The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail

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.

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.

For me, this is the best episode since Season 1's A Quality of Mercy, and the only episode of Season 3 I've felt compelled to watch twice. Simply put, this felt like Star Trek - a fun, multilayered adventure with a clever twist and a timely reminder that we're not so different from our enemies.

Interestingly, my two favourite Strange New Worlds episodes so far both feature Kirk, even though I'd much rather the writers focus on Pike, Una, and the crew. I don't mind the slow build of Kirk's world, but it shouldn't come at the expense of Pike and Una, who seem noticeably under-utilised this season.

I'm still not a huge fan of Pelia, but her rummaging through antiques and rewiring the Enterprise had the charm of the quirky, lighthearted moments we used to see in The Next Generation.

The resolution to this week's problem (and the episode's title) was once again a little unsatisfying - it prompted a "wait, what?" and rewind moment just to decipher what had happened. Kirk also went from being lost to suddenly having all the answers in a manner that felt unearned. And what was with the enemy ship's jaws and teeth? Still, these were minor missteps in what was otherwise a great episode.

I imagine writing Strange New Worlds isn't easy, with the constraints of canon, timelines, and the sheer number of prior plots - not to mention the harshness of a vocal minority who, somewhat ironically, seem to keep their phasers permanently set to kill. But when the show remembers its roots - hopeful, character-driven science fiction - it really shines. More of this, and less gimmickry, please.

Great episode with a vibe of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Nice 'learning lesson' for James T. Kirk. Good dynamics between Science Officer Spock, Nurse Chapel, Ensign Uhura, Lieutenant Scott and Commander then Captain Kirk.

Fine foreshadowing of the future teaming up of known legacy characters.

Best episode of this third season.