Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 2x11 - "Perpetual Infinity"

[Commander Richard]

According to Rotten Tomatoes, "The Red Angel" has the lowest score of the season so far. It ended with a surprising twist though and we're winding down to what's expected to be quite an endgame in a few weeks, so sit back and enjoy the rest of what many think is a great season.

"Burnham receives the reunion she’s been longing for, but it doesn’t go quite as she imagined. Georgiou and Tyler sense a disturbing change in Leland." - Memory Alpha

Also, can we expect to see more of Lt. Nilsson from here on in? She took Airiam's place on the bridge with a walk-on that also served as a nod to fans in the know. And what was there to know? She's played by Sara Mitich, who also played Airiam in the first season.

On CBS All Access | On Netflix
On Crave | On Space
TrekMovie.com | IMDb Page
Memory Alpha Entry​

 

[Turtletrekker]

Not surprised the Red Angel got the lowest rating of the season. Despite the great scene between Michael and Spock and the twist at the end, it was lacking. Too much exposition and too many info dumps. the misdirection of Michael being the Red Angel just didn't work for me and the plan to capture her didn't make much sense.

In retrospect, as much as I appreciated Airiam's funeral scene, it feels as if it was mostly there to take up time and help fill out the episode.

hopefully, the rest of the season will be better. Not every episode can be a winner. Can't wait for the new episode.

 

[The Habs Fan]

For comparison, here's how the 200000 followers of Star Trek Discovery on TV Time have rated the episodes this season:



On Canadian TV, this episode is in a 60 minute block so maybe a similar duration as last week's episode.

This episode is written by Alan McElroy (co-writer on An Obol For Charon) and Brandon Schultz (a writer's assistant).

 

[PiotrB]

According to Rotten Tomatoes, "The Red Angel" has the lowest score of the season so far.

Score expected because the episode was not a closed story and some reviewers insist on not taking it into account. Hence, 3 out of 4 out of 10 reviewers has strange accusations of illogicality and mess when they do not know whether or not they will be explained in the following episodes.

The episode was an introduction to the serialized story, which ideally encourages to watch the next episode immediately. As such, it fulfilled its task perfectly. Unfortunately, it is the specificity of CBS AA that it distributes series in the streaming service in the old way.

 

[eschaton]

I have to say, they're hyping the closing two-parter so damn much now that part of me isn't looking that forward to this week and next week, because I worry the show is basically just going to be spinning its wheels for two episodes.

 

[Lord Garth]

Initially, I didn't like the idea of having Rotten Tomatoes scores in the OP, but I changed my mind. It disproves the idea that "no one likes the series" since people love to use RT and YouTube to bludgeon us over the heads with it. All the episodes this season, except "The Red Angel", have rated above 70% on RT. Though I still maintain that IMDB is much more accurate because more people vote with it and the scores aren't binary (i.e. you either like it or you don't, with nothing in-between, and no way to tell the degree to which someone liked it or disliked it).

I'm surprised more people on RT like "Brother" than "If Memory Serves". Also interesting that "Point of Light" isn't the least liked. I thought I was alone-ish in my view of how much I liked it. The only reason I can think "The Red Angel" has the least likes by RT is because they're disappointed the Red Angel is Burnham's mother.

On another note: I'll be busy tonight and all through tomorrow, so I won't have much time to comment on this episode. I'm prepping a set for a stage play I'm directing and -- in general -- becoming more involved with the theater community.

 

[PiotrB]

@Lord Garth RT score cited is based on critics reviews. For example last episode 60% is calculated from 6 positive and 4 negative reviews. For If Memory Serves ratio is 9 to 2. There isn't community score for now. (probably fallout of Captain Marvel review bombing)

 

[Lord Garth]

@Lord Garth RT score cited is based on critics reviews. For example last episode 60% is calculated from 6 positive and 4 negative reviews. For If Memory Serves ratio is 9 to 2. There isn't community score for now. (probably fallout of Captain Marvel review bombing)

When it comes to the community there, I feel like quoting what Dirty Harry said about opinions.

 

[Borgminister]

I only trust Beer Advocate for reviews.

 

[Mudd]

Score expected because the episode was not a closed story and some reviewers insist on not taking it into account.

IOW, the reviewers just didn't like it as much as some other episodes.

