Ups & Downs From Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2.2 - Ad Astra Per Aspera
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
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I am South African and grew up during Apartied. This episode brought back the reality of the many struggles we had to endure during that time. The mention of Apartied made me think that, yes, it is still relevant today, but will it still be relevant in such a far future. Things are changing in South Africa, and many of the young people are becoming oblivious to the struggles of the past. I hope that stories like this, even if they hit hard, are made to remind the younger generation that the past is still important. We should never forget what we had to go through to be who we are today. Thank you, Sean, for this incredible review of a brilliant episode.
This was a FANTASTIC scene where Ortegas and Doctor M’benga are watching Spock and talk. It’s furthering what we’ve already seen and know of M’benga on TOS, his special knowledge/expertise on Vulcans. He says, “Can’t you sense the tension? Vulcans may not give much, but you can tell a lot from their body language.” This was gold character showing. Absolutely what M’benga would say.
I'm 76 and watched TOS, every episode, first-run. At that time I embraced and felt a kinship with Gene's direction which informed his vision of the future. That was the template that so many episodes followed. Think the classic Frank Gorshin black/white epp. So MY big and first 'up' for this episode: no pew-pews, no monsters, no existential threats to all life in the galaxy, just a very cerebral, quiet (a whisper can shout) and brilliantly acted -- thanks to a stupendous script -- episode that deeply moved me. But what gave me literal goosebumps as I watched your (as ALWAYS) spot-on takes, was when you mentioned how you felt like you were watching an episode straight out of TOS because as *I* watched it this afternoon, that was part of the emotional connection I had with the epp. I actually spoke to my computer screen and said, "YES!" when you brought that up. I may be old, but I haven't talked to my computer screen until tonight. Thank you so much for the work you put into these, I look forward to the ups and downs EXACTLY as much as I do the episode each week. If this is geeky, I'll take another scoop, please.😊
Great comment, I agree with every word.
Me too 🥰. Also 76, also caught the series fist time round and was devastated when it was axed. Thank goodness we had the re-runs. Watching this show makes me feel 22 again. Thank you Discovery writers for giving us Captain Pike. Thank you to all Strange new worlds writers. Next episode needs to be lighter, for balance.
Let That Be Your Last Battlefield is exactly what this episode reminded me of as well. I'm only 54, but I just binged TOS again as research, because for the 4th of July parade at the lake where we go, our theme is Star Trek & I'm Captain Kirk. I grew my sideburns out, got my uniform, phaser & communicator ready to go!
Every Star Trek series needs a court episode! I think Gene wrote in the by-laws somewhere. I thought this was wonderfully done. Emotions and passion were in full frame.
Agreed. Ups and Downs are essential to my watching joy. I watch the episode, then watch U and D and then watch the episode again.❤❤❤
This is going to be one of those episodes that is remembered forever. This will be one of Strange New World's touchstones. The way this story reverberates across all oppressed peoples 👄🤌
All I could hear during this episode:
“And so I say to any creature who may be listening: There can be no justice, so long as laws are absolute. Life itself is an exercise in exceptions”
Thank you Jean-Luc
Followed with Riker saying “when has the law ever been as simple as a rule book?”
For me, Jen-Luc Picard is still the greatest captain of Trek.
Sisko is close.
...yes, in all the 'Ready Room' and follow up they never mentioned that TNG where Wesley Crusher ACCIDENTALLY stumbled into the cheesy little flower garden of 'the tunic people' on pain of execution.
On a very siily-note Sisko is the best singer ever.
Not just a racially bruised person, he was an excellent captain qnd tortured by the racism of the Roddenberry era. Not that Gene was a racist, but the mileu was dreadfully racist. The studios, the politics, the news, everything was dreadfully racist. Not Bill, not Leonard, nor DeForest, not Gene - the system.
The inclusion of the illuminated handrest that serves as a lie-detector mechanism out of "Court Martial" was a really nice touch. It never gets explicitly mentioned or explained (as if hard-core fans would need an explanation), but the camera cuts to a close-up of it when a witness is being reminded that they are under oath to remind viewers of its function. Very nicely done.
The armrest could have shown some effect when the witness was thinking about how to answer, like alternating green and red lights around the edge, or a smoky effect.
Like a lie detecting siri
That was Una herself when she was being ordered to tell when Pike learned of her heritage.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention this in cetacean observation, but the whole trial fits in nicely with O’brien’s line in DS9 of “there hasn’t been a case like this in a hundred years” in the DS9 episode when Bashir is outed and because I knew this, I felt a sense of dread when Neera says “It’s a start” because the audience that has seen all of Star Trek will know, the problem still exists in the 24th century. Its eerie listening to Neera say that at the end when a hundred years from then genetic augments are still being discriminated against.
It was also done when Data was being questioned for being a sentient being and not just a particularly well written program.
@@TheSjuris different circumstances though. Augments are fighting discrimination. Data’s and the Doctor’s trials were their right to be considered sentient. But even in the 32th century, they seem to treat holograms as lesser beings.
Maybe it's only a problem for humans by the 24th century...
@@ChristopherG1990 it seemed me to me that in 32nd century the holograms weren't entirely sentient anymore. They seemed less...human or personable
@@GabrielPintoMusic I think a sufficiently complex machine can change its programming and grow as a being over time. The EMH needs to have the full toolset of being able to figure things out and deal with novel situations, so not at all limited. It was not meant to run 24/7 for years, and have time to itself. So, unusually, it developed its own interests and grew into a fully-sapient being. Normally, people know that highly capable machines carry this risk, and where they are necessary their usage is carefully controlled.
