I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, season finales have to be one hell of a difficult venture. Because the final verdict of an entire year of storytelling is riding on how this sucker turns out and well, we all know how the story goes when a particular series botches one in epic fashion. But while we expect the best from our favorite shows when it comes to this all-important episode, what is one supposed to think when a season finale is just mediocre at best? Do we chide the series in question for not doing better? Or do we celebrate the fact that the show didn’t outright fail in wrapping up the season and honestly, I’m not sure how to answer those particular questions. Because a day after watching the season two finale of Star Trek, I’m just not sure what to think when it comes to this quirky tale.
 
Because ‘Assignment: Earth’ was a unique episode, one unlike anything else that season two assembled and the conundrum that is in front of me, is that I can’t tell if I like this episode or not. So, I suppose the best way to break down this particular season finale, is to look at both the good and the weird as objectively as we can and just go from there when we wrap this Retro Recap up and well, let’s start with the solid stuff. Because the plot for this one definitely draws you in, since it features a little taste of time travel. For the crew of the Enterprise has been tasked with returning to 1968 Earth to study a turbulent time in our world’s history, in order to understand how exactly we managed to survive moments that should have ended us. And it’s always cool when this franchise examines current events and that’s where I thought this was headed.
 
Instead, this episode turned out to feature a grandiose mission to save the future. For a mysterious alien named Gary Seven appeared in this era and he was working to ruin the launch of an orbital nuclear weapons platform. Which meant that our dynamic duo were forced to interact with what was modern Earth when this episode aired, and let’s be honest, this is always a treat in Trek. In fact, at times this plot twist gave off some serious The Voyage Home vibes as Spock tried to keep his ears a secret and this lighthearted part of the story really was quite enjoyable. However, there is also a great problem that comes with the best parts of this episode in that… there simply weren’t enough of these moments to go around and well, now seems like a good a time as any to discuss the more stranger aspects of this tale since they relate to this tidbit.
 
Because instead of making Kirk and Spock and the crew of the Enterprise the focal point of this episode, it spends a lot of time with Gary Seven and his intelligent cat/shapeshifting female companion Isis and an innocent office assistant named Roberta (played by Teri Garr) and well, while this is watchable, it’s weird. Because hanging with Gary should have answered all of our questions, but we never find out what world Gary comes from, or how on earth he acquired a companion that is sometimes cat, sometimes a human lady. Or why exactly the species that Gary works for is so concerned with the timeline being straightened out. Because by the end of this episode, everything happens exactly as it is supposed to, so… was there an actual threat that was going to change the timeline, or were Kirk and everyone involved here just stuck in some weird temporal causality loop?
 
That’s just another question that never gets answered and that’s odd for Star Trek since it wrote a lot of the modern rules of time travel in science fiction, but questions and confusion are the name of the game with this episode and even after working out my issues on the page, I still haven’t a clue if I actually enjoyed this one or outright disliked it. So, I think it is best to declare that when it comes to episodes like this, they are what they are. They won’t do anything to find a special place in your heart, and they won’t tick you off. They just exist and they’re so-so at best and I suppose if anything, this finale does reflect season two to a tee. Because it had its highs and its lows, but it was enjoyable when all is said and done and now that year two of the five-year mission in the books, I am quite curious to see what year three has waiting for us. Until next time. 

​It is funny, how revisiting a story offers up a vastly different experience for the reader or the viewer. Because now you know how the whole thing ends, and you know exactly what said story was trying to accomplish and that more or less changes everything that plays out before your eyes. For now you see the subtle nuances present within the framework of the story, the kind that tie what seemed like innocuous moments to bigger plot threads and future events, and that allows for the tale to take on a new life and well, this is on my mind today, simply because this is what I encountered as I began my rewatch of the late but incredibly great series, Lodge 49.
 
Because when I first settled in to watch this series a couple of years ago, I found it to be quirky and delightful and it simply felt like something new. As though it was really going to try and give us a unique slice of everyday life, one that threw a little mysticism into the mix. But this time around, it didn’t take long for me to realize that ‘As Above, So Below’, was filled to the brim with powerful themes and concepts, the kind that do indeed tie into the now early and unexpected series finale. And I was honestly unprepared for how many heavy moments were present in this series premiere because this sucker… well it turns out that it worked overtime to present the immediate power of loss and trauma in fierce and devastating fashion.
 
Granted I probably should have caught on to this sooner, but Dud’s ability to bury his pain and find ways to celebrate his father’s life, alongside the sheer quirky nature of this series, disguised some of it. In fact, you kind of think that Dud is just a love-able loser at first glance, as he tries to get by like the rest of us. But seeing Dud’s arc over two years and seeing how much his father’s death impacted him adds a new level of somber depth to this opening chapter in his journey. For now, the pain and isolation he’s currently experiencing, bubbles to the surface of Wyatt Russell’s brilliantly nuanced performance and the ache in his soul and his desperation to be close to his father and find closure in regards to his death, takes on a new life the second time around and you truly feel his pain.   

