IR TV Review: STAR TREK - STRANGE NEW WORLDS - EPISODE 8 (“Four And A Half Vulcans”)[Paramount+-S3]
The aspect of individuality also plays a part in Star Trek lore even within the context of outsiders. With Episode 8 of Season 3 of "Strange New Worlds" entitled "Four-and-a-Half Vulcans," the essence of logic and emotion becomes an interesting emotive exercise. On an away mission, an after-effect that turned Spock fully human for a spell is specifically used here for four of the bridge crew (Chapel, Uhura, Noonien-Singh and Pike). They become fully Vulcan for a short spell to complete a mission. Chapel believes she can use a serum to change them back but that goes slightly awry. Again this is one of the better standalone episodes of this series because it uses what we know about this Spock and uses it to skew the personalities of the others in play. Even though their identities are hidden below what works is what they see in the logic that didn't occur to them before and how it changes them in certain ways for maybe the better (or their true selves) or to the worst.
The episode follows each of them but interesting enough the one that it moves mostly with in a sense of mystery is L'an (Noonien Singh). Christina CHong knows what makes this woman tick, her perspective of her lineage but also the likely tragic outcome down the line. Her nature is ingrained in her. Spock wants to believe in this way he can find the best in her but that is a matter of perspective. But seeing Kirk and Scotty team up to try to calm her back down into reality is a really nice homage but also likely foreshadowing. Pike is another matter all together since he is much more emotional most of the time and yet the way he approaches a crucial meeting (both professionally and personally) sort of reveals his true intentions.
Uhura, who is usually more empathetic, does an interesting power move (which again belies some of her true intentions). Chapel's is by far the most damaging to her own self-ego but also speaks to what she sees in Spock and in herself. She is torn in a way and yet still resolute. On top of this, there is also a small romantic interlude which involves First Officer Una and a visitor to the ship. It adds a bit of lightness but also an importance point of reference on Spock. All in all, this is a very well written episode that completely stands on its own. One might need to have a little bit of background but not much and for those invested offers subtle (and also obviously) clues to the emotional and logical make up of these crewmembers we have come to know. A
By Tim Wassberg
