Strange New Worlds 1x05 - 'Spock Amok' ~~ { ** Spoilers Within ** }

ilovesmybrick

Strange New Worlds 1x05 - 'Spock Amok' ~~ { ** Spoilers Within ** } Warning: This thread will contain spoilers 

ilovesmybrick

Well this episode had me from the opening. They seem to be very able to tread a delicate line between homage to TOS without it becoming eye rollingly cringey!

A solid episode, wasn't as gone on the La'an and Number One stuff, but the rest was good solid fun. For me it wasn't one of the best so far, but still thoroughly enjoyable.

It's just nice to finally have fun Trek back again. Solid hijinks, which we all enjoy! And Anson Mount is just knocking it out of the park. He really has a fantastic ability to emote through his facial expressions.

corkie

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Spock_Amok_%28episode%29

"It's not a crazy stretch to say that Trek can be funny," says Alonso Myers. "It is canonically funny many times. It can handle that tone. We have an incredibly talented cast who are also very funny. So it was really important to me that we do an episode that tried for funny. But it's an hour long and there's always a moment where funny doesn't sustain it, and you need it to be about something. So I would call it like a dram-edy. We have that tone in it. And I think it feels like Star Trek to me. I loved writing that, and I will tell you, there is no funnier human being than Anson Mount. He's got really good comic timing." ~~ Link

It was an okay episode.

An example of body swap, I know there has probably been others?

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Turnabout_Intruder_%28episode%29

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Vis_%C3%A0_Vis_%28episode%29

ilovesmybrick

An example of body swap, I know there has probably been others?

Off the top of my head there was the DS9 one where Dax met her previous hosts, not quite a body swap in the Freaky Friday sense here, but still close. There was also the one where the Dax symbiont was robbed and Jadzia would die. A very literal body swap for the symbiote!

Other than that I can't think of any others at the moment. There have been many episodes though where characters were taken over by alien entities. There was at least one in Enterprise, and I'm sure there are a half dozen more floating about.

fritzelly

Thought that was an excellent episode - the perfect blend of getting to know the crew and seeking out new life with a nice twist

How can this show be so great then you have Picard and Discovery

liamtech

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119148954#Comment_119148954

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119149125#Comment_119149125

This was a great 'Fun' episode - i tend to divide Trek into different categories of episode with 'fun/nonsense' episodes having their own section and ranking. And this was good fun. No complaints at all. All of the characters got a good shout - Chapel is still half irking me - only because she IS CHAPEL - were she another character (brand new original) - id be 100% fine with it

In terms of the body-swap story-lines of the past - i think this ranks above the two mentioned by by @corkie

• Turnabout intruder - frankly embarrassing at times - one of those eps that didnt age well, and that i would be reluctant to show my daughter - its been half retconned (unofficially) to suggest that Lester is unsuitable for command not due to her gender - but due to the fact shes a lunatic (which IMHO she is) - never the less - NOT a good outing for ST-TOS and a shame it was the finale of the run
• Vis a Vis - not a favorite of mine at all

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Body_and_Soul_%28episode%29

The above is the body swap ep that always comes to mind for me as my LEAST favorite episode - i just felt it was all OTT - and just an excuse for silliness

While the premise of this weeks SNW isnt original - for me its the first good FUN episode of the modern era -

AND - Strange New Worlds is 5/5 on good eps!!! Delighted really, and i will rewatch!

The score used during the Spock fight scene was great. Brings back so many memories of Kirk in a torn shirt fighting something on an alien planet.

eadrom

Loved it.

Spear

I liked this. And it's telling they can do this so soon in a new series, and it still works with the characters because they've been able to establish them so soon. The body swapping trope has been done before, but it's done in a restrained manner and avoids the cheese.

In terms of how Chapel is presented, I like the character, but she seems very different from the Chapel of TOS. She didn't get much screentime, but seems much more distant and colder back then. But all the same, a new viewer wouldn't have knowledge of her and Spocks later connection, and they'd miss the context of a lot of her scenes in this.

TheValeyard

It's a nonsense episode..... And I loved it. Reminded me so much of those DS9 episodes with A, B and C plots. It was good fun, comedy elements, witty lines and a decent storyline. It just worked. With a nice small nod to TOS.

Great character development for Nurse Chapel (she's growing on me) and Enterprise Bingo is hilarious.

