Star Trek Strange New Worlds Finale "A Quality of Mercy" REVIEW
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2022
- Star Trek Strange New Worlds heads into it's finale with some AMAZING surprises and a retelling of [REDACTED] so lets talk about "A Piece of Mercy".
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Leave any bigotry in your quarters - as a black kid watching Star Trek and now as a 52 year old adult that scene was and is still incredible
Something that's never left me since my dad sat me down in front of this episode and said "this is the best Star Trek episode ever," was that that Lt Stiles (our namesake) was relieved of his post because his racism against Spock rendered him unable to perform his duties, which were taken up by Uhura. It was like Gene giving a double middle finger to racism, and my dad knew it was important for me to pay attention to it. This, plus Marc Lenard's speech at the end (beautifully mirrored in the SNW episode), made Balance of Terror my all-time favorite episode.
After Kirk tells Stiles to leave his bigotry off the bridge, Stiles does simmer down slightly, but not enough. Stiles volunteers and fills in for the phaser crew (but still hasn't learned his lesson). Who do we get to take over as navigator? Kirk has Lt. Uhura as acting navigator, a subtle emphasis and one of the few times she gets to do more than communications. (She gets a stint at the science station in another episode.) (I've just realized Hidden Figures would soon be going on in real life.) Then later, Stiles is again bigoted towards Spock, but Spock saves him, and Stiles has to swallow his pride (and racism / spy suspicions) and thank Spock. -- Has Stiles really changed? I'm not sure, but it might be a start. -- It's at least a possibility that Spock could have been a Romulan spy, yet Kirk and the crew know Spock has served flawlessly for years, and has a background on Vulcan and a human mother. So Stiles' suspicions are misplaced. -- TOS hadn't worked out the connections between the Vulcans and Romulans, or even the Vulcans themselves yet. There's an element of superiority and emotion we see in Amok Time, for instance. -- But yes, I'd maintain Spock is above suspicion. -- Stiles' prejudice, and Kirk's quick counter, plus how we see Uhura and Spock, answers this quietly. Also, Dr. M'Benga and other black actors. Star Trek doesn't get a perfect record on how it deals, real-world or in-universe, but they made progress in some ways. (I wish we'd seen more of Uhura in other situations. ) -- I wonder what impact this had on white kids growing up. But I grew up with a very diverse school background and city, while bussing and integration were still going on. (I remember seeing one black boy wearing a t-shirt with a black man with an Afro, proud, in elementary or junior high. I am not sure, don't remember it well enough to know if it was a generic face, or who, , I don't think it was Jimi Hendrix, but I can't recall the memory well enough now. I didn't know at the time, for sure.) But as an adult, I get it.
@@benw9949 also the scene in mirror mirror where Mr. Sulu is in command and Uhura are the only people in the scene with any dialogue. Very powerful scene for the time. Representation matters!!!!
I'm sure it had deeper meaning for you, but as a white kid (we're the same age, 52) it has always been powerful to see Kirk not only call out Stiles for his bigotry, but that he did it in such a forceful way and right in front of the entire bridge crew. He didn't take Stiles aside and scold him quietly and privately, he made sure everyone on the bridge (and in the audience) understood that that kind of thinking was unacceptable. I glad we could all share that moment together.
Love your comment very much
The brief conversation Spock has with Pike at the end of the episode had me so weepy. Since Spock had been told about Pike's grim future, we already had better context for his mutiny in Menagerie; but the few sentences exchanged in that moment gave so much more depth to Spock's willingness to crater his own career to help ease Pike's suffering. I can't wait to see how their friendship strengthens from here.
Oh yes, I totally agree. It made me gush with tears, how they spoke of their friendship and bond.
This episode I think is amazing because it proves how much pressure Kirk was under in the original Balance of Terror episode. This season sets Captain Pike as one of the best in Star Trek and we know he's incredible at what he does. Yet, being himself ends up starting a war, showing that Kirk was not only validated in this moment of being the so-called "space cowboy" but also shows just how careful and how meticulous he had to be in order to avoid a future that 99% of the time would lead to war.
Absolutely! I thought it was a great balance to the character of Pike that we've seen. He's kind of been written as the best possible Star Trek Captain. And in this episode it turns out that the "better man's" way was the wrong way. An interesting take and another great example of Strange New World's willingness to question other versions of Star Trek without judging. An adult level of writing.
it also meant a great deal to me that it ties into Discovery, which is the first TV reboot since the Kelvin films. This is Pike's "Vulcan (Romulan) Hello" as well as Balance of Terror. The connections are tight and extensive, including TOS The City on The Edge of Forever. The Time Crystal is the viewer Spock managed to rig to see the alternative futures.
