The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail

I was super happy to have an episode that really feels like Star Trek. We had an actual adventure! They also managed to still have the Strange New Worlds quirkiness in there too, so I'd vote this episode as one of their best efforts. Fingers crossed that they can hold this course for the remainder of the season. It's been a rocky road, but now I've got some hope.

Overall a very good episode. There's a lot to like. Pivotal moments. Important recognition of what mercy means. And the beginning of the most important relationship in ST.

What I liked:

Spock acting like Spock.

A Doomsday Machine knock-off.

A coherent story.

No soap opera romance featured.

The original crew (minus a few) together.

Great forerunner interaction of cast.

Great effects, as usual.

An intriguing mystery with a tragic answer.

The design of the scavenger ship was a bit much, I mean why the jaws and teeth? Reminded me of the alien behemoths from The Avengers. Minor quibble.

Although Kirk's getting flustered and walking off the bridge was out of character, I understood what the writer was trying to create. It led to an iconic Kirk-Spock dialogue. All that was missing was Bones chipping in with snarky Vulcan insults.

There were opportunities to write that scene in ways that would accomplish the desired result, point out Kirk's need for growth, and come up with a solution, without making James T look immature. I guess we can't have it all.

The TOS reunion (pre-union?) of Chapel, Uhura, Scott, Spock and Kirk was a great idea. Scotty and Chapel discussing ways to remove Kirk seemed wrong, but Uhura showed loyalty and Spock adopted his role of Kirk's #1.

When Pelia comic relief is inserted I just roll my eyes. Neelix anyone? Ah, no big deal.

It's two better eps in a row.

Moving into the second half of this most uneven season, this episode is hopefully an indicator of a better back-half. While mich of the episode is spent on a rather vague jeopardy plot, confronting a faceless enemy with more or unless unclear motivations and wildly exaggerated capabilities. This is like TOS"s Planet killer if were manned by a crew.

But along the way, it does what too few episodes this season have done: provide a good reason for the story that is told, as we're seeing Kirk learn some lessons about command. This culminates in a scene that's as good as this show has produced thus far when he and Pike wonder about the casualties of their successful mission. In this dialogue, finally the good old spirit of Star Trek comes through. Too often lately, it has been lost between all the jokes and romantic entanglements.

Two good episodes in a row, for the first time since "Those Old Scientists" and "Under the Cloak of War" in season 2.

A real recommendation for a Pre-TOS series. Strong interactions between the cast, familiar dynamics, it was just really fun.

At the same time, however, the other half of the episode was entertaining and intellectually and morally challenging. The concept presented to us, the casual genre mix, and a big question that makes you think back to Voyager-the episode demands a lot, but it also shows a lot and gives a lot back. A little uneven in places, but the questions remain at the end, and that's a good thing.

This week's episode of Strange New Worlds is nothing short of superb. "The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail" might just be the best script the series has produced so far. The storytelling structure is airtight. Every scene builds naturally into the next, creating a perfectly paced narrative that never drags or feels rushed.

The character development is outstanding, with arcs that feel both deeply personal and integral to the larger plot. By the time the final act arrives, we are invested not just in the stakes but in the people facing them. And then comes the ending. It is an unexpected, relevant, and thought-provoking twist that lingers long after the credits roll.

This is Strange New Worlds firing on all thrusters, and it is an instant classic in the modern Star Trek canon. I absolutely loved this episode.