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submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by ValueSubtracted@startrek.website to c/startrek@startrek.website

Written by: Kathryn Lyn & Alan B. McElroy

Directed by: Sharon Lewis

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[-] bgainor@thelemmy.club 2 points 11 hours ago

The part about the officers' ethical decision should have been the A-plot, but the episode basically forced the documentary angle on us as the A-plot. I think that's the fundamental problem; if this had just been an episode about them wrestling with the ethical ramifications of using a sentient creature as a weapon, it would have been top-tier Star Trek.

[-] Soupbreaker@lemmy.world 1 points 19 minutes ago

I enjoyed the episode, but I agree that the documentary framing device seemed to preclude any serious discussion of the ethical problem, like you'd get in the 1701-D's conference (briefing?) room. Instead, we got a lot of Pike saying "Orders is orders!"

We're not privy to Pike's communications with Starfleet, there's little nuance to any discussion of the issue we do see, and the Lutani get so little screen time, they're practically 2d.

I liked the novelty of the format, and I generally enjoy the way SNW mixes things up. I do think it often leans too far into style, to the detriment of substance.

[-] StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 1 points 7 hours ago

I don’t see the documentary as the A-plot at all.

It was constantly present as a frame, but the episode wasn’t primarily about the documentary - it was primarily about how Starfleet captains and senior crew wrestle with ethical decisions when their orders do not align with their values, and how they seek to find information that can provide a rationale to pursue an alternative course of action.

Basically, it showed how important the crew that is present in the situation is and how that makes Starfleet more than just a military organization serving a military mission.

this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
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