Captain Patel is cleared to return to active duty as the new director of the Starfleet Judge Advocate General’s office, but her appointment is delayed by the return of a familiar enemy.
Those expecting this year’s eclectic run of episodes to conclude with an epic, cliffhanger-based two-parter are likely to be disappointed, because this is a very different beast. Unfortunately, it follows directly on from what I found was one of this year’s weakest episodes – Through the Lens of Time – and in my opinion was a poor choice to conclude the year.
I don’t want to go into any more detail, as there are significant events that will ripple forwards across the show’s final two seasons. I will say that there is a great scene between Spock and Kirk, and a memorable moment between Pike and Patel where Pike has even more hair than usual!
Verdict: A curious choice to finish the season. Arguably this one is all about the emotions, but the choice of a third (or fourth) rate villain feels like a misstep. 7/10
Nick Joy