Strange New Worlds Season Two

Much like the Original Series, this is where this version of Star Trek really hit it's stride. Season One was good, but these episodes raised the bar. It also had some wild and interesting (if emotionally damaging) shifts back in forth in tone from episode to episode. After the first couple of first season stories I was thinking the show was entertaining, but I likely wouldn't rewatch it much. Part way into this season I found myself hoping for a nice "Complete Series Box Set" when they're done.

Unlike the Original Series, which focused more and more on the Big Three of Kirk, Spock and McCoy as time passed, Strange New Worlds remains an ensemble peice. It also provided episodes where various junior officers became the focus of attention. In fact Anson Mount was on paternity leave for a bit, yielding some of "Captain Lite" episodes in the first three outings. They continue to vary the uniforms while keeping the vibe of them to what the Original Series used, but letting each character have their personality highlighted in their outfits. 

The Broken Circle -Spock steals the Enterprise again for the first time!  As soon as I saw Carol Kane was cast as Chief Engineer Pelia, I knew I would be watching this show. I also knew I was hoping she'd tell someone to work the warp core controls by saying, "Do over heah, now do ovah heah... I'm HELPIN' you!" She became my new favorite in under a minute. (I know: the engineer who is far older than everyone she teaches, quick on the uptake, knows all sorts of past trivia and is completely loopy is my favorite, everyone is stunned.)  The bonds of friendship and respect the crew has for each other came to the forefront around a tale full of action in this story, making it a great one. We also get a hint of what led to the trauma Doctor M'Benga and Nurse Chapel clearly have from the Klingon war, as we see the medical duo dish out WAY more damage than they heal in this go around. Considering how prevalent the Klingons are in the Original Series, it was nice they got a return to being in focus for some stories.

Ad Astra Per Aspera - I love me a courtroom drama (which this was) set in a fantasy world that tries to apply regular legal proceedings to a bunch of stuff that doesn't really exist. 

I might as well point out here how glad I was they brought the bit of Star Trek history that is Admiral April into canon for everyone. (I am one of the few, apparently, who believes The Animated Series deserves to be canon.) He is truly the wise yet passionate leader one would expect from the original Commander of the USS Enterprise. Learning more about Una and her high levels of integrity - which all the best Starfleet officers have - was cool, as was watching her friends rally around her. Also we learn Captain Batel has other professional skills and career paths outside of being a Starship captain, which is quite impressive. Hey, has anyone else notices that, with the exception of lead characters, almost every Vulcan we meet in the franchise is a jerk?

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - A focus on La'an (who I will point out again is awesome) and "Alternate Universe New Kirk," a second time before we meet this real version of him. There are many references to "City on the Edge of Forever" without abandoning the hope and throwing out the "not believing in the no win scenario" classic Trek was famous for, as that renowned by others episode does. There's a lot packed in here- an Arne Darvin style Romulan agent, Little Khan, justification for Trek canon history changes, Pelia being both awesome and silly, the Department of Temporal Investigation and La'an's continued character development. All totaled, a wild and fun ride with some powerful emotions. I recently learned they based this version of Kirk on the original actor Roddenberry wanted for Kirk... Jack Lord. That explains the feelings of recognition I couldn't figure out. Hawaii 1701, anyone?

Among the Lotus Eaters - Rigel VII, the most talked about planet in Trek history going back to the mission Pike is fretting about in "The Cage" gets a visit. The Original Series had several episodes cutting between how the away team on the planet and the folks on the Enterprise were dealing with the issue of the week. In this case it is the loss of their memories that really allows their actions to define who Captain Pike is down below, and Lieutenant Ortegas (who I will point out again is awesome) is up above. Pike's compassion forward leadership style in no way hinders his abilities in mental or physical combat to take out his foes. And I think Ortegas is more of the greatest pure helmsman we've seen than even Sulu was. Sulu was a fantastic pilot, but even from early on, his focus on following Kirk into the Captain's Chair was evident as his ultimate goal. While Ortegas does think about command ("Vamonos"), it's pretty clear what defines her, and it looks like, pure skill wise, she may be above her successor-  "I'm Erica Ortegas, I fly the ship." Indeed.

