Spoilers Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 3x09 - "Terrarium"

[Michael]

Really, sometimes the writers should just be quiet.

This, to be honest. They should have just kept quiet about this and have viewers make up their own minds. This explanation they've come up with seems super unnecessary and feels like they’ve listened to some fans online too much. The different appearance of the Gorn or the fact that they seems like a new enemy in “Arena” did not need any kind of explanation. And certainly not something as cosmically stupid as “aliens made them forget”.

Whether you see this as a "remake" of "Arena" or some sort of "reimagining," it's just too close to the original for me. The one thing I absolutely do not want from modern Star Trek is any kind of retelling of stories from the earlier periods of Star Trek, either 1960s or 1980s-2000s Trek.

I did actually view this as a quasi retelling of “Arena”, yes. But then again, it’s actually kind of the opposite: Kirk and the Gorn spend almost the entire time together trying to kill each other, while Ortegas and her Gorn bestie make quick friends and help each other in profound ways. As much as I like “Arena”, I found this one a much more enjoyable and rewarding watch. Already one of my favorite episodes of Trek, to be honest. I don’t have a hard time at all just ignoring the end with the Metron and don’t let it mar my otherwise perfect impression of the episode.

 

[fireproof78]

And certainly not something as cosmically stupid as “aliens made them forget”.

They learned it from the Enterprise writers. I thought Enterprise was popular now.

 

[Michael]

Oh my god, if I had a dollar for every time someone who pointed out something they didn’t like about this show (or Picard or Discovery before it) got reminded that whatever they didn’t like was also done by previous Trek, I would be a goddamn millionaire. Is it such an outlandish idea to not like something about a current show that you also didn’t like about a previous show? Why is the assumption always that I’m critiquing something that I otherwise didn’t mind on another show? Do I always have to add a disclaimer saying that this also bothered me on an earlier show? And it’s not just you, @fireproof78, so I’m not singling you out, but frankly, it’s a bit over the top and can be quite exhausting. Whenever I see you or someone like you who also does this actually voice some criticism about this show I’m so damn tempted to throw it back at you and respond with “But the old shows had that too!”.

 

[fireproof78]

Oh my god, if I had a dollar for every time someone who pointed out something they didn’t like about this show (or Picard or Discovery before it) got reminded that whatever they didn’t like was also done by previous Trek, I would be a goddamn millionaire. Is it such an outlandish idea to not like something about a current show that you also didn’t like about a previous show? Why is the assumption always that I’m critiquing something that I otherwise didn’t mind on another show? Do I always have to add a disclaimer saying that this also bothered me on an earlier show? And it’s not just you, @fireproof78, so I’m not singling you out, but frankly, it’s a bit over the top and can be quite exhausting. Whenever I see you or someone like you who also does this actually voice some criticism about this show I’m so damn tempted to throw it back at you and respond with “But the old shows had that too!”.

I would welcome it

I think it's a great reflection of the things that Star Trek has repeated and how some work and some don't.

I don't think it needs a disclaimer; if anything it's just my own stupid idiosyncracies of finding humor in rather innane details. And my comment was meant more tongue in cheek than a serious "Did you not like this too?" question.

 

[Michael]

^ It’s okay. And I know you don’t mean anything by it. Please take this as some constructive feedback then, that yes, it can come across a tad bit tiring to constantly feel as if you are being accused of being hypocritical.

 

[fireproof78]

^ It’s okay. And I know you don’t mean anything by it. Please take this as some constructive feedback then, that yes, it can come across a tad bit tiring to constantly feel as if you are being accused of being hypocritical.

Noted.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Whether you see this as a "remake" of "Arena" or some sort of "reimagining," it's just too close to the original for me.

It's neither. Other than involving the the Gorn and the Metrons, they're nothing alike.

 

[NCC-73515]

Oh my god, if I had a dollar for every time someone who pointed out something they didn’t like about this show (or Picard or Discovery before it) got reminded that whatever they didn’t like was also done by previous Trek, I would be a goddamn millionaire. Is it such an outlandish idea to not like something about a current show that you also didn’t like about a previous show? Why is the assumption always that I’m critiquing something that I otherwise didn’t mind on another show? Do I always have to add a disclaimer saying that this also bothered me on an earlier show? And it’s not just you, @fireproof78, so I’m not singling you out, but frankly, it’s a bit over the top and can be quite exhausting. Whenever I see you or someone like you who also does this actually voice some criticism about this show I’m so damn tempted to throw it back at you and respond with “But the old shows had that too!”.