Watching this as a lawyer Trekkie was just *so good*! Like… I normally like the courtroom episodes but this… this was so much closer to how law actually works in the real world and it was *so good*. There’s an old expression among lawyers- especially litigators- if you have the law, pound the law. If you have the facts, pound the facts. If you don’t have either, pound the table. Batel has the law. Neera has the facts (and the table)… until it turns out that no, she also has the law… so freaking good! Just beautifully done. And the commentary- this was in the best tradition of Star Trek morality plays making a point about civil rights issues. Beautiful. Una and Neera’s actresses *killed* it! Absolutely killed it.
But if LegalEagel has taught me anything, is to scream "DON'T APPROACH THE BENCH" as she brought the law book to the judges :D
@@TuxMan20 This is absolutely true! Do not even move away from your table without permission. You have to ask for permission to move about the courtroom, to approach witnesses, and to approach the bench. It’s kind of like mother may I. :)
As a fellow attorney I have to disagree. This seems to me to be a matter of strict liability. Did she lie on the application? Yes. Was she genetically modified? Yes. It's over.
All the "asylum" nonsense didn't matter except to reset the narrative. True, it would explain her not facing any real penalty but it would not allow her to stay in Starfleet as if nothing ever happened.
Star Trek has never done court well but this was, by far, the worse. My opinion of course.
@@upperdeckhr I can respect that - everyone is entitled to their own reading, and that one makes sense. I absolutely agree that the offense would be a strict liability offense- with the possible exception of the sedition charges, we don't really get a good sense of the specifics of the elements and any mens rea requirements for that. I just really appreciated the fact that, for once, they actually *showed* Star Fleet having a JAG Corps. and the officer on trial actually taking advantage of one of them or hiring a lawyer rather than getting their commanding officer to represent them. But yeah, can totally respect a difference of opinion. :)
You're right about the private attorney aspect. I did like that. And you are also correct that we don't have a copy of the Starfleet code to reference. We should write one. How fun would that be? Lol
I have noticed that most reviewers have missed what I consider to be an homage to the character of Samuel T. Cogley from the TOS episode “Court Martial.” As portrayed by Elisha Cook, Jr., Cogley gives an impassioned speech about how the ancient concepts of law and the intent of those who wrote them can only be found in the old law books. In the final scene, when Neera presents her final argument to save Pike and Una, it’s based on an old Starfleet code found in a book.
Literally just posted a comment about this before I scrolled down and saw yours.
Good catch! Glad to know I wasn’t the only one to note this reference.
Exactly what I was thinking.
That Episode was at the forefront of my mind when I was watching this.
Yes! Samuel came immediately to mind when I watched the episode. Especially the book....
If I didn't know Mariner and Boimler were coming, I would easily say this was the best guest starring role of the season. Neera was a damn force, and she was spectacular in a stand-out episode. This was absolutely pure classic Star Trek at it's core, and we should all be celebrating it.
A latinum "Up" for this episode as well as a huge"Up" for Sean's analysis, which was spot on. As a senior citizen star trek fan from the 60's, I have become concerned over the amount of violence in today's trek. This episode is the epitomy of fantastic writing and acting.
I just can’t understand the need for those type of scenes. I don’t watch them.
For me, I thought this made a better ep 2 than ep 1. Having a lighter ep 1 was a good intro back into SNW and it was nice, for a change, that a cliffhanger wasn't immediately resolved in the first ep. It gave this episode much more gravitas... for me as I say. Excellent episode all round.
Can we all just agree to peer pressure Paramount into approving ~8 more seasons of this show already??? SNW is genuinely one of the best shows on TV regardless of genre
100%
SNW just might put DS9 on trial for being my favorite series of Trek. I just need 5 more seasons to make the ultimate choice. So far, DS9 has a challenger.
I think the show is boring. They aren't exactly pushing the boundaries or advancing the art of television.
Only if we also pressure them for more ALIENS. Such a "human" show for Star Trek. Like why did none of the Illyrians have one of these "visible" augmentations? Or if there were some I guess I missed em :(
@@mwhalli SNW already blew past ds9 for me on this one. SIsko launched what amounted to chemical weapons into the atmosphere of a maquis planet... Pike would never. This is the quintessential thing about SNW, and indeed it all hangs on Anson for being the Starfleet guy, the guy who wears the ideals for everyone to see, even when he's naked. THe man is a walking talking recruitment poster, and if you don't feel like you want to up with starfleet at the end of an episode, I don't know what to tell you. The man is inspiring AF and the writers giving him the material is half of it, but he knocks it out the park consistently.
ST is full of action. Full of fighting. Full of danger. At the end of every episode, there is a parable about the human condition. The courtroom episodes in every series of ST is a reflection of the human condition, fictional, past, and present, reminding us of what we have learned during the series, and how to be better. This was the culmination of every season that came before, sitting down and taking a hard look at the what, why and where humanity is coming from and heading towards with the possibilities of being better. ST was always about being BETTER humans to others and to ourselves. That diversity isn't a hinderance, it's "a tide that lifts all boats". It is unfortunate that some of the kids that grew up watching ST have lost the message.
The tactic Neera used involving April...is actually a very logical and legitimate thing. I firmly believe she KNEW it was going to get April's testimony thrown out.
Obviously it was for a later payoff, but I didn't like the attack on April as the Prime Directive is Starfleet policy, Augments are Federation Law
Yeah, she then complimented his service in summation. She wasn't out for blood; she was being strategic.