If anything, it’s obvious now that Dud is more or less at rock bottom in this story, and he’s there because he simply doesn’t know what to do now that everything important in his life has been taken away from him, and that’s painfully relatable for so many of us. And while that alone could have carried this episode, the story takes his shattered nature one step further by doing a fine job of showing us just how lost he is, and how being that directionless prompts us to sometimes make odd and desperate decisions when it comes to the relationships in our lives. After all, he’s putting walls up when it comes to his sister, to likely shield himself from the painful memories he cannot escape in the first place, yet he’s also desperate for a connection since he tries to hang out with Beth and her fiancé and of course, the Lodge lights him up like no other and well, all of these elements simply fascinate me the second time around.
 
Because this is the kind of raw and painful stuff that television tends to shy away from, but this show put the erratic nature of a broken soul on full display and that allowed for us to immediately connect and root for Dud because we want nothing more than to see him get better. Plus, I love that the premiere takes the time to show us that he’s not alone in struggling since Ernie is clearly living two lives, as demonstrated by the façade he puts on at work while he struggles with his demons and his own pain when alone or with Connie. And I also love how Liz is introduced in this story since we learn in subtle fashion that she is indeed the rock of the family, and she’s projecting that air of calm and confidence to keep her brother comfortable and level, but she knows exactly when to let it down in order to connect with Dud, as demonstrated by her admission of worry when papers are served at her apartment.
 
However, while all of this is fascinating and powerful and moving to watch all over again, what matters the most here is that the Lodge and everything it represents gives Dud a new lease on life, and the fact that no one judges him when he opens up in raw and honest fashion is what helps to set the foundation for the journey ahead. For this immediately reminds us of the fact that this series focused heavily on how those we love, including our extended family, are always there for us and will lift us up in our time of need and that makes the ending of a harrowing tale quite uplifting. Since it sees Dud go from lost to found in a matter of minutes and seeing him find a sense of peace reminds me why I’m back in the thick of this series one more time. Because it always found a way to remind us that everything is going to be okay and that eventually life will get better and honestly, I am stunned at every missed detail I discovered/rediscovered in the series premiere and truly, I cannot wait to see what other wonders await me as I make another journey through the hallowed halls of Lodge 49. Until next time. 

Over the course of its illustrious fifty-plus year run, the Star Trek franchise has accomplished some true storytelling wonders. For these shows have broken all kinds of fascinating barriers, all while consistently providing fans everywhere with thoughtful stories that showed us a better way if we took the time to get past our petty differences and work together. But of its many achievements, its proudest most certainly has to be the fact that each series found a way to provide powerful and thoughtful commentary in regard to the era in which it was released. For example, The Original Series often spoke to the civil unrest and other geo-political problems that the United States was facing back in the late 1960s.
 
As for other the shows, well The Next Generation took the time to celebrate the prosperity and hope of its respective era, all while emphasizing the best parts of our society and how we can uphold them. Deep Space Nine often pondered upon how peace is a messy venture at best and that sometimes the good guys do questionable things, something that was often reflected by American military action in the mid 1990s and it even took the time to explore the nature and the horror of war. In regard to Voyager, well that show more or less explored the nature of American values in places that knew nothing of us, something that was more or less an expansion of themes touched upon in the aforementioned DS9, but it never properly fleshed out that particular exploration. And surprisingly, the back end of Enterprise made a valiant attempt to explore the immediate impact of September 11, with mixed results.
 
But the bottom line is that this franchise loves to explore the human condition, especially when modern society can be properly examined and while Discovery has in essence, focused on our current obsession with nostalgia early on it its existence, it has yet to find its true voice and it really hasn’t taken the opportunity yet to dive into our current world and some of the challenges we face. Which begs the question, is there going to be a Star Trek show that is willing to take on the horrendous divide currently present in the United States? As it turns out, there most certainly is, and it is going to be Star Trek: Picard. For the fascinating premiere of this series showed us a vastly different world at the end of the 24th Century, one that parallels are own and one that finally answers the question that’s been burning on our minds since the trailer premiered ages ago; what would prompt Jean-Luc Picard to leave Starfleet behind?
 
Unfortunately, ‘Remembrance’ informs us that it took a shocking decision from the two institutions that Picard believed in above all else, to break his desire to wear the uniform and the badge and honestly, his decision is one that makes total sense. For in essence Starfleet and the Federation turned their backs on the ideals that they asked Jean-Luc to defend. For the evacuation of Romulus and in turn, the Romulan Empire was called off after the Synth attack on Mars and well, while that’s something one would assume a peaceful coalition of planets would never do, that horrible and cruel decision did indeed happen and countless people died because of it, and it is how this series is going to relate to the modern world. For in essence, the Mars assault was the Federation’s 9/11 event, and fear is something that has prompted poor decisions from the Federation Council and Starfleet before (see Star Trek: Insurrection). So, having one of the core worlds of this proud union come under attack would indeed rattle senior leadership and prompt them to recall Starfleet and hide behind the comfort of Federation space, all in the name of keeping the members of its alliance safe from potential threats.

