Through the Lens of Time

This episode is pure boredom.

You take a setting like in 'Cube" - a group locked in a room, lethal traps and they have to find a way out.

So far so good, but if legacy characters like Spock and Uhura are part of this group, then you already know they'll survive. For me the whole plot was suspenseless and it was clear that Spock, Uhura, nurse Chapel and La'an won't happen anything. Even the situation in these ancient ruins was an all too well known trope without surprises.

The side plot on the Enterprise about Ensign Gamble and Dr. M'Benga promissed something interesting but developed into some all to well known 'alien possession' that got solved in a rush and guest character Ensign Gamble left the cast as fast as introduced in this show.

Somehow this 'adventure' episode felt like a filler, wasn't that interesting and fresh like the episodes from season 1 and season 2 and was so boring I nearly fell asleep.

Compared with episodes from season 1 and season 2 this fifth episode of season 3 was very poor.

What makes for a GREAT episode?

Adventure? Action? New Villains? Disastrously romp?

This one had all of that and much much MORE!! It's almost like the writers are writing FRESH after last weeks exciting show.

This episode is destined to become a classic with the crew working to figure out the clues, reunite and then get back to the USS Enterprise!

ENJOY.

The best episode of the season and one of the best episodes of the entire series.

After the rather disappointing start to the first half of the season, "Through the Lens of Time" does a really good job of telling a new and exciting story.

First of all, the set design looks incredible, and the way it is integrated into the story keeps the tension high throughout. Individual fates play a very important role, previous events are interestingly integrated into the narrative, and the emotions are strongly conveyed to the viewer. You can feel what is being told here, and how it is being told is essential to the foreground.

The episode feels like the prelude to something even bigger, for which the Gorn were just a small foretaste.

The stakes are raised, the characters interact fluidly with each other, and the narrative is elevated to a higher level, which will hopefully pay off in the coming episodes and perhaps even beyond into the final seasons.

This episode proves the thought that Star Trek: SNW is trying way too hard and going in the wrong direction. They seem to be intent on wasting time with mindless romances rather than explain TOS canon. Once again, there are so many missed opportunities to lay the groundwork for the next series.(the original series) and trying to connect to Star Trek:TNG both with technological innovation and future characters back stories. I'm not giving anything away nor providing spoilers, but they seem to be spinning in celestial mud, unable to see a path laid out in front of them versus trying new things just for the sake of trying them. Some portions of the story are very interesting while others make me turn away and work on household chores.

So far this has been a hit or miss season. This is the best episode since the kickass premiere, and it's a visit to an actual Strange New World, which is nice for a change.

Multiple characters are put to good use in the story although I'm not warming up to Ortega's kid brother. Not that I want to see him killed off, but he needs to finish up his video project and depart. Soon.

The ensign whose name I didn't even catch had a good, meaty role. Marie's situation also got some more detail. Her storyline is one of the more interesting ones this season.

The archeology conundrum reminded me of a video game where the characters have to figure out mind-bending puzzles and take a leap of faith.

And - no spoilers - but did I detect a linkage to a DS9 plotline? Overall, good. But I'm still hoping for better.