In many cases, it's not even quite the same thing
Like: I find it stupid that the Kelpien cry destroyed all dilithium. Response: But TOS had a green space hand and floating Lincoln!

 

[TheUsualSuspect]

It's neither. Other than involving the the Gorn and the Metrons, they're nothing alike.

As I said, it's to close to the original for me.
Your mileage may vary.

 

[MarcKyle1964]

Watched this episode last night, and thought it was generally fine until that last scene with the Metron.

Completely unnecessary, and I feared it was setting up a big reset button. I found it really quite embarrassing, and writers shouldn't feel forced to shoehorn in this kind of stuff which undermines their own stories.

Which kind of goes to show that they are their own worst enemies. They could quite easily have done exactly the same stories with absolutely no issues at all, had they simply not called this particular species "Gorn". Call them the Nrog, and they've added a new species to the rich tapestry of Star Trek with no need for convoluted explanations. Everyone's happy.

I kinda like the name 'Chingers' myself.

 

[Tomalak]

The main point of difference with Arena is that they find common ground and mutual understanding. That absolutely was not the case for Arena, where the Gorn remains set on killing Kirk, and Jim only stops himself from doing the same at the very last moment.

Structurally, it was closer to Darmok.

 

[fireproof78]

The main point of difference with Arena is that they find common ground and mutual understanding. That absolutely was not the case for Arena, where the Gorn remains set on killing Kirk, and Jim only stops himself from doing the same at the very last moment.

Structurally, it was closer to Darmok.

Or the Enemy.

Interesting that there are parallels within that episode with La'an mirroring Worf's attitude, and Erica with Geordie.

 

[Nerys Myk]

As I said, it's to close to the original for me.
Your mileage may vary.

It plays with a different trope than “Arena” with very different story beats. They are miles apart in that respect.

 

[Farscape One]

The thing that does set "Terrarium" apart from other similar episodes like "DAWN" or "The Enemy" is that the person who initiated the friendliness was NOT a Starfleet officer. In this case, it was the Gorn who extended the olive branch first... twice. (First by saving Erica from those creatures, though at first glance it can appear like an attack. Second by tossing her 'food'... well, not appetizing, but the gesture is a good one.)

Other than "Darmok", I don't think there's ever been an episode with a similar theme when the olive branch wasn't extended by a Starfleet officer first.

I liked that.

 

[NCC-73515]

There is a little parallel to DS9 Rules of Engagement as well: Worf's lesson is that he has to understand who he's shooting at before he shoots. Even if that little delay means losing the battle.

 

[Noname Given]

As I said, it's to close to the original for me.
Your mileage may vary.

Then you may want to watch the original again to refresh your memory of it.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I gave it 9/10. I liked most of the episode but I question the necessity for a dark ending. It felt like they fell back on the Discovery instincts to be dark for the sake of dark, they could have so easily had the Gorn survive and it would have been the same episode but funner. Nothing was gained from rubbing it in. If she survivid but was rejected by her society it would have told the same message just as well.

Star Trek shouldn't be bummer porn.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

The thing that does set "Terrarium" apart from other similar episodes like "DAWN" or "The Enemy" is that the person who initiated the friendliness was NOT a Starfleet officer. In this case, it was the Gorn who extended the olive branch first... twice. (First by saving Erica from those creatures, though at first glance it can appear like an attack. Second by tossing her 'food'... well, not appetizing, but the gesture is a good one.)

Other than "Darmok", I don't think there's ever been an episode with a similar theme when the olive branch wasn't extended by a Starfleet officer first.

I liked that.

I got more The Enemy vibes than Darmok. Also that episode of Enterprise early season 2, I don't remember the name or the details cause I haven't watched it since 2002, but similar concept, Trip stranded on a planet with enemy he couldn't communicate with.

 

[Noname Given]

I got more The Enemy vibes than Darmok. Also that episode of Enterprise early season 2, I don't remember the name or the details cause I haven't watched it since 2002, but similar concept, Trip stranded on a planet with enemy he couldn't communicate with.

That was ENT S2 Dawn.

 

[Mudd]

I gave it 9/10. I liked most of the episode but I question the necessity for a dark ending. It felt like they fell back on the Discovery instincts to be dark for the sake of dark,

They didn't.

The Gorn have been so awful that it required personal one-on-one experience with one individual in order to begin to bridge the divide.

For La'An to have behaved differently than she did would be a cop-out. Thoroughly dishonest.

No story needs to end a certain way. The writer chooses. This was the right choice for this story.