I know body swap has been before, but it was just entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

Slydice

Lookit, that whole episode was just pure lovely and the solar sail ship was a proper treat even if it wasn't the Bajorans that I'd guessed in another thread.

That was so wholesome!

AMKC

Just watching it now and am guessing the first scene is some nightmare that Spock is having. Anyway was watching it and was sure for a second that he got the head chopped of with the weapon lol thankfully wrong

GSPfan

Loved it loved it loved it.

I’m amazed at how they have found the exact formula I wanted from a modern Trek show. I’m totally invested in all these characters. Don’t know how any of you can be complaining about Ortegas or Chapel so soon. I like both of them.

Some thoughts…

• T’pring is a stunning looking Vulcan.

• Having 4 separate storylines going on in one goofy episode deserves credit.

• I properly laughed at the body swap bit when Pike came to Spocks quarters. It was excellent Trek comedy.

• We got character growth/insight on Spock, T’pring, Chapel, and Una.

• Pike is such a great Captain and character. Initial fears from many that the knowledge of his faith would hang over him throughout the season have been firmly put to bed.

• That’s 5 vastly different episodes and 5 episodes I could watch again. Wow.

AMKC

I like the fact that the Enterprise is getting repaired after its battle with the Gorn. I kinda guessed this episode would be something like that in the last episodes thread so am glad I got that right.

I think Spocks wife is much more Vulcan in this one too but she still has feelings.

I did not like when Laitenant La'an said I will go do security stuff.

Why could she not just say I will go back to my post it my job Captain.

eadrom

Pike’s green tunic is class! Little things done right.

the whole show looks great.

fritzelly

My only complaint about this show is there's only 10 episodes - damn, I want more than that

AMKC

That was another excellent episode and very funny too. I watched "The Orville" before this and while it was also very good it was sad at times. I am glad I watched "SNW" after "The Orville" .

I loved the view of The Enterprise and the Aliens ship from the negotiations room and yes that alien sale ship is a thing of beauty and yes as another poster said above T'pring sure is beautiful.

~Rebel~

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119150153#Comment_119150153

Not just fighting something on an alien planet - Kirk fighting Spock himself, in that same place! That iconic score is from this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AphxyjrH4SE

Another cracker of an episode from SNW anyway, a great fun aside in the vein of the good 'ol days. "We are getting dangerously close to hijinks".

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119151799#Comment_119151799

MAybe season two will have more. 15 episodes a season would be a nice amount to have. I guess they wanted to test the waters first to see how it does and hopefully it has been successful and popular.

CastorTroy

Seeing episode title

Fun episode.

Their mannerisms were clearly different. 😃 I was thinking I would've liked to have seen Spock do T'Pring's job but sure had said she wouldn't be doing anything. So was happy that showed it. I should've guessed they would when the case was mentioned at the start.

Since I never really watched TOS, I can't compare Chapel so I like her as she is. Clearly she hopes Spock does too.

TheValeyard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119152222#Comment_119152222

Id be happy enough with 10 if they keep the consistent good storytelling, plots, etc. My worry of 15-20 episode season is that we'd end up with a few more Fair Havens. Probably best to avoid that. Or like Picard season 2, whole thing could have been wrapped up in five episodes.

FutureGuy

I think it's safe to say that any concerns I may have had about SNW in this new era of average-at-best Star Trek have been completely eliminated. Picard was absolutely abysmal and Discovery was ok, but THIS is Star Trek. We have had more character development in 5 episodes than some regulars in DSC and STP have had in seasons.

corkie

Spock Gets Slapped Often on Star Trek TOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHo8vcdqO5Y

TheValeyard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119153725#Comment_119153725

I can name more of SNW Bridge crew and backstories after five episodes, than four seasons of Discovery and her bridge crew. Bar Saru or Stamets, the rest are entirely forgettable.

PhiloCypher

The tone they struck in this was pitch perfect, amusing enough to be just the tonic after a dark episode but not enough to descend into farce. Loved every minute of it .

When I read an interview with the showrunner describing this episode, it felt like the episode with the most chance of disappointing but its turned out to be my favourite so far.

ixoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119154955#Comment_119154955

Exactly - first thing I said afterwards was that Disco wouldn't have been able to pull off such a character-heavy episode after four seasons because I didn't give a crap about nearly any of time. This does it after a build up of four episodes.

Are there a completely different set of writers involved or something? The show hits all the right notes of a proper crew, fun stories, good themes - all the core Trek principles. And the other shows miss them all. How can it be the same people?!

