Una Chin-Riley’s trial and sentencing are here, but so is the long standing Star Trek tradition of discussing persecution and rights. Spoilers Ahead
1. Bad Blood
There are a lot of mixed emotions and hurt feelings in this episode. We find out who this lawyer is that Captain Pike and Una were discussing in episode one, and with that we are treated to seeing exactly what Pike was doing when he decided to take his leave of absence last week. Heading to the Vaultera Nebula to find this lawyer, Pike is in a hostile environment for humans, and most other carbon based life forms, but the Illyrians (and assuming other augmented species) have made it a home that can be free of unwanted visitors. Unless, of course, you are a persistent Starfleet captain looking to save the life of a friend. Right from the beginning of the episode we see how much the laws against genetically modified people is doing just as much harm as good between a flashback to Una being injured as child and no way of getting help from a Federation doctor and her current predicament awaiting trial and getting what seems like a fair plea deal, but at the expense of losing her entire service record with the promise of going free. This lawyer, Neera Ketoul, is an old friend of Una’s, but there is a rift the size of the Delta Quadrant between them. We get all of the story as the episode progresses.
Nearly every featured character is at odds with another. Spock and Vulcan prosecutor Palsak, Pike and Captain Batal – who is also on the prosecution team, it’s all to the point of overwhelming, but in the best way for the story. Every relationship and conversation that brings tension is all part of this perfectly crafted machine showing that rules and laws effect everyone in some fashion. Everyone is on edge due to the trial and what its wider repercussions could mean, not just for Una and other augmented peoples, but what it could mean for Pike and those who care about Una. There is so much tension built up throughout the entire episode that by the time the ending hits you may be crying, yelling at your t.v., or drained to the point of silence, and all three of those reactions feel right for this episode and its outcome.
2. The Federation as the “Bad Guys”
This is something that has been used as story motivator in the nearly 60 years that Star Trek has existed and it is never an easy thing to see. Even in a utopian future built on peace and harmony not just on Earth, but throughout 100s of other planets, old problems can still show their ugly faces. When Gene Roddenberry first conceived of this future for humanity, he wanted there to be no conflict between his main characters. The conflict was “out there.” But, with conflict and problems comes great storytelling. So while, his rule of no or little conflict between our heroes still stands, writers had to bring in things like prejudices and war to raise the stakes. Just because in this future, after 100s of years of wars, Earth was able to become a utopia, that doesn’t mean outside forces could shake that foundation. And that is what’s happening here. Ideas that originated hundreds of years ago with the Eugenics Wars have kept the Federation afraid enough to to persecute people just because of their beliefs and medical history, because to Illyrians and similar species, that is all their modifications are. It isn’t something that should be a problem or that forces them into hiding. It’s a tough look for an organization that is essentially made up of the best of every planet under its banner, but like Una says in the episode, “Starfleet is not a perfect organization, but it strives to be. And I believe it could be.” It is these hurdles that help us see the perfection on the horizon, rather than feeding us some fantasy of a perfect future where everything is just lovely.
3. Court Room Drama
Well, we are here. All the speculating I did last week about Una’s fate and the greater discussion of genetically augmented beings within the Federation, and Starfleet, was mostly put to rest with the premiere of this episode. Through the thrilling trial sequences, the episode examines every bit of Una’s story, and these laws in a way that it covers all of the bases. Like other ‘trial’ episodes of Star Trek this one is in a position to be named amongst one of the greatest episodes of the entire franchise. It is stories like this that allow people to connect with the characters and possibly change their outlook on something in their own lives. It is the power of Star Trek. It examines the pros and cons of these huge ideas and social constructs and proves that we can change and become the best versions of ourselves, even if we stumble along the way. Every scene, every moment, every character beat is in service of this notion. I’m not usually one for crime procedural shows, but when the story at the center of a court room drama is this righteous I can’t help but be sucked in. I like that we get closure for Una’s specific situation, for now, and it makes sense as to why the Federation will continue to hold up these laws against genetic modifications at this point in time, but it still feels like an odd thing to keep forever within this universe. I look forward to future stories that could tie things more directly to the shows set in the distant future from this point in the timeline.
Continued below4. Bending the Rules
Through the testimony of Admiral Robert April, Neera brings about a handful of times that he himself bent and even broke General Order One aka the Prime Directive. And as fans we know a slew of times that a hero character has broken or bent the rules to assist those in need. It’s a fun, yet truly poignant scene that proves that not all rules should be or can be followed to the letter at all times. There’s a bit of wink, especially from Neera, but it is still a beautiful and emotionally strong scene that shows the good can be done by following the rules, but also tampering with it. It is those with the best judgment that can make a call like this and still carry out exactly what Starfleet is all about. The scene is an indictment and commendation of Robert April, and all the other heroes fans have followed for decades.
5. Self Hatred and Hidden Monsters
Through characters that are both directly genetically modified and related to those, we get a better understanding of character details that have either been hinted at since season one, or things we were already fairly certain. Una hates that she’s had to hide who she is for 25 years. It has ruined past relationships and has kept her from feeling that she has been able to fully connect with her crewmates, those that she sees as the closest of friends and family. And yet, they haven’t been able to know her to the fullest extent and now they do know it is under these terrible circumstances. We also get a deeper understanding of La’An’s hatred for her own genetics, being a descendent of famed Trek villain Khan Noonien-Singh. She has a hatred for others that choose to be augmented because she thinks it could all lead to terrible outcomes. She carries this hatred for herself as though a monstrous entity could burst forth from her skin just because of who her ancestor is. Nothing about these revelations are surprising or new and it all carries an allegorical link to any person that has been persecuted for their race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, and so on. This allegory is an easy one to relate to, but it never feels ham-fisted, even with its simplicity. It is the emotional depth and strength of the writing of this episode that allows it to be the best kind of mirrored storytelling.
This episode really hit me at all angles, emotionally. I laughed, I cried, I gritted my teeth. I did not expect this part of Una’s story to come so soon, but I’m glad it did.
If you are relatively new to Trek and want to watch other, similar, episodes I recommend also viewing Star Trek‘s “Court Martial,” The Next Generation‘s “The Measure of a Man” and “First Duty” Deep Space Nine‘s “Tribunal” and “Rules of Engagement,” and Voyager‘s “Death Wish.” There are other trial/court related episodes throughout the entire franchise, but these are some of the best.