Which should sound familiar to all of us. For in the days and years following 9/11, our nation has also retreated behind its borders and questioned its role in the world and become far more fearful and judgmental and skeptical of other cultures. Plus, folks from other parts of our world are often viewed through a stereotypical lens rather than be seen as human beings and this seeing this parallel on screen makes this premiere a somber one since it really does reflect the times, unfortunately. And truly, it should be interesting in the weeks to come to see how Jean-Luc Picard navigates a world and a Federation that he no longer recognizes in the slightest, and how his belief in unity and equality and all the best parts of humanity will clash with folks who let fear take hold over anything else. But of course, in order to have that kind of conflict, the series will require Picard to step away from his vineyards and interact with the universe once again and that’s what truly makes this episode so great, the fact that it goes beyond mere commentary and takes the time to set up a grandiose adventure, one that is quite personal for our intrepid Admiral.
 
For in this particular tale we are introduced to a young woman named Dahj, who is bright and happy and hiding a secret she isn’t even slightly aware of. But others know the truth about her and have come to take her away and that leads her to Picard and his desire to protect her, uncovers an incredible truth about her past. For this young woman, is the offspring of the late Lieutenant Commander Data, and her existence, while forbidden, still represents an incredible scientific breakthrough. And keeping her twin safe, since dear Dahj lost her life in one ugly battle with Romulan soldiers, would allow for Picard to do right by the officer that gave his life to keep his captain safe in Nemesis and well, this is about as Trek as it gets. Because it will eventually get us to the stars, where Picard belongs, and where he is doing something good and just in a universe that seems to be filled with apathy and indifference.
 
In the end however, this was simply an incredible series premiere, the finest in fact that Star Trek has ever put forth. Because it was focused and filled to the brim with top level production values since the special effects were top notch, and Brent Spiner’s digital de-aging made him look exactly as he did in Nemesis. Plus, you can’t go wrong with all of the beautiful moments and Easter eggs that harkened back to Picard’s time in Starfleet. But truly, the centerpiece of this story and what made this premiere so great, was the overall plot and the poignant moments that it features. Because all of it sets the stage for a powerful season of storytelling, one that will challenge the viewer and Picard like never before as this story ponders upon whether or not one man can make a difference in a world or a galaxy where hope seems like a fleeting memory. Until next time.

Over the course of the past couple of weeks we’ve dug into some fascinating episodes of Star Trek. For the back half of season two has been on quite the tear, presenting us with stories that have definitely made an attempt to go deeper into social commentary and/or challenge our characters like never before. And while that’s something worth celebrating and praising at every turn, there is an inherent danger that comes with this kind of exploration in that, sometimes too many unique ideas get thrown around in a writer’s room and the end result of too much brainstorming, is an incomplete idea, one packed to the gills with potential but no point.
​
As it turns out, this is a problem that our intrepid series ran into when it comes to its next episode, since ‘Bread and Circuses’ features another cool idea filled to the brim with awesome potential, but the execution leaves something to be desired. Because it really tried to do way too much storytelling wise and that’s a shame because this one could have been an outright stunning tale. For in this mission, we see the crew of the Enterprise unexpectedly solving the mystery of what happened to a freighter known as the S.S. Beagle, which disappeared about six years ago and sadly, it’s not good news. For they find wreckage of the ship floating about in space, near an M class planet and their check to see if survivors escaped the ship’s destruction is what leads to the wonderful idea in question.

For their arrival at this uncharted world revealed quite the surprise in that, a parallel Earth in essence evolved in this corner of the galaxy. But instead of being inhabited by a peaceful space faring race, the crew came to discover that this world was a few centuries behind their Earth, and it took a vastly different path in its development. For on this world, the ideals of the Roman Empire took deep hold, and never left, giving us a 20th Century filled with the same technological innovations Earth-Prime enjoyed, with the power of the Roman Empire influencing everything and this really was quite the genius notion. Because this had the potential to dive deep into all kinds of social commentary regarding mankind indulging its darker side, especially when one considers that our true heavy was a Starfleet drop out who didn’t make the service because there were concerns about his temperament.

But alas, this is where the story loses its identity. Because rather than focusing on our heavy and exploring what drove him to abandon his life and embrace a much stranger one, and how this world came to be… the story instead opted to pour on the action and the violence and that honestly drags you out of this venture immediately. Because all the intelligence is sucked out of the story by having Spock and McCoy duke it out on live television for the masses, all while some cackling Emperor straight out of central casting fires off his one-liners and offers pedestrian threats to Kirk. And this focus on topical elements eats up so much time that the ending is rushed at best and it never quite feels all that satisfying.

