11th August, 2023: the Intro.
Not that I’m trying to rush myself …
But … ?
I’ve just turned down the oven!
Which possibly doesn’t make sense: unless you’re me!
At any rate … ?
And as you’ve possibly guessed, by now?
It’s a Friday: which means I’ll be having fish and chips for dinner.
Then watching the next — and last — episode of season two of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.
From the very little I’m reading?
“Hegemony” could well be interesting.
12th August, 2023: “Hegemony”.
Then shifts: to show us Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) recording her log entry for Stardate 2344.2: telling us that she and her ship — the USS Cayuga — are currently in orbit around Parnassus Beta, delivering aid to a newly settled colony world.
Captain Batel is accompanied by Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) of the Enterprise: as Nurse Chapel has offered to help with the Federation’s vaccination program.
It’s only as the pair go their separate ways, and a call between Captain’s Batel and Pike (Anson Mount) is interrupted, that problems start: as a shuttle from the Cayuga crashes nearby … and ominous shadows race across the sky.
~≈🖖≈~
The scene switches, to show us the Enterprise: where Uhuru (Celia Rose Gooding) picks up a distress signal.
A distress signal from the now seriously embattled USS Cayuga: as the latter is under attack from the Gorn.
Something that causes Captain Pike to head straight for Parnassus Beta: and to quietly contact his superior officer, Admiral Robert April (Adrian Holmes).
Understandably?
The Admiral is concerned Pike’s feelings for Captain Batel will get in the way of a rescue.
And potentially cause one hell of a war.
It’s only then the Enterprise arrives at Parnassus Beta.
An unreachable colony … orbited by the wreck of the Cayuga …
~≈🖖≈~
Now …
What did I make of this episode?
Of both “Hegemony” … and the series it’s the finale of?
There’s possibly a lot to say about the episode.
The obvious one?
Is simply the fact it introduces Lieutenant Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott.
Originally played by James Doohan, the Strange New Worlds version of the character is played by Martin Quinn: who, I feel, does a creditable job.
And is the only person to pronounce Lieutenant, correctly!
That minor point out of the way?
It’s nice to see the show introduce one of the classic series characters: especially in a way that’s important to the plot.
It’s Scotty that’s designed an improvised cloaking device that lets him escape from the Gorn, knowledge that could prove useful.
We’re getting a reminder of what the character’s capable of.
And, in being told he was on board the USS Stardiver, and was one of Chief Engineer Pelia’s best students?
We’re getting extra backstory on a character the original series made good use of: but didn’t tell us much about.
The story itself?
As you possibly know, I tend to prefer the darker episodes in the Star Trek franchise.
That’s not to say Strange New Worlds hasn’t done some comedy belters.
It has: especially in the shape of “Those Old Scientists”, and “Subspace Rhapsody”.
But I tend to prefer the darker stuff.
And … ?
“Hegemony”, whilst not as doom-laden as “Under the Cloak of War”, is definitely a dark episode.
Although one that goes for Alien-style science fiction horror, rather than the Vietnam War that seems to have inspired “Under the Cloak of War”.
Now I think of it … ?
Alien — the original film — is possibly a good thing to mention.
The last Gorn themed episode of Strange New World was the first season episode, “All Those Who Wander”.
It was something I reviewed in November of 2022: and I noticed the episode shared elements with Ridley Scott’s best known horror film.
To me, the resemblance seemed obvious: and, if not intentionally done, then a good use of common concepts.
It’s something I was reminded of, watching “Hegemony”.
Parasitic aliens, a base under siege, even a riff, a sequence of notes in the sound track of “Hegemony”, that sounded familiar: a doot-DOOT motif that sounded a lot like one used in Alien.
It’s about twenty-four minutes into the episode, where we first meet Scotty, and matches one three minutes into the two hour theatrical cut I have.
That’s either a co-incidence … or a good old case of homaging!
However? And music aside?
The thematic resemblance is to Aliens, the sequel, rather than the original film.
In looking at “Hegemony” and Aliens, I think we’re looking at the same basic idea: a heavily armed crew having to rescue a group of abandoned colonists.
Saying that … ?
Aliens has a far doomier feel to it than “Hegemony”: and “Hegemony” ends … with the dreaded phrase, “To Be Continued”.
There’s differences, as well.
“Hegemony” definitely reminds us that the Gorn are intelligent beings: and not the animal-like creatures the Xenomorphs of the Alien franchise are.
They have spaceships, after all: and spacesuits: in the fight between the Gorn adult, and Spock and Chapel, we see the creature is wearing a highly advanced environment suit.
Yes: there’s similarities: but differences, as well.
~≈🖖≈~
There’s possibly more to say, there.
But?
I think focusing on this second series , as a whole, would be a better idea.
What did I make of it … and what do I think is happening elsewhere … ?
I have to admit, I felt the first series of Strange New Worlds was very good, indeed: all the way from “Strange New Worlds”, itself, to the closing episode, “A Quality of Mercy”.
And including my personal favourite, “Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach”.
It was a very powerful, well written, well acted season.
And one I felt managed to capture the spirit of the original series, very well.
Can we say the same is true of this second series?
Yes, I think we can!
If anything?
Season two is even stronger!
And?
It’s Gorn laden finale tells emphatically that there’s going to be a season three: even if that season is delayed because of the current Hollywood strike.
I can only hope those disputes are resolved, soon.
I’m looking forward to season three: and the conclusion of this story.
~≈🖖≈~
Frankly?
I don’t know when season three will be.
But?
Given the Borg seem to have been phased out as Star Trek’s Big Bad at the end of Picard’s third season, I think Star Trek Strange New Worlds may — may — be being groomed to replace them.
We’ll have to see: as and when that third series gets made and released.
And what features in any other proposed Star Trek series.
As for what I’ll be watching, and reviewing, next … ?
I honestly don’t know.
Obviously, the Dr Who 60th anniversary specials are going to be mentioned.
You knew those would be on my menu.
But … ?
I will suggest this.
Keep an eye on both this blog: and subscribe to my YouTube channel, @MrCuddy2977.
As soon as I post something, you’ll get to see it!
See you soon!
Episode 1: “The Broken Circle” ★★★☆Episode 2: “Ad Astra per Aspera” ★★★★Episode 3: “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” ★★★★⁺Episode 4: “Among the Lotus Eaters” ★★★★Episode 5: “ Charades” ★★★☆Episode 6: “Lost in Translation” ★★★★Episode 7: “Those Old Scientists” ★★★★Episode 8: “Under the Cloak of War” ★★★★⁺Episode 9: “Subspace Rhapsody” ★★★★Episode 10: “Hegemony” ★★★★Series one average: ★★★⅖ (★★★.4)Series two average: ★★★⅘ (★★★.8)
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