Star Trek: Strange New Worlds "Hegemony" Season 2 FINALE REVIEW

[@scwebb]

The thing that bothered me is they said there were pockets of atmosphere on the Kayuga and it was possible there were survivors. Having established that Chapel had indeed survived, she and Spock do a runner (admittedly under duress) and allow the saucer to be crashed into the planet without even a “I hope no-one else onboard was still alive. In one of those other pockets of atmosphere. That we never had a chance to check.” 🙄

[@Jogproof]

To be fair before Chapel saw Spock and came to him they were absolutely going to stick to the plan and drop the Saucer they couldn't justify taking the time to check the pockets it was just random chance that saved her.

[@scwebb]

@@Jogproof Yeah, it’s just the way no-one went “Oh, Chapel was still alive. Maybe other people were. Oops.” Especially after Una had done her “Hey, let’s take a look at where sickbay isn’t. Looks like Chapel’s a dead-un then. Sorry Spock.” Followed minutes later by “Yeah, everyone’s definitely dead so let’s throw the saucer at the planet.” You’d think maybe there’d be some questions 🤔

[@Bananahammock681]

@@scwebb I can see next season, that being brought up by an Admiral visiting the ship for some reason. Or survivors guilt being a part of Chapels character before she vanishes to go get married and stuff.

[@pookhahare]

They could had Spock checking for life signs when he was at the saucer. But then he couldn't be surprised by Chapel.

[@scwebb]

@@pookhahare They could have had Chapel do it when she came round: “Computer, life signs?” “Negative.” See, easy.

[@backtoearth1983]

Jessie. With Ortegas I think I need to remind you that Melissa lost her partner to Leukemia early S2 production. They seem to have given her a lighter story load than planned to help her out.

[@katrose5179]

I remember feeling so awful for her. Didn’t he die within a week of diagnosis, too?

[@backtoearth1983]

@@katrose5179 Three days. Absolutely horrible.

[@forrestpenrod2294]

@@backtoearth1983 I couldn't possibly imagine. I know it never stops hurting so I hope her methods of coping are healthy and she finds peace and happiness.

[@ActuallyDoubleGuitars]

Perhaps Jessie didn't know that so don't know why you felt the need to "remind" her.

[@philopharynx7910]

Even with giving her a lighter shooting schedule, they could have done something beyond her being a good pilot. There is a middle ground between a deep character focused episode and "yep, I'm doing crazy pilot shit again." They could introduce a new interest without going too deep. They could set up connections and plot hooks for next season.

[@ricg7675]

The message from the Gorn becomes a lot more naunced in retrospect. Not so much 'we're invading here' as 'due to a natural event we have a swarm happening, please stay back for your own safety'. Maybe they're not Gorn Hunters but Gorn Nursemaids and while they want to protect their young they're also trying to contain them. Not sure if the episode sells it well though. Whatever, I just want a Pelia/ Scotty double-act next season.

[@makimachine]

You just blew my mind! 🤯

[@anvalisok]

I got to meet Jessie at STLV. The harsh truth is that she is even nicer and funnier than she appears here on the tube. What an amazing time.

[@LaraA55]

It doesn't surprise me

[@dashfatbastard]

Lucky!

[@ItsAstridEh]

When it comes to Ortegas, there were behind-the-scenes reasons to not get too much into her backstory this season, and I feel like there was probably more Klingon War stuff that was meant for her character but they pulled back on it heavily because Melissa Navia was already dealing with a lot of grief in her personal life and there was probably a decision made to purposely avoid any similar emotions with her character.

[@withershin]

O'Brien was there in the Beginning and at the End. We never learned that character's actual story. I still hope they keep Ortegas this way. Deep cut fan-service. At its best.

[@ActuallyDoubleGuitars]

That's pure speculation on your part, people are worried she'll become the next Harry Kim That's all. A few more lines about her character weren't going to hurt and it didn't have to be anything about a loss for the character. What they did give her to do was actually a pretty big work load but very few character moments. I think it's more likely they don't have a good back story for her yet and didn't think the character would be so popular.

[@ActuallyDoubleGuitars]

​@@withershinwhat are you on about. Unless you are excluding DS9? Even without that he had a wedding wife family talked about many other things on Next gen. So really don't understand your comment.

[@prof_xhew2929]

I may stop watching st-snw if they kill any Erica-O, La'An-NS, Pelia or M'benga

[@ItsAstridEh]

@@prof_xhew2929 Even if they don't use the Khan timeline change to kill off characters we expect to see survive, three of those characters are never heard of again by TOS so they may die. That said, Pelia could absolutely show up Lower Decks or Prodigy or whatever the next live action show is. Hell, she could even potentially show up in Discovery

[@noahstackhouse9818]

Fun fact Martin Quinn who plas Scotty is actually Scottish! Given everything that happened in the actresses personal life it's understandable why we didn't get more of Ortega. Hopefully the season 3 opener will have heard leading the prisoners to escape the Gorm ship.

[@YosemiteJohn]

The nice thing about a manually rung Bell is that an EMP won't knock it out (or the Gorn gizmo they had to crash a wrecked starship into to turn off) like a majority of the other equipment in that town

[@creativerealms]

Ten episodes is not enough when the show's so good.

[@BaldAndCurious]

6 episodes too much when series is soo bad. (secret invasion)

[@stevengalloway8052]

Agreed. 13 should at least be the minimum... 😏

[@federicomarintuc]

Show is good because it's ten episodes

[@Gibbons3457]

It's so good because it's short.

[@abovemediocrity245]

Anyone know why there’s only 10? I remember TNG used to have much more episodes….

[@troymcclanahan864]

I think they are just trying to make the young gorn as monstrous as possible with the xenomorph characteristics. I hope they are going to use this to draw a strong contrast with the more intelligent adults. The idea of an intelligent species that spends its early life as a monster and how that life cycle could influence the adults and their society as a whole is very interesting.

[@rogerlickers753]

I'm wondering if there are different subspecies of Gorns, like the Klingons. Maybe so far we have only seen the Red Shirt Gorns, and the upright ones with clothes and no tail are on the Bridge.

