Four-and-a-Half Vulcans

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.

Strange New Worlds started out promising a return to the adventures of the original series. But now, it seems to have reverted to the same tropes most modern shows follow: let's explore inwards, examine these characters and how they interrelate. Well, that's not what Star Trek is meant to be about... they should be looking outwards, to other civilisations... and maybe those others teach us something about ourselves, by allegory or in some other way, but it's never just navel gazing about the crew's own problems.

I love the series and the cast, Patton Oswalt was great, love the takes at the end.

But... it could be done so much better, for starters, the conversion itself, they should address why is everyone logical seconds after converting with no explanation, it was mentioned later by Spok, but again not the process, that should be the main reason why they fail so much in becoming funcional Vulcans, the difference in how they achieve logic, and emotional control, maybe that was cut, or it never was in the script... but is a huge oversight. Second... why the "new" Vulcans behave so ridiculous for the sake of it...? It will be more interesting if it was severe, grounded, credible with humor sparkled, not just a long gag... Una Chin-Riley also behaves weird and goofy... yes, she can be in love and being vulnerable, but they way is handled seems surreal, yes is a "fun" episode... with a fun guest... but regardless, it can be done in a more grounded way... I laughed, cringed... and get disappointed all at once... a good idea, that lacks finesse in execution...

And he doesn't plan on going back. How did we get from the Gorn to this? Did the production staff go on a two year bender or what? On one hand, it looks as if the crew had a great time doing these episodes. On the other hand, this has gone from a paragon of ST to a parody of it. It's not funny anymore.

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.