Yet, while this episode is a bit sub-par, and you’re left with more questions than answers, this is still quite the fascinating and entertaining ride. For the notion of a parallel Earth is quite awesome to say the least, and it does ignite the imagination as you wonder what other Earths are out there in this iteration of the Milky Way Galaxy and what strange paths they took in their evolution. In the end however, I guess it is just best we declare this episode to be nothing more than a filler episode since it entertains but advances nothing and that’s just fine. Because it’s better to have that over a bad episode and honestly, considering the fact that the series has put together a string of quality episodes as of late, it’s okay if they take a little break, right before the season comes to a close. Until next time. 

When one hears the phrase, ‘artificial intelligence’, certain images come to mind, and none of them are good. Because we associate that phrase with horrific violence, the kind generated by chrome plated monsters that mankind gave birth to, and they’re tearing down their masters’ world simply because they believe that they can run a planet better than flesh and blood. If anything, it’s disappointing that such clichés are where our mind goes when those words are uttered, but action and adventure and revenge of the machines is what many of these stories focus upon. But while the majority of these tales include one-liners and massive explosions, there are still some A.I. related stories out there that offer up a more unique take, and for proof, look no further than the next episode of Star Trek.

For ‘The Ultimate Computer’ offered up a wonderful twist when it comes to a story involving Artificial Intelligence, but it certainly seemed like it was going to stay within the confines of cliché for quite some time. Because the Enterprise was selected to host a new supercomputer known as the M-5, one that should be able to run a starship with a crew of only twenty and in classic fashion, the possibility of losing his job to a machine didn’t sit well with Kirk, nor was he cool with what the M-5 offered up evaluation wise along the way. For the device time and time again proved itself to be a true master of detail, and the clichés were only further reinforced once the NCC-1701 engaged in light war games with the fleet, since it made faster and quicker decisions than the bridge crew could have.

But the first real break from the norm came shortly after Kirk was insulted by a commodore and deemed useless, simply because he really had to ponder upon the possibility that his career in Starfleet might be over if this machine passed every test with flying colors. And seeing him try and ponder upon life away from the bridge made for some compelling moments, ones that were cut short by more of the same from this style of story. Because as expected, the M-5 went rogue and activated killbot mode and I won’t lie, this part of the story really didn’t hold my attention because it brought nothing new to the table. Granted, I’m sure this was revolutionary and fresh at the time, but it’s nothing new to anyone checking it out today. But thankfully this was the show’s cue to break out the big storytelling guns.

Because we quickly came to learn that the M-5 wasn’t some wild machine that grew at an exponential rate and was ready to take over. It was erratic and angry because that’s what it was programmed to do and how it was programmed matters. For Dr. Richard Daystrom built the machine’s neural network from his own memory engrams and that was a terrible idea. For Daystrom is a shell of his former genius self when we catch up with him in this tale, and the hopeful young man that revolutionized starship travel has been reduced to a bitter and angry individual who consistently thinks someone is out to get him and all of that translated into the M-5’s programming. Making it less of a true killing machine and more of an unfortunate product of its master’s insecurities and this was just a magnificent twist to toss into the mix when all is said and done.
​
For it makes A.I. less of a nightmarish prospect, and more of a reflection of who we are and honestly, I would love for more sci-fi shows and stories to dive into concepts such as this. Because that would allow for some powerful character studies to take place, the kind that examine the human condition like never before. But I digress, because in the here and the now, it’s best we celebrate a story that really did try and do something new with a concept that became tired long after this episode hit the airwaves. And this really was a solid tale through and through, one filled with some solid acting and some intense action sequences, especially when the M-5 controlled Enterprise throws down with Starfleet and well, with only two episodes to go in season two, I’m expecting more incredible storytelling to take place because this home stretch has just been a true delight. Until next time.  

I think it is safe to say, that it really is a wonderful time to be a Star Trek fan. For in less than twenty-four hours, the highly anticipated Star Trek: Picard will make its premiere on CBS All Access, giving fans everywhere a fresh new chapter in Jean-Luc Picard’s storied career and life. And later this year we get more Star Trek: Discovery where we will venture to an era of the franchise where no one has gone before, and I have to admit that I’m quite curious as to what Lower Decks will have to offer as well.
 
But while there is plenty of Trek to anticipate in the short and long term, I think we sometimes forget that CBS has been gracious enough to offer up little samples of this saga in between these new shows, by way of Star Trek: Short Treks. And the latest batch of these lovely little vignettes have quietly been working to accomplish something quite special over the past few months. For these little slices of Trek have been slowly bringing us back to the modern era that Picard will revolve around, and the eve of Jean-Luc Picard’s triumphant return to the small screen, seems like the perfect time to revisit what these stories had to offer. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and celebrate these beautiful and unique stories.
 