 

[Quinton]

“The Red Angel” was my favorite episode of the season thus far and it got one of my friends/roommates speaking enthusiastically about the show again for the first time in weeks. The disconnect I have with reviewers (and many fans) on this show still kinda surprises me sometimes.

 

[The Habs Fan]

“The Red Angel” was my favorite episode of the season thus far and it got one of my friends/roommates speaking enthusiastically about the show again for the first time in weeks. The disconnect I have with reviewers (and many fans) on this show still kinda surprises me sometimes.

I agree with you and I look at sites like TV Time (which I posted above), that has a lot more people voting on polls than any other site, for a more accurate picture of how people enjoy the show. For example, the TV Time episode poll for The Red Angel currently has a total of 5467 votes giving it a 9.74/10. And before someone says, "but that's only fans voting", why would anyone who is not a fan waste their time watching the show? I would also say check out the average ratings for Discovery Season 1 and other shows like The Orville. It's not always consistently over a 9/10

 

[XCV330]

I think an episode that has some conclusion or is self contained generally resonates better initially for viewer. That's just how it is, but you have to have setup stories in an arc like this, and The Red Angel is a transitional story. It doesn't resolve anything, because its part of a larger story. So it wont be as satisfying potentially till the story is ended. Also it needed some Jett Reno.

 

[Quinton]

I agree with you and I look at sites like TV Time (which I posted above), that has a lot more people voting on polls than any other site for a more accurate picture of how people enjoy the show.

Makes sense! I saw that bit earlier and it certainly looks “right” to me. :P

 

[Doc Mugatu]

I think an episode that has some conclusion or is self contained generally resonates better initially for viewer. That's just how it is, but you have to have setup stories in an arc like this, and The Red Angel is a transitional story. It doesn't resolve anything, because its part of a larger story. So it wont be as satisfying potentially till the story is ended. Also it needed some Jett Reno.

I agree. I would like to see series move away from the one master arc per season. Give us more variety. Maybe 1 or 2 smaller arcs and a few self-contained stand alone stories. This has really become an issue with The Flash as well. Discovery has done better the last episode or two but earlier in the season was a painful stretch.

 

[XCV330]

I agree. I would like to see series move away from the one master arc per season. Give us more variety. Maybe 1 or 2 smaller arcs and a few self-contained stand alone stories. This has really become an issue with The Flash as well. Discovery has done better the last episode or two but earlier in the season was a painful stretch.

I actually like the serialization though I wouldn't mind if the compacted it down more. I do like the occasional one-shot stories. Those are generally going to be their best bet for a really memorable "10" type episode.

 

[Doc Mugatu]

I actually like the serialization though I wouldn't mind if the compacted it down more. I do like the occasional one-shot stories. Those are generally going to be their best bet for a really memorable "10" type episode.

When the serialized format came into vogue with sci-fi shows in the 1990s I was thrilled. I still prefer them to the old episodic days where there seemed to be no memory of what happened before or after a particular story. Now though more and more series seem to have a harder time pacing them properly. The Flash, Supernatural, Doctor Who and Discovery appeared to really struggle with season long arcs the past few seasons. Also, when you know one story is going to dominate each season there becomes a predictability whereby each series develops an in-house formula. So by all means stay serialized but mix it up season to season depending on the strength of an arc. There are few things worse then doing something just you feel beholden to or trying to contort something to fit.

 

[Hythlodeus]

It puzzles me how The Red Angel can have the lowest RT score this season if crap like New Eden exists.

 

[eschaton]

It puzzles me how The Red Angel can have the lowest RT score this season if crap like New Eden exists.

IMHO New Eden was a better episode overall, even though it was just solidly middlebrow. The Red Angel was all over the place, with a lot of scenes which were some of the best character moments to date, and some cringeworthy exposition. Not to mention there was either no real plot, or like 18 of them going on at once.

 

[Doc Mugatu]

It puzzles me how The Red Angel can have the lowest RT score this season if crap like New Eden exists.

I don't go by RT scores. Too prone to manipulation.

I would say episodes like "The Red Angel" are a bit harder to judge because it is a direct setup for something therefore you kind of have to see how it plays out before one can really judge it fairly.

FYI, I happened to really enjoy New Eden.