[@CorwinFound]

This idea was done by Heinlein in "Stranger in a Strange Land." The Martian babies were brainless puffballs that bounced around out in wild Mars getting regularly eaten by predators. Then there were the adults who were a tiny minority of the total babies because so many little ones died. Adults were intelligent and big into art. And then (a bit silly but still interesting) the Old Ones were ghosts who actually ran things. Not that it's bad for Star Trek to address this option in their own way. Many many species opt for quantity over quality and make piles of babies and offer little to no care. Think turtles laying hundreds of eggs and then abandoning them. Exploring an intelligent species with this survival tactic is a bit different for sure.

[@commenter4898]

I see a potential analogy to abortion that could be explored. Do baby Gorn has any rights if they are not intelligent?

[@mangalores-x_x]

@@commenter4898 does not really work in that the Gorn clearly do not think so and are fine with "abortion" up to more than a meter tall. There is no moral conflict.

[@CorwinFound]

@@commenter4898 That's a very incorrect and pretty dangerous analogy to make. Juvenile Gorn are alive in every sense of the word, feel pain, are independently viable, and at a fundamental level have at least some rights as beings. That is in no way equal to a fetus in utero without a functioning brain, no ability to suffer, completely dependent at a core biological level on the pregnant person. Intelligence plays no real role in the abortion debate because in regards to a fetus any qualifying factors are so much more basic than intelligence. (Such as viability or ability to suffer.) Talking about Gorn in that way would be closer to asking if it's okay to murder one day old babies because they aren't very bright yet. Obviously not. Again, intelligence isn't a variable in the argument.

[@togruta4]

The Gorn seemed to want something from the Cayuga. We saw the Gorn in the hallway failing at accessing command codes. I think they are being set up to have their motivations deeply examined next season

[@LaraA55]

A very good pickup

[@noellenn2122]

The thing I took from this season re : characterisation of Ortegas was not only that, yes, she’s an ace pilot (which did lead me to imagine if she ever ended up becoming a captain of her own ship somewhere in her future), but also her friendship with nurse Chapel and Mbenga which got me intrigue on how that came about and what the dynamics could be heading. All in all - satisfied customer.

[@bitterseeds]

Just want to say thank you for being part of the Star Trek community. You are one of the singular voices talking about Star Trek that I listen to and I love your energy and excitement about Star Trek. I've been a Trek fan since 1973 when I use to watch the reruns with my Dad. It's awesome to find others who are not atypical Trek fans but yet are? If that makes sense. You keep going. Haters gonna hate. Keep your chin up.

[@gryffydd42]

In Ready Room, Will visits Legacy , who made the Gorn. The puppetry work with animatronics is AMAZING!! And the adult Gorn costume is a work of art (it had actual human inside, as well as the remote controlled animatronics. Being a tv series, they easily could have just kept it CGI and viewers would understand. To actually use puppets with CGI to smooth it out or special effects: that’s classic science fiction work, and I think it really made the Gorn more real.

[@jamesmooney3472]

The Gorn spacesuit reminded me of one of my favorite Tendi lines about Orions, “someone had to build the spaceships”. Like the fact that they achieved space travel kinda requires them to be an intelligent species and it’s weird that the federation don’t recognize rhat

[@jonidc5911]

I’m so glad it’s not just me. I havent seen TOS so if it’s answered in that fair play but I do find it hard to buy that they’d not view the Gorn as intelligent given they’ve literally achieved interstellar space flight?? 😅 is there an in-universe explanation for it?

[@christheghostwriter]

I think the idea is that their intelligence exists alongside their monstrous dangerousness, not in place of it. Monsters can be smart.

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

The Borg are also very smart, and were qualified as intrinsically evil. The Klingon were absolute evil until the sixth movie. The Ferengi were first presented as evil - and cannibalistic. The Horta. V'Ger. So, this is traditional Trek.

[@jamesmooney3472]

@@MariaMartinez-researcher I think the difference to me is that the gorn are depicted as animalistic rather than evil. Like Klingons, Borg, and Ferenghi we’re all presented as evil, but not as animals. I can see the show starting to chip away both at the idea of the Gorn as intrinsically evil and as unthinking animals though. It just seems weird to me that they would take this long to come to that understanding based on their level of technology.

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

@@jamesmooney3472 I don't think they are presented as animalistic. Precisely, because of their technology. They are evidently seen as enemies with whom it is impossible to communicate - and who eat people. La'an is the expert. She has not depicted them as animals, but as a species too different and too aggressive as to even think to try diplomacy with them. You can pet an animal. You won't let a Gorn.

[@Avy954]

This has to be a very humbling experience for Pike as he has just experienced a horrific defeat. He disobeyed orders from starfleet because he wanted to save everyone, especially his partner. His mission ended with the rescue of Scotty, Chapel, and hopefully Batel if she survives but at the cost of his entire 4 person away team being imprisoned which means his mission actually resulted in a net loss of one person to the Gorn. I predict that the Enterprise will probably be forced to retreat as they are completely outgunned and Pike will later try to lead a rescue mission to save his crewmembers and the colonists. I definitely think that it is a very interesting evolution for his character. Its shows that while Pike has many virtues and is arguably an ideal leader, he is still very much a human being like many of us. Just because he is a captain doesn't make him immune to being shaken by traumatic events. In this case, his entire away team, including 3 members of his senior staff, was abducted. This caught him of gaurd as he was clearly not expecting that to happen, especially because it looked like they were about to succeed. His freezing up on the bridge reminds us of his humanity and how much he cares about his crew. He doesn't want to leave them, but he might not have much of a choice in the matter, as his ship is under heavy assault. Overall, I like how the end of the episode demonstrated these facets of Pike's personality. As for Batel's fate, we'll probably have to wait for season 3.

[@GaiashKetoji]

The Gorn being intelligent is why I like the Xenomorph parallels, because the Xenomorph are intelligent and many of the best moments in the Alien films are when they outsmart the humans and even the Predators.

[@SmartSmears]

Not only is Chapel conveniently alive, she happens to be right in front of where Spock is and in the same room as a space suit, that was super contrived tbh, though the scene it led to was really good.