‘Q&A’
Now if there’s one thing that the franchise rarely covers, it’s the humble beginnings of some of our favorite characters. But ‘Q&A’ saw an opportunity to change all of that by showing us Ensign Spock’s first day aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise all those years ago and that premise really does make for quite the unique tale. For it was just, fascinating to see this young and eager Vulcan step aboard the ship that would define his career, and it was also nice to gain a little insight on how Number One and Captain Pike molded him into the fine officer we meet when Jim Kirk has taken over command of the ship. But what matters more here is that it handles this journey in fun and silly fashion, keeping with the spirit of The Original Series and while it doesn’t necessarily move any particular plot forward, it is just lovely to be there for such an important moment for such an iconic character.
 
‘The Trouble with Edward’
Let’s be honest, the Tribble is cutest thing that Star Trek has ever introduced to us and I would venture to say that there is no alien species more popular than these little fur-balls, which is amazing when one considers that they have only appeared in a handful of episodes. And that lack of screen time makes them quite the mystery since we know little about them, outside of how they’re pregnant at birth and they hate Klingons. Which is why this particular short immediately appealed to me since it was going to feature these little buggers and while it does indeed offer up an interesting origin story for the modern tribble, along with some disturbing information on how to prepare them for a meal, what makes this short stand out from the rest on this list, is that it is an outright comedy. Because H. Jon Benjamin steals the show as Edward Larkin, thanks to his unique brand of deadpan humor and this story simply keeps you in stitches, thanks to the hilarious and outright over the top moments featured here and honestly, I really enjoyed this one since it brought the fun from beginning to end. 

​‘Ask Not’
It is no secret that Starfleet officers face incredible odds over the course of their career and in order to prepare for some of the tough situations they may face, they test and test often. Some of these tests we’ve seen on screen, such as the Kobayashi Maru test or the Commander’s exam as seen in The Next Generation. However, this particular short features something slightly different, for in this tale we see Captain Pike pressing a cadet named Thira Sidhu to abandon her integrity to give the captain what he wants. Something she refuses to do, which of course means she gets a passing grade and well, while this short is enjoyable and features more magnificent acting from Anson Mount as Pike, it is sadly the weakest of this particular bunch since it really doesn’t bring anything new or exciting to the table.
 
‘The Girl Who Made the Stars’
I think sometimes in grandiose science fiction tales such as Star Trek, we lose sight of the building blocks that go into creating the wonderful characters we’ve met along the way. Because so many of our Starfleet heroes had parents whose actions and teachings helped mold them into great people and that’s why I was so happy to see this short offer up a tender moment between a young Michael Burnham and her late father. Because this particular tale showed us the bond they shared, and how he worked to inspire his daughter to be fearless in life and achieve wonders along the way and this story really is just quite the treat. For not only is it sweet and uplifting in nature, it’s also an animated feature, one that gives us a beautiful fable involving a young African girl and it also serves as farewell of sorts. For in many ways, this tender moment offers closure and peace when it comes to Michael’s past and that would make sense, since she’s about to embark on a bold new adventure in a future filled with the unknown.
 
‘Ephraim and Dot’
Speaking of farewells, the next short from this season also feels like a unique goodbye in its own right. For ‘Ephraim and Dot’ takes us on a grand journey, one that chronicles the history of the NCC-1701, all because a tiny tardigrade is trying to save her eggs from an unfortunate fate. And the reason I call this a farewell, is simply due to the fact that this feels like a passing of the torch tale. One that highlights the best parts of the older era of Trek as we prepare to enter a bold new one and honestly, it does a fine job of reminding us where we have been and it’s also a cute little animated tale, one where you definitely find yourself rooting for Ephraim to save her babies in the nick of time.
 
‘Children of Mars’
Now of all of the Short Treks released in the past few months, this is the one that I anticipated the most. For this is the one that ties into Star Trek: Picard and it takes us on quite the emotional ride. Wherein a pair of students, who are constantly at odds with one another, find themselves united in disaster. For on this day, which is inferred to be First Contact Day, Mars is attacked by rogue synths and the implications that comes from this are quite powerful. Because this event could relate to why Admiral Picard left Starfleet and it may also offer clues as to the fate of the Federation in Discovery. But more importantly, this is a moment that a fair chunk of fans can relate to since it has echoes of 9/11 and that’s something that I wasn’t expecting to find, but it only adds to the gravity of an incredible event that may change the face of the franchise, forever. 

I will never forget the controversy that followed the release of Star Trek Into Darkness. Not the part involving Khan mind you, because the unexpected anger over that is another topic for another day. No, what I’m referring to is the disdain that came about from having Admiral Marcus turn his back on the ideals of the Federation and give into fear. Because so many saw that as a betrayal of what Trek stands for and that there was zero chance that a Starfleet Admiral could give into more primal instincts in that manner, but I thought this was a brilliant twist. After all, the people who serve in Starfleet are indeed human, and the right kind of trauma can impact anyone in negative fashion and while this twist seemed revolutionary at the time, it’s not like it was without precedence within the framework of the franchise.
​
After all, Commodore Matthew Decker fell to pieces and risked the lives of the crew of the Enterprise in ‘The Doomsday Machine’, after watching his crew die horribly at the hands of that device, and while that relates more to vengeance and immediate trauma, his journey set the stage for further explorations. For the next episode of Star Trek decided to do a deeper dive into what would motivate a Starfleet officer to abandon the principles of the Federation and well, that made ‘The Omega Glory’ quite the unique venture when all is said and done. Especially when one considers that initially, it seemed as though this story was going to revolve around another mysterious space virus, since Kirk and company came to discover that the crew of the U.S.S. Exeter was reduced to dust thanks to a virus from the planet below and the only cure it seemed, was to live on the planet’s surface.