Now that I think about it, it also harkens back to Voyager's Year of Hell...
The writers and all involved are sending a love letter to the fans and to the vision.
@@CorwinFound extremely well said
This show has consistently proved that it is the Star Trek series I have dreamed of. Absolute perfection without a doubt, Anson Mount and the cast have created something magical. I so need more of this incredible series, I really hope that Paramount have a larger order of episodes for Season two. Plus at least 7 more seasons of this series. I just love it so much. Jessie as always much love to you and continuing well wishes on your recovery from surgery.
Yeah, I'm really missing the much larger number of episodes per season we'd get in the pre-streaming days. These 8-10-episode seasons seem so short!!
@@dvdmon Unfortunatelly, this is the one show that can't have seven seasons, unless they have a single year of Pike shown in two seasons or more.
@@sergioaccioly5219 no, I didn't say 8-10 seasons, I said I wanted more that 8 - 10 EPISODES per season.
I agree 100%. Especially the part about your recovery.
I feel the same way, a one of a kind and memorable show. I wanted to see more, and there could have been easily 10 more episodes for this season
Minor correction, Pike wasn't talking to cadets at the beginning of the 'future', it was the wedding that Kirk presides over at the beginning of Balance of Terror.
Angela Martine and Robert Tomlinson (who does not survive)
@@DarrylsB In this case here, It's Angela Martin who does not survive.
This makes me watch the "Balance of Terror" again, this episode makes me wish for more "What If?" scenario in Star Trek. And, at the ending when Batel beam on board the Enterprise, I thought she was there to introduce Montgomery Scott as the new Chief Engineer to be honest.
Also, it seems like Christopher Pike might be the only Starfleet Captain who knows what the Romulans look like.
I remain so much in awe of how the show returns to its roots while also growing the mythos & expanding the values of Trek in parallel with the present day sensibilities. I am convinced that the stand alone format renews what fans love about Trek in ways that other newer series have struggled to do. Very well done. Well wishes in your recovery and self care.
I can't belive they took such a well-worn premise and made it feel so fresh & exciting. They also managed to make the potentially fanfiction concept of doing an alt Balance of Terror and made it very plausible & didn't go overboard on the unnecessary references. It would be normally be a problem for so many of the regulars to have almost no screen time but the story was so rightly focused it didn't hurt the episode. While Paul Wesley's performance was good, it didn't scream Kirk to me like Chris Pine's did. I'm glad they aren't changing Pike's fate, but really hope they will with Una.
Nodding my head in agreement...it was a smart and interesting way of doing another version of the balance of terror. I agree with you about not feeling the Kirk vibes from Paul Wesley and Chris Pines does convey Kirk very well.
This was the greatest first season of a Star Trek show I have ever seen in my entire life.
Indeed
I just realized that the reversal of Spock being the one who would end up in the beep chair packs the emotional punch that Star Trek Into Darkness failed to pull off with the Kirk/Spock reversal. So well done in the writing, directing and acting and without the almost two hours of setup. Very impressive.
I think Spock just died rather than being debilitated, so Pike decided it was better for him to become disabled than to let Spock die :)
@@kaitlyn__L But according to James Blish, Spoke must die. :) :) :) Sorry, I couldn't resist lol. Yes, I love the emotional impact of these exchanges. And what makes it work here and not in the Kelvin film is the centrality of character building throughout SNW. We feel for these characters. We see them grow, struggle, and interact. We are seeing the friendships and bonds coming into formation. It's been a beautiful ride for us as viewers. Good stories always are character driven. And SNW has excelled at focusing on character.
I also thought it would have been great to have the current Sarek actor as the Romulan commander. 😄
This episode was fantastic. I got chills from the first scene of Pike in the red "admirals?" uniform until Una is beamed off, and Pike says this isn't over and looks directly into the camera. The episode had me spinning with thoughts and wondering how things would change if Pike made a different decision. The portrayal of Paul Wesley as Captain Kirk was well done. He doesn't overact and tries to mimic Chris Pines's portrayal in the other nonprime timeline. It was nice to see La'ann as a commander. Of course, we don't know how and when La'ann changes, and we don't know when Scotty comes on as the new chief engineer next season, but it's something to look forward to. Additionally, I thought the portrayal of Commander Hansen was rather bland compared to the original actor in TOS. It was missing some of the drama of his more Shakespearean performance. The Romulan commander was excellent, but I missed seeing his "old friend" from TOS. However, I enjoyed the version of the Romulan Praetor. Overall, I loved the entire season; it ended too soon. But now fans like me will be begging for more next season, which means Star Trek SNW is off to a fantastic start.
