The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail

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.

Overall a very good episode. There's a lot to like. Pivotal moments. Important recognition of what mercy means. And the beginning of the most important relationship in ST.

What I liked:

Spock acting like Spock.

A Doomsday Machine knock-off.

A coherent story.

No soap opera romance featured.

The original crew (minus a few) together.

Great forerunner interaction of cast.

Great effects, as usual.

An intriguing mystery with a tragic answer.

The design of the scavenger ship was a bit much, I mean why the jaws and teeth? Reminded me of the alien behemoths from The Avengers. Minor quibble.

Although Kirk's getting flustered and walking off the bridge was out of character, I understood what the writer was trying to create. It led to an iconic Kirk-Spock dialogue. All that was missing was Bones chipping in with snarky Vulcan insults.

There were opportunities to write that scene in ways that would accomplish the desired result, point out Kirk's need for growth, and come up with a solution, without making James T look immature. I guess we can't have it all.

The TOS reunion (pre-union?) of Chapel, Uhura, Scott, Spock and Kirk was a great idea. Scotty and Chapel discussing ways to remove Kirk seemed wrong, but Uhura showed loyalty and Spock adopted his role of Kirk's #1.

When Pelia comic relief is inserted I just roll my eyes. Neelix anyone? Ah, no big deal.

It's two better eps in a row.

For me, this is the best episode since Season 1's A Quality of Mercy, and the only episode of Season 3 I've felt compelled to watch twice. Simply put, this felt like Star Trek - a fun, multilayered adventure with a clever twist and a timely reminder that we're not so different from our enemies.

Interestingly, my two favourite Strange New Worlds episodes so far both feature Kirk, even though I'd much rather the writers focus on Pike, Una, and the crew. I don't mind the slow build of Kirk's world, but it shouldn't come at the expense of Pike and Una, who seem noticeably under-utilised this season.

I'm still not a huge fan of Pelia, but her rummaging through antiques and rewiring the Enterprise had the charm of the quirky, lighthearted moments we used to see in The Next Generation.

The resolution to this week's problem (and the episode's title) was once again a little unsatisfying - it prompted a "wait, what?" and rewind moment just to decipher what had happened. Kirk also went from being lost to suddenly having all the answers in a manner that felt unearned. And what was with the enemy ship's jaws and teeth? Still, these were minor missteps in what was otherwise a great episode.

I imagine writing Strange New Worlds isn't easy, with the constraints of canon, timelines, and the sheer number of prior plots - not to mention the harshness of a vocal minority who, somewhat ironically, seem to keep their phasers permanently set to kill. But when the show remembers its roots - hopeful, character-driven science fiction - it really shines. More of this, and less gimmickry, please.

How did Caption Kirk become the Captain loved in TOS?

This episode goes a long way in explaining that. Kirk isn't just some brash young Captain in today's Star Trek and he's already way more mature than the character we observed in the 1960s.

I loved this episode and personally I think that if today's cast redid an old episode some folks would still say it is horrible writing.

Personally, I would ignore every bad review bc in my world, my make believe, space flying, sci-fi loving world.., there is no such thing as a bad episode of Star Trek! And I also know that if you are a Trekkie, yeah, I know you agree!

Moving into the second half of this most uneven season, this episode is hopefully an indicator of a better back-half. While mich of the episode is spent on a rather vague jeopardy plot, confronting a faceless enemy with more or unless unclear motivations and wildly exaggerated capabilities. This is like TOS"s Planet killer if were manned by a crew.

But along the way, it does what too few episodes this season have done: provide a good reason for the story that is told, as we're seeing Kirk learn some lessons about command. This culminates in a scene that's as good as this show has produced thus far when he and Pike wonder about the casualties of their successful mission. In this dialogue, finally the good old spirit of Star Trek comes through. Too often lately, it has been lost between all the jokes and romantic entanglements.