However, a voyage to said planet revealed that the Captain of that doomed ship, a man named Tracey, had done whatever he needed to in order to survive and that’s not a good thing by any means. For the death of his crew did indeed shatter his psyche and he was so concerned with not losing any more lives that he lost sight of everything he swore to protect; and worked to change the course of this planet’s future. Which was, stunning to say the least, but it felt in many ways like the logical progression of Decker’s arc. But what I truly appreciated about this aspect of the story was the sheer fact that even a Starfleet captain isn’t immune to fears of death or survivor’s remorse and it really was powerful to see him try and sell his wild ideas to Kirk and do what he believed he needed to in order to heal his broken soul. But while this made for some powerful television, the episode does fail the audience with an odd twist that shows up late in the tale.

For the Yangs and the Kohms, the two species present on Omega IV, are eventually revealed to be descendants of human beings from the United States of America and China, and they eventually brought forth the horrors of nuclear and biological war upon one another, and this society is what grew from the ashes. And that twist exists in this particular tale so that James Kirk can take the time to remind Tracey and in turn the audience, of embracing bigger ideals that are inclusive and how forgetting those can lead to disaster. Yet while this is lovely and patriotic and understandable during the times, it’s very ham-fisted in its presentation and a little over the top, and sadly, it does overshadow everything else that the story tried to accomplish. Plus, it’s a little weird that we are just left in the dark when it comes how the heck these folks from Earth even made it to Omega IV, and that really is something the show should have addressed.

If anything, it’s best to just declare this one as an uneven entry at best. Because the exploration involving a God complex and a fear of death, as a direct result of trauma, makes for some compelling television. And you honestly feel for Captain Tracey since it’s obvious from the get-go that he’s in need of serious help from what he’s just experienced on his watch. But the story really does go off the rails thanks to the weird ‘Go America’ moment at the end. But honestly, I applaud the show for taking the time to explore the darker stuff and for setting a precedent for the future because this is something that I think the franchise could stand to dive into more. For humans are complex creatures, and while we do engender good, fear and pain help us revert to more primal instincts quickly, and it would be interesting to see more stories in this vein down the line, just to put a more modern spin on it. But in the here and the now, this is just another episode that flirted with genuinely powerful storytelling and that’s okay. Because it made a grand attempt to do something deep and that’s more than some shows can say. Until next time.   

It’s always an invigorating moment when a television series breaks from its standard formula, simply because it opens up all kinds of possibilities storytelling wise, something that most certainly excites the audience like never before. For now, we haven’t a clue what’s going to happen next, and the sheer mystery and freedom now surrounding this story draws us in and fully invests us and honestly, that’s exactly where I am right now with Lost in Space. Because getting the Robinson family off of that methane fueled rock has accomplished every single goal I just outlined, and I really couldn’t wait to see where this season was headed when I settled in to watch the next chapter in this fascinating series.
 
Thankfully, ‘Echoes’ did not disappoint in the slightest when it comes to delivering a fresh and unique adventure for the series, one that setup a grand mystery that should keep our interest for some time and one that featured some fascinating character moments, and all of this came about by way of a return to the Resolute. For nothing was quite what it seemed when the Jupiter 2 returned home, in fact, the colony ship was outright abandoned, and this was quite the stark contrast for this vessel. For every time we’ve seen her, she’s teeming with life, and while she was often in the midst of a crisis, there was some sense of comfort that came about in knowing she would always be full of people dedicated to bringing the Robinson’s home so everyone could make it to Alpha Centauri.
 
But alas, that quick glimpse of a robot fight in the season premiere served as the setup to the chilling visuals here and really, trying to uncover what happened aboard the ship is the best place to start in breaking down this episode. Because there were really no clues for the family to go off of, and all they could infer was that there was a hasty evacuation from the ship, one related to another robot. For a badly injured and evil one was still on board, and it took some creative thinking to isolate it and keep everyone safe, and Maureen and John’s heroic act is what brought about the mystery in question. Because shortly after they locked the robot up, a security force arrived, one that had hoped to rescue to the family from said robot. But after learning of their resourcefulness, a Mister Adler revealed that they didn’t stop a new threat, they merely put it back since it was there all along, and why it was there is the mystery now hanging over this tale.
 