Paul’s performance reminded me more of James Cawley as Kirk rather than Shatner or Pine.
Ugh! Those scenes with Una....waiting til 2023 for this cliffhanger to be resolved is gonna be a painful wait.
Scotty won't be the new engineer yet, at least for now. In an article they said a different new character will be taking the spot
That uniform is from future ST Wrath Of Khan where everyone wears the same type of uniform, admiral or not.
@@philsipad I did not mean to imply that I was not aware of the era of the uniform. I was more wondering where his rank was indicated on the uniform. I assume it was an admiral, but I was not sure.
I’m such a child, the Gorn sneaking up had me in stitches.
I'm a child, too, apparently! You can sit next to me on the school bus if you want to!
I wanted to see a punch up between pike and the gorn...I am such a child too
Reed: "Captain Pike could kill you with one beep from his chair."
Wanda: "What chair?"
This episode really calls back to the origins of western drama with the Greeks. In Greek tragedy the heroes often knew their fate in advance but they acted as if they would be able to change it on their own. When they couldn’t, their tragedy would be amplified. Returning to those themes is a great way to get us to think about the nature of fate and tragedy.
I think they didn’t go all in with the Ortagas/Stiles comparison because part of the point of his character in “Balance of Terror” was to make a comment on the dangers of bigotry. I think had they gone too far in that direction it would have distracted from the Pike centered message of the episode.
Its a tough argument that "appeasement of fascists leads to war." Its not necessarily a wrong one, though. The biggest lesson of this episode is that Pike is a Picard-esque man willing to overlook mass murder because he believes in preventing more mass murder and that people are inherently good. But that's not what's needed with the Romulans this time.
"And his hair was STILL FREAKING PERFECT," Chef's Kiss....!
Fantastic finale for sure. I loved even a few silly camera choices like a close up of Spock for an eyebrow raise and Pike staring directly at us being like "Hi thanks for watching sorry for a cliffhanger" so silly but loved it. Also like that 2 great trek shows basically have the same cliffhanger(SNW and Lower Deck)
My favourite scene...the zooming in of Spock and finally seeing an eyebrow raise.
Anson Mount is an actual gift from the gods and is the magic spice that makes all things better. If you havent everyone should watch Hell on Wheels between Anson and the most important person in Star Fleet it is a must see.
I got straight-up Cullen Bohannon vibes from Anson's 4th wall break!
I really dig Paul Wesley's take on Kirk, he doesn't copy Shatner or Pine and has his own approach. Turns out, actors aren't mere impressionists - Le shock!
I also continue to dig the clever use of action figures in these reviews, and the reference to Multiverse of Madness made me LOL!
He is playing KIRK!! I don't know what you were watching.... Paul Wesley is a terrible choice. honestly if they didn't say his name I would have no idea what character he was playing I did not get any sense of Captain Kirk from him. NONE ZIP ZELCH NADA!!!!
I think it would help if Wesley would bulk up a little to play Kirk. That tall skinny look just doesn't fit the Kirk profile.
He copies Jim Carey from Star Trek: The Wrath of Farrakhan
Agreed! It’s great to see different takes on characters instead of always what’s comfortable & expected. I don’t need yet another impression, I want to see different artists take chances & give their interpretations. And agreed about these video reviews too. Nice to see these dolls I mean action figures get some time off the shelf!
@@highlander723 We were seeing a Kirk that wasn't mentored by Pike, and didn't get the same step-up to the Enterprise as the original did. It might be that in season 2 we'll see a few differences.
WOW! What an episode!!! Loved it start to finish....... now that the season is over let me say I think this was the BEST SEASON 1 OF ANY STAR TREK EVER! Absolutely great stuff, can't wait for season 2!
Nodding my head in total agreement
Disco stumbled so that SNW could go to warp
The moment I recognized that Ortegas was in Styles' role, the floor shifted beneath me. I am very much a fan of Ortegas.
There was a big hint that meeting the boy would be a catalyst for what was to come. Ma'at is also the name of the Egyptian goddess of cosmic order/harmony & justice. I'm pretty sure the writers chose that name deliberately :)
Instantly thought of ...
SANDURZ - Lord Helmet.
HELMET - WHAT!?!
SANDURZ - You're needed on the bridge, sir.
HELMET - Knock on my door. Knock next time.
SANDURZ - Yes, sir.