[@andromidius]

Yeah, I thought the same. The whole crew being dead (and if not dead, abandoned to die in a horrible manner) felt bad.

[@jonidc5911]

I turned to my friend at the point where it became clear someone was gonna float over the Cayuga and was like “she’s gonna see Spock out the window and I can’t even handle how corny it’s gonna be” and lo… 😂

[@pookhahare]

I thought Chapel being only survivor dubious and didn't like she didn't check to see if anyone else survived.

[@RickReasonnz]

And if there was? Call off the rescue attempt?

[@Yibambe.]

There was literally no time. She restored life support, her flashlight failed, she saw Spock and jumped in a suit. She didn't at all know what Spock was doing there. She saw a Gorn attacking him and saved him. You can blame Spock (I don't), but you can't blame Chapel. She was not in on the plan.

[@lovetheblue6659]

I had a little bit of an issue with this as well. However, it was established in two prior eps this season (“Broken Circle” and “Under the Cloak of War”) that Chapel is a survivor. If anybody was going to get out of there alive it was going to be her.

[@bekkers29]

I swear, Captain Batel being put in stasis at the end felt like the show was winking at us and saying, "We just put her in the refrigerator... 😏What? She'll get better. Why are you looking at us like that?" Other than that, the Serenity vibes were mighty in this one. Ortegas was a leaf on the wind, and by that I mean I was completely expecting the show to kill her off as soon as they landed. I exhaled pretty heavily when she survived the landing.

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

11:01. It appears that the translation device the Metrons provided in Arena, was the very first time a human and a Gorn had been able to talk to each other. In this episode there was no communication, just an image. It was established the Gorn use lights for communication. Maybe, at this point, the Federation does think that the Gorn are incapable of speaking. 24:16. Although contrived, Spock being the (apparently) only Vulcan on board, can make of him the physically strongest crewmember, except Una, who as first officer in command couldn't go herself in a very dangerous mission in which strength would be key. I think that Spock being able to resist the Gorn and breaking a metal piece to use it to kill him proves my point. No other crewmember could have done that - credibly. There was too the danger factor. A single person, carrying a bunch of rockets, gliding in space, alone, among debris, going toward a wreck of a starship, with a chance of meeting Gorn. And it was established that they were going against superior orders, so, no way they were going to order someone else to do that. It had to be done by someone in that room. Therefore, Spock. Also, if we remember TOS, Mr. Spock had a shocking tendency to assume the most dangerous one-man missions, including suicide ones. This one is in line with the character as first portrayed in TOS.

[@DavidHHH99]

No, thank YOU Jessie for being such an uplifting part of our community. With all the toxicity and anger and hate out there throughout nerd fandom, it's easy to forget that they don't represent what fandom is truly about. It's our shared LOVE and PASSION for these franchises that fandom has always been about.

[@gr1mace717]

Agreed. The Spock and Chapel "shoe-horning"" meetup struck me as very contrived and weak as well. Having a few more Cayuga survivors would have been really amazing. Good observations and well thought out. Thank you for your efforts.

[@robert_bbiii]

This is why Carol Kane is so underappreciated. She show how afraid Pelia was with just her eyes.

[@Donnagata1409]

Totally. Love her and her character!

[@thevirtualjim]

who is under-appreciating her? Im gonna have to give them a talking to!

[@benl2140]

​@@thevirtualjimIt was me. I was the one who was under-appreciating her all along! *Laughs maniacally*

[@BrianGeers]

I think it’s less underappreciated and more underused. It seems like we got a lot more Hemmer in Season 1 than Pelia in Season 2.

[@thevirtualjim]

@@benl2140 NOOOOO!!!!!!

[@BSRJR]

So I think this was a very strong season. My major complaint? Spock’s primary function has become boyfriend. He’s not the science officer anymore. Uhura has pretty much solved the majority of the scientific problems this season. Spock only pines after T’Pring or Chapel. I hope in the next season they downplay this and give him some actual science problems to solve

[@BrianGeers]

I was kind of hoping that “I’m the X” in the previous episode was the punctuation mark on “Sappy Boyfriend Spock” and from then on the show would begin pivoting towards “Spock Classic” but after the finale, I have a feeling that we’re not quite there yet.

[@catherinetheegreat8742]

@@BrianGeers it should have been! It would have been so SMART to make that episode as the end of his boyfriend!spock

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

I dont recall anyone explocitly saying the colony was supposed to be a utopia. I thought they just liked the aesthetic and didnt read anything else into it.

[@calebleland8390]

I finally got to see it last night, and it met all of my expectations. I did, however, scream at my television when "To Be Continued..." popped up on the screen. I'm not so big on bringing in so many legacy characters, but when they met Scotty, I was ecstatic. I love that Pelia was the one to call him Scotty as well, that just made me smile. You're right, it's no Best of Both Worlds, but I thought it was a solid episode. And I hope Patel is saved and not a "plot device" for Pike to go all Rambo on the Gorn.

[@Kels1701e]

Can’t believe the season is over already. Star Trek Strange New Worlds is easily the best of New Trek. Each story is well thought out, acted brilliantly with excellent special effects. This finale was great, very emotional and with the unexpected introduction of one of the most important characters in Trek history (Scotty) that just made it even better. Don’t know how I going to survive until next year waiting for it’s conclusion.

[@FrankBorelloIII]

Jessie, thanks so much for the season long not only entertaining but highly informed reviews. I’m for sure considerably older than you and am so delighted with your knowledge of early Trek. I am coming to Vegas next year and would love to share a drink and hear about how your passion for Trek was ignited! Be well. Looking forward to lower decks!

[@ptiger96]

That colony set is the fake town set built for Reacher, and located just outside of Toronto (where SNW films).

[@rebeccatompkins]

I saw that town and thought of the 39-ers of Voyager. I was overjoyed to see Scotty. It felt like a ton a horror movie aesthetics used in this episode. It's definitely half the story. A mid second act cliffhanger. Dear Gods, let hope season three isn't too far away.

[@hallopino]

Everyone else is dead on the Kayuga, because Spock killed them all by using the ship as a missle.

