I attended DC for the first time a few years back and one thing that stuck out for me was seeing how many people went just to catch up with other people there, on top of whatever they wanted to do with programming or even parties. The social aspect is definitely that event’s ace card. 

It sure wouldn’t hurt them to pivot toward something closer to DragonCon’s style even if the writers get a good enough offer to come back to work. 

Tahiti is a wonderful place! 

Badaki was great in this turn, but it felt like we missed a scene between her telling Una that she wanted to use this case to nail the Federation and then using Una’s story to set up the asylum defense.

Also interesting in that we’re leading off with two Pike-light episodes, a testament to the depth of the cast.

Now…

My own theory is that Ross was abducted and turned into a “shell” after the events of Wakanda Forever. So we’ll see.

Losing Agent Hill this quickly didn’t quite feel earned to me. My primary issue with this story thus far is that Fury seemingly insistent on working this outside of either SABER or U.S. resources feels like a bit of Idiot Ball plotting. But we’ll see where this goes. 

“That’s my secret, Captain -- I’m always TICAAAAL” 

My own guess is that Q resurrects him to troll Seven and Jack, and nu-Shaw just sticks around. 

I definitely got the impression during the hallway fight sequence that they could be setting up for M’Benga to make a heroic sacrifice later. So Hemmer’s death last season is still paying off for me, at least. Looking ahead, I can’t wait for Peck’s first run-in with Spock’s new auntie.

That scene looked appropriately twitchy; and not to get too deep in the weeds here, but we should also consider that selective IMDB use would fit the tone of this show. 

Gotta disagree with Linda here; if this ends up being closer to Lois & Clark in tone it’ll be a nice change of pace to the usual world-ending stakes of the movies. I’m definitely giving this a go. 

Huh, I thought you were going to mention the nods to both No Way Home and Ned. But good eye!

Just got home and that was exhilarating. Imagine Akira getting its own Spider-Man 2.

OK, I have to take issue with this:

Riker offering to introduce the two would’ve been cute. 

My feeling has been that if the whole Berlanti slate had wrapped up after Crisis on Infinite Earths, the critical perspective would’ve probably ended up being kinder. But all things considered, a hell of a run (Barry) run.

As the universe braces for the drinking contest between Beckett and Jack Crusher. 

Somebody compared him in another thread a few weeks ago to Guy Smiley from Sesame Street and I can’t unsee it now. 

Oh well yeah, no doubt there’s some sort of time whammy involved 

GET IN THE FUCKING FRANKENMECHA, SHINJI