She actually complimented April later on. It wasn't personal. She was defending her client. Brilliantly done.
If she had pushed less, arguments would not have been stricken and you would assume would be part of the public record. Arguably she took a risk and did her best to provide some protection (by getting the points strickeb) while making the required point. A theme throughout. How far do you go to do the right thing? What is the collateral damage?
Yea, but then she relied on what he had said! Point #1 should have been "facts not in evidence".
I"m 70 and TOS was really important to me as a teenager since it spoke to all the upheavals in the current social and political landscape. Then, BAM, here comes SNW to do exactly that now. This felt just like TOS to me, too. I absolutely loved it. And Happy Pride Month to you, too.
Strange New Worlds is doing what Star Trek was always meant to do. It’s like watching TNG and DS9 in a TOS setting. The modern series based format with an episodic structure based on either a moral dilemma or a slice of life “hanging out with the crew” story. Absolutely amazing. This should be the flagship series of Star Trek going forward.
Nice to see you here mate! Didn't know you were a trekie.
I’d agree with this
I've never heard Spock lash out like that before. I now see his human side so clearly. Truly, his emotions have gotten the best of him.
😆🤣
I, for one, think such scenery chewing acting was unforgivably hammy, and it just shows these modern writers and Ethan Peck don’t understand the character. Would Leonard Nimoy _ever_ have allowed Mr. Spock to make such a _public spectacle_ of himself!? Most illogical.
😂😂
Ad astra per aspera is the motto of Kansas. As a Kansan, born and bred, I am most happy to learn that Kansas is the birthplace of Starfleet.
As a fellow Kansan, I agree.
And now I second think my getting that logo tattooed since it may just make everyone think I'm from Kansas.
Nothing against Kansas, just not from there.
It's a weird tapestry that Kansas' motto is the title of an episode that is about trans persecution when the state is currently an innovator in the very thing the episode is an allegory for.
It's fitting that Kal-El landed there. Good thing that he had non-GQp adopted parents.
It must be all the tornados, you got a head start by investing in the Oz tourism industry.
Sean, I understand your thoughts about this episode vs the season premiere. However, there was a very good reason the first episode didn't feature much of Pike. The writers/showrunners specifically worked it out so that Anson Mount could have a couple extra weeks off before coming on set to begin shooting Season Two with the rest of the cast. This was done so he could have extra time with his recently (at the time) born daughter. Season 2 started filming in February of last year, and Anson's baby girl had just been born the December prior.
Common trope these days to deal with these types of things related to pregnancy. Hell characters on other shows have been known to get sick/hurt in the job so they can have the time off for babies. Or miraculous births when their character all of a sudden happened to become pregnant.
Ah, that makes sense. It did feel like a scheduling thing.
@@TheSjuris And then there's the case of Rosalind Chao and Nana Visitor, where they just said "f*ck it!" and wrote it into the script.
And I think they succeeded. Episode 1 felt like a Prequel to the season and then they 'started' with an extraordinary episode. To be honest I think they won't be able to get better this season. This episode was probably the best of the whole Franchise. And having the Captain helpless and as a mere spectator added to that drama.
Literary got emotional while watching this episode. What an episode!! The acting, the dress uniform designs, the atmosphere, good lord. Outstanding!!
everything except the trial, i have better argument
The best episode of Star Trek since DS9. I didn't think they could make episodes like this anymore.
This episode joins the list of great Star Trek courtroom based scenes. One very subtle connection to an original series episode caught my attention. Neera uses a hardcopy book of the Starfleet Uniform Code Of Justice. This book is present in the courtroom and she uses it well in her defense presentation. I immediately thought of Kirk's lawyer Cogley and his books in Court Martial. He makes a passionate argument for physical books instead of just having everything on a computer screen.
Cogley : Books, young man, books. Thousands of them. If time wasn't so important, I'd show you something. My library. Thousands of books.
Captain James T. Kirk : And what would be the point?
Cogley : This is where the law is, not in that homogenized, pasteurized, synthesized... . Do you want to know the law, the ancient concepts in their own language, learn the intent of the men who wrote them, from Moses to the tribunal of Alpha 3? Books.
That's where the law is!
I can't even begin to guess how many times I have had a dozen law books open on my desk at the same time. Amazingly, the desk has never crashed or gone offline.
Cogley has always been one of my heroes.
I THOUGHT THE SAME DANG THING!!!!
PLUS did you notice the hand rests on the witness stand? A circle of light where you place your right hand (in stead of an archaic bible) to apparently detect biometric data for verifying truthfulness. That was directly from TOS I believe.
@@scottkfilgo Yes, I noticed that. Plus they had the data tape/disk cartridge reader device too. Skipped over the part where witness service records were listed by the computer.
@@magnificentfailure2390 Great to see legal profession careers were also influenced and inspired by this show, in addition to science, engineering, and computer professionals
Sean, I'm a retired US Navy Seabee veteran, i got thru boot camp because of my love of Star Trek, with the Naval and Star Fleet parallels. I love your ups and downs, I look forward to watching you each week.
One of your fans, Chris (Pappy) Pappas
Really loved this episode. It will be an episode talked about in the Trek fandom for a very long time! It also does what Trek does best…reflecting humanity’s flaws. 🖖
Immigration, gay rights, trans rights, racism, apartheid, a fight for justice saxophone teacher 🎷🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
In a way though, I dislike episodes that deal with the problems we face today on Earth in this way, because surely it shows that in the future very little has changed.