[@forrestpenrod2294]

The episode won me over - I felt gross by how gung ho the entire bridge crew was to kill Gorn without one dissenting voice of reason from the crew. I enjoyed the episode when Pike finally questioned the narrative and clues dropped this story will mirror "Arena". The Gorn are truly alien and it will take more then a fancy meal to negotiate an accord, fine by me. I predict the resolution will be diplomatic rather than through combat. -Using zero-gravity to imitate the slow motion TOS Gorn punchout was ingenious. -Gorn redesign is fine. Lack of silver compound eyes is a bummer, its set the Gorn apart from lizardmen in sci-fi and fantasy. -Scotty is fantastic and his joining the crew is fine. I always suspected he was on the Enterprise long before Kirk and co. Lastly: PARAMOUNT PAY YOUR WRITERS FAIR WAGES!

[@jessamynpratt5068]

I have a soft spot for the less humanoid species in Star Trek. I hope we get to see more of the Gorn as people, rather than just monsters.

[@LaraA55]

Me too

[@jasonjacoby]

On the list of plotlines I would love to see in Star Trek, in addition to the crew responding to a distress call that turned out to be a false alarm, and a food born illness causing a very long line at the only toilet onboard, I am adding one where the Borg run into the Gorn and decide to pass.

[@voltijuice8576]

"...a very long line at the only toilet onboard," - Episode ends with Scotty finding a way to beam people's poo directly into space

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

Captain it's not a _debris_ field. Is there an interstellar car wash nearby?

[@pastelpinkfairy]

I have been a fan of Star Trek since I first saw it as a small child in the '80s. I've seen every episode of every show and every movie. I grew up on the novels and comics. I still love all of that stuff , but SNW is now officially my favorite Trek show.

[@NankitaBR]

Same here. I've watched Star Trek with my dad since i was a little girl in the 90s and Next Gen was always my favourite... until now.

[@BishopWalters12]

Wow, to each their own, I guess.

[@celestejohnston6613]

I have only watched the episode once but I think they were mentioning that the colony wasn't perfect or idyllic. They were having trouble with their crops among other things. Also if Patel's life being in the balance was the only cliffhanger I might agree but it wasn't. Pike's decision and the reveal that the colony survivors were on the Gorn ship were also cliffhanger moments which I think deflects away from Patel. Loved the intro of Scotty. That was absolutely excellent 😊

[@weirds0up]

This episode ends with 3 words that will strike at the heart of any Star Trek fan. I need season 3 NOW

[@DeannaGilbert616]

Mr. Worf, Fire! Oh wait…

[@charleslurio8881]

I take it you meant to say five words but the number three was on your mind.😀

[@chucka.3520]

Great Episode and review. It was great to talk to you at STLV. I had a vendor's table there.

[@augustjsb]

I saw the stuff with Spock NEEDING to be the one to do it as a family resemblance. Like sister like brother

[@JoshEssex]

Watching your reviews of a new Star Trek episode is as much a part of my weekly viewing experience as watching the episode itself. Some of the details we don't always agree on (I thought this season was overall stronger than season 1, which I still loved), some of them we do (loved Scotty and thought the season 1 finale was a stronger finale), but you're always so insightful and energetic! Thank you for these reviews!

[@OverdramaticAngel]

The only reason I pushed past (passed?) my depression to finally watch SNW (so glad I did) is because I was unhappy I wasn't able to watch these from Jessie without spoilers. 😂

[@benl2140]

One thing that really didn't make sense to me about the line was that the planet was on one side, but its moon was on the other.

[@federicomarintuc]

If someone from Paramount is reading this: DON'T KILL BATEL. She's safe at the sickbay, freeze her but not fridge her

[@azure_sparkle]

Maybe they'll stick her in the pattern buffer like Dr M'Benga's daughter

[@8bitjoystick]

I do want her to lose an arm

[@Yibambe.]

@@8bitjoystick She should get a Nebula arm.

[@LadyWildlower]

One thing I thought was really clever in this episode was how they brought up zombie movies not only to bring up the specifics of how they're sneaking past the Gorn but *also* to bring up zombie movie tropes like "survivor got bit but isn't telling anyone," which is what's going on with Marie. Also, I love that you touched on Serenity, I didn't even make that connection but I absolutely agree. But that also brings up another parallel that I had a long conversation with a friend about recently since we watched it - not only is there the obvious implication that the Gorn are not monsters, they can operate starships, but also there's the obvious implication in Firefly and Serenity that *the Reavers* are not just mindless monsters. Like, the Reavers are capable of crewing and operating ships, and it's worth noting in the movie that they make up a tenth of a percent of the population of Miranda. Only very few of them will have known each other before becoming Reavers! The Reavers demonstrate an undeniable remnant of humanity, they're still capable of organising into groups, consciously navigating spaceships, using tactics. But of course unlike the Gorn, we're not seeing a species' natural behaviour, we're seeing what used to be people. Do the Reavers have any comprehension of what's happened to them? It's a deeply fucked up bit of tragic fridge horror that I love about it.

[@nancyjay790]

This probably won't happen, but I would like for George Kirk to announce some manuever or strategy that gets them out of the "to be continued" deadlock, and be questioned on how he came up with it, "Oh, it was something James used to use in VR simulator fight games when we were kids." Also, since we know Scotty loves puns, I want him to be able to end the episode and say, "That's it, they're all Gorn."

[@jamesodell9611]

There's already an opening for George Kirk to figure it out as the Gorn are light sensitive and that will likely be used in some fashion to get them out of their jam.

[@generalilbis]

​@jamesodell9611 Which would also be a interesting bit of irony that Sam Kirk's eventual death comes at the hands of flying parasite creates that are sensitive to UV light. Which, in hindsight, would make zero sense because of UV light being a part of sunlight and therefore being an obstacle to the parasites breeding or spreading...unless they're nocturnal?

[@tubebobwil]

Great scene: Chapel looking through the frost-covered glass and recognizing the Enterprise was one of the most "grounded" special effects shots in a long time, and, had real emotional impact. Enterprise as a character!

