Charades

This episode is the highlight of the series, it is grounded in its approach, in that it takes simple yet intriguing plot points that focus on quality character development rather than high budget sci-fi action setpieces which have become a norm in contemporary sci-fi shows. In doing so it feels more like The Original Series, with a new direction being taken in each episode.

Chardes was such a joy to watch. It was genuinely funny, had a great sense of exploration, and an amazing character study of beloved character of star trek lore, Mr. Spock. Even with so many themes, it was so well balanced, that for me it's a masterpiece.

Excited to see the star trek lore taken into more such new directions, by the show star trek strange new worlds, whilst keeping the sense of exploration, grounded nature and episodic tales style of the original series.

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.

Hey he may not look as much like Leonard Nimoy as Zach Quinto does (except for his deep voice) but Ethan Peck is really selling it as Spock.

And in this episode, he delivers a shall we say variation on Spock (no spoilers) that is pretty amazing and makes me wish we could keep that character too, or at least revisit him (time travel/alt reality episode?) sometime.

They're also getting the hang of comedy. Last season there were some attempts that were misfires but this one delivers subtle comedy, from the officious "gas clouds" to the prissy Vulcans and their rituals.

And we get some interesting developments in the interpersonal realm that makes me wish we could just regard this as an alternate-reality Star Trek without worrying about where we know these characters will all end up.

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.