rating: ***
the story: Burnham and Book pursue their separate goals at the same poker table.
review: I loved that the episode hinges on a (space) poker game. As a franchise fan, it evokes Next Generation too easily to be ignored, and unlike that series, it's a game with truly high stakes. While the episode sort of coasts along, that sequence, and how lively Burnham is (arguably the most lively she's been to date, in the whole series), it's very easy to love. I think if the creators were paying attention to this production, they may've stumbled upon something very crucial to the continuing adventures of this crew.
It's a waltz, really, between Burnham and Book. Book is an incredibly reluctant villain at this point, and for whatever reason once again reverting to a lethargic persona, which has been crushing his appeal all season. Call it malaise, PTSD, or just uninspired acting, but it sets off Burnham's energy as never before, so I guess there's some positive to it.
Star Trek visits another attempt at the Star Wars cantina, and with all the moody (read: very, very dark) lighting, it's hard to really get into it, but the guy with all the goods is nothing like Quark in Deep Space Nine (but, and this is relevant because there's a Founder in the episode! Odo never let him get away with quite this much), and adds the same kind of energy as Book's other running mate, Tarka (although even he doesn't have much to do this episode), and Vance, who arguably has his best appearance to date feeling rotten he put so much faith in that guy.
The sequence with the bot Culber won't just clean like it desperately wants to is a nice touch, too, and how everyone finds what they're looking for, including the location of the unknown species and what their actual (probable) motivations are is handled so well, if Book hadn't turned so stubbornly into Eeyor I would've really loved this one.
criteria analysis:
- franchise - It feels like a nod to Next Generation, that epic (space) poker game.
- series - Several big developments for the season arc this episode.
- character - Arguably the most fun Michael Burnham has ever been.
essential- Taking everything down a notch is the gloom in both the cinematography and the general character of Book.
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