Episode Analysis | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | 2x01 “The Broken Circle”
Episode Analysis | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | 2x01 “The Broken Circle”
This is the Daystrom Institute Episode Analysis thread for Strange New Worlds 2x01 The Broken Circle.
Now that we've had a few days to digest the content of the latest episode, this thread is a place to dig a little deeper.
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I am whelmed. I liked everything about it except for what was ostensibly the "main event."
Putting Spock in command? Interesting choice, I continue to enjoy Peck's portrayal as younger, less confident Spock. Love Pelia. Can't wait to see more of her. Love that we're back to a more traditional Klingon appearance. Love the updated D-7. Good use of La'an, interesting to see a planet which is firmly stuck in the wake of the Klingon war.
But then we get to the main event: Chapel and M'Benga are in a jam. And so they just... take drugs and fistfight Klingons. Yawn. This is the head doctor and the head nurse we're talking about here, and you're telling me there wasn't a more scientific or medically oriented solution? I mean sure, I guess doing some stims counts as vaguely "medical," but that's not really what I mean. It would have been interesting to see them exploit Klingon biology or Federation medical tech in a more thoughtful fashion, rather than just go bonk heads.
But, eh, that's a minor blemish on what was otherwise a solid hour of Trek. I do think it's interesting that they've managed to draw out Una's trial arc into three episodes now... hopefully it's just three? There are Strange New Worlds out there to visit.
But, eh, that’s a minor blemish on what was otherwise a solid hour of Trek. I do think it’s interesting that they’ve managed to draw out Una’s trial arc into three episodes now… hopefully it’s just three? There are Strange New Worlds out there to visit.
This also stuck out to me, as it is the kind of thing that would have come in handy a lot in other shows after it. If it has consequences later in the season, I can deal with it, but I admit it might have been more on brand if they McGuyver their way a little further along into the escape before busting the drugs out at the end. It might have worked better if both the intensity of the fighting and the visual effects didn't drag out for as long, and it could show the stakes a bit more.
Otherwise I had a few issues with the episode (mostly the convenience of getting Chapel and M'Benga on the ship) but honestly it made sense in world and as a thematic vibe, given this is set around TOS. Decent season opener, probably more interesting for what's not in it (Pike and #1) as what is, that's solid. The series opener wasn't the best either, maybe they just need an episode to get rolling.