28th July, 2023: The Intro.
It’s Friday.
And yes: you’ve possibly guessed a few things.
For a start, that it is a Friday.
You’ve got a calendar — on your computer, wall or phone — the same as I have.
Yes: it’s Friday.
And, once again, I’ve got fish, home made chips, and a healthy dose — dose? — of vegetables on the go.
And … ?
As you possibly might have realised — if you’ve read this morning’s Teaser post — that I’ve had new, smart, pay-as-you-go, utilities meters, put in.
Something I personally found stressful.
Especially as the old gas meter’s battery had run out.
It meant that the engineer could transfer the credit from my electricity meter … but not from the gas meter.
As he could read it!
Oh, well: we’ll have to see how that goes.
At any rate … ?
It’s Friday …
Which means that, once I’ve had dinner … ?
I’ll be watching “Under the Cloak of War”, the next episode of Star Trek Strange New World, tonight.
And telling you about it, tomorrow.
~≈🖖≈~
29th July, 2023: “Under the Cloak of War”.
Episode 8 — “Under the Cloak of War” — opens with the usual summary of earlier episodes.
Then shifts.
To show us that — as Captain Pike (Anson Mount) tells us in his log — the USS Enterprise is rendezvousing with the USS Kelcie Mae: to pick up the high ranking diplomat who’s been negotiating a peace treaty in the Prospero system, and transport him to Starbase 12.
That diplomat? Is Federation Ambassador Dak’Rah (Robert Wisdom): the very Klingon Federation Ambassador Dak’Rah.
As the Captain notes in his log?
Most of his crew didn’t fight in the Klingon War.
But some … ?
Did …
~≈🖖≈~
Tensions start as soon as the Ambassador beams aboard: as — whilst Captain Pike is greeting the Ambassador in the transporter room — Lieutenant Ortegas (Melissa Navia) has the Conn.
And is having an intent discussion with Ensign Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding).
Uhura has a certain amount of respect for the Ambassador: he’s done many good things for the Federation.
Ortegas, by contrast?
Veteran of the Klingon War that she is, Ortegas is extremely distrustful of anyone Klingon, isn’t afraid to say so … and is doing so, at length, when the Captain, Number One (Rebecca Romijn) and the Ambassador, himself, arrive on the Bridge.
Just as Ortegas is telling Uhura that Ambassador’s known as the ‘Butcher of J’Gal’ …
All this … ?
All this and this tour Captain Pike is giving the Ambassador, hasn’t got to Sickbay.
That … ?
Is where the trouble really starts …
~≈🖖≈~
Now …
What did I make of this episode?
What did I make of “Under the Cloak of War”?
I have to say, series two of Star Trek Strange New Worlds has produced some very strong episodes: with the possible exception of “The Broken Circle”.
This specific episode, though?
“Under the Cloak of War”?
Is utterly, utterly gorgeous … !
For a start? The last few episodes seem to have alternated between light and dark tones.
“Among the Lotus Eaters” was dark, “Charades”, a comedy, “Lost in Translation”, sombre, “Those Old Scientists”, utterly hysterical.
“Under the Cloak of War” continues the theme: being possibly the darkest episode this season.
The episode’s basic premise?
Of a Klingon defector working for the Federation, whilst concealing a secret … ?
Is ingeniously done.
As is the character’s reasoning.
Dak’Rah defected, not because he honestly believes in the Federation’s cause: but because he’s fleeing both Klingon and Federation justice.
He the ultimate of Klingon criminals, a coward.
That, and his much concealed war crimes leads, eventually, to Dak’Rah’s death: at the hands of Dr M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun).
At the hands of the man who was trying to make sure the Ambassador was executed for his crimes, back on the moon of J’Gal.
Which brings me to another point.
The performances.
Star Trek Strange New Worlds has possibly one of the strongest ensemble casts I think I’ve seen.
Celia Rose Gooding did her usual sterling job as a young Uhura, as did Ethan Peck as Spock.
Anson Mount’s Captain Pike? Is both magisterial, wise … and idealistic. And very well balanced with Rebecca Romijn’s Number One: who, in this episode, is both pragmatic, and disciplinarian … and plays bad cop to Captain Pike’s good cop incredibly well.
There’s a scene — towards the end of the episode — that shows that: Number One goes to the Captain with a new ship’s course that will let them drop the Ambassador, off, early.
Against the Captain’s preferences: his Federation ideals insist someone gets a chance to redeem themselves..
But, as Number One argues?
“The people he hurt? Some of them in this crew? Might not find forgiveness so easily.”
Melissa Navia? Smashed things out of the park as the embittered, and still mistrusting, Lieutenant Ortegas.
I’m hoping we see more of Navia’s performances: this was great, but not necessarily enough.
Individual cast members stood out: both in words … and in facial expressions.
Rebecca Romijn, again? Did a lot of her acting with her face: as did Christina Chong, playing La’an.
The look on Romijn’s face, coming onto the bridge at the start of the episode, was something else: warning Ortegas of her displeases, and of action to come, with barely a word spoke.
Chong, as La’an? Asking the Captain if letting the Ambassador tour the ship was wise, with just a look?
Superb!
The supporting cast did one hell of a job.
The stars of the episode, though?
Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, and Babs Olusanmokun as Dr M’Benga.
I am — in all honestly — speechless at the performances those two gave: and at the depth both their performances added to the episode.
Actually, now I think of it?
Added is possibly the wrong word.
“Under the Cloak of War” hinges on the fact that two of its central characters — M’Benga and Chapel — worked together as combat medics: characters surrounded by blood, death, mayhem, and the sounds of war driving them to lengths no-one should face.
And hearing the phrase “Incoming Transport” from the hospital transporter beams, one too many times.
They’re traumatised, again, years later, by having to face the man who inflicted this carnage on civilians.
Olusanmokun and Bush … ?
Did very well: in an episode of Star Trek that — like “Sarek”, “Darmok”, “In the Pale Moonlight”, “The City on the Edge of Forever” and “Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach” — must surely rank as one of the best.
What can I tell you?
Not much.
Except that next week’s episode, “Subspace Rhapsody”, had better be good.
In following “Under the Cloak of War”, it has a lot to live up to.
~≈🖖≈~
You can tell I though a lot of “Under the Cloak of War”, can’t you?
I did.
And will be expecting a lot from the next episode.
I’ll be watching that episode — “Subspace Rhapsody” — on 4th August: then posting my written and video reviews on the 5th.
I hope to see you then.
“Under the Cloak of War”.★★★★⁺
“Some things break in a way that can never be repaired. Only managed.”Dr M’Benga.
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