Johnny Storm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119150153#Comment_119150153

^ this!

I wagered 400 quatlloos on the guy with the ears!

5 good episodes in a row!!!!!! What a time to be alive !

Sonics2k

"Dangerously close to hijinx" may be my new favourite line from Trek.

Honestly I am loving SNW so much. The casting is superb, the relationships and friendships between the cast and crew is progressing so nicely and you can watch it start to build up so easily. I loved that little hint at the end between Orgtega and Chappelle.

As a side note, one of my key gripes with Discovery was that 3-4 seasons in, we knew so little about the crew outside of Burnham and maybe 2 others, but 5 episodes in we know so much about the characters on SNW.

corkie

Another body swapping episode: -

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Return_to_Tomorrow_%28episode%29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH_dCzKNtg0

The “soul sharing” katra transfer ritual is not without precedent; Spock temporarily transferred his consciousness to the mind of Nurse Chapel to avoid being destroyed by Sargon in “Return to Tomorrow.” (He clearly took this incident with T’Pring as a learning experience!) ~~ Link

To score a full “Enterprise Bingo,” all ten of these items must be completed:

* Use Transporter to Reflavor Gum

* Phaser Stun Duel

* Turbolift Two-Floor Shout Challenge

* Set the Universal Translator to Andorian

* Gravity Boot Hang Challenge

* Medical Tricorder Challenge: Vulcan Marsupial

* Food Replicator Challenge: Durian Fruit

* Sneak a Tribble into the Transporter Buffer

* Sit in the Captain’s Chair

* EV Suit Challenge: Unsanctioned Space Walk

* Sign the Scorch

PhiloCypher

Anyone else love the song they played as the credits began to roll, it felt a little more GoTG then trek so I wouldn't want them going back that well too many times, but its title/lyrics about "looking for love in all the wrong places" perfectly reflected what our characters were going through, Spocks ultimately doomed relationship with Tpring, Chapels, ultimately, we assume, unconsumated crush on Spock, and Ortegas crush on Chapel.

~Rebel~

As an aside, I'm also proud of the writer's for NOT having someone say; "you've been Freaky Friday'd?!", and go on to explain the 'classic 20th century film'.

TheIrishGrover

That.

Was.

FANTASTIC.

Yet another episode hitting it out of the park. So much fun. (I genuinely laughed out loud at the Doctor trying to backpedal: "I don't know what I'm saying" wwith the terrified grin on his face (And later "They're going to Nerve Pinch us, aren't they?" "Yes. Probably.") Spock and T'Pring flirting was amazing (And bloody hell is T'pring actress crazy beautiful). The musical callbacks (Not only on Vulcan but also when the solar sails deployed on the beautiful ship). Pike with Spock and T'Pring. The (Admittedly not very subtle) suggestion of Chapel liking Spock (Totally canon with TOS of course). The total deadpan delivery of the transporter/chewing gum test "Spearmint again. Wow". Even the "They are IDIOTS, You are FUN"

Hats off to all involved with this series. They deserve every bit of kudos. In the space of 5 episodes they brought back the fun and entertainment to Trek (series and movies) that has been missing, in my opinion, since DS9.

It is unfortunate that Disco and Picard have now cast their die in that they cannot change their tone without changing the series (Las series of Picard could be a bit of an "Old School" romp with the TNG crew but will probably not go that direction.

I know, from the start, that this was always intended to be more episodic and fun but holy moly did they ever get it right!

In case you didn't gather, I'm simply LOVING this! I think we have 5 more episodes ahead? Bring it.

pixelburp

Unreservedly entertaining, absolutely loved every minute of that episode. This is getting to the point where we might start talking about near-perfect season of TV entertainment.

This was pitch perfect "comedy" episode to blow off steam between Adventures in Space. But while the Spock stuff was the main driver, everything else was just *chefs kiss*. The Pike subplot was actually a decent Trek Diplomacy tale, complete with a decent payoff; Chapel's own little plot not too overdone; and Una/Singh trying to have fun was just a total delight. The signing of the damaged hull plate was a moment that felt earned from the 5 episodes we have spent with these people.

Even little moments like the Doctor's silly fishing hat just added a little extra to his personality, even though he barely featured.

God damn this show is making it look easy.

GSPfan

I rewatched episode 1 and Ortegas mentioned Enterprise Bingo to Uhura when they were on their way to Pikes quarters. Hadn’t noticed that before.