HELMET - Did you see anything?
SANDURZ - No, sir. I didn't see you playing with your dolls again.
HELMET - Good.
Maybe I imagined this, but it seemed like Ethan Peck played future Spock even more like how Leonard Nimoy played him.
I think that was quite intentional as Ethan has to bridge the gap between Discovery Spock and TOS Spock. Hopefully we will some of that development next season.
I have a theory that at some point, we are going to see an event that will explain the cooler, more closed-off Spock that we saw in early TOS--maybe an affair with Chapel, a breach with T'Pring? Because as I think I said on another of Jessie's vids, Spock and T'Pring in "Amok Time" read to me like two people who have not spoken to each other in a very long time and are not very happy that they have to do it now.
He had nailed it , that is for sure
The moment when I realized this was riffing on "Balance of Terror" I was blown away that they had the intestinal fortitude to do it...and then totally pulled it off. Absolutely great Trek from stem to stern. Hope you are feeling well Cap'n ❤️🖖✌️🤘✊
I legit teared up when Spock said 'Is that why you're glad to see me?', like I got really choked up. Picard and Discovery have had some fun moments, but never really gave me feels like that.
I love how we got to see Kirk's Farragut close-up and if I'm not mistaken it looked remarkably like a Mk1 Miranda. And they did to it what they do to every single screen Miranda: blew her to hell.
Loved the look of this ship
I really loved that even though the whole episode is about how things go terribly wrong with Pike in command in this situation, the Romulan commander still gives the same speech he gave to Kirk in TOS. I think it implies nicely that the key is that Pike's style wasn't right for This scenario, not that he's any less of a captain than Kirk-- acknowledging the two are different while not lowering Pike in the process.
You’d think that by the 23rd century, that they’d be able to make a chair that could let him communicate more than Yes and No.
Star trek has a huge problem with there tech.
I was thinking the same thing
OMG, Balance of Terror was my favorite TOS episode and they pulled it off so well! So many call backs to the OG; from legacy lines, to Spock raising his eyebrow at the exact moment. I had to pull up my TOS episode and rewatch it immediately for possible missed references. Great way to end the season. Can't wait for Season 2!
Did the same
Balance of Terror is my favorite TOS episode as well. They mentioned outpost 4 and I paused the show and turned towards my SO and said "OMG they're doing Balance of Terror!" And of course I rewatch BoT right after :)
Thanks for breaking these episodes down in a way that even a relative new comer can understand. Made the experience of watching the show that much better.
Couple things I liked with Ortegas this episode is
She was the one who said the Romulans leaked the image on purpose to cause descension and distrust with the Vulcans. While she is on edge she knows they were being played.
Also loved that when Pike snapped at her it was shocking. He never snapped like that before and they built their relationship over episodes to be light and joking so is jarring.
I liked that she wasn’t full of crap one liners. Feel like she was a real person in this one.
Honestly, she seemed a bit out of character on this one…. Harsher than she’s been in the other episodes we’ve seen. With some kinda of simmering resentment that kinda came outta nowhere?
@@Chace957 it is years in the future so we have to wonder what happened.
@@nickbuxton8406 I so agree
@@Chace957 yes, she was a different version
Did i understand it wrong. I thought Pike said, that the kid was one of two who died in the accident.
Wow. Just wow. When I first started watching this show I never would’ve thought I would be the most excited I’ve been about Star Trek in YEARS. This was a fantastic episode, and to have it centered around the work of art that is Balance of Terror was icing on the cake. There wasn’t a dud in this whole first season, which to be honest, makes me nervous for season 2! I hope they can keep it up. This show is being lovingly crafted, it brought so many elements of TOS into the 21st century while respecting its legacy. Bravo.
Jessie, hope you’re recovering well!
I so agree, this show also makes me excited about Star trek and especially how it beautifully homages tos
You done a great job with this video. One of your best. Thank you Pike for stepping in.
Your review was wonderful and complete as usual. Thank you. I hope u r recovering nicely
and Pike's last unblinking stare right into the lens. Powerful.
Thanks Jessie for the first 5 mins of your review. The word PHENOMENAL was all I needed to hear. Will watch the rest later tonight. Can't wait until 9pm tonight to watch! Hope you are feeling better soon!
They also used the dramatic lighting to match the original episode look, as well as long lens for close up shot to make the bridge look smaller, even though the new Enterprise bridge is a lot bigger than TOS' bridge. Looks like they also changed the graphic interface to match the color and feel of the original in the background as well. I was really impressed the way they used camera and lighting for this episode.