[@nerddowellanderson8982]

I initially wanted to drag the gorn fight scene with Chapel and Spock cuz even in space this fight seemed kinda clunky but like it is kinda the perfect representation of a DnD turn where rounds are famously seconds long but also infamously take hours. It's just one of those things where you are like "We know they live ya know" but still was pretty okay.

[@forrestpenrod2294]

The Zero Gee fight slowing down the Gorn was an ingenious homage to the slow fight in TOS.

[@emilyainsworth4664]

I saw so many wonderful Tweets (forever use that term) from STLV and seeing you smile so much, made me smile. I went to a ST Con in the 90s. I actually won the ticket and it was a sorta small one and somehow I ended up befriending another girl and we stayed in contact via long phone calls and absurd long letters. Pre internet. Ah yes. I'm so glad even in these terrible times all around there can be little pockets of joy. I wish more of that for you (and all of us, really). Anyway, this episode. All I can say is YES. Yes to pretty much all your points. I don't mind some contrived plot points. Sometimes it's really all about a cool scenario and getting there doesn't matter. But even before we see Chapel I hoped so much she wouldn't miraculously be the only survivor (we see). And then it happened. That was a bit disappointing. Just three or four people. Someone saying they saw life pods getting ejected. Just *something*. However I also agree that what they did give us with Chapel and Spock vs Spacesuit!Gorn was a great scene. Because of all the Alien references I may have shouted at my screen "get away from him you b*tch". And on that note, thanks for the Alien3 pic there, because yep, I thought "oh, so up in space it's Alien, down on the planet it's Aliens" and then Batel faced the enemy and "oh no, it's part 3 actually". Weirdly I am now a bit more hopeful that she will survive. Maybe part of that is wishful thinking, because of the strike (that I too fully support, and oh am I happy there is now talk of a VFX union forming at Marvel), the writers can look at some of the reactions. I do not want writers to cater to fans endlessly, definitely not. But this maybe-she's-fridged-maybe-she's-not is something they might take a second look at. Or maybe it was always just about teasing us and there never was a plan to kill her. Who knows. Scotty showing up was the best surprise. This is what I enjoy and I think about when I say I don't want spoilers. Surprise me with fun things! It was so great when there was this Scottish accent and it was clear who we were meeting before the name was said out loud. And oh yeah, I'm so here for more Scotty & Pelia. I have enjoyed every little bit of her we've gotten so far. Ortegas... well, I did love that scene with her and M'Benga talking about Chapel. Highlighting the friendship there. Once again ten episodes is so short. I enjoy the format of not having an ever-present overreaching arc, but a few more eps to sprinkle in some more personal moments (in new combinations) is what is missing. We need more time. So much more time. Ah, that big fat To Be Continued... Truly back in the good old days. The terrible cliffhanger waiting days. The worst of times, the best of times. Well, there will be plenty of time to rewatch S2. Oh, right, the zombie movie reference. That was fun to me. We always had characters who had a few 20th century related hobbies and then we get mentions of music that is mostly classic or literature with Shakespeare and Twain. It was fun to me when the Kelvin Timeline went for something more rock for Kirk's taste. And I am here for these future people enjoying more mundane pop culture. Not gonna expect anyone to have a Kermit the Frog on their desk, but I'm sure they love Dolly Parton, too. ;) Not just jazz concerts, spy holo novels, poetry recitals; no we have movie nights. (Also I did crack up at Spock saying how he has seen a movie before, but not a zombie.) Just how much I enjoy the updated clothes we have gotten here or in Picard. Let them wear jeans and leather!

[@brianchristyb]

I totally agree with you about Chapel being.the sole survivor. That really shows the plot armor. That said, the episode gave us Scotty, and I'm willing to overlook the cliches for that!

[@charlesburrows687]

The whole crew of the enterprise in the ready room: let’s go across the border tk beat up the gorn. Ortegas: I fly the ship! I’m glad she finally got to join the landing party and her in atmospheric flight was great. I just hope we learn more about her time in the Klingon war and some character traits next season.

[@jimseibyl5140]

Great review Jesse, as always. Thank you for your insights, your energy, and the obvious love of the franchise we all have. Your positivity is infectious.❤

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

I was holding my breath when I heard his accent, until he introduced himself as MONTGOMERY SCOTT is when I started shouting, YES. OH MY GOD! I want McCoy and Sulu to be introduced next season.

[@victorpradha9946]

And this guy...is a little less refined and a little more chaotic. So we get a young, brilliant and unpolished Scotty. Just waiting on McCoy and Chekov (in StarFleet academy)

[@RickReasonnz]

@@victorpradha9946 Unpolished McCoy makes me uneasy....

[@victorpradha9946]

@@RickReasonnz Indeed...Leonard McCoy "rough around the edges" would be a sight to behold.

[@IanZainea1990]

12:20 assuming the planets don't orbit at insane speeds. It would be good enough for short term. Like a "hey, get outta here this is our area" ... Not expecting them to hang around. Like. I feel that could be rationalized away

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

The Gorn are becoming the new Borg, or the seemingly unbeatable foe. However not totally unbeatable, a worthy competitor to the best that Starfleet can offer. And this episode shows some small wins against the Gorn. It is nice to finally see an adult Gorn in a spacesuit. The baby gorn are just wild animals seemingly driven by predatory instinct alone, but the adults seem more intelligent which is necessary to believe they can build advanced spacecraft. The young don't seem likely able to do anything scientific, however the adults certainly do from this episode, trying to decode security and hack in plus wear a spacesuit. Good review!

[@CarltonYoung]

I was so happy with the intro to our favorite Saurian brandy drinking engineer. ❤

[@lexielyons5739]

I think in the season 3 premier we will see them get the Gorn babies out of her safely similar to how they got the McGog babies out of Harper. Then Pike will exchange those infants or infant to the Gorn for the civilians. The ability to extract the baby Gorn makes the Hegemony stop abducting people for breeding since Pike will give them this technology: Other theory has Captain Batel sacrificing herself to the Gorn to free the colonists, which I hope does not happen.

