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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S02E04 - "Among the Lotus Eaters" Episode Discussion
The first three episodes didn't quite hit the mark for me, but this felt like proper TOS style Star Trek.
Starfleet messing up the Prime Directive. A villain who is actually a victim. Spock is challenged on feelings versus logic. The overall theme of exploring the importance of personal memories and the straight forward metaphor of fascist regime controlling the people, didn't feel as hamfisted as I have found some of the other newer trek episodes. It does stand on its own as a well rounded singular trek story. I do however still have a bit of a problem with how newer trek seems to like hand to hand combat violence so much. Feels unnecessary in most cases.
Been really liking Strange New Worlds. Picked it up right before season 2 dropped and now been following it weekly. It feels like a big step up from the other content we've been getting since the 2009 movie which never felt like the same series as TOS or TNG. This show has substantially more episodes that are actually good standalone OG style Star Trek episodes than say Discovery.
Really enjoyed this episode! An interesting story, a strange planet, and even the stakes felt higher than most other episodes. I was worried for the ship when they were in that asteroid field unpiloted!
Something I’ve noticed about this series (which I thoroughly enjoy) is that it can sometimes feel like they have too large a plot to contain in 1 hour. There have been a few episodes where I would have preferred it to be a two-parter in order to fully explore the plot. This one struck a good balance of being an interesting plot but not so complex as to feel cut short.
Yes it is a difficult balance to find. Seems like it is a skill that is almost lost now, with how most tv shows are now story arcs that span entire seasons. Star Trek was always good at telling quite meatful stories in just 45 minutes. And then we have something like Picard with a story that was stretched way longer than it could handle.
I love Strange New Worlds, aside from Lower Decks it's the best modern Star Trek show (I really don't like Picard and Discovery at all). There's only one SNW episode I didn't like and that is The Elysian Kingdom.
This episode was wonderful, it fixed a plot hole from TOS and it was a good watch overall. The one thing I wasn't a fan of was the amnesia and how it was executed, it just didn't make a whole lot of sense.
This was the first episode of the season that I actually liked. The first two were okay, the third one was pretty bad, but this one was pretty good. I loved the premise of the episode, but the twists (especially the antagonist) were really fun.
You are the polar opposite to me on this topic.
Honestly this episodes has me frustrated with how stupid the execution of this amnesia shit is done.
I find it hard to pinpoint or put into words, but it feels like "oh of course it is" to me.
I loved the first 2 episodes and thought 3 was pretty good.
IDK, watching them make a shit plan and shit execution that devolves into people just walking around the set for no reason (because they cant remember what they were doing, right?!?)
Incredibly frustrating to me
I liked how they gave different crew members their moments to shine. Ortegas having a moment with Spock, and the doctor struggling a bit with his soldier nature, they're layering in genuine personalities and struggles, and it feels good to root for the characters. The plot was kinda simple this week, and it reminded me of the original series, but I enjoy the variety in episode styles, so it's all good.
SNW is the closest thing we have to old-school Trek, so I really want to love it, but I can't say I do yet. Last night's episode was similar to others this season: likable characters, mediocre to good acting, and uninspired writing that they try to gloss over with high production values. Producers: Please give me good writing instead of fancy effects!
Some other problems that stuck out to me in this episode: Characters who mumble or talk too fast. (We had to turn on subtitles, which we hate.) Line deliveries by actors who don't seem to quite understand what they're saying.
The only thing that has really touched me so far this season is when La'an had to hide her feelings for "Kirk" at the end of their episode. (Sorry, I have to put his name in quotes, because he is a decent character, but not at all convincing as James Kirk.)
I was very surprised by the casting for Kirk. He's no doing a bad job, he's just not Kirk. It's an iconic character and he really doesn't fit to me. I prefer Shatner to Chris Pine but at least I can buy Pine in the role.
Wow! I really enjoyed this episode. Definitely got Captain Tracey vibes from the classic TOS Omega Glory episode.
Mount and the writers do such a good job with Pike, the "boy scout" certainly has a lot of rage when stripped of memory and duty....surprised me with that. Was going to flat out murder Yeoman Zac right before getting his memories back.
Although so far this season the stand out for me is Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M'Benga. A MUCH more interesting storyline then first season.
I thought the most chilling scene was of the crew on the ship in the hallway. It hit a bit hard for me, having lost someone close to me to dementia. Chapel in full on zombie mode, like she was medicated.... wandering. And that sole crew member sitting in the corner, rocking back and forth, overwhelmed. It reminded me of an old school asylum, got a definite One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest vibe.
One thing that maybe could have been exploited more, and something I have had personal reason to reflect on, is are we really our "selves" when stripped of our memories? Our experiences shape us, define us, make us who we are. Take that away, who are we really? Not really the same person at all.
Also brought back one of the (few) good scenes from Star Trek V: “I don't want my pain taken away, I need my pain!”
Favorite episode of the season so far for me. Definite classic TOS episode vibes. Perhaps I read too much into it, the storyline interacting with MY memories. But that's when Trek is at its best IMHO, when you find yourself reflecting on the episode, personalizing it, long after the credits have rolled.