However, while it is intriguing to know that mankind encountered this species of artificial intelligence long before young Will Robinson made one its friend, I made mention of a fascinating character study in this tale and that was handled by way of Dr. Smith/Jessica/June Harris. Because a return to this ship meant that our intrepid villain was forced to face her past mistakes at last and it was quite fascinating to see her evolution from petty thief to intergalactic mastermind as she pondered upon every last misstep and it was equally as amazing to watch her work to reinvent herself, all in the hopes of obtaining a fresh start. Which might be possible now that the colonists have returned to the ship and it should be interesting to see if the grand changes she’s made to her identity are going to pay off, or if she will once again succumb to the darkness present within her soul.
​
Either way, this really was quite the entertaining episode. For not only did it feature some interesting twists and turns and hints of potential growth for the resident baddie on the series, it also offered up some intense storytelling. Because the cat and mouse game with the robot was quite chilling and dangerous at times, to the point where I wondered if disaster was going to strike and I tip my cap to writer Liz Sagal for assembling a script that provided the audience with this wonderfully layered story. But what matters more for me personally, is that the story continues to sink its hooks into me and compels me to see what comes next. Because I have to know how that dang robot got aboard the Resolute and what its purpose is aboard the ship. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m headed back to the void to learn the truth and see where this unique story is headed. Until next time.  

If there’s one particular constant that I’ve noticed when it comes to science fiction, it’s that the less desirable parts of the human condition, will always be examined in the most negative light imaginable. Which is something that makes sense when all is said and done. For the anger that resides within all of us, and our ability to be greedy on a moment’s notice has led to plenty of problems in modern society, as has our proclivity for selfishness since it keeps us from looking forward toward to the future. And these little problems with mankind tend to allow for some powerful storytelling to take place when we see more evolved humans understand the species’ flaws on the silver or small screen or within the framework of a novel.
 
But what we tend to forget about when it comes to our darker side, is that it is essential for growth. For if we don’t see our temper flare, we have no idea how to control it, or if we never hoard something of value, we never know how to share it. And of course, if we don’t close our minds and hearts for a moment, we never understand the value of opening up when someone special comes along. The point is, that our follies and our flaws lead us to make mistakes, the kind that teach us valuable lessons and allow for us to become better people down the line, and really, this is on my mind today, simply due to the fact that this particular lesson was on full display in the next episode of Star Trek, and it made ‘By Any Other Name’ quite the fascinating and fun tale.
 
However, it took a while to get to that particular lesson. Because early on in this tale, the crew of the Enterprise found themselves in quite the troublesome space pickle. For their kindness outright backfired, since their arrival at a distress call turned out to be nothing more than a ruse, one instigated by a being named Rojan and well, he summoned the ship to his remote world in order to execute a grand plan. Because Rojan and his people were inhabitants of the Andromeda Galaxy, and they found themselves stranded in the Milky Way thanks to the powerful barrier that surrounds it, and well… they wanted back home and they needed the Enterprise to make that happen. But what brought about the trouble in question, stemmed from Rojan’s desire to do all of this by force and he used his vast power to disable the crew or kill them if they didn’t abide by his rules, eventually leaving only Kirk, Spock and McCoy and Scotty standing as the ship began its three hundred year voyage to another galaxy.
 
Which is where the show took a more lighthearted turn and instilled its lesson of the week. Because Kirk came to realize that the only way to get to these beings and potentially defeat them was to introduce them to something they didn’t understand; the human condition. And the only way to do accomplish that, was to show them the uglier parts of our psyche and what a treat that turned out to be. Because hey, this is Star Trek and you know the series isn’t going to stoop to the real ugly stuff to get its point across. So instead, the crew played mind games with Rojan and his crew by getting them drunk or using drugs and reverse psychology to bring out the stuff we don’t like about ourselves. And Kirk… well he used his charm and love of sex to turn Rojan’s world upside down by temping his lady and eventually, their plan worked, and they were able to return home and offer these castaways a home in Federation space.
 
But what matters more here, is the delightful commentary present. Since having these aliens exhibit some of our unsavory quirks did indeed engender the right lesson, and it allowed for them to see the light and I am so glad the series took this particular storytelling route. Because it was just refreshing to see a sci fi story take the darker side of mankind and use it for good and do it in damn entertaining fashion. For watching Rojan and his crew succumb to their raw emotions was just downright hilarious and it allowed for the cast to let loose again and have a little fun and it definitely lightened the mood and kept me guessing because I hadn’t a clue what surprises would await me next. If anything, it’s obvious now that the producers and writers saved the best for last in season two, because this was just another treat, and I really am enjoying the home stretch as year two comes to a close. Until next time.  

There are a great many reasons to love Doctor Who. There’s the sense of adventure that comes with time travel via the TARDIS, the exotic locations we visit with our heroine and her mates, and of course the fact that the Doctor is as cool as they come. But of the many reasons people fall outright in love with this series, one element that truly stands out above all else, is the sheer fact that we get to spend a little time with important figures from history alongside the Doctor. And this is just awesome, simply due to the fact that it often allows for us to watch a modern re-telling of important moments in history. Allowing for the audience to either be refreshed or learn something new about mankind’s storied past, and the people that brought important moments to life.
 
