speilbergjnr

Got to the be honest, the only episode this season where I zoned out and attention wavered to the point of boredom. I'm surprised the slow "A plot" was "complimented" by an even slower, duller B plot. It's not an episode where anything really goes anywhere and the aforementioned "B-plot" could be completely removed and nothing would really be lost outside of a couple of nice looking CGI holodeck scenes.

Sure, there are some funny character moments and one big redeeming factor for me personally, a return cameo of someone I have sorely missed and it's not that the rest of this episode is not "nice" by any means, but effectively, that's all it is. Nice. Pleasant. Glass of wine in the evening. Not intriguing, not exciting, not particularly moving (until the end, perhaps).

Like I say, my brain was waiting for some sci-fi but it was ultimately wine moms romcom in space: the sethening. It's partly my fault for thinking it might be some kind of first of a back-to-back season two parter but I suppose that's a TNG thing?

As such, if you're looking for a slow, wordy, what would wine moms in space do? Episode finalé then you definitely get it here. I'm still rating it six despite my lack of interest. I've come to think of it like this... an Epilogue. As some others have reviewed, perhaps the last episode "Domino" was the real finalé and this episode is more like the Epilogue, and in that respect, it's absolutely fine. I acknowledge my expectations were a factor in my dissapointment, not necessarily the show itself...

But perhaps they should've simply called it "Epilogue" or "Un-natural Matrimony" or something more relative because "Future Unknown" set certain expectations in me. That there was some mystery that would keep me guessing between the "down-time" between this season and the next.

But it's absolutely not that. Nothing is really lingering in the background beyond the Krill and Maklan alliance and well... Meh. No sense of anything boiling under the surface there so what intrigue is there to build anticipation for the next season?

Regardless, a strong season on the whole, with a bigger finalé feel in "Domino" and a pleasant EPILOGUE with this episode. I look forward to season 4 though clearly I won't be thinking about it until it drops cos this episode/season left nothing for the imagination right at the end there.

Doubt I'll be spending the next however many months thinking about the doctor and Isaac's coital goings on. I will however, be thinking about mine and Alara's :)

A very strong Cmdr. Grayson episode about her intervention with Bortas and Klyden's child Topa. In my mind, sci-fi is absolutely the right place to be exploring the themes we encounter here.

If you've seen an upward trending curve to the episodes of this season then I think you'll be pleasantly surprised that this one manages to shift up yet another gear.

In part, the ending did the preferred "show not tell" which helps bring out an emotional response whereas the previous episode it was more of an "exposition dump" ending.

Alongside that all performances were strong, crew members had their roles and didn't outstay their welcome. The Topa actress did a great job. I do like Klyden's role in the show and another strong "irate" performance here so I hope he will return, though clearly the episode itself is going to leave some wishing he is never seen again.

I did not feel pandered too. I simply felt I watched a very well made episode of a sci-fi show that allowed me to think a little more deeply about the subjects within than I probably normally would.

Providing it is maintained within the context of the show and its lore, I couldn't care less if it's relevant to today's issues, yesterday's issues or ones we haven't even considered facing yet. I'd be wary of the reviews that dismiss this out of hand as "woke". Stay the course, see for yourself.

I rarely dish out 9 star ratings here but as this episode prompted an emotional response along the way and I came away from it feeling a very satisfied sci-fi enthusiast, with many other elements all being top of their game (the music is excellent in this episode, for example) that for the time being this is definitely going up there with some of my top TNG episodes.

Minor issues: Bortas' final line was weak which was a shame. It only needed to be a line or two longer, to show that he supports her wishes and that his own wish is for her to be happy. Instead he just says "You are perfect" which holds almost no meaning considering the preceeding events.

I also had a big deja vu of the Dr. Inviting Isaac for dinner. Although this time it was definitely earned and this is the episode it suits the most, I'm sure a previous episode this season already ended exactly the same way, Robot does good, Robot gets invited to dinner. Robot goes to dinner and sits there like a sack of potatoes cos Robot doesn't eat. Dinosaurs eat man, woman inherits the Earth. Etc etc :)

Finally, a little nod that Yaphit is here, the funny guy whose name I forget does a Fonzy "hey" at someone so there's that and even my fave Alara can be seen in the background of a few shots and these little things absolutely totted up the score for me. Anyway, bravo, good sci-fi, well done Seth!

A much better episode than the first two, in my opinion. There is mystery, intrigue and a little suspense. No particular focus on any one character but instead on away team as a whole. There's a good dose of humour and even an inkling that the events (or rather, technology) in this episode may tie into a wider, future plot.

The exposition dump at the end is a little lame, but to be fair, the whole episode keeps you guessing and it just keeps moving forward which I enjoyed, never really getting bogged down. So it earned the exposition dump at the end...!

I hope the rest of the season is more in line with the quality of this episode. It's nice when a show subtitled "New Horizons" actually shows some of those horizons which are new. Here, this season seems to have found its footing.

Looking forward to more!