@@nicoladoering5030 I actually think that is the point of this episode. It is showing us how unfairly we treat our differences and how unaccepting we are to change. Because we want a better future we should make these changes now so we don’t have to see them dealt with centuries from now.
Humanity's flaws, yes. But also it's hope and potential for improvement.
@@rockbill8121 Absolutely!
Any episode that through its plot brings light to topics current to our present day society is a win in my opinion. This episode has done that in spades!
One of the best Star Trek episodes out of all the different types of Star Trek shows. It brought to the forefront what we are fighting for today in the real world. Equal rights for EVERYONE. EVERYBODY EVER-PERSON. EVERY Individual. The dissertation about the Law was fantastic. Slavery was a law. Very impactful episode.
❤❤❤
@@passiveagressive4983 I meant every word of it.
An absolutely cracking episode. Courtroom drama, genuine jeopardy, beautifully written, acted and produced. One of the classics.
I loved the "sure it pretty-much flies itself" quote at the end 😎
Any veteran of the military knew that La'an's order to Uhura was unlawful....and that Uhura was correct in refusing to obey it. That is exactly how it works.
Sure - and it's also a nice bit of character work from both actors. Last season, Cadet Uhura would never have had the self-confidence to say "This is wrong, and I'm not doing it to anyone." And it also says a lot about La'an that, no matter how badly she wants to help her surrogate parent, in effect, she can she Uhura is right and back off.
Probably would have landed a little better if Uhura hadn't just aided in the theft of the Enterprise the episode before this one though.
@@NathanWeeks Very much so, but that wouldn't have been a balanced conversation: they stole the ship to help one of the people in the conversation.
@@NathanWeeks Well, possibly - then again, find me a captain in the Star Trek universe who has warmed up for a high-minded speech then stopped themselves with "Well, considering all the crap I've pulled it would be a little hypocritical to bust your chops. Carry on." :)
@@NathanWeeks The circumstances are somewhat different. One could argue this was comparable, morally if not legally, to Datas refusal to take Sutherland out of formation. He was, if only briefly, going rogue and ignoring his orders because he believed it necessary.
Continuing a prreviously authorized action and starting an unautorized one aren't the same, but I'd argue it's closer to that than to prying into peoples privacy without the proper authorizations.
This is what Discovery is missing no matter how hard it tries. This balance, this way of getting you to the point.
Really loved this episode, and I also think it feels better as a season opener. I really think the writing was so well done and Mount’s turn at Pike is so dang good! The lawyer really drew out some great themes as to why I love the stories Trek tells!
Due to work schedule and all that, I choose to wait until Friday night here in PDT to catch the episodes. I just want to thank you Sean and crew for the enjoyment of watching Ups & Downs as my way of a post-show after party. Truly appreciate you!
This episode proves why we love Trek. A great message of when you can be wrong but want to do right, and love your fellow people
Might I respectfully edit your comment? “why we like GOOD Trek.” The writers are doing this series the right way just as the writers of Season 3 Picard did it right. That Discovery crap, to say nothing of the Jar, Jar Abrams garbage reminds us that CBS/Paramount has to have people that understand what the people want. Now if only someone can clean up Disney.
This episode felt like core Star Trek. I loved it! if the rest of the season is like that, we are in for a treat :)
Echoes of Measure of a Man from ST:TNG. And this was done without the heavy throttle reveal. More or less, the moment when Starfleet's own proclaimed mission of offering sanctuary to the displaced and disaffected was turned against its internal biases and prejudices. A Karen was pushing the prosecution, and the trial was like a cell phone recording outing the hypocrisy and prejudices laden in the entire effort.
1. Excellent breakdown. 2. I was watching Trek in the 60s- old man now and this easily could’ve been a Roddenberry story. 3. Don’t let the writers of these shows get stolen by some other franchise. 🖖🏻
We’re not old! We’re the original Trekkies.
@@suesutherland3243 I second that opinion. Now, get off my lawn! LOL and LL&P
Exact comment I made to my husband as we watched, "I love this ship". It's futurist but warm and homey at the same time. Beautiful interior design and architecture.
Thank you for this. I thought that this was just a phenomenal episode. So well done. Moving and very powerful. Gene Roddenberry would be very proud of this show and this episode, I think.
Gene Roddenberry didn't care about this kind of heady material. That was all Gene Coon and Dorothy Fontana. Roddenberry was just a showrunner. He didn't care about the ethos of Trek until the early 1980s when he was taking credit for everything the writers of the original series did. It wasn't him.
Exactly! I said the same thing to my wife whilst we watched it! Proper Star Trek
Fantastic Episode, I was honestly in tears at the end of it.And Yetide was so good as Neera. Really great performance
Absolutely loved this episode, up there with Measures of a Man and Drumhead for best courtroom episodes 10/10 🎉
agreed
It reminds me of Dr Bashir I presume as well
This episode was superb - well acted, well written! I loved La’-an being relieved of her internal pain by Neera! OMG. Having a Latinum Down on the set design was irrelevant - all other aspects of the show mattered more .
I admire how they use Rebecca Romijn to talk about "passing" since she's essentially passing for white Anglosaxon. She's Dutch. There's levels to Americanization. Italians, Irish, Russians were excluded from benefiting from a system of whiteness the British set up in the New World. They were beefing with the Dutch as well
Someplace, somewhere, The Great Bird Of The Galaxy stood to give this episode a standing ovation. THIS episode is indicative of why Trek lives on 57 years later.
