A Quality of Mercy

I didn't want this episode to end. Fantastic writing, acting, suspense, action, drama... all of it. And they did it without any overt or shrouded political agenda. Just good, clean, fun entertainment. PLEASE keep it coming!

One of if not the single best episode of star trek i've seen, and i've seen pretty much everything with star trek. Goosebumps! Chills! Excitement!.. just.. WOW!

After last week's complete crib of Aliens, and the teasers clearly showing elements of the original Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror" - including word-for-word dialogue - I was wondering if they were just going to try and retcon a classic original episode. That is, be super lazy.

But was I surprised! They really pulled it off, and I was saying "Okay. Okay. I like this." and off the story went.

I have to say I'm less than excited about the casting choice for Kirk. His frame is too small and his facial features remind me too much of Jim Carrey. But, he had good delivery, and with the size of the shoes he was filling I imagine he was giving his all, and by any other measure he's better than Chris Pine. I suppose with a good enough script he could grow on me.

This was an excellent episode, and I can't really say more without spoiling anything but to the production crew: well done.

I don't give 10's - but this deserves one. Keep this up and you'll have something.

For those that were still in doubt, yes this is actual Star Trek. And this is coming from someone who's watched literally every ST series and film along with a slew of other great sci-fi material.

Unlike Discovery and Picard, this looks and feels like a genuine Star Trek story with genuine Star Trek characters. Not only that, but the production values are the best they've ever been in the franchise. And this very episode is the culmination of what has been an extremely strong first season in a franchise that is not known for its particularly good first seasons. Without sacrificing its much missed episodic format which allows for greater storytelling opportunities, this episode has a sort of gravitas and urgency to it that has characterized some of the greatest episodes in ST, and indeed, TV history (think The City on the Edge of Forever, The Best of Both Worlds, and In the Pale Moonlight). If this is only a taste of what's to come then we're certainly in for something great.

I'm writing all this since I feel it's important. If you're a senior Trekkie don't let the (fortunately) few negative reviews rambling on about wokeness (as if Star Trek wasn't politically conscious from the beginning) and bad acting (possibly one of the best cast essembles we've seen in a while) dissuade you from what has, against all odds, been a miracle of a show so far. And if you're a newcomer to the franchise then let me be the first to welcome you aboard as this is as good a place to start as any and likely the most accessible (although I'd recommend watching a few eps from the original 60s series first for a deeper understanding. Namely: The Cage, The Menagerie Pt. 1 & 2, and Balance of Terror).

My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts: "GO AND WATCH THIS SHOW NOW!"

Just hearing Scotty on the comms was good enough for me! Don't particularly like the "new" Kirk...lacks the boyish charm...but overall this episode was Star Fleet quality good! Stand off with the Romulans, Klingon time crystal and Kirk stepping into the controlled chaos role! Fantastic!