I liked your observation on the lighting and camera work and when I think back to the episode, this episode reminded me very much of the feel of TOS , due to the lighting
Everything about this episode was brilliant, even Paul Wesley as Kirk, that was weird and yet fitting. I need season 2 now! Captain Pike as played by Anson Mount is now my favorite Starfleet Captain.
Oh yes, captain like is my number 1 captain as well
Ortegas's reaction reminded me of THE ORVILLE's Burke; in fact the episode had some parallels to "Twice Upon A Time". I was slightly held back by Paul Wesley's resemblance to Jim Carrey.
Yes, his hair was too dark and styled all wrong, too. Its KIRK! ya gotta stick the landing on the Do!
Glad I'm not the only one who thought of Jim Carrey!
Thanks for this. Just finished the finale and needed something to draw lines between all the memories and emotions this episode conjured up. A truly great finale to a truly great 1st season.
Yeah, I agree, when they were going to show the Romulan bridge, I was literally muttering _"please be James Frain, please be James Frain..."_ And yeah, obviously it makes perfect sense why it wasn't...but it would have been _hilarious_ if it was
Then again, knowing The Fanbase™, there would consequently have been some wild theorycrafting of how Sarek and the Romulan commander are related or clones or whatever
I hope they start novels dealing with the Klingon monastery time cops. They sound more effective than the temporal prime directive cops.
I am so happy they took inspiration for Kirk from Star Trek: The Wrath of Farrakhan. It so nice to see an excellent homage to Jim Carey.
Great episode. Felt like Balance of Terror, Yesterday's Enterprise, Tapestry, and All good things all wrapped into one.
The conversation between Pike and Spock when the episode is near its conclusion is as calm as it can be but full of emotion... probably one of the most emotional lines ever said by a Vulcan (half-Vulcan half-human).
A small part I enjoy very much is the growth of Ortegas. She might be the counterpart of Stiles (TOS "Balance of Terror"), but comparing her action (focusing on the navigation skills) in this season and the alternate timeline, she clearly appeared to be more outspoken on some command issues.
Yes, I so agree, the talk between Spock and Pike was an emotional one...with Spock showing how much pike means to him as a friend...their bond
Which made me appreciate more what he is doing with the character. Well done.
first thing I'm going to say Jesse is this wibbly wobbly timry timey.
because I already see people saying where's Sulu where's McCoy we got to hear Scotty. time travel ripples in time. what a phenomenal episode love getting to see Sam Kirk and Jim Kirk together alive both at the same time. great seeing Aurora in a more close to TOS outfit. as I said we got to hear a certain Scottish engineer. I love how it didn't show away from the fact that Pike is a great Captain but so is Kirk and their styles are different. I love how they made this story more expansive in the fact it's not just Pike's future it's those kids future it's Spock's future. and how ultimately we know that this sweet kid who's so happy to meet his hero captain pike is going to die that's a gut punch. and also as we said time ripples it ends up being Spock to get horribly injured because Pike's command style was different then Kirk's. the right person at the right moment. what a great first season I have thoroughly enjoyed this show.
Loved this episode. I think Balance of Terror was such a great choice for which future episode to revisit. The Romulan commander's speech is incredibly relevant for Pike and his issues with his fate and his duty. The Romulan commander's duty is to die, where Pike is being confronted with a moral duty to sacrifice his life for the sake of the galaxy and for Spock specifically.
The space-time continuum just does NOT want Tomlinson & Martine to get married.
Great episode. I also loved the Easter Egg with the photo of a younger Pike and Captain April in the old school Cage uniforms.
I was talking with my dad, who's an OG Trekker. We're discussing the strengths of Strange New Worlds vs Star Trek 2009. He pointed out that Uhura's rotation on the Enterprise would have been an ideal place to start out with Kirk at the end of the movie instead of being warp speeded to the captain. I think a Star Trek: Kirk Origin tv series that covers him from Academy to taking over from Pike could a lot of potential.
A detail that intrigues me. In TOS, when speaking about Pike's accident, it is said he saved *all* the cadets. In Disco the images showed that at least one was still there with Pike when everything went kaboom, and now we have confirmation that two cadets died.
Could it be a correction/alteration in the Prime timeline, that as Pike knows what's going to happen, he manages to save them all?
First, Scotty played by Matthew Wolf - does that make him a wolf in the fold? 😁
I think one thing that helped Ortegas is the fact they set her up as that type of character with the Gorn. Maybe even more than La'an, she seems very security minded.
