Imma just spew out these points in no order. I could write a book I think. So much love.
So many things!!!
Amazing choice to have no music during fight scene.
Loved that Tyler appeared to be defending himself between attempts to just restrain Culber. That come back to Culber was a gut punch.
LOVED the cold open recap. Respectful. Owned the modernization of the era. Really worked as a bridge for me to modern Pike.
I love Spock. That is all. I just do. I think Ethan is going to land this beautifully.
Culber is so painfully truthful IMO. The scenes between him and Stamets seemed real and crushing.
Vina and Pike! That scene was everything. They had amazing chemistry and lent depth to “The Menagerie” like mad. Pike’s reaction when she came to him was masterful. Wonderful.
I think Michael and Spock have amazing chemistry.
Also the switching between past and present and child adult pairings changing constantly also spoke to me. We carry family hurt with us our whole lives. At least I felt them saying that. I think of a song I love “Be careful how you send me, be careful how you bend me. Careful how you end me. Be careful with me.” I know non-sequitur in a way but those lyrics seriously bloomed in my head as I watched. Brutal. Brutal. Brutal. (And I knew that would be the cause of the rift and fully expected to be underwhelmed. Instead they killed me with how sad it was).
Saru’s explanation and 100 percent sassy reasoning absolutely had me and my friend howling out loud. In fact she made me rewind so we could watch it again. Lol.
I could talk about every line and even if this episode and not praise enough. It is definitely my favorite Disco to date and will probably not be topped. It was like a gift I always wanted and didn’t know I wanted it.
I agree that this is best episode of S2 so far. All of the Talos IV stuff was great.
My only complaint is the Section 31 stuff. Having Gergiou give Pike orders and he follows them rubs me the wrong way. I have an opinion that the writers opt for the neat scene between characters instead of building a long term universe, keeping the little facts straight.
BTW I reached out to Wilson Cruz on IG and said he might really appreciate this podcast and he responded he would listen!
this must have sent echos through him
Glenn! You are on to something with Hal control!
I do think the Tyler we love is on his way back. Or AN Ash. I actually like the Tyler Pike connection. And I thought Pike really looked after Tyler like “home project! (Rubs hands) I’m bringing this guy back into the fold”. And yes Tyler in the fight scene showed us Ash is still there.
You know, I’ve been in a position where I knew my sister didn’t mean something she said but to this day I have a hard spot in my heart about it. And it was not nearly as bad as what Michael did to Spock. I mean that was so so brutal. “I don’t want a freak for a brother” “I don’t want you in my life” “you weird little halfbreed”. “Weird freak halfbreed” those are really really harsh. I personally feel this adds a layer to This side of Paradise where it takes Kirk a lot of digging to get past Spock’s rosy spore haze bit. As Kirk heads into circus freak language and alternating between painting him as a computer and a distant cold weirdo (“cold distant moon?” Sound familiar?) and a circus “freak” that belongs next to the dog faced boy, Spock becomes completely unhinged. All very similar to this. I really appreciate that the writers extrapolated backwards to this scene. Whether or not people feel this was enough it has a solid footing on what deep in his heart will set off a rage in future Spock. But it also fits in perfectly with the story they are trying to tell.
I think what you said about Jett Reno applies equally to Jacob. I think we will see Jacob again. His “I know we will” (see each other) to Pike just really sticks with me.
I can’t believe you killed Spock! I just can’t. Lol.
Oh and you might enjoy this mini -thread by Disco’s ACE on the evolution of that opener. https://twitter.com/scottgamzon/status/1104114590000996352?s=21