Well, that came out of nowhere. It feels much too early for this series to be letting its hair down with a lighthearted, comedic study focusing on empathy. That’s not to say it wasn’t good, of course. If there’s one thing these podcasters have been consistent about — other than an unhealthy obsession with Guinan — it’s a strong, unexpected appreciation of Strange New Worlds.
Every segment of this episode was pleasurable to watch. There were a few winks to the audience, some of them being musical, but nothing off-putting or cringy or reminiscent of Picard.
The premise of Spock and T’Pring could have quickly become hokey and plenty worthy of demerits, especially given that this idea was heavily explored in the 80s. But it never felt that way! As an added bonus, the departure from the normal procedure of the afflicted characters being compelled to keep their “switch” a secret was refreshing and welcome.
Synopsis of “Spock Amok”
It’s a comedy of manners when Spock has a personal visit in the middle of Spock and Captain Pike’s crucial negotiations with an unusual alien species.
The cold open to the episode was the one element that seemed unnecessary in its length and score. Once it becomes obvious Spock is dreaming or hallucinating, the scene didn’t need to continue on to the extent that it did. Dream sequences are usually a hacky, uncreative method of communicating a storey or character elements deemed impossible through the normal course of the narrative.
To these podcasters, the idea that Spock is constantly embattled with his human side is plenty clear without this scene. Perhaps the producers wished to use the famous score cue from the Original Series, explaining the scenes’ length and existence at. It’s possible we’ll never know, but we’d put money on it. Who’s in?
