lirazel | (no subject)

So I'm still enjoying Strange New Worlds, but I am very confused about a couple of the choices the writers are making:

+ The deaths. There was zero reason to kill of Hemmer this early and almost zero to write off M'Benga's daughter already. Do the writers not understand that deaths of characters matter after we've gotten to know them well? I have adored all of Hemmer's screentime, but I feel like we barely got to know him. If they'd pushed this death to the end of next season, after we get to know him really well, then it would be hugely emotional. As it is, I'm just annoyed that we barely got to know this guy and we're already being robbed of him.

And M'Benga's daughter's storyline was too rushed, too. Babs Olusanmokun did a hell of a job selling it (though I wish he didn't always sound like he's lost his voice), but there wasn't room to let it breathe. There are just so many characters on this show--all of whom I really enjoy!--that there simply was not not time in 10 episodes to let this plotline age enough to reach its maximum potential. If you're going to have this many characters, and the seasons are going to be this short, you really need to move these big payoffs to the second season at least.

Also super confused about the Spock/Chapel stuff. I love Spock! I love Chapel! But why are we going here??? It just seems like a weird choice when Spock's already got a love interest in T'Pring and we know he's going to meet the love of his life next season.

My dudes! Why are you creating these flaws in what is otherwise a really solid, enjoyable new show???

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I didn't watch episode 9 because I am a scaredy cat, so I just read the reviews and went WHAT. I was really excited about a disabled crew member, even though the execution hadn't necessarily been there so far, so yeah I have no idea what they're doing. I was liking the episodic vibes but we're going back to Star Trek drama-itis, apparently. M'Benga's daughter I thought was an okay wrap up to that story, cause they had framed it as kind of problematic to keep her in the transporter buffer indefinitely, but it is a bunch of losses in a row.

I have no idea how I feel about the Chapel thing, except that it doesn't seem to mesh too well with canon. Also now that we've met T'Pring properly, I really wish that could work out.

Edited 2022-07-03 21:59 (UTC)

It was such a confusing decision. This character had so much potential! We've had like one other episode where he had significant screentime! But I already liked him so much! I am very Annoyed.

M'Benga's daughter I thought was an okay wrap up to that story, cause they had framed it as kind of problematic to keep her in the transporter buffer indefinitely, but it is a bunch of losses in a row.

I don't know what it was about the execution of that that didn't quite work for me. The acting was great. On paper, I liked the plot idea. But I feel like I should have been crying, and I just wasn't.

Also now that we've met T'Pring properly, I really wish that could work out.

I'm fine with T'Pring ultimately deciding Spock isn't going to work out. But I like her so much! And there seems no reason to do the Chapel/Spock thing except that Chapel had a crush on him in TOS?

I think the writers are going for a mix of character development and one-episode storylines, and that sometimes clashes a lot! To be fair, the original series also had these episodes which dealt with stuff very quickly and never again, so in that sense, it fits.

But it's definitely not fun to lose these characters I already like so much! Like you said, it matters, even if they use it for a plot point. For example, in Hemmer's case, we're supposed to understand that he is the reason why Uhura won't leave Starfleet. Her parents' death is why she runs off and joins, but Hemmer is why she stays, right? It's meaningful, sure, but it sucks! :(

Also super confused about the Spock/Chapel stuff.

I'm not into their storyline at all, but I prefer it to what they did in TOS, where she was basically only there to have a crush on Spock. That got old super fast and feels really dated--so while I would have rather not have it in SNW at all, I guess it's a good way to adapt that dynamic!

To be fair, the original series also had these episodes which dealt with stuff very quickly and never again, so in that sense, it fits.

True. But I don't think audiences are willing to accept it now the way they were back in the '60s.

For example, in Hemmer's case, we're supposed to understand that he is the reason why Uhura won't leave Starfleet. Her parents' death is why she runs off and joins, but Hemmer is why she stays, right? It's meaningful, sure, but it sucks! :(

I'm fine with this idea in concept, but there wasn't enough lead-up! It kind of reminds me of the second AOS movie where they do the Khan stuff and have the Spirk scene and it just...falls flat in a way it didn't in the TOS movies. Because in the TOS movies, we've had years with these characters, and we know that they've had even more years together. We believe wholeheartedly in the Kirk/Spock relationship (however anyone wants to read it). In AOS, none of that establishing work is done, and it felt cheap and manipulative.

The Hemmer death doesn't feel cheap or manipulative, but it does feel unearned in a similar way.

but I prefer it to what they did in TOS, where she was basically only there to have a crush on Spock. That got old super fast and feels really dated--so while I would have rather not have it in SNW at all, I guess it's a good way to adapt that dynamic!

I am firmly team "this didn't need to be in SNW at all and also I don't understand how this character who I like a lot is supposed to turn into TOS!Chapel it makes no sense why didn't they just create a new character with a different name?"

The Hemmer death doesn't feel cheap or manipulative, but it does feel unearned in a similar way.

I absolutely agree. I also felt that they didn't handle disability in a good way. I've really liked SNW so far, but that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Yes, absolutely.

As far as I know this has not been confirmed, but I've seen a lot of speculation that Hemmer was written out because the writers plan to bring in Scotty as chief engineer next season. And honestly, if that turns out to be true, that combined with the way season 2 of Picard ended/what's been announced for Picard season 3 really leaves a bad taste in my mouth with how these shows see their new characters vs the legacy ones. I was really hoping to see more of him too and I don't feel like the new characters or most of their relationships have been developed enough for me to care enough about them for things like his death to work.

I also don't like that so much of both Spock's and Chapel's screen time is dedicated to this love triangle or whatever it is. It makes both characters feel less interesting to me.

OH NO. I do not like that at all! If that turns out to be the case I am going to be Very Irritated.

I don't feel like the new characters or most of their relationships have been developed enough for me to care enough about them for things like his death to work.

Exactly!!!!

It makes both characters feel less interesting to me.

Same. I like both of them a lot, but the love triangle is the least interesting thing about them.