by Warning: Spoilers for “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” season 1, episode 2
After just two episodes, the response to “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” has been overwhelmingly positive and it is now the highest-rated “Trek” series on Rotten Tomatoes. We still think he has a ways to go before he beats “Enterprise,” but worthwhile competition is a healthy thing.
Interestingly, one of the many themes explored in this episode, titled “Children of the Comet,” is that the evolution of organic life, in this case on the planet Persephone III, was at least assisted by the release of elements from the impact of a kite. . And just a few weeks ago, scientists discovered that key building blocks of human DNA, which previous research could not find in meteorites, have now been discovered in space rocks, suggesting that cosmic impacts once helped drive these vital ingredients of life to ancient Earth.
The flashback summary at the beginning of this episode confirms that there will be character-based story arcs, but we already knew that. And almost immediately we focus on young cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) as she prepares for her first dinner in the captain’s quarters…and, my God, what quarters they are.
Uhura is chastised by Lieutenant Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) and told that she has to wear her Starfleet dress uniform, when in fact everyone is dressed casually. It’s a bit like when astronaut Tracy Stevens arrives at the Jamestown base in S02, E05 of “For All Mankind” and has to wear the “Linus” eyepatch until the new recruit becomes the newest member of the outpost team lunar outpost. And Pike’s reaction to this is priceless.
Over dinner at Pike’s luxurious quarters, we get a full introduction to another recurring character, Hemmer (Bruce Horak), a blind Aenar who compensates by having other, much more fine-tuned senses, including a very basic form of telepathy, more like a sixth sense. It seems a little peculiar to me to have gone with other visually impaired chief engineer, but hopefully we’ll stay away from any possible clichés.
The whole scene is basically a setup for Pike to question the young communications cadet about her future plans and she reveals a story about her past and says she’s not sure if Starfleet is really for her. [Spoiler: it is.]
Related: ‘Strange New Worlds’ episode 1 is a love letter to ‘The Original Series’
Uhura’s story is another opportunity for the writers to insert more backstory into the lives of characters we already know and love. It’s well-written and delivers smoothly, as this show follows a more old-school-style single-serving format, which itself is still extremely enjoyable. (Paramount has also released some wonderful footage from the filming of this scene On twitter.)
Then we have that amazing opening sequence again. It’s a delight to watch and hear how the visual and audio elements combine to create a nearly two-minute long tribute to “The Original Series” and by far the best opening ever. none Star Trek series.
It turns out that the comet, making its way through the Persephone system, will in fact collide and collide with Persephone III, an inhabited world, and while there isn’t exactly thousands of millions of people down there, the population of the planet is still at risk. So, a plan is hatched to fire a pair of photon torpedoes and destroy the comet before impact. However, it unexpectedly activates a defensive shield and since this is not typical behavior for a comet, a team is sent to investigate.
At this point, we at Space.com would like to say one enormoussincere thanks to everyone behind “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” for not using the “Transformer” effect with the USS Enterprise environmental suit helmets. We saw this quick fix effect applied in the season 2 premiere episode of “Discovery” titled “Brother” and since it took place less than two years ago in “Trek” Time, it was very possible that it would be used again now. It’s a lazy and unrealistic response to “what are we going to do with our helmets in this scene?” who always feels out of place. The issue is handled here perfectly, including when Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte) is injured and must remove his helmet; it’s subtle, unobtrusive, and you probably haven’t even noticed it, but little things like this go a long way to creating a truly immersive experience. Thank you thank you thank you.
Related: 13 Things ‘Star Trek’ Does Right (and Wrong) About Space Technology
Which brings us to George Samuel “Sam” Kirk. We briefly mentioned it last week, but yes, James Kirk’s older brother is currently a member of the bridge crew of the USS Enterprise, but because his backstory at this point was more or less a blank canvas, it’s perfectly possible.
He was supposed being in the 2009 JJ Abrams movie Star Trek (played by Spencer Daniels) when a young, reckless and carefree James Kirk drives his stepfather’s car off a cliff for no apparent reason other than to inform the audience that James Kirk is young, reckless, and carefree. Interestingly though, when all other scenes of Daniels were removed, Sam’s character was essentially removed, with the audio overlapping when he saw “George” on his joyride as he speeds by, referring to to him as “Johnny”. a supposed childhood friend.
However, we have seen his unfortunate demise in “The Original Series” when, eight years from now, he is killed by a flying parasitic alien on the planet Deneva, in the episode “Operation – Annihilate!” (S01, E29) with his wife, Aurelan Kirk. However, his son Peter survives, along with two other children whose names vary in “Star Trek” canon, depending on which novel you’re reading. But that means we may have some time to explore this little-known brother of the legendary James T. Kirk.
That said… the legendary James T. Kirk is the same set to appear in “Strange New Worlds”, in season 2, as announced by Paramount. Paul Wesley, star of “The Vampire Diaries” will play the role, but there are currently no details on whether Wesley will be a series regular, or have a guest or recurring role in the second season.
It makes you wonder if we’ll get any of “The Original Series” hilarious clichés, including but not limited to:
• Pike taking off his shirt or at least ripping his torso apart
• Symbolic crewmen, mad with fear, especially at the helm, in a crisis
• Sacrificial red shirt or two (which we saw in both “TOS” and the 2009 movie)
• We saw that Pike has a longtime partner last week, so presumably he won’t be sleeping with all the Terrakian and Moon Princess slaves on the show.
The USS Enterprise is confronted by a giant alien ship manned by a race who call themselves “Shepherds” and refer to the comet as M’hanit as it is sacred to them. Despite Pike’s protests, they insist that M’hanit will decide to bring life or destruction to the planet, but his decision is final and cannot be interfered with. Meanwhile, the away team on the comet’s surface finds a way to communicate with it and, with the exception of Spock singing, everything is handled in classic “Star Trek” fashion; a way is devised to keep everyone happy without anyone getting hurt. Or at least seriously injured.
Pike’s PTSD continues to plague him and it’s a good thing it wasn’t limited to the first episode last week. In fact, this entire episode again entertains the idea that maybe he can change his future, a potential plot line that could be interesting to watch. However, Nyota Uhura is the real star of this week’s episode and is the one who manages to unlock M’hanit’s secrets. Hopefully, all of the main characters will be given full episodes to further explore his past over the course of the next few seasons.
Meanwhile, Anson Mount has hit the nail on the head with the role of Pike, and while most of us already knew this to be the case after the “Star Trek: Discovery” episode “Eden” (S02, E02), he was been given this opportunity and we’ve been given this show marks the best decision yet from then-CBS, now Paramount, plus the painfully slow realization of the potential they had with this IP. As long as the right decisions are made about how to handle the little details, you know, like the helmets on the environment suits, and the plot is kept fresh, it’s going to be a huge hit.
Rating: 7/10
The first episode of “Strange New Worlds” is now available to watch on Paramount Plus, as is the complete second season of “Star Trek: Picard.” “Star Trek: Discovery” season 4 is also available on the Paramount streaming service in the US and CTV Sci-Fi or Crave TV in Canada. Countries outside of North America can watch it on the Pluto TV Sci-Fi channel.
Paramount has confirmed that its streaming platform will launch in the UK and Ireland on June 22, available as a standalone service and as part of the Sky Cinema subscription for the UK cable provider.
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