Shuttle to Kenfori

I don't get the negativity at all. Like most of the other episodes they caught the old school humorous tone and fun sense of adventure, but with a modern feel too. I think the whole blend is very cleverly done.

But -1 for the cliche Michael Jackson-esc zombies. Maybe think up foes a bit more alien or at least more original.

I enjoyed this episode, though it's not their best. I must admit I was very distracted by the weird makeup choices for the female stars. What did they do to Una? She's a VERY attractive woman, but for some strange reason they decided to roper her hair above her head so now it looks like a cow patty sitting on top of her. Also the horrible lipstick on Uhura makes her look like she has a moustache in some scenes. Seems like a deliberate attempt to tone down the women. I like the hair change on Uhura. I think it would have looked better let out instead of tied up, but to each their own. I must admit I like the black woman afro look, so I'm biased. I wont go into plot details as that's been reported on by several other posts. Like seeing Scotty, but I wish Pelia was in the episode as well. Missed not seeing Jenna or Kirk on this episode. The problem with shows with large cast ensemble's is there's only so much script to go around, so sometimes actors get left out.

A lousy script assures a lousy episode, and here we have a mash-up of various story gimmicks adding up to nothing.

To save his lover Captain Marie, Pike and the good doctor take a shuttle to the planet Kenfori in a forbidden zone, off-limits to all after a war with the Klingons, their mission to find a rare medicinal plant for her cure. There, improbably, the doctor encounters a female Klingon warrior who has a long-simmering blood feud grievance with him due to the captain assassinating her dad in war. Making the situation more complicated (and stupid), her dad was a traitor and it was her duty to kill him, so she's angry that the doctor did so instead.

These story lines don't mesh, and to top it all off, the absurd gimmick of a bunch of zombies, both human and Klingon, on the planet threaten to eat our heroes and the Klingon woman. As soon as the zombies showed up and brought gore into the occasion, my interest in watching waned.

To justify this nonsense, we also get conflicts on the ship, mainly Ortegas' insubordination getting her into big trouble with Una, who is commanding the Enterprise in Pike's absence.

There has never been a worse Klingon in the history of all Star Trek. Absolutely ridiculous. How they ever expected anyone to buy that is astounding. Compare that cartoon Klingon to Martok, Kurn, Worf, or The Duras sisters. I really don't know what they were thinking. Won't even comment on the well worn and thread bare plotline of a rare substance only found in one hard to reach place in order to cure a rare disease. Or the Walking Space Dead.

Season 3 Episode 3 we are treated an actual strange new world to explore! Unfortunately, what could have been a standout ST experience ends up as an average episode.

On paper, I love this concept. It has the right ingredients: space-opera politics, a compelling problem to solve, and courageous initiative from the crew - including the captain himself. I especially appreciated that the central conflict was medical in nature, giving Dr. M'Benga a natural spotlight with real potential to deepen his character.

The execution, though, falters. The entire story leans on a MacGuffin that feels more contrived than organic (ironically). The planet's premise is fascinating, but the viewer only gets a glimpse of a few uninspired sets, leaving the world underdeveloped. The questions raised about its dangerous environment could have opened the door to imaginative, speculative science - but the answers turn out to be clichés so underwhelming that even the characters joke about them. Honestly, I don't blame them.

The Klingons' inclusion was another promising idea, but again, the follow-through comes off uninspired. The attempt to make the episode "edgy" with moments of violence feels restrained - not nearly as impactful as it could have been, especially when dealing with Klingon warriors and a hostile environment.

I did like some of the ship scenes involving chain of command and following orders. While the execution of these elements may of been heavy handed, it set a meaningful precedent worth following in future episodes.

So yes, I'm glad season three brought viewers to a new world to explore. But the underdeveloped script undermined what could have been one of the more exciting premises so far. A missed opportunity - Generous 6/10.