[@ryno1509]

They don’t care about their young they normally have breeding planets and let the babies kill each other till the strongest live, it was only the solar flares that caused to babies to act together

[@katpig1]

So excited for the Pelia and Scotty collaboration!! And I agree that the Spock saving Chapel seemed very contrived and the fact that she was the only survivor on the ship -and they didn't even mention it or seem to search for anyone else? It seems like they do this alot in this show - where they have an ending idea and just contrive a way to get there. It seems way too convenient to me. Anyway, I always love to hear your reviews, its the first thing I do after watching an episode! 🖖💛

[@claudiadarling9441]

I don't agree with the midwestern town being presented as a utopia, it was just stating a fact that the town was intentionally modeled that way. Overall I really liked this episode and didn't have any problems with any of the elements. I actually hope the Gorn are shown to be intellegent, hence space travel, but still ultimately monsters that won't come around to anything like human reason. I think it's a good challenge for the Trek universe. What do you do when a species really won't come around to your philosophy and are an existential threat? How do you survive without loosing yourself and what you believe in?

[@dominickdicarlo1191]

What a tremendous finale, had me on the edge of my seat. And the score behind it all sounded incredible.

[@LaraA55]

I so agree

[@gopher697]

I honestly loved that they included the colony design explanation. It perfectly explains how every colony in old Trek always had this "stuck in the past" feeling to them, and why random problems from Human societies past would show up all over the place. Without the foundational understanding of why a system works, there is no natural innoculation to the problems that created the initial understandings that formed the foundation! Literally only the arrogance of people living in a Utopia could dream up such a mad idea as starting from the middle and hoping to do better!

[@arthurward2067]

I suspect Batel's condition at the end of the episode has something to do with real world reasons rather than story reasons. They might not know if Melanie Scrofano can commit to being a recurring character going forward, so I suspect Batel's fate is in her hands. As for Chapel, as bad as fridging is this was going far in the other direction and was the biggest weakness in the episode. Other than that great episode and a very good season. Hope to finally meet Roger Corby next season because I'm now committed to wanting to see this subplot playout, all roads lead to Shatner holding a giant falus in What are Little Girls Made off.

[@jessicacolgrave4082]

Has anyone here mentioned that the 3 Enterprise crew now with the Gorn are the 3 crew members not featured on TOS? 😢 my gut says oh no

[@ankerubinetto2359]

Yeeeesss I noticed that too - not a good omen...

[@bjam89]

the gorn really reminds me of the magog from andromeda

[@tness93]

You're right I was thinking something like that 👍

[@thetruerift]

I honestly don't think Batel dying later on is a "fridge" moment. Fridging a character is a meaningless offscreen death. Pike finding Batel dead would be Fridging, but this gives her some agency and also allows for some resolution between her and Pike (if she dies). Also anyone whining about them changing Gorn canon is a fool - the Gorn were utterly uninteresting until now, an almost non-entity.

[@Yibambe.]

Fridging doesn't have to happen offscreen. It involves killing a character, usually a woman, to advance the growth of a male character. If Batel shows agency in her own death, it's not fridging.

[@thomaskalinowski8851]

11:51 Did Dr. Erin ever come up with an explanation for the "line in space" thing? I assume it was "they said they were going to do it this way and I said fine whatever."

[@marshsundeen]

Screencrush pointed out that Spock flying through space, is a reference to Spock flying through space in one of the movies.

[@asteven8]

I liked it as a solid finale. It was definitely wobbly in some areas. Btw, that was a great observation re Pike as a military strategist/commander. Made me remember the moment earlier with Ortegas on the shuttle. Erica looked to him and said, "weren't you a test pilot?" because he struggled in that descent. I wonder if this is also a door to bringing Kirk and the USS Farragut into play. As I think about it, Kirk and Sisko are really the only Star Trek captains equipped for military ops (SN: I haven't watched Enterprise so I don't know about Archer). In an amazing world, I would absolutely fan girl if they use the conflict with the Gorn to slip in McCoy on us too. When they introduced Scotty, I paused the episode and squealed with delight.

[@fourcatsandagarden]

I got so busy and was way late to finishing out the season but I finally did! And I wanna defend that bell lol. Having manual alarm systems as a back up for when tech isn't working right is always a good idea. And from what we've seen of star trek through all the generations, they do tend to over-rely on tech at times, so its possible the town's other alarm systems all went down at the same time as the communication systems depending on how they were created. At least, that was my take away. That their tech went down so hard, they didn't have time to troubleshoot it, so they ran for their manual tech-free alarm, the bell.

[@shirasade]

I was quite afraid Patel would be fridged, but I'm actually a bit more hopeful now, because I can't imagine they'll do a repeat of Hammer's sacrifice - especially since Patel even lampshaded it before the Gorn beacon was destroyed.

[@charleslurio8881]

They really left a gaping hole with the reason why Spock could be the only one to go over to the wrecked ship. Do you know in TOS they would’ve had something like “well the properties of my partially green copper based blood” Blah blah will enable him to do whatever. I kept on hoping they’d say something I mean a little technobabble would have ve gotten through it but yikes they just rushed over hoping nobody would notice. Actually I don’t think the Gorn wear space suits the one that we saw dying only had a appropriately shaped helmet on . I think the rest of him was just his own scaly skin which was tough enough to not require a pressure envelope.

[@charleslurio8881]

Oops that sentence starting with “do you know” Should have had those words cut these dictation programs far from perfect!

[@marg5404]

Despite the flaws you point out, Jessie, I think this is one of the strongest episodes of SNW and maybe even all Trek. Solid non-stop action and psychological / emotional intensity. I appreciate all the nods to the Alien and Firefly franchises and more. I predict that Batel will save the day but also, sadly, be sacrificed.

[@cjc363636]

Jessie, thanks for the takes on S2! This was a wild ride for sure, and your enjoyment makes the episodes all the more fun. ....Now counting the days until S4 Lower Decks arrives! Peace!

[@buckykat4242]

The Gorn as an empire of Xenomorphs who can build starships and spacesuits and conduct (very aggressive and hostile) diplomacy through declaring borders as they do their invasion is interesting. It reminds me of the Pequeninos from the Ender sequels or the Baby Eaters from Three Worlds Collide, truly alien aliens in contrast to the usual Star Trek aliens who tend to be much more humanoid not just physically but socially and mentally.

