Four-and-a-Half Vulcans

SNW is stuck in neutral. Occasional silly is fine --- not every other episode. I don't want anymore Spock romance. The series is half over and it's time for Spock to become Spock. The human-Spock arc needs to wrap it up.

This episode had some genuine fun, it's not a 1, it was also awkward, it's not a 10. It's a 5.

The show has been cast very with talented actors. They shine best when they are working through ethical and moral conflict -which is what Star Trek has typically been about. Ad Astra was a fantastic episode as was the show's pilot to name a few. Somehow the writers in season 3 have gotten away from what has endeared Star Trek to fans.

Four-and-a-Half Vulcans is another comedy episode with zero space exploration and character development. The episode makes no social commentary nor does it put the characters in any real dilemma.

This comedic episode is OK, but it doesn't come close to the sharpness of "Those Old Scientists," nor does it reach the timeless humor of TOS's "The Trouble with Tribbles."

This season has shown that the writers still have good ideas, but too often they waste them by turning dialogue and characters into comedy nonsense. They need to have more faith in the format, the values and the strength that Star Trek has, rather than constantly playing for laughs. There's three more episodes to go, so let's keep the faith, but season 3 is very much the weakest of SNW so far.

The idea of the crew getting first hand of another species psychology and point of view is novel. However, I do think the episode focused too much on the comedy and did not sufficiently address the struggles.

The acting took away from the story as well. Pike (Anson Mount) reminded me more of a Conehead than a Vulcan. La'an (Christina Chong) could have embrace more of the Romulanesque cold, paranoid, and calculating nature. Chapel (Jess Bush) did a better job of addressing the task centered natured of the Vulcans. Uhura (Celia Gooding) did a superb job of demonstrating the Vulcan arrogance in their beliefs being superior to otheirs.

While it was not a bad episode, there was a lot of potential story left on the table.

I watched an interview with the cast a couple of months ago where they made a big deal about the start of the season being heavy with silly episodes and a tonal shift towards the end. We've had 8 episodes and it feels like we're still there so fingers crossed for the final 2. I feel the excursion at the start should have been on screen to give the first act something rather than using it as a way to deliver a punchline, with the hijinks then only taking up the next third.

Small amounts of character progression saved this episode for me but there wasn't enough. Batel's story is building to a peak..maybe? Was this episode contained to the ship to save money for a satisfying conclusion to that? I liked the character moments with Pelia and Scotty but the rest of the cast were just repeating their arcs from earlier in the season, if they had anything to do at all. I hate to say it but I don't think Anson Mount enjoys these episodes either, he doesn't seem to do as good as job as the others. He's brought another level to the show with Pike, who is an excellent and unique captain and show lead. I don't feel that in the sillier episodes and some of the other cast have to carry them.

I always look forward to Strange New Worlds but my interest has waned a little, the excitement isn't there as much as usual. I'm hopeful for the last 2 episodes as they should tie up some current plots... With some action/science/problem solving with any luck.