This was one of the best episodes of the new trek. Classic trek episode where you are made to think about heavy stuff. Someone in the writing staff knows what they are doing ;)
This episode made me cry. Like I wiped tears at the end of the episode. It hit hard, being about hidden identity.
I'm a Jew, born and raised. I have a whole third of my dad's Ashkenazi family that didn't survive the Holocaust. My mom's family had to flee Spain during the Spanish Civil War because they were Sephardic (which doesn't mean black Jew). It's easy to hide the fact that I'm a Jew behind my whiteness.
I've heard people I thought I respected who didn't know I'm a Jew make antisemitic comments in front of me. They've said things that would get my post deleted by the RUclips automoderator if I repeated them here. In 1987 during our family Passover seder, my grandparents had a cross burned in their yard. They moved shortly after that.
Yes, it is easier to be a white-outward-facing male than to be an individual of color, but we still face our own silent challenges in a world that still hates us, thinks we control the banks and governments and is intent on either converting us to Christianity or getting rid of us entirely.
Bravo Star Trek, bravo. 🖖
Aaaaand of course you have to pretend that being a white male is somehow inherently easier in the West 🤣 You really need to move beyond that easy scapegoating.
Thanks for this post. I had the same thoughts as a Jew watching this. Unbelievably, my Sephardic family hid for 500 years and many of their customs involve hiding from the Inquisition. Unbelievable, yes? They did convert, but that was only on the outside. They incorporated Christianity into their lives as Jews. But the biggest custom or rule was that the men always married women from the family to insure that they remained Jewish. Such people are "anousim," or converted against their will or without their full consent.
This whole episode spoke to the concept of "other" and human prejudice against the "other". I was in tears myself by the end of the episode since it was handled so brilliantly and delicately. I am one of those that "pass" because of my appearance (race) and I have managed to mask my whole life (autism) and the fear that that engenders maybe small compared to so many others is still fear of discovery, of feeling like a fraud and not being useful. That people are judged by appearance, gender, mental health, neurological status and religion is a wholly human state and the Trekian ideal of reaching beyond that is beautiful. Ad astra per aspera 🖖🏼
@@glittermama Yeah, my dad's family was cryptic in Germany during the 1800s and did the faux Lutheran thing.
This will go down as one of the classics, a superb episode all round. Beautifully written and acted by all involved, I loved this episode so much it was just incredible. Standouts we’re Una, Meera, Batel and La’an, I so hope that Meera returns she’s an absolute star. I cannot stress enough how much I love this show, easily one of the best episodes of Star Trek of all time. Powerful story and so relevant, thanks Seán for pointing out the links to our current situation with human rights. Brilliant up’s and downs as usual
Spock didn’t STEAL the Enterprise in “Broken Circle”. He merely wanted the ship to go. Now. I was perfectly fine with it. In fact, it was fun.
I did pick up on the re-used set for the courtroom. Meh.
Another great episode. The dress uniforms were great, and they even brought back the lie-detector chairs from TOS. And those TOS-era data cartridges!
Spock’s apology to Ortegas and M’Begna was OLD SCHOOL TREK!!!!
And their humorous observations are EXACTLY what well-acquainted co-workers would do in “the real world”.
I felt for Adm. April when he was on the witness stand.
Everything about La’an is golden. And I can’t wait for the reveal that La’an is a genetic superwoman. Christina Chong is SUPERB in this role.
Rebecca Romijn truly shined in this episode.
Truthfully, I am in no rush to see the crew of “Kirk’s Enterprise”. Why? Because Pike’s Enterprise is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. We all know that TOS lies ahead in the 23rd Century. Getting there is going to be great fun.
I disagree that Ad Astra should have been the lead-off episode. After a season hiatus, we needed to see our heroes doing something interesting together. We got that in Broken Circle.
I enjoy this channel.
This episode had me in tears more than once, for all the right reasons. 🌈❤
Can I just say here the most impressive thing about the writing in this episode is how they navigated a difficult canon minefield.
It's also a canon thing that everything previous to it put mines out there by their horrible handling of it. This handled it well for what they had to deal with.
This is, without a doubt, my favorite episode of this show so far. The writing and acting were a cut above what I've seen previously on this show. Bravo. The issues raised were handled in a compelling and realistic manner.
I like these more intellectual episodes. They show what real Star Trek is about, and what it was until 2005. This one also had some obvious influences from previous series. The writers seem to be doing more of their homework than so many others these days.
For those of you old enough to remember or young ones who like classic shows. Yetide Badaki's performance in this episode as Neera was giving me Diahnn Carroll vibes as the Original Dominique Devereaux in Dynasty. I was there for every second of it.
If this was episode 1, there would have been no La'an in it, which would have taken a lot away from the emotional resonance in it, since she is Una's protégé and they'd have also had to get rid of the investigation plot of who it was who told Starfleet about Una. Plus the scene with her and Uhura wouldn't have happened. I think it was a good idea to keep this episode until she was back on the ship.
And likely no Pike, as he was given time off production to spend with his new baby which is why he wasn't in ep1 but for a few scenes.
Spot on! Don’t know why Sean has to find something to harp on. The order of this episode in the lineup; reusing the set. Totally inconsequential. Pick, pick, pick. Just enjoy finally getting a year of great Star Trek, for Pete’s sake. When everything is rolling smooth gotta find that one little thing to fuss, even if it has to be made up. Must be a Celtic trait. My Irish mother would do the same.