[@DarrinBell]

Nothing could beat Best of Both Worlds’ cliffhanger, simply because a lot of us suspected they were writing Picard off. In the early years (and this is limited to my circle of friends, because most of us hadn’t even heard of the Internet yet) the consensus was that maybe Patrick Stewart wanted out, and the entire storyline was set up to introduce Captain Riker. So there was genuine fear that Picard would not make it out of that alive.

[@newyorkerinvegas]

Was a pleasure meeting you at Millennium Fandom! Thank you for being so gracious. And OMG you got the kitty cube! I thought about getting that!

[@jessiegenderafterdark5287]

[@newyorkerinvegas]

@@jessiegenderafterdark5287 thank you :) it was an honor to meet you :)

[@donnicholas7552]

Loved your review, Jessie! I agree with all your points. It was a really good finale, but some of the main story was a bit too contrived. It did pay off though in the end. I loved the actor playing Scotty!💙 I hope they don't wind up kilingl off the character of Captain Batel.

[@capnbob2326]

Agree on Spock being the “only one”… nothing he did suggested a regular human couldn’t do it. Surely they could have come up with something better? As others have said, the Xenos are total parasites who seem to have no technology or strategy of their own beyond replication/infestation. The Gorn have a space empire, superior technology to the Federation, so any Federation idiot must know that they are intelligent and must be able to communicate even if they so far chose not to. Writers are making the Federation extra stupid for plot. I’m betting some cure for Batel with transporter patterns happens early in S3E1 🙏

[@GeoffreySorensen]

I'm fine with them explaining why the village looked like an old western U.S. town. If they hadn't given a reason, fans would be complaining too much about why it looked like a western. So they gave us an in-universe reason and we don't have to question their use of backlot sets instead of the AR wall for once. :-) Really glad to hear that you had a nice time in Las Vegas. Sorry that the world, and especially the internet these days, can be mean. I discovered your reviews in the last year and I really appreciate the perspective you bring that forces me to think differently than I otherwise would. Keep up the great work.

[@stitch009]

Keeping my fingers crossed they don't fridge Batel. She and her relationship with Pike are some of my favorite parts of this series. For the Gorn, save for the Xenomorph stuff you noted, I've got a suspicion (read: hope) it'll be a combination of social and communications barrier issues. With Gorn communication continuing to be pheromone/light/sound (clicks/trills) and image based vs. the Federation and other human-adjacent species using word-based languages. Then socially or culturally I could see them viewing species outside the Hegemony (perhaps specifically human-adjacent species) as being less intelligent in the vein of "advanced technology does not = intelligence". Where they may view us as a threat to their species survival and are just trying to make their boundaries known but...humans gonna human. Both of those would lend themselves to TOS's Arena episode too. Theories...so many theories...

[@RukminiDMaria108]

Hi Jessie! It was great meeting you at STLV! I love your show!

[@markcohen7991]

You are as fantastic as always!!! Sorry I did not see you the Convention. Love you very much. LLAP 🖖

[@myhappyabby]

Sim I think ypu hit many good points. But theres two points you glossed over which I think are very notable in this episode. One the one Gorn nurse Chapel runs into before reuniting with Spock was engaged in accessing the ship's systems. This isn't just a minor feat. The ship wad already destroyed the only reason to be there was for intelligence. Also there's the Pike arc where originally Pike saw his future death was a big part of season 1. This is the first time in a while we reached an episode that has that sort of climactic feel. Which gives us a few things. But more importantly what if he's feeling a dread or doom that's freezing him up. It felt like we got over that part a bit too easily.

[@joju997]

I read Spock’s need to go as him not wanting to leave things unsaid if the last time he saw Chapel was the end of the last episode.

[@YosemiteJohn]

I am impressed with how this guy is playing Mr. Scott as he was my favorite character in the original show that kept me comming back especially for the episodes where Mr Scott was in command of the ship, a different style from Kirk or Spock but one that works for me

[@Blackacreonfire]

so glad to hear that you had a wonderful experience amongst the good folks at Star Trek Vegas.

[@MrTbk1701]

I’m so glad you had a great time in Vegas. Wish I could have been there and say hi to you! I agree with you on this episode the best spot for me is Scotty! I was like omg omg we have Scotty! I’m curious of how it will end.

[@intrinsical]

SNW Season 1 is the show demonstrating that it understood Star Trek. Season 2 is the show half saying "now that introductions are over, credentials shown, I'm going to start doing my own thing" and the other half is "we're still getting to know each other, so let's chill a little before we start getting serious". Hegemony and Under the Cloak of War gives me the feeling that SNW will start getting serious in season 3.

[@DUIChamp]

Spock demanding to go over to the Cayuga made perfect sense to me. It's well established that he'll risk all for his friends. 1) bringing Pike to Talos 2) flying out to Vegar in TMP 3) the end of TWOK When he said he HAS to go I was like "yep, that's Spock." As to the convenient survival of Chapel...I've been watching TV/films for 40 years, 100 years of movies, and have said on countless occasions-gee, that was convenient. As Bruce Hornsby said, the show must go on. As for Gorn being Xenomorphs...yes and whateves. They're lizards..it fits. You are absolutely right about Pike not being the master military stratagist that Kirk is. I said that to Trekyards last year. Loved loved loved this episode.

[@RickReasonnz]

I don't get what people want out of Gorn. Before this, it was a LAUGHABLE bad actor in a terrible suit, in one of the worse action sequences of all time. Far as I am concerned, anything they do with the Gorn is a vast improvement.

[@DUIChamp]

@RickReasonnz the problem is podcasts and social media has turned everyone into wanna-be Roger and Eberts. I could watch TOS, TNG, DS9 and find things to rip them apart on. Or I could just enjoy the fucking show...I chose to enjoy the show; and if I don't there's more shows coming so whateves.

