IR TV Review: STAR TREK - STRANGE NEW WORLDS - EPISODE 8 (“Under The Cloak Of War”) [Paramount+-S2]
The progression of hate and redemption is an interesting diatribe of emotion and fear, especially in the context of war. With Episode 8 of Season 2: "Under The Cloak Of War", "Strange New Worlds" does a 180 from the lighthearted romp in a way of the last episode to this which is a really wonderful dynamic shift. Earlier in the season, the context of what was happening with M'Benga and Chapel when they survived a ship explosion seemed more than a little unrelenting in wanting to be big without a sense of context really. This episode really brings that plot point to bear within an aspect of flashbacks. The past seems at times more like a war movie which really brings to bear M'Benga as a much darker figure. The moral quandaries and the reconciliation of war, enemies and redemption is really well handled. Different characters handle it differently.
M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) is the most dynametric because the case of this man (like Pike) that seemingly can't end well. A late episode discussion with both understanding and a chasm between these two men paints it well. Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) deals with it in a different way. After the burgeoning feelings that are being acted on by her nd Spock, her response of not being able to relay to him how she needs to be handled per se because of this PTSD in a way is really well played. Ethan Peck as Spock is showing these little notes of the character wanting to learn to be more emotional but every setback might make him question his actions. The last three episodes (including this one) set up a preclusion to sadness because one almost knows where this is all headed. The sense of dread, knowledge and loss along with the love that exists makes this series the best so far of the new generation because it knows how to pull in the audience. Even when mistakes are made it becomes a fabric of what we think we know. That creates the best writing along with a sense of history (and even a cameo with a deep cut for those who have a keen eye). A-
By Tim Wassberg