@@diamondjim7560 It wasn't really a reuse, the production designer or someone really liked the layout and wanted to create a 23rd century version of it for the courtroom. I count that as different than just reusing a set.
This episode was So reminiscent of TOS and brought me back to my childhood. It was brilliant 🙌🏼👊🏼🖖🏼
I'm so glad y'all made Neera the Latinum Up! She (and the actress, Yetide Badaki, a self-proclaimed, life-long trekkie) are among my top 10 favorite guest characters/actors in Star Trek.
She’s the MVP of this episode as she’s essentially carrying this episode with power and grace.
I think this episode was perfect and deserved a perfect score with no downs. Another courtroom drama that deals with social issues of today. A quick mention in the observations about the set would have been enough, certainly did not warrant a down. Thank you for another fantastic review. This is my first stop after each episode 💖🖖
I must disagree that this should have been episode 1 of the season. I feel it was perfect as the 2nd episode. Why? It did not fall into the "must resolve the cliffhanger on the first episode" agenda most shows utilize. I felt it was nice to be thrown off of that normal trajectory and get into something "kinda" random, and still have something juicy to look forward to the next episode. Actually, now that I think about it, the first episode resolved the Hemmer cliffhanger, if you consider that a cliffhanger (which I do). Who was going to be the next Chief Engineer? How would things shake out in that respect? Wow, just realizing as I make this comment that, yes, there were two cliffhangers from the last episode of S1! Sorry, not sorry, but SNW is doing all the "right things" as far as these two episodes are concerned, IMO.
Agree, I think this would have been too heavy for the opener (even though it was brilliant). It's a great change of pace between the two episodes.
A third cliffhanger - they had to go get back their security officer. Who they literally couldn't have had the trial without. DING DING!!
And what you said about the desperate need to resolve a cliffhanger immediately.
And for non-fans, honestly getting them hooked with action and a fun new character was smarter than leading with this heavy main course of an episode.
Plus there was a reason to get Pike off the ship so the episode could revolve around Spock in command.
There is also the issue that if this had been the first episode, it couldn't have had La'an in it, as she wouldn't have returned to the Enterprise yet (or that would had to have happened between seasons, which kind of makes the whole her leaving last season pointless).
Agreed. We all know this episode''s outcome... so delaying it made perfect sense. It also gave the first episode a "but what's happening about Una?" undertone.
Sean, this is my first comment for TrekCulture. I've watched Ups & Downs since Picard S1, and I enjoy and look forward to every video. I was moved to comment on this episode, Star Trek: SNW 2.2 because I was blown away! This is one of the best, if not the best, Trek I've ever seen! From the acting, the chemistry between the cast, the superb writing, & of course the spot-on social commentary - this is what Star Trek was and is meant to be!!
It’s reminder, how far we have come, and how much farther we need to go given that it was written in America for a world audience. Let it stand for a reminder on what Star Trek originally stand for.
Courtroom episode are the highlights of Trek for me. Nothing better than discussing social matters in a very distinct way and with inspiring speeches.
Sean, its crazy how much our ups and downs align in every episodes. I so look forward these every week thank you so much for making them!
I'm giving you an up for your "It's crazy how much our ups and downs align every episode." Let's make it my latinum up.
This is your best video so far, Shaun. The topic of the episode was deep, and so were your observations. Well done!
Am I the only one who would like a prequel to SNW where April is in command of the Enterprise ?
At the very least a flashback episode....
As long as the production team in this series still the same, every Star Trek film from all kind of era will fun to watch.
Absolutely! The actor is doing great work on Bel Air but he could definitely lead his own series
This episode exemplifies one of the things that Star Trek does best - being a commentary of what is going on now in the real world. While there were bad augmented people who tried to do harm, people like Una and the future Dr. Bashir and Dal are good people who are being punished for who they are. Sounds like a similar fight going on in many US states today. I felt this story was so well done, and each member of the crew got to have their say and take on things. Another beautiful thing to note here is the support that Una has from her family on the Enterprise. Seeing the love and support from all of them for Una is an example of how family should really be. I absolutely love this episode...very well done!
So appropriate this episode aired during Pride Month. Born this Way! Well done SNW. Thanks for the review, Sean.
And it does that thing that the Trek formula does best, allow anyone who identifies with the characters (who in this case feels marginalized IRL) to think of the story as a metaphor for their own experience. It's DADT for me; it's about Trans Lives Mattering for someone else; it's about anyone who considers "passing" to avoid censure by society; by not being too literal in the metaphor, the lesson has wider application for many different people. It generalizes well.
I hope they don't continue to.queer bait Una.
Absolutely perfect. It is so refreshing to watch something like this in nowadays streaming world. And yet, it looks like a 60s episode from TOS. What a time to be alive. That's how I feel every week with Strange New Worlds.
This is what Trek has always done best. To build an analogy of injustice in the “real” world and deal with it in the constructed context of the Federation. This is why Star Trek is such a good series.
When you brought up don't ask don't tell it hit a chord with me, I served under it for 12 years. Part of this episode resonated with me as I would have loved to serve and be myself to my fellow soldiers, but I couldn't because of hatred; bigotry; and laws that were wrong. I retired, and have a great life; but I left with a lot of mental trauma and the regret that I never was able to serve openly.
I don't know if this is a better episode, but it has me in tears... This episode brought up very personal issues for me.
Glad I wasn't the only one. Sorry society is the way it is right now. But tonight I have a little more hope than I did when the day started. Stay with us, You may not be strong alone, but together, we stand.
