IR TV Review: STAR TREK - STRANGE NEW WORLDS - EPISODE 3 (“Ghosts of Illyria”) [Paramount+]
The notion of secrets and loss when life throws a curveball is all about understanding the reasoning. With Episode 3 of "Strange New Worlds": "Ghosts of Illyria", the focus shifts to Number One (Rebecca Romijn). It is always interesting to think back many years ago first interviewing her even before X-Men for "Femme Fatale" by Brian DePalma. That actress was visceral but also new and that impulse reflected well in that character. Here the texture is not of ego but of leading and sacrifice. That is what comes through which is an immense growth. The irony in this episode is that Romijn's character finds an uncomfortable balance in her existence after a contagion is brought back to the ship and Pike and Spock are trapped on the surface of the planet below which is eating itself alive. The episode again reaffirms the perspective and positive conclusive nature of this crew. Everything is not out to kill them. They might just not understand the context.
This episode shows Number One walking alone but also not overreacting even though everyone else around her is. Unlike some of the episodes of "Voyager" there is a sense of dread and of space. Everything is not light and that is the irony here. But still humanity peaks through in ways "Picard" couldn't. This is especially true in key moments with the doctor and Number One in this episode. That weight is felt especially when a certain fact is revealed at the very end and her response however subtle. Those little elements of lore and heart that only the audience and maybe one other character knows fuel this series. Those little moments tend to come through in delicate moments in "Strange New Worlds". Every character, as indicated, is getting to have these, even the transporter chief. Nurse Chapel is also another shining light that is shimmering in her own way because she brings more humor to the role than Majel Barrett which is a hard act to follow. But there also is an essence of sadness and yet love at the same time in her smile. Again lore is part of history and every continuing detail of these characters enriches the tapestry even as it changes our perception in subtle ways of it. B+
By Tim Wassberg