It’s something the series has made a staple over its long and magnificent existence and another element that makes this plot device worth our while, is the sheer fact that we never know what to expect when the Doctor and the historical figure in question, interact. It could feature some silly and hilarious moments, as was the case when the War Doctor and Ten and Eleven hung out with the Queen in ‘Day of the Doctor’, or it could result in some moving and powerful adventures when the Doctor and her friend (or friends) race against time to keep history moving, as was the case in last year’s incredible tale, ‘Rosa’. Or, we can be moved to tears when the Doctor finds a way to show that person their value, as was the case in the wildly popular episode, ‘Vincent and the Doctor’, or we just enjoy a wild ride wherein the Doctor works to keep a historical figure safe from danger as has happened in countless adventures.
 
If anything, I was quite curious as to which motif the show was going to go with when I realized that a historical figure was going to be present in last night’s episode. And as it turns out, ‘Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror’ opted to go with a few of the darker options that we just discussed, with just a hint of fun throw in for good measure as well. Most of that, came from the Doctor herself, and when the tension in this story needed to be broken up just a little bit, she took full advantage of the opportunity to put a smile on our faces and that’s good thing. Because this episode definitely featured some eerie and intense moments, all thanks to the fact that Nikola Tesla discovered something he shouldn’t have.
 
For a strange signal from ‘Mars’, one that he bothered to answer, brought about some strange occurrences in his life. For parts began to go missing from his generator at Niagara Falls, and people were seemingly dying because of his devices and that put his already precarious standing with the public on shakier ground. But while all of that put a serious strain on this historical genius, his life definitely became a little more complicated and frustrating, shortly after he met the Doctor. Because she helped him realized that unknown forces were indeed working against him, the kind that seemed to want to engender his professional demise and the immediate clues surrounding Tesla pointed to sabotage from an important rival; a man named Thomas Edison. Yes, THAT Thomas Edison. 

Which means we got not one, but two historical figures to hang out with in this tale and well, the investigation into Edison’s role in Tesla’s woes is what led to the incredible moments in question. For Edison wasn’t responsible for any strife that Tesla was currently experiencing, instead these issues were courtesy of a mysterious race of scorpion like beings named the Skithra, and they saw Tesla’s inadvertent discovery of their existence via communication, as a sign that he could help them with their current conundrum. For their ship, one composed of borrowed and stolen components was in a bad place and they needed an engineer to keep it running and he seemed like the right man to do it. A decision that would of course rob history of Tesla’s brilliant ideas, ones that would help shape the modern world and well… The Doctor was not okay with that. 

But the queen of this scorpion like clan would not take no for an answer and that’s when the adventure took a turn for the dangerous. For the Doctor and her pals would need to figure out a way to keep Nikola and the world safe from the evil clutches of these nasty creatures and that meant giving life to one his greatest creations. Of course, that was easier said that done since the Skithra were resourceful in their own right, but eventually Team TARDIS did indeed save the day and their ability to outwit and outthink our arachnid villains made this episode a thrilling delight through and through, one that definitely satisfied with its epic finale. However, while this story definitely offered up a need to preserve history and did so by injecting an air of danger into the story, it still had one more classic Who element from the ‘historical person plot line database’ to make use of, and that’s what really made this episode special in my book.

Because when Team TARDIS meet Mr. Tesla in this particular tale, he’s not in a good place mentally. After all, his funding is pulled right before our eyes, people are protesting his work on a daily basis and his exploits are constantly viewed negatively in the press and well, that should break a man. In fact, it seems like it almost does since Nikola is brought to tears when he discovers the fate of his funding. But that doesn’t stop the Doctor or her mates from constantly viewing him as the genius that he is and doing their best to keep his spirits up to demonstrate the value he brings to the world. And while the Doctor never reveals his less than stellar fate, she reminds him to never quit and to embrace every idea that comes into his mind, no matter how wacky it might be, and that’s just a wonderful moment and message to leave us with. 

For we never know where fate will take us until we give it our all, and while failure may await us, that too offers up surprises in its own right since it may show us a path toward happiness and fulfillment, we never thought possible. Or, in the case of Nikola Tesla, we may put forth an idea that is simply ahead of its time, the kind that won’t see the light of day until technology catches up with it. Either way, I really enjoyed the heck out of this episode. It was fun, and it felt quite classic in its design and its structure, and it definitely kept my attention and well, you simply cannot go wrong with a more ‘traditional’ episode for a show that’s worked to push boundaries with its commentary. And I am looking forward to seeing more tales that fit this entertaining mold and it looks like we might get another taste of it next week, when the Judoon, another staple of the modern Who era, return to stir the spot as only they can. Until next time.