95: "Shuttle to Kenfori" (SNW S3E3)

This week we’re balancing Moss Zombies with Gorn Consumption as Pike and M’Benga take a “Shuttle to Kenfori!” It’s a character episode with some zombies in the background, and also one particularly grumpy Klingon. Jason looks up the Klingon word for “redshirts.” Also: Paramount finally gets bought, and there are new pictures from “Starfleet Academy!” Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

A nigh-omnipotent wedding planner threatens the Enterprise crew with a good time! We’re here to talk about the second new “Strange New Worlds” episode of the premiere week, in which Spock and his romantic rival must unite to find a way to bring back reality, or become dogs trying. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

And now, the conclusion! “Strange New Worlds” returns with the resolution of the season 2-ending storyline involving the Gorn, including Chris Pike’s very bad day. We dive into the action after a discussion of the precarious position Paramount and Star Trek are in right now. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Scott and Jason review the Paramount+ original movie “Star Trek: Section 31” and then, just for fun, rank all the Star Trek movies from worst to best! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

This is it! We’re reviewing a new “Star Trek: Discovery” episode for the last time. From binary stars to binary black holes, we’ve been here through it all. This time we’re doing our usual nonsense, expressing feelings first, then discussing the specially shot series-end segment, then backing into the main core of the episode. Mind-bending corridors! Lengthy bridge discussions! Fancy dress wedding! Book’s new living room! We cover it all. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

The season-long plot nears its conclusion—but this is “Discovery,” so there’s still time for a heart-to-heart while wearing Breen helmets. Jason and Scott have an oil bath to get to, but before they do, they break down the penultimate episode! Saru’s back! Vulcan flower holders! And the most dramatic scene of a man sitting in a chair that we’ve seen in years. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Into the space library we go! Burnham faces a mental labyrinth while on the outside, the Breen are busy doing Breen stuff—being annoying, mostly. We discuss Moll’s commitment to her husband, delight in library wardrobes, and more—but only after Jason makes strange, brief digression to discuss “Magnum, p.i.” and how it’s not connected to “Star Trek.” Except where it is. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Discovery rolls on toward its end, with an episode that should involve a lot of plot pivoting, but ends up being an old-fashioned talky diplomatic dilemma crossed with scientific puzzle solving. Also, so many Breen! And Rayner learns that when you’re in trouble, you have to take the walk of shame instead of beaming home. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

What’s more Star Trek than violating the Prime Directive? This week’s “Discovery” episode feels familiar in a very good way. Jason defends Captain Burnham in imaginary Prime Directive court, but Judge Scott is not hearing it. Also, we spend a surprising amount of time wondering about how replicated food works. We blame Culber’s abuela. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

At long last, this episode of “Star Trek: Discovery” answers the question fans have been asking about for decades: What’s under that Breen helmet? Wait, was that not your question? How about some backstory for this season’s antagonists? No? You wanted to know more juicy details about the Mirror Universe? Well, we don’t know what to tell you. Look in the mirror. We did. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.