7 Ups & 1 Down From Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 3.5 — Through The Lens Of Time
'Through the Lens of Time,' we won't look at Star Trek quite the same way again.
Now, THAT's a murder mystery (with Amelia Moon technically still right there)! Now, THAT's a strange new world (even if it is part quarry). After last week's more than divisive metacommentary, Through the Lens of Time is a welcome return to form. Unhampered by a self-referential checklist, the episode has the freedom to innovate, to do what the series says on the tin or the jacket of the Blu-Ray.
Through the Lens of Time is thrilling and terrifying in equal measure. It is far from perfect, however. In fact, some fans might have an understandable degree of difficulty moving past the blood and gore of certain scenes to enjoy the rather tantalising intrigue at the episode's core. The Vezda of Vadia IX are a galactic super-menace like few others we've seen in Star Trek — true evil without the usual caveats — an enigma wrapped in a temple.
As always for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Through the Lens of Time also benefits greatly from its high calibre acting talent, including the newcomers. This is no B-movie horror or knock-off Indiana Jones. No one is hamming it up this week.
Ultimately, Through the Lens of Time stands up to its own invitation to be put under the magnifying glass. It will, almost certainly, stand the test of time.
9. UP — The Good Gamble
Not unlike all those quantum uncertainties in the temple, introducing a new character to an established TV series can be fraught with uncertainty. Not so for Nurse Gamble, now named as such (on screen). This ensign is the wager that paid off immediately back in Wedding Bell Blues, and with dividends in Through the Lens of Time.
The episode begins on the "junior medical officer's log," six months in to his service aboard the Enterprise. Gamble's unfettered enthusiasm is infectious. His joyful and genuine interest in all things is the essence of Starfleet. "After today, I know my life is never going to be the same again," he notes. In hindsight, that is practically a premonition. If only we could reach through the screen to warn him!
Gamble is so delighted to be joining the away team, so fascinated by Doctor Korby's research, that his reaction is to hug Doctor M'Benga. 'Professionalism be damned' is somewhat the point. Gamble wears his heart, his gratitude, on his (jumpsuit) sleeve — a rather precious quality of youth that can all too often vanish amongst the rigours of rank, age, and so-called 'responsibility'.
Unbeknownst to both participants, the hug was also a goodbye. The ensign never truly returned from Vadia IX. The opening scene in sickbay was his final resting place. Here lies the 'good Gamble' — soon to be ancient, but never to be old.