I teared up when Una was talking about how Starfleet is the ideal of people of all types, shapes, colors, and personal beliefs working together. That was the first time that ST has brought me to tears in literally decades.
@veggiet2009 Yeah, this one hit me quite unexpectedly right between the eyes. Una''s comments about being tired of living a lie and wanting people (specifically her crew) to know her as she really is is not verbatim but is a beat for beat duplicate of what I've said since I came out some fifteen years ago. I know the episode is speaking generally about anyone who has felt that they were forced to hide who they were out of fear of society's reactions, but they got it SO right that it felt very personal to me.
A fantastic and very strong episode, not just for SNW... but for Star Trek in general. Mature writing that keeps you intellectually involved in spite of the lack of action and adventure. While it focuses on trial of just one person, the boarder impact of what is being explored and challenging the ethics and identity of Star Fleet is so very relevant to what Star Trek is about. I was very impressed with this episode and I haven't been very forgiving of this generation of Trek so far! Pleasantly surprised.
Totally agree this should have been the first episode, also Yetide Badaki was brilliant, hope we see more of her!
They couldn’t do that. Mount was essentially on paternity leave the first 2 weeks of shooting plus Singh wouldn’t be there either.
One thing about the scene with the 'vulcan confrontation' in the mess hall that nobody mentions is Spock can hear everything Ortegas and the doctor have been saying, so he is sort of poking them in the ribs a little bit and they are quite aware of it (thus the laughter)
I wasn’t crazy about last week’s episode, this episode was amazing. I loved the issues this addressed. Sean you are amazing as always! Thank You!!
If it was not in the middle of the work day, I would take a shot every time Sean says “give out”, or some variation, thereof. It’s a direct translation from the original Irish, meaning “to complain”, or “to tell off”, and is so deeply ingrained in Irish English, that we cannot imagine anyone else not using it.
Absolutely loved this episode and love the ups and downs every week!!
this ep was pure perfection, something best ever made both in movies and tv shows combined.
Also I just love all the cast, so many good characters and great actors, Una is such a lovely pretty serene lady in her already mature years, just love it.
I really related to it as someone with autism because it was by birth and how una was discriminated against because of being augmented reminds me of being bullied in school because I’m autistic but that was just how I interpreted it others may interpret it differently
It was for you. It was for all the marginalized communities. It used language from each to inform the augment issue. You got it .
Thank you for saying this. I didn't get my autism diagnosis untill I was 35, and for me, childhood and teens were nothing short of a painful nightmare. Una talking about the struggles of basically trying to hide in plain sight landed very very hard for me personally. This was Star Trek at its finest. Not only a reflection on the short comings of modern society, but the message of hope that we all have the capacity to do better by one another regardless of our differences.
@@thomaskemp-wood6875 welcome to the late diagnosis club.
Of course, we were all waiting for Una's salvation, and I, too, was disappointed having to wait for it, even though Spock's storyline in the first episode was great, and I loved it. But, for one, La'an had to be back first. Her being related to Khan, this issue is also essential to her character. The scene between her and the lawyer tells us so much about her fears and why she so often appears repressed. Secondly, this civil rights episode, as a first episode of a season, brilliant as it is, is a bit heavy for starters. So I am absolutely happy with it as it is. I watched TOS as a teenager and have followed all series, but this episode is easily one of the best ever. Aside from that, Spock's apology for his "outburst" had me in tears from laughing.
This was a really good episode. Stealing the Enterprise is practically the charge of admission. Both episodes this year have been great.
After 3 watches, this is now my favourite episode of trek ever (so far). Nuanced, masterfully acted and poignant. Hats off to Yetide Badaki for a brilliant performance. In my view the law is just the beginning, An attempt to regulate society but it should be ever changing (through case law) to match the world and society around it. Also...no 🐬 obvs for the glowy hand lie detector????
Loved this week! Was very Measure of a Man/Drumhead meets Scandal/How to Get Away With Murder. Keep it up SNW team, you're smashing it!
Well Seán. I think this was the best episode of the two seasons so far. The story line was just amazing. Hats off to the writers of this one. Love your ups and downs as your observation and comments are a welcomed addition to every episode and I look forward each week to your show too.
Honestly I think this was the best Star Trek courtroom episode yet. In episodes like The Measure of a Man and Drumhead, it was Picard who delivered the big speech that gave us clarity. I think it was brilliant that it was Una's lawyer who did it this time. One of the best guest star characters in all of Star Trek.
Sean, there was a callback to the tOS lawyer that loved using books instead of technology as well since Neera requested a printed volume of the code instead of using a Pad or any other tech means. Just my observation.
Her augmentation might have something to do with perception: she can flip through (and accurate read) 100 pages a second, but a PADD won't scroll that fast without distorting the text.
Happy Pride! This was the best episode of Star Trek that I've seen in years. Compelling, moving, and exemplifying Roddenberry's ideals.
As an attorney, I have tremendous appreciation of the episode. It achieved the results we all wanted without running afoul of TOS. It also had a fantastic vision of humanity’s future and a great message without seeming like sensitivity training as in Discovery.
I know. The writers must have really done their homework when it came to the law.
As someone who’s been arrested a lot and has several warrants, I find this episode to be a little pedantic. Not up to the level of a D.C. Fontana.
This is my favorite episod of this season. it is on parr with the cross over with lower decks. I've watched both of them at least 3 times, if not more. I still cry with ad astra per aspera.
