Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is evolving, boldly transporting the franchise into new narrative realms. This series isn’t afraid to innovate, which can lead to episodes that diverge from traditional Star Trek vibes. This week, we witnessed such a departure in the episode “What Is Starfleet?”, which ambitiously presents itself as an in-universe documentary. It raises a provocative question that has lingered within the franchise: Is Starfleet a bastion of scientific exploration or merely a tool of military might?
The ambitious nature of this episode, however, results in a muddled experience that ultimately misses the mark.
“What Is Starfleet?” presents two intertwined narratives. The main plot involves the Enterprise responding to a plea from the Lutani, a civilization not in the Federation, requesting assistance in their conflict with the Kasar. The Lutani ordered the transportation of a Jikaru, a gigantic, sentient creature for undisclosed military purposes. Early on, the Enterprise crew grows wary of the Lutani’s intentions, realizing that the creature is being manipulated for war. Though the episode mentions staggering casualties—nine million Lutani versus 119,000 Kasar—its impact is somewhat diluted.
The episode’s backdrop allows for numerous character perspectives on Starfleet’s ethos. Ortegas exhibits distrust towards the Lutani due to their historical ties with the Klingons. Meanwhile, Pike and Una object to the orders from Starfleet command, while Spock and Uhura devise a plan to directly communicate with the Jikaru. As they uncover that the Jikaru has been altered into a weapon of mass destruction, the stakes rise significantly. The creature expresses a desire for euthanasia when grappling with its altered nature—a scenario fraught with tension that the episode initially appears well-suited to explore.
However, the pacing and structure fail to deliver the weight of these moral dilemmas. As the crew confronts the reality of the Jikaru, they also face Starfleet’s questionable orders. Eventually, the Enterprise defies these commands, illustrating the internal conflict within the crew regarding their mission and duties. The episode touches on pertinent themes, reminiscent of the philosophical quandaries that Star Trek fans cherish. But it loses focus in execution.
The episode takes a drastic turn—we shift from the aforementioned moral inquiries to a poorly executed documentary created by Ortegas’ brother, Beto. This documentary, also titled “What Is Starfleet?”, leans heavily into an amateurish presentation, leaving viewers questioning its purpose. The narrative is plagued by Beto’s biases, aiming to portray Starfleet as a deceptive entity unwilling to engage in genuine diplomacy. This approach detracts from the richness of the characters and themes established previously.
Beto’s approach leads to inconsistency: one moment, he’s skillful in drawing out poignant reflections from crew members, and the next, he’s overly aggressive in questioning their commitment to Starfleet’s ideals. This bias ultimately sours the viewer’s perception of what could’ve been a poignant exploration. It rather becomes a vehicle for Beto’s personal grievances against Starfleet and his sister’s sacrifices.
With around 80% of the episode completed, we witness a surprising tonal shift. Uhura’s interactions with the Jikaru force Beto to confront his biases, and a new narrative emerges—a celebration of Starfleet’s ideals. Yet, this abrupt change renders previous critiques impotent, undermining the depth of both the episode and the documentary it presents. Viewers may be left feeling that the once-intriguing questions about Starfleet’s duality have been forgotten in favor of a contrived resolution.
Ultimately, “What Is Starfleet?” struggles to fulfill its ambitious premise as both a documentary and a Star Trek episode. It could have offered a reflective look at the franchise’s long-standing ethical dilemmas, yet falls short. If the narrative had remained consistent, the episode might have allowed for touching moments instead of concluding with a celebratory montage that diminishes the weight of the foregoing questions.
What insights could we gain from a genuine documentary approach within the Star Trek universe?
How does the Lutani mission reflect on Starfleet’s broader ethical stance? It has historically grappled with the duality of being a scientific entity and a military force. This tension is an ongoing discussion among fans and creators alike, making it a relevant issue in contemporary storytelling.
Why is the Jikaru’s story significant to the overall narrative? The creature embodies the consequences of military conflict on sentient beings, posing ethical questions that resonate with many real-world scenarios.
Can Starfleet’s actions be reconciled with its founding principles? This lingering question invites deeper exploration of the complexities faced by those within the Federation, engaging fans in a thoughtful dialogue about power, responsibility, and morality.
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