PhiloCypher

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119171928#Comment_119171928

Really ? I genuinely thought they retconned it in , or they were just showing a deleted scene that didn't make the cut, because otherwise why wasnt i going "Enterprise Bingo" whats that ? on my multiple watches of the episode .

corkie

It was episode 2, not 1, that there was a mention of it.

Spoiler Warning

The comet, C/2260-Quentin, is making its way through the Persephone system, and the USS Enterprise has been sent to survey it. Onboard, Uhura has been summoned to dine with CaptainPike in his cabin, and Ortegas told her to wear her dress uniform. As she steps off the turbolift, she encounters Ortegas, who is not in uniform at all, and Uhura realizes she is being hazed. Ortegas admits it, saying people got bored on a "small" ship. As Uhura turns to change, Ortegas warns she does not want to be late to the captain's table. The helm officer jokes that Uhura has her first square of "Enterprise bingo", reminding her that even she had been a cadet once and subject to all the "traditions" that came with it.

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Children_of_the_Comet_(episode)

But doesn't mention hazing in it? https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Enterprise_bingo

GSPfan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119172206#Comment_119172206

That was episode 2? Huh. I suppose it was the episode she sang in. Makes sense now thinking of it.

I rewatched 3 episodes so it was in there somewhere.

GreeBo

This is all I could think of, but Im ok with that! (unfortunately ripped with all the technology found in a boiled potato)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9TZ79Vcl8Y

pixelburp

And in a genetically similar vein...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxQnuMGyPJs

corkie

https://screenrant.com/star-trek-vulcan-katra-strange-new-worlds-retcon/

Previously in Star Trek, katra transference has been used as a heavy duty solution to problems of the mortal and metaphysical kind. Bringing a beloved Starfleet officer back from the dead in Star Trek III, resurrecting Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery, or preserving oneself after death in Star Trek: Enterprise, etc. Katra is arguably used (albeit not by name) between Nurse Chapel and Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series but, once again, the measure is demanded by a matter of life and death. Star Trek gives the impression that katra transference is a weighty matter not to be used under trivial circumstances... Trivial circumstances like having a tiff with your fiancée, for example.

Don't remember it been used on Discovery?

On search it was briefly mentioned in how Sarek saved Micheal at some stage in the past.

We learn early on in Discovery that PU Sarek saved Michael and his katra became connected with Michael. The use of a mind meld to save Micahel left part of Sarek’s katra in Michael linking them with a psychic connection. They have even communicated through great distances because they share Sarek’s katra. There are implications with how this sharing would affect Sarek in the long-term. ~ Link

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Lethe_%28episode%29

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119180319#Comment_119180319

There are implications with how this sharing would affect Sarek in the long-term

That explains his crying in TNG.

corkie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119180348#Comment_119180348

Proof that Sarek Still Carries Michael Burnham's Katra in Star Trek TNG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAusU9TCUs8

Sarek Transferred Michael's Katra to Picard During their Mind Meld in Star Trek TNG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6nn_6Z-t5g

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119181213#Comment_119181213

The second one was very good but a bit weird lol.

Who would say I offer you the chance to touch your sister? That is just wrong.

corkie

* Sign the Scorch!!??

TOS Enterprise Had No Forcefields Unlike in Star Trek Strange New Worlds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E09KDHG9Gnw

Making this scene impossible for the time period!??

Enterprise Bingo - Star Trek Strange New Worlds S01E05

https://youtu.be/s_tB-TTu-Y8?t=191

flazio

OK so this has only just appeared on Paramount today.

From my perspective, we are now running parallel with The Orville and somehow Strange New Worlds has become more fun than The Orville.

flazio

Also, someone keeps saying that this Nurse Chapel is not like the TOS Chapel. Well watching the Trek Culture Up and Down reviews for SNW, Sean mentions that Majel Barret-Rodenberry (Queen Star Trek herself) said that Nurse Chapel didn't really have much of a character anyway. So the canvas is actually a lot blanker then you might expect. And I love her character here.

pixelburp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119301524#Comment_119301524

What has been great about this show has been that it gave Chapel a character, without tipping entirely into the realms of outright contradiction.

This found video just about sums it up: the cumulative 4 minutes they let her have a personality; and as said, Strange New Worlds doesn't contradict any of this. In fact it retroactively highlights those few fleeting moments she seemed to flirt with Spock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFsW8HaAsV4