I think what Sean sees as insignia are more like the ribbons you see on today's uniforms. That way, it would make sense that (a) everyone has a different design and (b) more senior officers tend to have a larger cluster.
Exactly right.
@@jpisello well, yes, but actually no. :p TOS does have ribbons but only on dress uniforms.
I always thought that they were the ST equivalent of the bars worn in modern military uniforms too.
@@EthanKristopherHartley you're thinking of those colored triangles sometimes seen on dress uniforms in TOs.
Yetide Badaki is always going to be my latinum up, incredible performance.
I noticed several statements so far this season about "coming out". I'm Queer. It's a very different approach from Discovery. I adore this show. 🏳️🌈 During Pride Month I'd like to think difference has expanded. Just be you! 🛼
You really think you deserve a month because of who you have sex with? I don't recognize pride month. I recognize veterans and actual contributions to society.
THIS was Star Trek at its best. Never a show to shy away from social issues…so much better than the opener.
I thought it was a great episode. I'm not bothered by the set reuse. "Cookie Cutter" building design is a real thing. So if you have a design it works, it makes sense to reuse it. I agree with all your ups.
This might be one of the best episodes of star trek ever made. Loved it
One thing that I wish had been brought up as a heavy thing is that this is the 3rd time that Starfleet is responsible for the deaths and/or persecution of Illyrians.
Technically, the first is pre-Star Fleet, but Archer's act of piracy being the first, there was the aftermath of what happened to what some Illyrians were forced to do if they wanted to join the Federation, and now this one.
I also wish that they had mentioned what happened in Enterprise there because that seems like a mess waiting to happen...even more with the Denobulans being Federation members who essentially do the exact same thing with their own biology. There were other references to species using genetic engineering that had nothing done about it even being Federation members.
I adored the computer terminal with the yellow data insert chip thing. They were on TOS.
Want to add a comment about La'an. Was a bit unsure of her in the first season, but actually starting to think of her as one of the best characters in this series. Could she become a Trek classic character in time? More depth and levels than most!
This was a phenomenal episode which had me on the edge of my seat, screaming at my screen, getting goose bumps and watery eyed. All of the main roster were wonderful as always, however the character of Neera stole the show for me. She was passionate, poised and powerful. Kudos to the writers for giving that fantastic actor so much to work with. I found it amazing how all the pieces fell into place in the end. I was having an absolute blast at that point. Unlike Sean, I liked how the trope of weaving the previous scenes in with the revelation of the law worked. I think this has been my absolute favorite episode of SNW altogether. and that's saying something because Season 1 was absolutely spectacular. Sean, keep up the good work and thanks to everyone at TrekCulture for this riveting content.
Loved this episode and the parallels to the nonsense going on in the US (and other countries) lately. Can we just please let people be people???
Sure, just stop insisting that I support your mental illness instead of getting treatment.
It’s unfortunate, but when economic pressure ramps up causing fear, uncertainty, and doubt about a person’s future, they cling to hardline enforcement of familiar social norms (usually what they grew up with) as a way of exercising control in a world that feels out of control. It’s, as always, a case of misdirected rage.
For me this is the best epizode of any Trek after 2009,just true Star Trek in its all glory
So it’s interesting. My dad watching this episode made a general sigh about talking about rights for oppressed groups instead of the show just being about being entertaining . While we are all for treating everyone with kindness, he just doesn’t like it being the focus of tv, which he thinks should just be entertainment. But I like that you pointed out that this could’ve been an episode of the Original Series. Because yes, that show dealt with social issues and encouraged discussion.
I grew up watching the original series and I absolutely agree this this could have been an Original Series Episode! Star Trek has always been a series that dealt with current events with their stories. This episode was no different from one that would have aired in the 60s. Excellent Writing and Very Well Performed by those involved!
Is your dad aware Courtroom Drama is an entire genre about legal technicalities and civil rights that people watch for entertainment?😂
On several Trek groups, too many older people seem absolutely clueless that Trek has ALWAYS stood for progressive values and social issues. You want entertainment? Watch Dancing With the Stars.
@@phillydragonfly dude that's just not true, your quip about old people. Old people wrote those old episodes and old people made Trek the social commentary franchise it is today. Old people like me were watching TOS when your moms and dads weren't even born yet! Don't be ageist in the process of being enlightened!
The fact is, there are LOTS of young, clueless ***so-called*** Trek fans who want Trek to just be Star Wars with warp engines because they were too young if and when they watched TNG or DS9 or VOY or ENT to realize the Trek franchise has always been teaching them lessons in embracing diversity (aka wokeness). Too bad they weren't old enough or attentive enough to listen. So, don't blame age. Blame ignorance.
TV is never "just entertainment". Even the most seemingly unpolitical tv show always conveys the values and ideas of its time. I prefer shows that reflect on that to tv shows (or movies) that confirm every prejudice of the day without reflecting on it, just for "convenient" entertainment.
You are brilliant. So engaging, entertaining and enlightening. Every time I watch one of your reviews I have to watch the episode again and when I do I enjoy it so much fuller thanks to your commentary and analysis. Love your personality and, of course, your accent. Cheers from Toronto Canada
I totally missed the parallel with X-Men and Rebecca Romijn! Thank you for pointing that out, Seán!
Also, surprised you didn't notice how long the camera lingered on Una and Neera's hand hold near the very end. I know they established that they had once been friends, but...that hand hold seemed to suggest to me that there might have been more than just friendship between them.
Nice observation. Mystique had to hide all her life