[@IsiahBradley]

THANKS for this and for your work this season!!!! As an Africana Studies adjunct professor, I appreciate your (hyper-)sensitivity to the history of race in the United States. Ortega=pilot, LaForge=engineer :( I tried three times to love this finale, but I could only get to like :( Even [CENSORED] didn't work, but I enjoyed seeing [CENSORED]. Frankly, this "Alien(s)" homage felt like the old "Silver Surfer" animated series episode (1x6, "Learning Curve") and every other old episode of Classic "Doctor Who!" LOL!

[@Nimariel]

A slightly less deep but still worthwhile use of the “Alien” stuff would be that they are taking the most horrific being that mainstream sci-Fi has imagined and then giving it the Trek treatment, humanizing it and ultimately making peace with it, arguing that no nightmare is beyond the reach of the Trek vision of empathy and cooperation.

[@purplepothos5794]

The cliffhanger really reminded me more of Azati Prime than Best of Both Worlds though the wait will certainly feel more like BoBW (worse even, given we have a much longer wait!) And I hope they don't kill off Batel, I always loved seeing those together as a great power couple, there's certainly much more value in keeping it and exploring how that relationship plays out with Chris' future knowledge rather than disrespectfully fridging her in order to set up some sort of nihilistic phase in Pike thinking he'll never find peace before his accident or whatever.

[@pookhahare]

I agree. Batel knows Pike is hiding something . I want to Chris to finally tell her and they both deal with it.

[@forrestpenrod2294]

Batel will survive. IMO they would've killed her off in this episode if they were going to kill her at all.

[@jessicacolgrave4082]

Batel will live but I have my doubts about Mbenga Ortegas and La’an. I find it curious the three Enterprise crew taken by the Gorn are the three Enterprise crew not featured in the original series… 😢

[@forrestpenrod2294]

@@jessicacolgrave4082 M'benga is in TOS. However the Gorn showed up earlier then they're supposed to - "Arena" doesn't really work anymore - and if that event in TOS can change this go around maybe M'benga doesn't have that plot armor?

[@hawkiowan]

What about the issues puzzling La'an on the surface? Activities of the juveniles, etc.?

[@salenstormwing]

24:10 That scene reminded me of TAS where Kirk fights a bird in zero-g using Kirk-fu parkour!

[@ghlmk5931]

The moment I heard that Scottish accent…a huge smile came to my face and stayed there for quite a while! It was like seeing a (very!)young James Doohan and the actor just nailed Scotty’s mannerisms, even the hair was perfect. I liked this episode a lot, but I see many of your points, especially the part about Spock having to be the one to go, I don’t know if it was poor dialogue choices, but it just felt odd and took me out of the narrative for a second. But that was my only issue, the expression on Pike at the very end, that WTF do I do now moment…Anson Mount killed it. Unfortunately the strike (which I support) will delay the third season. It will be a long wait. This is, imho, the best Trek since DS9. Had its ups and downs, like all Treks, but overall, a solid 2 seasons. And I should mention that it’s got the best opening credits of any Trek. Never has the Enterprise flown so beautifully.

[@zeldatwinkletoes5022]

I get what you re saying about Otregas, however having watched her interview with Will Wheaten and I am thinking character expansion may have been asking more than she had this time around. I love her character, but I respect her situation too.

[@SilverScale.]

It really felt like the first half of a two-part finale. Every storyline is on a cliffhanger. Dunno how I feel about that, it felt chopped in the middle.

[@Tinrs80]

The Damage to the Cayuga saucer section looks like the same as when the Enterprise was Falling into the Genesis Planet in the Search for Spock. It has that hook piece on the Starboard side.

[@jenergomes]

What can I say...? It will get better. Not when and how we want, desire, and dream, but, as societies, I believe there is a slow progress. The things are better than 10 years ago, and comparing to each decade further in the past this becomes more and more clear. A few years ago I figured out that my unconscious dream of a much better future is far away from our reality, our possibilities, but gives us some hope, something to dream or escape, and, perhaps the most important, we met other dreamers and people who share similar values. I don't have here fans similar to me from Star Trek or any other franchise, having the kind of appreciation that I have and feel regarding Star Trek, much less having a life history similar to mine, on this matter you have many possibilities there. I loved your point about the midwestern romantic utopia while, for me, it references a genocide age. Oh, my... A border across a solar system with planets orbiting... Brilliant perception! (Now I'm a little ashamed of not noticing that. 😅) The Borg cube was distracting me too. 😁 I also agree about the plot armour, I thought about how many other people were alive in atmosphere pockets. The big problem of this episode is/will be the looooong wait for its continuation...! Thank you for your thoughts and points of view! LLAP (I was absent for a while due to my vacation's double travel. ;-])

[@mintysquidz]

This show is just so good. Just that. I really liked the finale and am very anxious to see what happens in season 3 and really hope that they can start filming soon and hope the strikes reach a positive conclusion for the unions. All that being said, I really liked this. I'm a big fan of the Alien franchise so having the Gorn being the Trek version of the Xenomorph is pretty cool to me but I really hope and believe that they are trying to show us the full evolution of the Gorn. So the babies are the fully beast hunters, the "adults" are the smarter warriors, and then eventually they get to the really old Gorn from "Arena" that move a lot slower. I hope that we are getting that. I also kinda hope they end up doing some type of multi-episode arch of a "Gorn War" where we get to see actual conflict with them beyond the tight space horror, which I also love. I agree that this episode had some definite plot armor moments and could have been written a bit better to not be as obvious. With that said, I love Chapel so her having the armor is fine by me. I really hope they don't fridge Batel especially after suffering through the multiple fridgings from Secret Invasion. Please don't do that Star Trek. Please. Finally, SCOTTY WAS GREAT! I too had never heard of this actor before but I instantly fell in love with him! I really hope we see more of him later. All in all I absolutely loved this season and can't wait for season 3 when it's able to come out. Union strong for sure though. Also I thoroughly enjoyed binging all of these reviews as well given that I basically binged the entire back half of the season over the past few days lol I always love hearing your takes on these shows and am always excited to watch!

[@winespringinc.9447]

my question is, was hanging out in a new collony the high priority mission Batel talked about?

[@tubebobwil]

The xenomorph / trope-laden characteristics of the Gorn has so far struck me as unimaginative. Maybe they are playing into all these tropes to turn them on their head soon, I do hope so.