A visiting instructor arrives at the Academy and uses an unorthodox method to help the cadets process the emotions of recent trauma. 

Written by Gaia Volo and Jane Maggs, this week’s episode is again all about the feels, and its success will depend on your mileage with continuous emotional moping, or the desire to get back in action. Don’t get me wrong, last week’s breather was a necessary pause following some major trauma, but when there’s only 10 episodes in a season, you can’t dwell too long on the recovery.

Tarima Sadal has returned after a full recovery following her coma, but she’s still very fragile and has relocated from War College to Starfleet Academy. The cadets are struggling to work together because trauma counselling isn’t enough, and it’s up to Tilly to save them by teaching theatre. And things are escalating with SAM’s glitching – she needs to return to her makers or risk shutdown.

Verdict: It is of course a joy to welcome the return of a popular character, and hopefully everyone is now well enough to get back to work before the season runs out of episodes. 5/10

Nick Joy