Recap: Star Trek Strange New Worlds - “Through the Lens of Time”, Season 3, Episode 5

Star Trek Strange New Worlds

“Through the Lens of Time”, Season 3, Episode 5

This is a truly cerebral, sometimes spooky episode that incorporates alien possession, logic, aliens, science, scientific theory, belief in the unknown, and the fact that we don’t know everything, even science geeks. One important lesson learned is that not all aliens are good aliens. Another showed how ancient M’Kroons actually achieved immortality, and it is literally at a weird molecular level.  It’s sad they had to lose one of the characters that became a favorite, in the process. Pelia/Carole Kane gives another superb performance.There’s also a little cliffhanger before the end of the episode. It may resurface in a future episode. This episode has classic potential. Side Note: Good to see they are developing the Beto character. He brings a touch of social media to the canvas.

Nurse Chapel and Dr. Korby are excited. They are about to make history with a discovery they believe can affect how we view immortality and corporeal transference on the molecular biology level. Their discovery is found on the M’Kroon planet. They found ancient technology with data based on reincarnation and resurrection. This could have the answer to immortality.

In sick bay, Ensign Gambel/Chris Myers is enjoying his assignment on the USS Enterprise. Every day is a new experience, and he’s loving every moment of it. He has dreamed of this opportunity ever since he graduated from StarFleet Academy. Another dream is about to come true for him,  thanks to Dr. M’Benga. After six requests, he finally gets to go on his first away team mission. His life will never be the same again. Dr. M’Benga is very impressed with Ensign Gambel and has requested he accompany the Vadia Nine landing party team on this momentous occasion. Ensign Gambel is so excited he gives Dr. M’Benga a hug. He rushes off to the landing party briefing, and now it’s Ensign Gambel’s time to shine.

Before beaming down to the planet’s surface, Nurse Chapel eases Dr. Korby’s worries. She tells him the Enterprise is ready and will provide all the support needed to access the ancient archeological site. She assures him that Starfleet is not going to take over this new dig he discovered. She distracts him with jokes. She assures him that they need Starfleet to get to the planet's surface. Korby transports down, and Chapel will follow him with the rest of the landing party.La’an passes Nurse Chapel in the hall with a quick greeting as she hurries away. Chapel follows her to ask her how Spock is. La’an tells her he’s fine. Chapel knows that there’s something happening between Spock and La’an since she dumped him. She tells Chapel if she’s worried about how Spock behaves around Korby, she should ask him herself and not try to indirectly get it from her. She walks off.

Later, there’s an awkward exchange between Nurse Chapel and Spock in the elevator. Chapel basically tries to tell Spock to act right with Dr. Korby when they get to the archeological site. Spock assures her he will ensure everything goes smoothly. Just at that moment, the elevator stops and Ensign Gamble joins them as they all head to the briefing room. Ensign Gambel quietly says he interrupted something, and gets no response from Chapel or Spock.

The landing party meets with the senior staff in the briefing room. Ensign Gambel and Beto Ortegas are the novice landing party members. Humberto (Beto) Ortegas, documentarian, is recording Enterprise’s current roster of missions for the Federation Centennial. He’s there filming the briefing, annoying Captain Pike and Number One. Commander Pelia is more than happy to pose for Beto’s camera any time he wants. Captain Pike acknowledges Chapel as the landing party lead. She gives them an update on what to expect once they get to the site. She is vexed that Spock chose to remain on the ship and won’t be down on the planet. 

Gambel, Beto, Uhura and Chapel beam to the planet’s surface. Korby is already there with the M’Kroon representative, N’Jal.  A cute moment is when Gambel rushes over to N’Jal to try and shake his hand. N’Jal says nothing. Korby goes to Chapel and excitedly shows her the magnetic anomaly that was discovered. He says there’s some form of advanced technology possibly beneath their feet. They set up their equipment. Beto interrupts Uhura long enough to flirt. They are a cute couple. Chapel interrupts them and gets Uhura refocused on the mission. Chapel contacts Captain Pike to activate the deflector beam. They unearth a huge structure. Chapel requests a bigger landing party. 

La’an and Spock beam down. The entrance to the structure is tricky. Uhura finds an access panel, and tries to gain entry. Korby and Chapel think the M’Kroons are direct descendants from an ancient civilization that could travel across multiple galaxies. Spock is skeptical. Chapel and Korby say their secrets to immortality were created by quantum instability at a molecular level. This even fascinated La’an. Uhura says the ancient language translation states they need a blood sacrifice to enter the structure. Korby is about to cut himself and bleed all over the place, but Chapel stops him. She finds another way. The door opens and things happen once they enter.

Ensign Gambel’s life does change. Captain Batel’s internal Gorn gets triggered at a level she didn’t know existed. They find orbs that contain entities and dead bodies, evil, and crew members technically disappear. They exist on different dimensional planes, experience shifting realities, and they lose one of their own, a wonderful asset to the Enterprise. They get locked inside the structure and need faith and belief in the cause and effect theory to escape.

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