My first reaction is that it looks like a lot of fun. But there’s also the hope that not every episode will be some high concept “let’s put the crew in period costumes and make them do something silly” romp. I think episodes like “Subspace Rhapsody” work much better if they are the rare exception and not the rule. Let’s see, we now have a holodeck murder mystery, everybody turns Vulcan comedy and the 1950s sci-fi setting — with only ten episodes I kinda hope they’ll leave it at that and make the rest somewhat more serious.
What strikes me as odd about the inclusion of a holodeck isn’t even necessarily that it kinda feels anachronistic for the time period, but the fact that they would feel the need to have the characters indulge in virtual reality adventures at all. That’s something that was always a little odd beginning with TNG: The setting is on the edge of the final frontier, multiple strange new worlds full of the craziest adventures waiting; and yet the writers feel they need a holodeck?
And I’m curious how the 50s sci-fi idea is going to play out. As presented here it kinda feels vaguely similar to what Captain Proton was on Voyager or Benny Russell’s Deep Space Nine stories, for that matter. Which kind of makes this feel like a retread.
Also, if Rhys Darby really turns out to be Trelane, then yeah, I find that just a bit lame as an idea. But we’ll see, I guess.
What I like is the glimpses we get of the continuing story arcs of the Spock/Chapel relationship and the conclusion of the Gorn story.
That holodeck story could actually be taking place in the 24th century. Pelia has made a program involving her old friends from back in the day.