Four episodes into Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and we finally got a bit of a slow down on the emotional and physical toll the first three episodes delivered. A bit of a slow down, but not nearly a complete stop. There were things to keep an eye on in this one, too.
“Among the Lotus Eaters” sees Captain Pike re-emerge as a central figure in the Enterprise story for season 2. And that re-emergence takes us back to one of the few pieces of Pike’s history that we know from TOS. Ordered to return to Rigel VII to clean up cultural contamination from a visit five years ago, a visit that cost the lives of three of his crew, Pike’s pain and apprehension about reliving those painful memories, memories we are familiar with via the classic episode, “The Cage,” is palpable.
Christina Chong as La’an, Melissa Navia as Ortegas and Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M’Benga appearing in episode 204 “Among The Lotus Eaters” of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
Pike is sent to the planet that proved a turning point in his career and recalls the running fight his crew had to make it back safely, though three of his group didn’t make it. It’s clearly a painful memory for him. The Kalar people were a bronze age society with a fierce warrior caste that doesn’t take kindly to outsiders. Unfortunately, a fly-by of the planet indicates that Pike and his retreating crew may have left more than lives on the planet five years before.
This is your official SPOILER WARNING. There, now you’ve seen it. Enjoy.
A giant Starfleet insignia is visible from the atmosphere (was that a giant hedge?), sending shock waves through Pike, who is also having a bit of a rocky romantic moment with Captain Batel. The two captains are finding it hard to find some alone time and when Pike suggests they back away, you get the feeling things are about to end. Fortunately, No. 1 delivers some hard truths to the captain, and the experience on Rigel VII drives the point home.
Jess Bush as Chapel appearing in episode 204 “Among The Lotus Eaters” of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
This episode has something of a “Wrath of Kahn” vibe, mixed with Homer’s “The Odyssey.” In the Odyssey, an island people eat a plant that makes them lethargic, compliant and apathetic. In the Kalar palace, Pike comes face to face with a ghost from his past, one of the crew he thought he’d lost. It is here, facing this former colleague who has not only disrupted the evolution of these people with Starfleet tech, but has installed himself as the ruler. Oh, how the wronged yearn to control things after having faced their situation being out of their control. Oh, and they like to blame someone for their misery, too.
The planet’s radiation slowly but surely wipes away the memories of those left outside the palace (whose unique metallurgical structure insulates those inside from forgetting), hence the beginning of “The Forgetting.” I would have liked to have seen the relationship between Pike and this former crewman explored a little more, but that wasn’t to be. Instead, Pike, La’An and Dr. M’Benga are sent to the fields, the very essence of who they are draining from their minds. And they know it, which has to be maddening, right? It reminded me in some ways of the insidious march of dementia in a person.
Reed Birney as Luq appearing in episode 204 “Among The Lotus Eaters” of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
Pike, however, can’t let go of the passion he has for his crew and those close to him and won’t let those feelings go. A talisman given to him by Batel continues to bring him back to something more, something beyond forgetting and meekly accepting. Pike is a man of care and empathy, a captain that holds his crew close to his heart. And that, in this case, is enough to push through the malaise and seek answers. But he’s not alone. As the radiation begins to infect the Enterprise, there are moments where the crew fights back, most notably Ortega who pushes through her own memory loss, frustration and fear to remember – “I fly the ship.”
In keeping with what season two of Strange New Worlds has given us, it was nice to see Ortega get a chance to shine a little brighter in this one. Much like La’An, No. 1, Dr. M’Benga have in previous episodes, we see a little deeper exploration of Ortega – who she is, who she wants to be, and that fight to keep her own identity. I thought Melissa Navia was a real bright light in this episode. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll get to join the away team for a mission.
Ethan Peck as Spock and Melissa Navia as Ortegas appearing in episode 204 “Among The Lotus Eaters” of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
The episode is an interesting study about who we are and why our memories – good and bad – are important in defining us and propelling us on. They are, once taken and then returned, also a good chance to reconsider our choices and maybe move in a different direction. From the Kalar field people to those on the Enterprise, there are memories that matter and we find that the apparent calm that comes with losing them isn’t worth the cost.
I was a huge fan of Reed Birney, who played Luq, the Kalan field worker. He was a source of both inspiration and warning, a man who knew there were painful memories in his past, but had accepted it best not to know them. The, when restored, he knew why it was important he remembered and felt the pain again. I though Birney was spot-on throughout.
Of course Pike fights through the haze, talisman in hand, to confront his former crewman and wrest control of the memories back. Even before he’s fully recovered, Pike the fighter, Pike the commander, Pike the caring mentor and nurturer is evident as he chases the dream of remembering. We knew he’d figure it out, knew he’d save the day. But along the way, the question of who we are, what we care about and how intensely that care is a part of our core, were explored a little more fully. And the episode was better for it. Seeing people we care about lose their identity, their whole being, is a frightening experience. Again, the cloud of dementia entered my own mind.
Anson Mount as Pike appearing in episode 204 “Among The Lotus Eaters” of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
It also pushed our good captain into a much more intense examination of his feelings for Captain Batel and the eventual honesty he delivers to her about those feelings. Yes, being the captain of a starship and trying to create and maintain a relationship is hard. But, it’s the hard that makes it great – and worth the effort. Are you brave enough not to push someone away when it’s tough. Or do you have the toughness to pull them closer in those moments? Pike discovered the latter was the more valuable.
This was a different kind of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode for season 2. A little slower, a little more self-reflective and contemplative. Given the vibe and tone of the first three episodes, there may be some who view this as a weak entry into the Strange New Worlds catalog, but I am not one of those. I think there was plenty to digest, a nice call-back to TOS, and some interesting aspects. Oh, did you notice the bottle of wine Batel and Pike were sharing in the early part of the episode? It was from Chateau Picard. A nice little tidbit that popped up out of nowhere. Loved it.
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