This furthers the notion of understanding the nature of a problem being crucial to overcoming it. The confirmed lack of urgency allows Book to take a step back and consider alternatives. Book may be emotionally driven but he’s still reasonable and agrees to stand down for a week to let the Federation try to reach out peacefully. ![]() Stamets and Zora calculate that this will be the case for a week as it won’t change location until the area has been depleted of the Boronite being mined. For now it is in an uninhabited region of space meaning that it poses no immediate threat to anyone. The resolution comes from helping Book to understand that point of view to some extent though this is framed around removing the urgency associated with the threat of the DMA. Once again this is driven by grief but it’s also an example of the difference in values between Book and Burnham as his life experience has taught him to be more forceful. He sees a threat that he can do something about and doesn’t consider the wider implications of dealing with that. He doesn’t quite understand that destroying the DMA can be interpreted as an act of War that invites retaliation and that offensive action should be considered a last resort when all attempts at peaceful contact have failed. The narrative makes a big deal out of a knowledge gap that Book has due to not being a formal part of Starfleet and the Federation. Book is willing to suffer consequences if it means that others don’t have to endure the same kind of loss he did. ![]() He’s acting out of anger and grief so has convinced himself that what he is doing is the right thing. It’s excellent grounding for conflict and enjoys a great deal of nuance because it isn’t as simple as them being enemies.īook’s innately good nature is referenced a number of times in an obvious attempt to hammer home the idea that he isn’t a bad person. Dialogue details past experiences that inspire a particular move so their history is very much at the forefront which celebrates the well developed relationship, shows them both to be resourceful as well as intelligent and reinforces that they do have a history that they both value. This is a dance with each decision following naturally from the previous one in ways that highlight the strength of Book and Burnham’s connection. Performances by everyone are memorable with standouts being Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, George Coe and Carolyn Seymour.Most of the episode deals with Burnham and Book working to outmanoeuvre each other using the knowledge they have of each other to inform the actions they take. All visuals are great, with strong set design, costuming, makeup and matte paintings. My favourite moments are of Picard showing certain individuals what exists outside their world and of course the light relief of Riker's encounter with a Malcorian nurse. ![]() All the guest characters are distinctive and written in a relatable way. In doing so he has some cool moments of drama and humour. Commander Riker's contribution being somewhat of a plot MacGuffin who's situation helps bring a sense of urgency to everything. There are a number of great dialogues between Captain Picard and the guest characters. The Enterprise crew are almost like Klaatu from 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' as they observe the Malcorians. I find it to be quite reflective of our present day world in many ways, but they feel somewhat ahead of us and I imagine any alien life forms watching us would maintain a very wide birth. It is the story of a world on the verge of first contact with the Federation, but within it are themes on social development and the readiness of inhabitants to be in contact with other worlds. This is a strong episode that has some great themes written within a decent story and some memorable character moments. Enterprise attempts to make first contact with the inhabitants of a planet.
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