Charades

Well, i will tell this again, SNW deserves it's own timeline (just like the one from Superman&Lois which differs from the one from Supergirl), because it will be a shame to see the love story between nurse Chapel and Spock being ruined, because we know they were not lovers in the original series and once again, the old fans will be revolted if this will be considered the original timeline and the new fans will be dissapointed knowing what's next for those two. I must say, this episode is way much better than i thought it will be, i liked the story, it was a pleasant episode and the fx were spectacular,this was probably one of the best episodes of this series until now.

If the last episode exhibited the worst of old-school Star Trek, this exhibited the best of it.

What if a Vulcan let go of their pathological restraint and fully embraced their emotions? Similar ideas have been explored previously by Star Trek with many of its Vulcan and android characters. However, it still remains... fascinating, when supported by good acting, good writing, and Star Trek blend of fantasy and plausibility.

Other than that, it is great to have speculative insight into alien cultures far removed from our own. That is what good space opera is all about. And it is always a joy to see familiar guest stars show up.

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.

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).

This episode felt like Trek ought to be. The writing was tight, the developments natural, the humor unforced, and the story made sense.

After the episode, I had a huge Spock-like grin on my face. They really nailed this one out of the park, and that is saying a lot considering the nail-biting disappointment of more recent Trek franchises.

I'm impressed with how the storylines in this episode complimented one another and there was no pointless unresolved plot strings.

And we all love seeing our (nearly) emotionless, stoic Spock being subjected to human emotion and the "sacrifice" Chapel makes to reverse something that had happened.

A scene in which 4 of Spock's shipmates imitate his Vulcan mannerisms is legitimately funny, and the chemistry between him and Nurse Chapel is fantastic.

I believed this episode, and I hope more magnificent writing shown here beams down in future installments.