I saw the ending with Una coming when they said she had been arrested 7 years ago, and he had gone 7 years into the future. You mention Tapestry, and I wonder if maybe his trying to play it safe in the alternate timeline is why Una is still in prison. Maybe he doesn't take a risk that a Pike who is at peace with his fate does. A reflection of Picard playing it safe and staying a Lt. It would be interesting to see if that parallel is deliberate.
This is the best review of this I've seen! ❤
Strange New Worlds has exceeded EVERY expectation I had for the franchise.
This Season One Episode Ten Finale is a masterpiece.
The LOVE these creators, actors, designers, technicians, crew, and all in any way involved have for the entire vision of the original Star Trek shines brighter that a star going supernova.
Love your comment
Once we realized what was happening, we paused the episode to rewatch 'Balance of Terror', and the parallels were excellent. I loved the callbacks to the classic Romulan uniform in the updated design, referencing that red/pink shoulder piece and those couple of guards with the weird shiny helmets.
I agree that bringing Pike's angst over his future to a place of resolution was the right move, as now his focus shifts from possibly changing his own fate to changing the fate of his dear friend.
(Omg I didn't know the same actor was both Sarek and the commander, but I thought he looked familiar!)
I really enjoy your reviews. And I'm so glad that during your recovery you're using the action figures as props, it gives the whole review a completely different feel. While I do look forward to seeing your face again, I think it would be fantastic if you continued to use the action figures in your reviews. It just adds a really fun element to it.
Nodding my head in agreement
One thing I'm expecting in the next season, is Pike and Spock "having the talk" Spock will probably argue that when Pike winds up in the chair, the logical thing to to is go to Talos IV. Pike will probably be dead set against this, telling Spock that putting his life and career in danger would not be worth it. This could put Spock out out of any chance of becoming the diplomat he needs to become to broker peace between the Federation and the Romulans. The discussion would likely end with no resolution, with that likely to come in TOS: The Menagerie.
I kind of love that the Vulcan hello was the right answer here and the wrong one in disco
I just rewatched (for the 100th time) Star Trek 2009 right before I saw this finale and it's actually a great match for themes with timelines and destiny. And that little Kelvin reference gave me life because the Kelvin timeline is what got me into Star Trek to begin with.
I literally squealed when they showed Admiral Pike in there interpretation of the TOS movie uniform (it looked to me like he had rear admiral rank insignia). Balance of Terror is my favourite TOS episode, and I loved it.
Balance of Terror premiered 2 days after I was born. It is one of my favorites. I like to believe I watched it as a 2 day old. And then having grown up in Iowa, I was giddy over the "from Iowa" from Kirk. This episode was made just for me, I swear.
GOOD EVENING JESSIE, HOPE YOU ARE WELL THIS NIGHT, I loved this episode
Jessie, something was bugging me about the SNW vs. TOS versions, and when you showed the clip, it jogged my memory. Notice there are three Romulan characters in the TOS version: The Romulan male commander (Mark Lenard), the old Centurion who is his war buddy and advisor, and young Decius, a "Decurion", a brash young officer eager for war, with family connections to a political patron (in the Senate or Praetorian Guard?). In the SNW timeline, we only get the Sub-Commander instead of either the Centurion or Decurion. In the TOS version, the decurion either sends a signal against orders, or else is insubordinate, I forget which, to try to precipitate war. The Commander demotes him and sends him to the brig under arrest. (And that's a very Roman Empire historical thing to do.) I'd guess this bit was the basis for the "Mal Shear" along with analogues to fascist internal spy organizations in modern times. -- I'm not sure why the SNW writers went with this difference, or with having the R. fleet and Praetor so close, or how the Farragut was so close, when in TOS, the Enterprise was the only ship in the area, I think. I haven't rewatched Balance of Terror in a while, but I think the scene where the Fed. outpost commander calls the Enterprise is similar to either Balance of Terror or else, wait for it, the call from the Fed. outpost on Cestus Three under Gorn attack, before it's destroyed. It's very similar to some TOS call from a doomed outpost, if not those. The toss of the cadre. at the end might be an homage to that.
It was a really great episode I really like how Spock literally told us the end of the episode in a very clear way but we didn’t see it coming anyway
Hey Jessie once I realize this episode happened before on TOS I was intrigued and I loved it I could believe done so well This particular episode is one of my favorites from TOS and I had to watch it side by side ❤😂!!!! GET BETTER SOON!!!!!!!😊
When they arrested Una I was like "OH ********!!!!!" Like, now I seriously need me some more Laan after she finds out.
