s done so she’s off.
Akuchimoya@startrek.website 2 weeks ago
I wonder if A’Sha will have T’Lyn moment and realize she’s been Starfleet all along.
milkisklim@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
My head canon vis a vis Uhura is that 1) she has trained with La’an on tactical back in season 1 and 2) the sound feedback on the coms machine probably did a number on the Andorians antennae and therefore on their internal balance like an extended flashbang granade.