7 Ups & 1 Down From Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 3.5 — Through The Lens Of Time

7. DOWN — Away Mission Or Couples Retreat?

Season three of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has already afforded far too much focus to romance. What began with a whiff of the adolescent has descended over five episodes into the downright 'high school' — 21st century idioms to match. Spock's love life has become more messy than a bad game of kal-toh.

In part, Through the Lens of Time played like the reverse of Captain's Holiday (without the short shorts). Vadia IX was an odd substitute for Risa. Was this an archaeological dig or a getaway for three of the Enterprise's most eligible couples? Sorry, "no labels," we know. "Just fun times." Let he who is without sin cast the first deflector beam.

"We're all adults here, right?" La'An inquired of Chapel before the away mission had begun. If you have to ask the question, the answer is unlikely to please you. Far from adolescent or high school, "don't be one of those women" was a line straight from the mouth of the office bully. We know La'An can be standoffish and forthright, but she's not cruel!

#totesawksintheturbolift between Chapel and Spock could have been left out entirely, but for the effective moment of comedy provided by an unwitting third wheel. Down on the planet, Beto and Uhura probably just needed to get on with their respective jobs. They, however, at least had youth as an excuse. Folly of also paid off down the line.