Charades - We already had a hilarious body swap comedy with Spock last season. (To redeem "Turnabout Intruder" no doubt.) Having him become human right before facing off his overbearing mother-in-law-to-be raised the stakes and the humor levels. I do feel his father-in-law-to-be will be bringing charades and a few other human foods and customs back to Vulcan with him. Sevek was a real one... poor guy. Amanda continues to be an incredibly awesome tower of strength in every single version of Star Trek. One rule holds in all of those universes, DO NOT dis Spock's mama in front of him. It was also a lot of fun watching "Besties 1.0" Uhura, Ortegas and Chapel, working together to have a mental battle with the non corporeal energy being of the week. I wonder if this is the last we'll see of T'Pring. She was around a fair amount in the first season then fades away. Will we not see her again until "Amok Time?"

Aside- It speaks volumes to Nimoy's performance that, as a life long Spock fan, he is not my favorite character of the group when portrayed by anyone else.

Lost in Translation - Since Cadet Uhura started as the focus character, its nice to give her the spotlight again now that she's out of the academy and an Ensign. Also nice to see Hemmer again, even if he is a hallucination. One thing the new Trek series do really well is show the repercussions, both on the setting and on the characters' mental health after the events of previous episodes. Much like older style comic books, while each episode tells a full tale, there are sub plots and character development that carry between them. We finally meet the real James T. Kirk, learn about his intelligence and ability to inspire and motivate others as he forms a bond with Uhura and meets Spock for the first time. These are very relatable issues of loss the crew faces in their Science Fiction universe. It's nice to see them get the "hopeful future of Star Trek" spin. 

Another Aside- This entire story followed nearly the same path as the new Doctor Who Episode "42" but handled every part of it almost infinitely better. 

Those Old Scientists-  Man, you know when Jonathan Frakes comes to direct another Star Trek series episode, its gonna be a good one. The "Mood swing roller coaster" of this season continues with this time travel comedy after last episode's focus on dealing with grief. True to Star Trek form, the stakes remain high and the drama is real while the silliness happens. Another cool bit with the time travel element of this one is showing what the effect of known, and to be honest fairly frequent, time travel has on the people living in that universe. Would Number One have fully recovered her confidence after the trial without knowing she was the eventual recruitment poster choice for Starfleet? Would Spock have returned to his more Vulcan mindset on his own, if the travelers didn't point out to Chapel he didn't seem like himself, leading to their eventual break up? More evidence that there has been so much time travel in Star Trek that how things were stated to have happened in old shows isn't applicable anymore... 

Which means they can make the rumored "Star Trek Year One" as a series starring new versions of the Original Series Crew and have them boldly go on a mix of brand new adventures and twists on ones that reference the past show. (Now that I have new Star Trek that I like, I am going to DEFINITLEY be greedy about it.)

Under the Cloak of War - To split the two broadest comedies of the season, we got one of the darkest episodes in all of Star Trek, while still maintaining that hopeful future. Cool! We learn a lot more about Doctor M'benga's time in the Klingon war where he was both a healer AND the special forces team member with the highest body count. He is an awesomely complex character. Nurse Chapel's layers and time as a combat medic feature in this tale as well. And the present day story detailing the effects of meeting a brutal Klingon general who has turned over a new leaf (or has he?) on those two and others like Ortegas who were in that war, adds further levels upon levels. All that and an "up to the viewers interpretation" ending. (At least until next season, where we learn what happened- repercussions, people.) 

Also- Clint Howard appearance!!!! Tranya for everyone!!!

Subspace Rhapsody -Not only is this a Star Trek musical, but it is a Star Trek musical with a completely canon, in universe explanation for why it is a musical, where the cast consists of a Tony award nominee and multiple other members with careers in the music industry or musical theater. Emotional outpouring, interpersonal and narrative drama, K-pop Klingons a Carol Marcus shout out and a huge production number finale. No notes!

OK, I lied. 

Several notes:

A) Man, I thought Chapel reminded me of Debbie Harry before this episode. Now I can't unsee it.

B) I was thrilled to learn the actor who played Hemmer was the Klingon Captain in this episode. I would have felt bad if he missed all the fun singing.

C) In true Classic Trek tradition, the goofiness never got in the way of true drama and some great character arc progression moments.

D) Having Kirk see multiple members of this crew as mentors is shaping him on the road to being the Captain we all know.

E) I feel like there should be five notes.

Hegemony- We learn simultaneously that there is way more to the Gorn than previously thought. However, they are just as terrifying as they previously appeared if not more so. The stakes are huge, a starship is destroyed, there's peril, drama, action, and the crew of the Enterprise being outstanding and inventive at every turn. Also Scotty shows up in unbridled genius mode. WOO!

For a change I'm really glad I was late to this series because I would have absolutely HATED waiting after that cliffhanger. Also, I miss Kyle and Mitchell needs a focus episode.

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