Pike responds to a distress call and Spock tries to spice up his relationship with T’Pring.

This episode, more so than any other in recent history, reassured me that there’s still people out there making the Star Trek of my youth. Fun, involving, clever and daft in the right places – I had a great time.

Pirates have been tackled before in the Star Trek universe, but I don’t recall a Federation captain offering to help cook them a decent  meal before. Anson Mount’s Pike is surprised to hear that his nickname is ‘the boy scout’; it clearly sits well with him. He’s the ultimate Good Samaritan, and when asked to help some colonists who have been kidnapped by pirates, he’s willing to steer the Enterprise into non-Federation space.

It’s not long before the ship falls into a trap and it’s up to smart people with some smart thinking to work things out. Spock is concerned that he acted on a hunch (his Vulcan vs human inner conflict continues) and is also struggling to maintain a long-distance relationship with his betrothed. But instead of being an unrelated B-plot, the Vulcans’ relationship is key to the main story, which bounces along with joy and aplomb.

These might be pirates, but they’re disenfranchised and ripe for a mutiny. At no point is there any great jeopardy, but that’s by the by. Here we have a beautifully written and executed story with an unexpected guest villain, some significant character development and an overwhelming joie de vivre. My favourite this year.

Verdict: I spent most of this episode with a silly grin on my face. It felt like it was made for me – what a treat. 10/10

Nick Joy