3x04 No Win Scenario

It's a drama. It's supposed to be emotional (it really isn't 'cause the "Big Goodbye" [see what I did there?] was never credible). It's an action movie. It's a buddy movie. It's loud. It's bombastic. It's full of FX. It doesn't look shabby (only these incredible dark quarters and corridors aboard starships are strange: These dark-room vibes would drive me crazy if that was my workplace). Still the best scene: the GUI details of the OS in the credits.

It isn't sci-fi though. It isn't about science or the physical phenomena out there. It isn't about bold space exploration. It isn't about studying new civilizations. It isn't about philosophy or intellectual problems. It isn't about the daily "workplace" and "team conflict" issues that made earlier installments of the franchise relatable.

Story-wise not much happens. Other than that they break free and escape. Not even sure if they got away for good or if this hunt will go into overtime or - even worse - will have more iterations of the same "hunt and hide pattern". This season also continues the annoying pattern from season two: there's a central mystery behind it all and Jack seems to know much more. We already know more than the other protagonists because the writers show us some breadcrumbs. But instead of having a big reveal at some point in order to be able to state a clear objective, I bet this artificial mystery will be misused to build suspension instead. Who is Jack? What did Beverly do? Who are these guys with the big ship? What do they really want? At which point became the Founders involved? This mystery doesn't work for me though. It's just annoying. Why doesn't Picard pressure Beverly and his son to explain it all? I mean their life is at stake. Why do they hold information back?

Plus, the try really hard to organize some sort of TNG reunion fan event. They try to introduce every person from TNG. Who's next? Spot, Reginald? This feels forced. You only can have as many person's in ten episodes. If they are not there in person, they are incorporated via Zoom (like Deanna). Just so that she appears at some point. Or we hear them talking about the ones that are missing (like LaForge talking about her dad). Nostalgia is a thing but it can't replace the story, can it?

If last episode was a filler, this is another filler episode. I fear they will botch it again. We'll see. I hope I'm wrong. It's too early to tell.

PS: The score is incredibly boring (That was never a strong point of Star Trek but can't they come up with something more futuristic or original? It's a standard orchestral score. Why?).

While I don't feel the episode was as treacly sweet and soul changing as @Paul Vincent opines, like @VW Fringe and Micky D's after a night of overindulgence, it also worked for me, as, I too was feelin' it ..., and LOVIN' it. Unlike some of the ever present naysayers and nattering nabobs of negativism, who would bitch and moan if they were given a brand new Lamborghini, but the paint and Alcantara leather weren't in their preferred colors, I realize that Sir Patrick Stewart is pushing almost 83 years old, and, may not be up to "boldly going" as hard as he did in his prime. Thus the scripts, storylines, pacing and subsequent action have been adjusted to reflect a more seasoned, contemplative, and thoughtful crew, while still giving us the action beats and edge of your seat thrills that we expect from a Star Trek franchise.

YES, they are paying fan service by "getting the band back together" and tossing in the odd remembrance or twenty, with hat tips and nods to adventures past, but at the same time, with a given bit of dialog, or sometimes just a glance or exchanged look, we do indeed get peeks into the means and motivations of the cast, both old and new. There are those who lacking patience, will jump straight to the end of a murder mystery book rather than slog through all the chapters, and, by doing so, they avoid all the "boring" details because they now know "who done it", and can smugly skim the rest without expending the mental horsepower to try and "figure it out" along with the protagonists.

Here, they are indeed giving us "breadcrumbs" which will eventually lead us to one, more, or many "ah ha" moments, much like Bruce Willis' Malcolm in "The Sixth Sense" when he finally realizes that, when Cole confided that he "sees dead people", he was also talking about HIM. Seeing as we're not quite halfway through a ten episode season arc, I have the upmost confidence that the writers will make sure the trail leads to a satisfying conclusion.

And finally, watching a sci-fi program and complaining about the music, is like going to Jack in the Box and bitching that they don't have "genuine" tacos.. Just saying....