Charades

I guess to each their own. Some people hated it. I thought it was the best of all the episodes so far, and granted, I've been really critical of SNW. I don't like how they're claiming to be returning to Trek's roots but in reality they're showing complete disdain for canon, ignoring science and logic, and creating character life experiences that could have never been a part of the characters from TOS. Nurse Chapel is a perfect example of the latter, and yet, at least with this episode, they tried, and imo, succeeded in touching base with canon.

I don't know why the writers felt it necessary to have Nurse Chapel -- in her formative years in Starfleet -- be 1000% more skilled and educated than how she ends up in TOS. Unless they plan on having her memories erased at some point in the near future like Uhura's were in The Changeling... Actually. I do know why the writers do this. Because there are obviously too many people running this show who think empowering female viewers should be a driving theme. Unfortunately, the result is superficial and phoney, and actually an insult to the nursing profession. All the building blocks were there in Nurse Chapel to do something really great with this character and her unrequited love for Spock, but instead of using them, the writers fell back on the two-dimensional theme that all women on television must now save the day with their super intellects or MMA fighting abilities.

So. Ok. Now for the good. The Chapel/Spock arc in this episode was fun, despite it not being respectful to canon or the nursing profession. The Spock/families arc was fun, too. There were comic elements. The double-entendre of the title was fun. I laughed. The characters had a camaraderie. It "felt" like a TOS episode, like I was finally on the Enterprise, and the ending was mostly satisfying.

If only the writers would find a way to empower their viewers without smashing them over the head with blatantly transparent, two-dimensional character traits. Sheesh! You had a chance to make a statement about one of mankind's most honorable professions, and you squandered the opportunity.

When I saw the previews for this episode I thought it was going to be crazy. But after watching it and laughing and pausing and realizing that these characters are 100% whole, this is my absolute favorite episode so far. This may not mean much coming from a person who loves Star Trek since he was a kid, but I got to tell you the way Spock is acting human. Maybe a call back to the original series but this is so well done. Bravo to the entire crew, the writers, the actors and the staff. If there is an episode of TV in the modern era, that would explain why you should pay the writers what they're worth, as well as the actors point them to this episode of Strange New Worlds.

He's a grandson of Gregory Peck.

His performance in the Star Trek universe as Spock has been measured and subtlety. Here's his chance to be outlandish and explosive. He's also obviously having fun.

If there's anything missing is maybe a bit more slapstick. Not his fault, but he is so good as he struggles to kill a certain someone whose slovenly habits become unbearable after years of going along and cleaning up the other person's mess.

For those of us who quietly take care of others, it's a moment of joy and release - and spittle.

And we get the joy of seeing Mila back as his mother Amanda.

This episdode was a delightful spock centred episode. While a lot of it was comedy, dealing with changes to spocks character, there was a romantic sub plot between Spock and Jess.

Suprising a clash between Vulcan logic and traditioan, forces spock to actually question his Vulcan side over his human side, something he rarely does. In this case, spoke realised what his mother must be going through, living in an alien culture and forced to adapt for love.

I found the scenes where spock finally related to his mother and what she had gone through very powerful - such a logical emotionless character to fincally show his feelings.

Overall, there was a lot in this, some great humour, romance and drama. Awesome episode.

This episode was a much needed change of pace that focused on interpersonal relationships between every major character on the show. Having the luxury of downtime was a key factor in establishing that this cast has the chemistry and ability to create magic on set. Spending time crafting the viewer's sense of the show's spiritual emotional center.. in the moments where key characters also experience the same developments allows for some incredibly wonderful payoffs. If you have any friends or family that need to be sold on the idea of Strange New Worlds, this is the episode to show them. Although plot elements are carried through, it also serves as an effective bottle episode and brings all the charm of the best Berman era camaraderie focused episodes(ie Data's Day, Lower Decks).