Terrarium

This is probably the best episode so far of Season 3. Good themes, some interesting ideas and not too much of the humour that has spoiled a lot of SNW of late. This one seems to have a little more faith in the ideas and execution than more recent episodes. However, Ortega constantly speaking her thoughts gets very annoying. It's like the writers and director felt they needed spell out every single moment rather than thinking the audience might actually be able to work it out for themselves! But explaining everything aside, it's a much better effort all round. Looking forward to the season finale next week!

Lt. Erica Ortegas finally gets the spotlight she deserves, and the result is nothing short of exceptional. Melissa Navia brings her to life with striking humanity, humor, and pathos. The script and direction stand among the finest that Star Trek has offered in years, delivering both tension and heart. By the closing moments, I found myself unexpectedly moved. It has left a far deeper impact than I anticipated. This is top-tier Star Trek.

A return to form after a few uneven episodes this season. It's clear the writers are drawing inspiration from earlier seasons to recapture those classic Trek vibes, sometimes it really works.

Some Trek staples I noticed:

Unbelievable Starfleet competency: Ortegas pulls off incredible feats of engineering mometimes literally building life saving devices in a cave with a box of scraps. Starfleet officers are supposed to be the absolute best of the best and the show doesn't always highlight this, so newer viewers might find it far fetched. But of course Ortegas can engineer amazing solutions, she's Starfleet.

Wild sci-fi mysteries: We've got a seemingly unexplained wormhole, an impossible planetary system, physics and biology laws being broken left and right... with an explanation for it all by the end.

Moral dilemmas everywhere: Nearly every scene brings ethical questions, and through them we get more insight into Spock, Una, Uhura, and Pike. I liked seeing a new side to Una, she's the source of conflict rather than the usual mediator. Strong character moments all around.

Visual spectacle: Some episodes this season have felt smaller, mostly on ship with even the view screen not having anything to show. This episode changed that with some beautiful, cinematic shots. Maybe they've been saving the budget for something big in episode 10? I hope so.

If I have one complaint, it's that Batel's storyline didn't progress at all. Given the setting, there was room for at least a quick call to Pike so we could see her reaction to the situation-and how her changed circumstances affect her perspective now.

Overall, a solid episode with classic Trek energy throughout.

I am sure Ortegas is a good fit, I just do not like the character, everything about her just makes my blood crawl.

If she is such a great pilot why did crash? I would have love to see La'an, who admits she is not a great pilot.

It could be because I work with men that are exactly like her, alway have two cents, expert.

Can the writers try to find some something original to write about?

I did try, I just could not watch the episode.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Finally after this season's ups and downs we are treated to proper science fiction! Okay so the story may have been done before, pilot crash lands on a strange planet with little hope of survival, but when done in a Trekkie way it seems original.

It's a striking episode with great effects, tension and proper science fiction! But at the heart of this episode is the hope that 2 arch enemies can become friends in their time of need.

It's a heartfelt episode with a heartwrenching twist at the end. Best of the season so far!