I'm amazed at how thoughtfully and sensitively they handled going back to a "sacred" Star Trek story and location. It was done with extreme care and love for the original material, and really TRULY feels like a meaningful and fully-integrated prequel/sequel story.
The Burnham/Spock flashback was harrowing and very emotional...not a let down at all, and provides appropriate, insightful and WELCOME backstory to both Michael and, more importantly, Spock.
Even the "B" story with Culber, Tyler and Stamets was 10/10. Well acted, tense, meaningful.
Totally agree. The A and B storylines were both amazing this week. And the episode was perfectly paced! (I've shaved a point or two off for weirdly paced eps earlier in the season.)
Whoever said that Peck is a worthy successor to Nimoy is right. No, they don't look alike, but I am getting the essence of the character more than I did with Quinto's Kelvinverse version. What's different is that I feel as if we're getting Spock's eventual gravitas with Peck -- the way that the character would sort of
anchor a scene, perfectly still, hands clasped behind his back, until it was time to say something or raise an eyebrow.
What's more, I think he managed to assure us that he's young Spock pre-TOS in the performance
without just being an imitation of Nimoy. Inspired by, of course. Imitation, no. He's doing his own thing, and at least for me, it works.
And Melissa George absolutely did justice to Vina. There was something in her portrayal that was heartbreaking. Trek isn't the best at romance, and yet, I thought Vina and Pike were
magic tonight. I hope this wasn't the only time we'll see her in the series, or (perhaps?) in a Pike's Enterprise show. (Cannot believe how much I want this now.)
Ah, that was just
so good. Still processing how good it was.
Yeah. They stuck the landing. Super impressed.