I enjoyed the episode, but I agree that the documentary framing device seemed to preclude any serious discussion of the ethical problem, like you’d get in the 1701-D’s conference (briefing?) room. Instead, we got a lot of Pike saying “Orders is orders!”
We’re not privy to Pike’s communications with Starfleet, there’s little nuance to any discussion of the issue we do see, and the Lutani get so little screen time, they’re practically 2d.
I liked the novelty of the format, and I generally enjoy the way SNW mixes things up. I do think it often leans too far into style, to the detriment of substance.
Frankly, we saw more in Pike’s face and heard more in his tone of voice — grim and determined - than any debates might have given us.
We were shown rather than told, and that’s a good thing.
This was arguably Anson Mount’s best, most sincere, performance as Pike since Discovery season two. There’s been a glibness in Pike in SNW. Both episodes 5 and 6 this season have turned that around.
It was also another episode where Una showed that she really was Pike’s First Officer and principal advisor.
I enjoyed the episode, but I agree that the documentary framing device seemed to preclude any serious discussion of the ethical problem, like you’d get in the 1701-D’s conference (briefing?) room. Instead, we got a lot of Pike saying “Orders is orders!”
We’re not privy to Pike’s communications with Starfleet, there’s little nuance to any discussion of the issue we do see, and the Lutani get so little screen time, they’re practically 2d.
I liked the novelty of the format, and I generally enjoy the way SNW mixes things up. I do think it often leans too far into style, to the detriment of substance.
Frankly, we saw more in Pike’s face and heard more in his tone of voice — grim and determined - than any debates might have given us.
We were shown rather than told, and that’s a good thing.
This was arguably Anson Mount’s best, most sincere, performance as Pike since Discovery season two. There’s been a glibness in Pike in SNW. Both episodes 5 and 6 this season have turned that around.
It was also another episode where Una showed that she really was Pike’s First Officer and principal advisor.