First off, I am irritated that the episode was so short... about 37 minutes. If we are having such short seasons, there is absolutely NO reason to have an episode of a streaming series be shorter than a broadcast tv episode.
Given the specifications of the Enterprise we see in the beginning, a crew of 203 is pretty small. (It IS at least consistent, with SNW thus far and "THE CAGE".) But it does make sense, given SNW has shown everyone to have really large quarters. (Which kind of goes against Scotty in "Relics" when he says, "In my day, even an admiral wouldn't have had quarters like this on a starship.") Clearly, quarters were made smaller later just before Kirk took command or right when he took command. In fact, I'd bet that something catastrophic happens in the series finale that forces a huge refit of the Enterprise and it gets more "packed in", as Jadzia said about ships of this era in "TRIALS AND TRIBBLE-ATIONS".
I was rather irritated at this episode at first... Beto doing his 'Federation or empire' voiceover. Already, you can tell there is a negative slant against Starfleet here. Plus, he was REALLY extra pushy with the questions about the situation in the system, everyone's thoughts about killing, etc. He rubbed me the wrong way. (I am glad that Pike put him in his place when he asked Beto if he has ever seen someone die and letting him know you won't like being asked about it.)
And I have to completely disagree with him about the Federation being a 'colonizer' and imposing their doctrines and laws onto others. If this were the case, the Prime Directive wouldn't even exist.
I did find it odd that Spock was so... overly sharing about a part of his childhood for a documentary. This is not typical of the ultra private, reserved, and closed off Spock we have known for decades. (To be fair, this IS pre-TOS Spock, but this did strike me as a bit off overall.)
It was nice to see Ortegas' quarters. She is clearly channeling TOP GUN's Maverick here, having her quarters essentially be a place to work on engine parts. (In addition to being a top notch pilot.)
I'm glad La'an and others mention that sometimes killing IS necessary, as well as striking first. This is sometimes required to defend yourself and others. It's not a bad thing. It's just a reality.
The Jikaru... that was beautifully done. Am I the only one who was thinking of Mothra in space? Her plight was so sad, and her sacrificing herself for her children was heartbreaking, and definitely in the spirit of STAR TREK.
Everyone had some great character beats, particularly Uhura and La'an. I also like how M'Benga so clearly understood the Jikaru's plight... tired of being a weapon. (Another reason why I love his character, and the actor... he gave that extra pause right at the camera after saying it. Told a huge tale with just a glance. Just perfect.)
I also love how everyone ended with a great view on what Starfleet is. Particularly Una's take.
(Side note: LOVE that the NX-01 was prominent on a screen when Uhura left the room.)
The documentary style of filming was a bit jarring at first (the characters' faces on the side with small text superimposed on the rest, for example), but it was easier to get used to as the episode went on. While this style of episode has been done A LOT on tv, I thought it was overall well used here. With an ending that really gets you feeling sorrow for the Jikaru and inspiration at what Starfleet and the Federation is all about.
Despite the issues I had that I mentioned earlier, they are not bad enough to ding this episode much. I originally scored this an 8.5, but after writing down my thoughts and rewatching the episode, I am upgrading this to a 9.0.
By the way... on the question of whether Starfleet is a military or not. We have a massive amount of evidence that shows us it IS a military. And that is NOT a bad thing.
I think a deeper issue when people argue that Starfleet isn't one is not because of one of the very few instaces of someone onscreen saying it isn't one, but because they inherently think of the word 'military' as a negative.
Militaries do fight wars. Their soldiers kill. This is true.
But how about all the good they do otherwise? The relief missions to aid others. Helping to avert disasters. Army Corps of Engineers are like the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. The various medical branches of the services have been helpful in countless ways. Having the resources, training, and organization to handle just about anything civilians might need. And let's not forget that militaries have also played a huge part in the exploration of our own planet. So yes, the military ARE also explorers when the mission calls for it.
And thus, Starfleet IS a military.
Given the specifications of the Enterprise we see in the beginning, a crew of 203 is pretty small. (It IS at least consistent, with SNW thus far and "THE CAGE".) But it does make sense, given SNW has shown everyone to have really large quarters. (Which kind of goes against Scotty in "Relics" when he says, "In my day, even an admiral wouldn't have had quarters like this on a starship.") Clearly, quarters were made smaller later just before Kirk took command or right when he took command. In fact, I'd bet that something catastrophic happens in the series finale that forces a huge refit of the Enterprise and it gets more "packed in", as Jadzia said about ships of this era in "TRIALS AND TRIBBLE-ATIONS".
I was rather irritated at this episode at first... Beto doing his 'Federation or empire' voiceover. Already, you can tell there is a negative slant against Starfleet here. Plus, he was REALLY extra pushy with the questions about the situation in the system, everyone's thoughts about killing, etc. He rubbed me the wrong way. (I am glad that Pike put him in his place when he asked Beto if he has ever seen someone die and letting him know you won't like being asked about it.)
And I have to completely disagree with him about the Federation being a 'colonizer' and imposing their doctrines and laws onto others. If this were the case, the Prime Directive wouldn't even exist.
I did find it odd that Spock was so... overly sharing about a part of his childhood for a documentary. This is not typical of the ultra private, reserved, and closed off Spock we have known for decades. (To be fair, this IS pre-TOS Spock, but this did strike me as a bit off overall.)
It was nice to see Ortegas' quarters. She is clearly channeling TOP GUN's Maverick here, having her quarters essentially be a place to work on engine parts. (In addition to being a top notch pilot.)
I'm glad La'an and others mention that sometimes killing IS necessary, as well as striking first. This is sometimes required to defend yourself and others. It's not a bad thing. It's just a reality.
The Jikaru... that was beautifully done. Am I the only one who was thinking of Mothra in space? Her plight was so sad, and her sacrificing herself for her children was heartbreaking, and definitely in the spirit of STAR TREK.
Everyone had some great character beats, particularly Uhura and La'an. I also like how M'Benga so clearly understood the Jikaru's plight... tired of being a weapon. (Another reason why I love his character, and the actor... he gave that extra pause right at the camera after saying it. Told a huge tale with just a glance. Just perfect.)
I also love how everyone ended with a great view on what Starfleet is. Particularly Una's take.
(Side note: LOVE that the NX-01 was prominent on a screen when Uhura left the room.)
The documentary style of filming was a bit jarring at first (the characters' faces on the side with small text superimposed on the rest, for example), but it was easier to get used to as the episode went on. While this style of episode has been done A LOT on tv, I thought it was overall well used here. With an ending that really gets you feeling sorrow for the Jikaru and inspiration at what Starfleet and the Federation is all about.
Despite the issues I had that I mentioned earlier, they are not bad enough to ding this episode much. I originally scored this an 8.5, but after writing down my thoughts and rewatching the episode, I am upgrading this to a 9.0.
By the way... on the question of whether Starfleet is a military or not. We have a massive amount of evidence that shows us it IS a military. And that is NOT a bad thing.
I think a deeper issue when people argue that Starfleet isn't one is not because of one of the very few instaces of someone onscreen saying it isn't one, but because they inherently think of the word 'military' as a negative.
Militaries do fight wars. Their soldiers kill. This is true.
But how about all the good they do otherwise? The relief missions to aid others. Helping to avert disasters. Army Corps of Engineers are like the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. The various medical branches of the services have been helpful in countless ways. Having the resources, training, and organization to handle just about anything civilians might need. And let's not forget that militaries have also played a huge part in the exploration of our own planet. So yes, the military ARE also explorers when the mission calls for it.
And thus, Starfleet IS a military.
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