urthpainter

At this point in Strange New Worlds, it almost feels like an inside joke: the show teases a "strange new world" to explore, only to twist the setup into something unexpected. Unlike Episodes 3 and 5 this season, we don't spend time on an alien planet.

What works best here is the cast's chemistry. The episode gives the ensemble plenty of room to play off one another. It does require a bit of suspension of disbelief in how events unfold, but the performers keep things engaging.

Where the episode falters is in its premise. The central idea feels like a reheated mix of past Star Trek concepts, most obviously echoing Voyager's "Tuvix." The comparison isn't flattering-Tuvix asked tougher questions and explored deeper philosophical ground, while this episode settles for lighter drama contained within the ship.

That said, I can't dismiss it outright. Despite an uninspired concept, the production values are strong, and there's a standout sequence near the end that's both technically impressive and genuinely entertaining. It's a reminder that this cast and creative team have the talent to deliver a truly great episode of Star Trek-one that's not only fun, but also smart, deep, memorable.

This is not the first time SNW has attempted to jump the shark, and make something 'brilliant' because the writers think they can shoehorn greatness into a TV show that Still hasn't figured out What it Is over half way into the third Season.

Ultimately - SNW is a jambalaya of various ingredients that never settles into something greater - that's What it is. Oh yea, and season 3 strange new world counter: 2/7 - no new world here to explore, just superficial alien culture masked by SNW's continued insistence that fans get insipid, superficial character studies of cast.

Enter 'What is Starfleet?"... A decent premise utterly spoiled by concept - a rookie film maker piecing together random footage from a mission... to somehow answer this episodes title. It's a frustrating concept to begin with, because the young 'film maker', character is an Excuse for the low quality look and feel of this episode. That is not meta brilliance - that's a flawed premise for a AAA show. Why not make Uhura's love interest a competent human being? Probably because he's going to die in some cliche way before the end of the season? (not a Spoiler! It's a Guess - based upon Predictable narrative).

If this was episode 22 of season 7 - of an TV show with a solid track record in place... an episode like this Might have a chance to be great. By that time, so many show and character elements are Defined, and can then be explored in a meaningful way where the viewer cares about the moment instead of asking, "why all these unwatchable camera angles?". SNW does not have the credentials to Attempt an episode like this, and it's attempt shows that the writers and producers have no clue what they are doing. They continue to disrespect the IP out of their own ego and ineptness, and this episode is the poster child of their failure, which is impressive to this ST fan, with episodes like 'Wedding Bell Blues" and "A Space Adventure Hour" in This season...

SNW is especially frustrating, because the cast and crew are ready for great writing - you can tell. But the producers are clearly not competent enough to find writing talent, set them free, and properly vet scripts - hence another substandard episode.

The title of this episode is apt - because it makes no sense. Not metaphorically, not thematically... not even literally. What is a sehlat supposed to mean here? The title feels clever in a "placeholder draft" sort of way, like the kind of line you write before coming up with the real title. That's the vibe of the entire script: first-draft energy.

And unfortunately, the story itself is just as half-baked. What we get is yet another episode centered around a big battle with a big super-ship, with legacy-character drama awkwardly stapled on to give it weight. Still sitting at 2 for strange new worlds explored this season.

The ending is especially maddening. Everything hinges on one piece of foreshadowing that doesn't logically hold up - something even Pike himself lampshades after the fact. When your own captain is essentially pointing out your script hole, you know the writing room cut corners.

To be fair: the special effects are gorgeous, the cast delivers strong performances, and the production values are on par with the best Trek has ever looked. I want to give the writers credit for riffing on classic Trek setups - two Federation ships caught against a superior enemy, shades of Yesterday's Enterprise and plenty of Voyager battle arcs. But here's the problem: those earlier episodes were clever. They had sharp dialogue, moral weight, character stakes. Sometimes people didn't make it out alive, and that mattered.

This one? It feels like someone pitched a good idea on Monday, shot the draft on Friday, and shipped it off to Paramount without asking if the script actually made sense. All the raw ingredients for a classic Trek story are here - but the cooking was rushed, the flavors underdeveloped, and we're left with fast food where there should have been a feast.

As pure spectacle, fine, I'll give it a 6/10. As Star Trek? It could of been a contender.