‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Resumes Its Voyage
The article about “The Broken Circle” includes information that may reveal important plot points.
The first season of Strange New Worlds may have stumbled out of the gate, but it outdid itself with each subsequent episode. Based on its backlog of episodes alone, it could easily be called the best live-action Trek of the streaming era. This feat was staggering, especially when it came with the nightmare of being a sequel to Discovery, a prequel to Star Trek, and fans who weren’t enamored of its serial stablemates. It quickly found a tone that would serve those many masters, offering episodic storytelling with a soap opera characterization that quickly teased the often-forbidden silly side of Star Trek. It quickly took the confidence to be silly and dramatic, and even allowed time to show the crew hanging out with each other, and above all, it was accessible to a mainstream audience.
That confidence is proudly on display here in The Broken Circle, the season two opener that features co-stars Henry Alonso Myers and Akiva Goldsman. Watching this, you get the feeling that every person on the production team is pulling in the same direction with great results. It helps that Myers and Goldsman again write their crew to make smart choices almost all the time, saving us from dirty plot-blocking. In fact, the speed of its narrative and the brute force of its charisma help cover up a host of sins, turning an otherwise fairly light romp into something that hopefully sets the tone for the rest of the season.
We open with the Enterprise at a spaceport, going through a (strangely trying) inspection as Pike tries to find someone who can help save the Number One from his impending court martial. He leaves an unusually confused Spock, unfamiliar with his mission, in command of the Enterprise. This is because he can’t get his emotions back under control after unleashing his inner rage monster back in “All Who Wander” and seeks help from Dr. M’Benga. He hands her a lute and tells her to work with her emotions like a human being, and when Chapel enters, the good doctor can’t help but notice the tension. On the bridge, Uhura receives a coded message from La’an, who has uncovered a plot against the Federation at the edge of Klingon space.
Unfortunately, April rejects Spock’s request to investigate and asks the bridge crew to steal the Enterprise. And yes, even though this has comedically erupted shortly after, I admit to sighing inwardly as I expected to get through another Search for Spock tribute within three months. Fortunately, the heist is interrupted by Pelia, the immortal head of the inspection team – Carol Kane plays a Carol Kane-type character. Pelia, a friend of Spock’s mother Amanda, decides to help with the deception to get the crew up to speed. They find La’an on a dilithium-rich planet that was disputed during the Klingon War and is now under the control of vile factions. They are annoyed that their profit margins have been reduced during peacetime and would much rather restart the Federation – Klingon war to increase profits.
Dr. M’Benga and Chapel get the meat of the action here, as they are kidnapped and taken to Federation space, which is being built underground. They correctly assume that the ship is used to – another sigh – staging a false flag attack on the Klingons to restart the war. To alert the Enterprise, they go heavy on steroids and fight their way to the ship’s transponder to send them a message. Unfortunately, the ship breaks ground to attack the incoming cruiser, forcing the Enterprise to give chase. But Spock is reluctant to open fire because the secret object of his (not so) secret affections is still involved.
Fortunately, M’Benga and Chapel blast off into space without EVA gear, and the Enterprise tracking them beams aboard (I know, I know!). Spock then has to smooth things over with the Klingons, pouring a cup or two of blood wine to show his fortitude to his new friends. April likes to slap him on the wrist for his heroics, mostly because he’s focused on the looming war with the Gornies. And with that, we’re back in the races.
What separates “The Broken Circle” from many similar episodes in Star Trek history is the confidence in its execution and faith in the audience. Information is often conveyed visually rather than radio-style narration. A quiet nod between La’an and M’Benga as we trust to know what a Starfleet vessel looks like just by looking, and the results of Chapel and M’Benga’s steroid attack. I know this is basic stuff, but it’s fair to praise a show that manages to avoid falling into its own worst ways, and Chris Fisher’s snappy direction deserves a lot of credit.
I could be wrong, but it feels like the visuals have also improved both in scope and execution. The crew seems to have gotten a handle on how to best utilize the virtual production stage, and it’s been put to good use in several scenes. We’re still a long way from being able to light up large walls from TV screens like outside, but the effect wasn’t shocking. It was also another episode where the clever use of existing sets was disguised well enough – at least until you wonder why a criminal group building a fake starship would bother to at least equip it with an infirmary.
The one downside to all of this is really my usual one, which is that I still can’t shake the feeling that some of this stuff is better suited to another Star franchise. Secret meetings with arms dealers where you show off your skills by holding your potions or (fake) grenades well. A face-smashing interrogation scene seconds after being reminded that the Federation prohibits torture. A hallway-based punch fight where two of the least qualified ass-kickers transform into ass-kicking ninjas for five minutes at a time. Yes, the old Star Trek may have been violent, but I don’t think it was ever this cynical or nihilistic, even in the days of Deep Space Nine.
For now, let’s welcome Strange New Worlds back for another run where it just has to maintain its reputation as the best live-action Trek. So no pressure.