(quick detail, the badge of the outpost commander was indeed a copy of the TOS version, very very nice touch along with the update of the 'monster maroons")
and we get that more mature Spock that we all figured was coming, and Peck just nailed it.
Yes, peck nailed it indeed..and found his feet in the role...grew into Spock so well
Excellent season finale!! 👍👍 I had no idea this episode would be an alternate "Balance Of Terror" episode.
Very cool how they pulled that off!
It was so well executed, such an exciting episode to watch
I feel like you missed the very important ship bait between Pike and Spock when he returns to the normal timeline. Lol
I had to wait just about a week before I had a chance - no, "belay that!" - made the time to see this wonderful episode. I am going through some very tough times right now and there was so much to love here, I was overjoyed. I always loved "Balance of Terror" for so many reasons. Of course the Romulan commander's last words to Pike echoing Marc Lenard's (sp?) to Kirk...more greatness and deft audacity by the writers, as seen throughout. You noticed the echos of the original triangular command deck on the Romulan ship? It was also good that they had enough money this time to show all the Romulans' ears, you know what I'm saying? ha ha! I have to admit that I did miss seeing the older"Centurion" who helped bring out more about the commander, but I understand that they couldn't mirror too much of the original and keep the focus on Pike's internal struggle as he comes to understand the necessity of his fate.
Alright, I did have a little quibble about the actor playing J T Kirk - his own interpretation I thought was excellent and much better than someone mimicking Shatner (would've been horrible!), BUT
...couldn't they have had an actor who was a little "beefier," in allusion to Shatner? HA HA 😂
Anyway, looking forward to looking at your lovely face again Jessie.😍 I'm sure you're not so swelled up as you think.😀
Man this was a good episode, again loved the Active Figure loved all the stuff going on in the background!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this episode and FOR THE WHOLE SEASON.
there were so many subtle and not so subtle call backs into this episode (even the lighting choices!) and Anson Mount's acting was sooooo good
Loved all of the smaller moments and references in the episode. Pike wearing the TMP uniform, Scotty over the intercom, the classic romulan bird of prey brought back, and even the Farragut evoking Cerritos vibes
this episode adds a whole new layer to The Menagerie
This is now my favorite episode. Especially since they referenced one of my favorite episodes of the original series Balance of Terror.
Totally agree what a great episode to end the season.
Again, I really appreciate your review. So full of positive energy and geekiness. :) I am curious, though, did you chorography the use of the toys? That was so hilarious. On a serious note, I wanted to add to your comments on the Kirk character in this episode. To be honest, I'm not sure I fully buy into the characterization we are given (e.g., in the TOS episode, Kirk is far more serious or mature and reflective on the hard decisions he makes; remember his comment to Bones, "But what if I'm wrong?"), but that's a personal taste. One thing that did stand out to me, which I think adds to your wonderful comments on the character, is an intertextual allusion in that "hesitation" moment. When I watched that scene where Kirk gets in Pike's face, I immediately thought of the TOS episode "Obsession". Given that he is now captain of the USS Farragut, and the trauma Kirk went through eleven years earlier (which would be close to - or within a few years of - the SNW series) due to his own "hesitation", I could see Pike's hesitation being very triggering for him. I love how SNW makes these little links, but not as mere "fan service". They are capturing wonderful character moments that tie in with that wonderful 60-year legacy that we love as our wagon train to the stars.
When I realized they were doing a ‘what if’ Balance of Terror thing I was soooooo excited!!!
I also thought Wesley’s James Kirk was fantastic! Like people tend to focus on the caricature of Kirk as the captain playboy, such as the Kelvin timeline Kirk…who only works due to how they tweaked the Kirk origin story. But this felt like a true to form prime Kirk in the best way. Celia Rose Gooding also did a fantastic job maturing her character to the mannerisms of Nichelle Nichols. She didn’t do much, but it still fit so well. And felt different from ensign Uhura. And Spock being pretty much glued to his viewfinder scope thing on the bridge…what’s it called? So much happiness watching this and wondering how it would get worse. As, of course, I know how the original Balance of Terror went.
Also, love all the bits you have added with the action figures. Especially when another figure just appears out of nowhere silently as you do the review.
Also on the Sarek thing, I was so confused the First time I watched Balance of Terror because I saw it way after watching TNG. And I was like ‘why is Spock’s dad on the Romulan ship’ I literally stopped the episode and googled to make sure there wouldn’t be a twist or something and discovered they just reused the actor after this. Which is way confusing because now the actor is so cemented as Sarek.
Also linking eras is the line of dialogue in which the romulans discuss the Reman campaign, throwing back to Nemesis.
