Instead of revealing classified bridge footage, it should be told from the perspective of the crew. Cover the missions, the perils, life in space.
I know I’m basically reciting verbatim something said by the reporter/intelligence operative Gannet in the ENT episode “Demons”. But the stakes should have been lower than they were. And there were more than enough threads to lean on to weave together a better story.
- Spock, Chapel and La’an about the end of Spock and Chapel’s relationship and the beginning of Spock and La’an’s relationship. Interview Korby and Chapel together. Reference T’Pring and Captain Angel.
- Ortegas’s military service and thoughts on Klingons, and how it relates to the political situation between the Lutani and Kasar. Contrast it with M’Benga’s service and thoughts.
- Pelia’s lifelong experiences, including reflecting on how Starfleet has changed from its inception to present day.
- Pike and Batel’s long distance relationship, and her medical situation. Have Batel talk about the loss of the Cayuga. Have Beto press Pike as to why Batel’s not being cared for at a Starbase, or even Dr. Sarah April (who invented a number of the medical instruments used in TOS, and therefore clearly a genius).
- Pike’s lengthy service onboard the Enterprise. Or sitting out the Klingon War. Maybe call back to Short Treks “Ask Not” and “The Trouble with Edward” about the cadets he trained or former crew that served with him.
- Interview supporting characters like Mitchell and Sam Kirk, or background alien characters.
- Spy and catch human moments. Get candid thoughts. Catch crewmembers gossiping. Ensigns playing practical jokes or Enterprise Bingo. Uncover secret (failed) romances. Secret traumas. Secret hobbies they might be embarrassed to admit they’re into (call back to the Short Trek "Q&A"). Dealing with the death of Ensign Gamble. Jokes that fall flat.
- Have Una reflect on her court martial. Or La’an being a descendant of Khan.
- Have Pike, Una, and Spock be asked about the loss of Discovery.
- Uhura interacting with other comm officers in her department.
IDK if the episode would have been better off as a Long Trek, or it simply needed to be tightened up, considering how much material they could have worked with. But I’ve seen enough mockumentary shows to know that the episode should be about the crew. And it did not feel like it was. The question as to whether Starfleet is a military should have been secondary. The situation with the Jikaru should have been tertiary.
