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What if we communicated with a comet or asteroid with music to save a planet before breakfast? All while another ship attempts to stop us because we’re interfering with their god or something.

Also, the comet predicts the future.

Basically, the convoluted plot to all Star Trek episodes I’ve ever watched.

And to be honest, I don’t really mind.

I’m actually thrilled that the modern-day Star Trek still resembles the older ones like The Next Generation. With really good storytelling despite the absolute craziness surrounding the characters each episode.

I also love that while there is an overarching plot point, Pike’s doomed fate. It’s not the central focus of every episode or the focal point every moment of all the time. It’s not impeding Pike’s choices as captain. He still leans over to Una and says that he loves his job when they get to do things like save a planet before breakfast.

He still loves being a Starfleet captain.

Even if the idea that one day his entire life will be changed because of it.

Even as Una says that he might be able to change the future since he knows it’s coming. Love that he confided in her as well as Spock. It’s a very nice detail. Shows how much he trusts her through action, not just with words. Because we clearly saw they had a special bond in the first episode.

This just further proves that.

Even with the idea that he might be able to change the future and that it does weigh on his mind. That overall, he can live and act normally. It comes up when he asks cadets – like Uhura – to think about their future. However, despite Una’s consideration that he could change the future, he’s uncertain if that’s a good idea.

What will become of the people he’s supposed to save? His sacrifice brings others to safety. People he’s learned names of. They have whole lives in front of them. Is he supposed to switch places with one of them? Let them take his place in pain? Doom another? Could he really do that?

No. I don’t think he can. And I think he’s going to become far too obsessed with these people.

I think Pike is doing a good job trying to maintain a sense of normalcy overall. But moments like that when he asks Uhura where she sees herself in ten years, when he knows that in ten years, he’ll no longer be able to captain the Enterprise.

The coveted spot as captain of the flagship of Starfleet. Not just anyone holds that position.

And he knows his time is numbered aboard the ship.

He might never get to see what Uhura will accomplish. Not like he believed before when he asked that question. I loved the detail.

I loved his and Una’s relationship and how close they are. How much he trusts her and her him.

The focus of the episode overall is definitely meant to be on Uhura. She’s new to the ship and is getting hazed a bit by the rest of the crew. Wearing formal wear to dinner when they know full well that’s not the dress code.

In fact, it’s very casual.

Illustrating another difference between Pike and Picard who do seem very similar to me at times.

They both prefer to negotiate things rather than blast their way through them. However, they will not hesitate to protect their crew by any means. They will also search for the wildest and strangest ways out of situations ensuring everyone on his team gets out alive and the main objectives completed as well as they can be. Both also love their jobs endlessly. It’s never dull and they’re always excited to see what space has to offer.

Meanwhile, they’re also incredibly different.

Picard tends to hold himself separate from the crew. Not a means to be cruel or stoic. It’s just how he prefers to conduct his ship. He’s close with his team members but not socially. Preferring a bit of distance between himself and them.

Whereas Pike invites people to his quarters and cooks them a meal. He doesn’t care who comes. Everyone is welcome. Especially the newest recruits so he can get to know them. He’s non-judgmental and kind and warm. He wants to know them as more than Starfleet officers.

Both are good and interesting in their own ways.

This leads us to learning a ton about Uhura. She grew up in Kenya. Hums when she’s puzzling out problems. And isn’t entirely certain that Starfleet is where she’s meant to be.

A fact that startles literally everyone in the room.

Because I truly love the way Spock puts it. For everyone else, this is a lifelong dream of theirs. People don’t just join Starfleet for the fun of it.

They’re driven. They’re passionate about something that brings them to this line of work. A line of work that most would choose over everything else. One they’re willing to give their lives for. It’s a calling. It’s not just a job.

And I love that Spock poses a perfectly valid point of view.

That if this job is not right for her, if she does not want, and dream of it like the rest of them do – perhaps it is better to give it to someone who does dream of this as a career. A pursuit.

Posing the idea of whether or not it’s fair to take a place you don’t really want from someone who does.

It’s an interesting thought. One Spock poses carefully and without judgement. That he’s fine with her answer either way and is somewhat seemingly impressed by her. To make it this far in Starfleet to the flagship beating out thousands of candidates without knowing if this is a pursuit or merely something to pass the time. What will happen if she applies herself to the job fully?

I think Spock is interested in her choice should she commit fully.

And it appears by the end of the episode we have exactly that.

Uhura is – rightfully – freaked by her first away mission. One that doesn’t even turn out to be calm, since the person who has the most experience in this field gets himself knocked out.

Seems like a Kirk to me.

Uhura is left to translate the stone herself and get the away team out of this predicament.

La’an is hard on her and Spock is somewhat soothing.

Cold logic in a terrifying moment can be helpful, because Spock is actively trying to help Uhura use what she knows to solve the problem.

La’an is more in freak out mode and demanding she fix it. Which isn’t helping. Some people may be motivated by screaming, but Uhura clearly is not one of them.

Instead, she focuses on Spock’s words to calm herself and his help in observations of what happens as she tries different things. His experience in tough situations with his cold logic actually fit perfectly here as help. Being exactly what Uhura needs to focus.

I also really loved that she had several meltdowns. Because who wouldn’t?

Your first away mission goes so horribly wrong, and someone is dying and everyone is looking at you and you’re the cadet. You can’t contact the ship, and people could die on the planet below. Anyone would freak out.

She was freaking out before that.

Which I loved that Sam and Spock tried to soothe her by offering their understanding that this is her first mission. Everyone was really thoughtful about the fact that Uhura is just a cadet. She’s experiencing this danger for the first time and it’s scary.

This is one of the things I love about Star Trek. The characters are very caring and considerate of each other. They act as a team. A unit. They care about each other. It’s not just one person cowboying off all the time. They work together to solve problems.

I really enjoy the team-based aspect of the show. And it’s not something they feel the need to preach either. The characters just do it. They join together for the common good of the ship and Starfleet. It’s so nice to not have characters just always going rogue and saving the day. It feels much more earned when they work as a team.

Love it.

Uhura also shows her true colors with this mission.

Learning that she really does enjoy Starfleet. Even if it’s scary and terrifying at times. They saved a whole planet and learned something really cool along the way. The planet was also changed for the better allowing life to flourish there. Meaning maybe one day, this planet will be part of the Federation as well. What a cool effect they can have in the galaxy.

I’m really enjoying this show! I can’t wait to see more! Onto the next!

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