Four-and-a-Half Vulcans

The show has been cast very well 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."

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...

This episode really shows the problem with this series' episodic approach. The premises just become shallow gimmicks since the whole thing must be reset in 50 minutes.

What if La'an, as the only non-canon character, had been permanently "Romulanized"? At least then the premise could be used for more than comedy. And the comedy generally fell horribly flat. These writers just aren't good at comedy, yet they keep trying, and failing.

Dear David Ellison: now that you are taking over the reins of Star Trek, please fire that hack Kurtzman, clean house and bring in a whole new staff. The SNW actors are good so if you want to bring them over to a new series, fine. But please for the love of the Great Bird of the Galaxy, get better writers. This season has been mainly painful to watch. Star Trek deserves better than this.

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.

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.