The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail

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.

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.

I know the series is suppose to be about Pike's Enterprise. However, the writers keep striking gold with the episodes with Kirk in them. A Quality of Mercy was awesome, as well as the one with Kirk and La'an going back in time thanks to a species that resembles Gary Seven from TOS. The CGI was fantastic, all of the actors brought their A game. I know Pelia annoys a lot of people, but I find her entertaining. If you didn't like this episode, then one would wonder if you're a Trekkie. I want more of these episodes.

This episode sets up a dire threat that may be reminiscent of other dire threats but has enough novel elements not to seem like too much of a regurgitation. A large cast of characters all gets some important role to play in resolving the problem.

Characters are depicted as competent, even in areas outside their expertise. Pike can play engineer; Uhura can handle the helm. Of course Starfleet would have cross-trained people for situations just like this.

And in the end, the story delivers an intelligent and useful message about true leadership. Now why can't every SNW episode be like this? Or at least more than two per season?

The plot twist at the end doesn't really work as a morality tale (if they were creepy lizard people, wouldn't they be just as much people?) but does set up intriguing possibilities for later follow-up.

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.