This episode gives the episode menagerie part 1 and 2 so much more impact pertaining to Spock and Pike’s friendship.
I also adored the subtle redesign of the Romulans these ones have the v ridge of the next gen but it’s much more subtle and actually works better than the next gen look.
And the uniform is like a updated one with a more metallic scarf like thing on the commander everything was perfect, in a way it was 100x better than the redesign of the kilgons
Nothing could be as bad a the Disco Klingons in S1Ep1.
Agreed the Romulan uniforms looked fantastic, their acting was not in the same solar system as Mark Leonard though....and what was with the Dastardly Sherriff of Naughtyville Rommie with the cheesy mustach and pointy goatee? Omg so cheesy! Loved the Centurions, but the bridge was too foggy and featureless, actually prefer the original.
I am so glad that the romulans were done perfectly
Great review as always! Was really excited to hear your thoughts on this episode after you rated a certain episode as number one on your TOS list. Can't wait to hear your review of the full season!
Spoilers:
A truly fantastic episode and a great end for a great first season! I was sooo excited when I figured out they were doing Balance of Terror! It is one of my favorite TOS episodes and it was great to see! I loved all the nods to TOS in this episode from movie era uniform on old pike to hearing scotty saying a version of his classic line. I too was hoping they'd cast Sarek's actor as the romulan commander but completely understand why they didn't and honestly glad they didn't cause the actor they cast for the role absolutely knocked it out of the park! I also loved the redesign of the TOS romulan uniforms, I really like that they actually kept the colored shoulder sashes just updated them. I thought our new Kirk had a really promising first run at the role and I'm excited to see him continue in it, he did a good job of evoking Shatner's Kirk without making a caricature of it and still making the role his own. Just a really fantastic episode and a really solid first season of SNW!
That speech wasn't to Cadets. Balance of Terror opens with a wedding. That was Pike Officiating that wedding.
I absolutely loved this episode from start to finish. The only thing I wanted was for Sarek’s Disco actor to play the Romulan… but I got so much from this episode that may have tipped me over the edge.
Yep. This episode is an Instant Classic
I was also hoping for the Romulan Commander casting in-joke. But you make a good point about why they probably didn't.
"Phenomenal finale!" I see what you did there Jessie-Pike! Maybe it's a whole new term now, the *Phenominale*!
I was right with you with the giddyness! The moment I saw Captain Pike officiating a future wedding, then Uhura reporting that the Neutral Zone Outposts were going dark I almost shouted "BALANCE OF TERROR"!
Watching another video about this episode, it hit me that Pike now knows what a Romulan looks like - unlike everybody else in the Federation.
I wonder if the Prime Directive prevents him from sharing this little tidbit. It certainly didn't stop him from discussing his future accident.
And if he spilled the beans, what are the consequences? Did Section 31 start an undercover program of studying the Vulcans with an eye on finding ways to infiltrate the Romulan empire? Were vulcan officers in the UFP investigated to make surethey weren't Romulan spies? Were the Vulcans notified of this?
Oh the possibilities.
BEST FIRST SEASON OF ANY TREK! Had me smiling with the finale. Balance of terror is one of the original series best! The quality of mercy was outstanding.
Oh yes, it made me smile too and on fact I smiled through out the whole season
Not that it is insurmountable, by any means, but I am curious as to how SNW will square Pike's foreknowledge of the Vulcan-Romulan connection.
From what I've been told regarding novels, Vulcan High Command and some specific bits of Starfleet know but keep it classified.
Given the "causality is tricky" point of the whole exercise and the focus on Spock, specifically, having a destined role to play... Pike simply keeping it to himself is an easy, elegant and acceptable solution.
They've been hitting the episode types that have recurred thru various treks very well. I felt certain this was going to be a time travel ep even before the trailer and yet it still surprised and delighted me. That said, with Una's situation I feel like we're going to get a trial ep next season and i can't wait.
After Picard, I felt so fatigued with time travel episodes but this one didn't feel like one...it was so clever in that we all got to live the experience and the journey via pikes eyes.
I love that they had Spock somewhat suspecting what Pike had done at the end; it adds more weight to how far Spock was willing to go for him in "The Menagerie".
Great finale, it adds extra pathos to "The Menagerie", Spock felt obligated to return the favor for the disabled Pike as he knew Chris had sacrificed his future years before.
This was as great an homage the original series can get. Strange New Worlds has saved my summer. I can't wait for season two.
Wow, OG Sarek had a fabulous set of threads! (12:06)