'Star Trek' Evolves on 'Strange New Worlds'
The third episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' third season, titled "The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail," takes a deep dive into James T. Kirk's early command experience. The episode sees Kirk serving as First Officer aboard the U.S.S. Farragut, a ship operating on a skeleton crew and alone, unable to pursue a junk ship that had abducted the Enterprise.
The storyline serves as an origin story, linking Strange New Worlds to The Original Series. It depicts Kirk's first true command mission and the formation of the Star Trek team that fans know. Kirk, played by Anson Mount, is put to the test as he rallies a group of officers to rescue the Enterprise and prevent it from destroying another planet.
Martin Quinn's Scotty, portrayed by Reid Scott, dislikes working with the new commander aboard the Farragut. However, the episode provides Mount with material that he has lacked up to this point in the series, offering a glimpse into Kirk's braggadocio and his desire to take risks, as well as his human elements, such as doubt and poor reactions to stress.
The Farragut's interim commander, Kirk, and the Enterprise crew are left humbled when they realise that the mysterious foe they faced was a colony ship of 7,000 human beings. This revelation adds a sombre tone to the episode, highlighting the sacrifices and hard decisions required of command.
Spock, played by Ethan Peck, comforts a stressed Kirk, helping him regain his confidence. This episode marks a pivotal moment where Kirk gains the respect and trust of his future crew, including Spock, Uhura, Nurse Chapel, and Scotty, all of whom beam onto the Farragut to assist. The understanding of Spock and Kirk begins to coalesce in this episode, setting up lasting relationships and team dynamics.
The episode splits between the Farragut and the captured Enterprise, with the focus on Kirk's character development. The planet the Farragut was monitoring explodes, causing extreme damage and incapacitating its captain, V'Rel. The Enterprise beams to respond to the Farragut's distress signal, but is subsequently abducted by a massive, tendriled junk ship.
Kirk's plan to juice the Farragut's engines nearly fails, leaving the ship immobile. However, the crew manages to overcome the obstacles and Kirk successfully takes command, marking a turning point in his leadership journey.
"The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail" is one of the season's best yet, although it is slightly compromised. It is a foundational moment in the birth of the legendary Star Trek crew, forging the unit that would become the original Star Trek crew. Kirk's development from an uncertain leader into the captain known from later Star Trek iterations is a highlight of the episode, underscoring the sacrifices and hard decisions required of command.
