This week’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, titled “Like Chronitons Through the Hourglass,” is a frustrating mix of bizarre choices and genuinely moving character moments. While the overarching gimmick ultimately detracts from the overall experience, Anson Mount delivers a performance that showcases the depth and tragedy inherent in Captain Pike’s story.
A Soap Opera Riff Gone Wrong
This episode attempts a “soap opera” format, complete with over-the-top acting and ridiculous plot developments. While initially amusing, the gimmick quickly wears thin, leaving viewers wondering why this beloved show is resorting to such tired tropes.
Rhys Darby returns as Trelane, the Q-like entity who plagued the crew in last season’s “Wedding Bell Blues.” This time, he forces the Enterprise crew to live out a soap opera, complete with overlit sets and awkward close-ups. The episode feels like a waste of precious screen time that could have been used to explore more compelling storylines.
Anson Mount Shines Through the Gimmick
Despite the overall misfire, Anson Mount’s performance is a standout. He brings a raw vulnerability to Pike as he confronts the loss of his lover, Marie Batel, and the life they could have had together. The scene where Pike sits with the ship’s counselor (played by soap opera legend Deidre Hall) is particularly poignant, showcasing Mount’s ability to convey deep emotion.
The episode also features a touching scene between La’an (Christina Chong) and Spock (Ethan Peck), which feels like a non-closure closure for their relationship. La’an sees in Soap Opera Sybok a glimmer of the more human Spock that she perhaps needed when they were together, but the real Spock is more Vulcan than ever here, unable to process what La’an’s going through when she mentions how hard it’s been since things between them ended.
Lingering Questions and Missed Opportunities
The episode raises several questions, including why Trelane keeps appearing in Pike’s era despite his first encounter with the Enterprise occurring during Captain Kirk’s time. The inclusion of Diane L. Johnstone wearing a variation of Q’s “judge” costume from TNG’s “Encounter at Farpoint” only adds to the confusion.
The episode also features a brief cameo by Sybok, setting up a potential storyline that may never be fully realized. The clock is ticking on Strange New Worlds, and it remains to be seen whether the show can recapture the magic of its earlier episodes.
Final Verdict
While Anson Mount and Christina Chong/Ethan Peck deliver strong performances, “Like Chronitons Through the Hourglass” ultimately falls short due to its reliance on a tired gimmick. The episode serves as a reminder of the potential that Strange New Worlds possesses, but also highlights the challenges it faces in maintaining its quality.
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