Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - S3 E7 - "What is Starfleet?"
August 21, 2025
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 307 - 'What is Starfleet?'
Their job is to bring light, warmth, and life wherever they go.
By Jay Stobie
Humberto "Beto" Ortegas narrates over declassified security footage recorded aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. Beto questions what separates a Federation from an Empire, asking if Starfleet officers are explorers or soldiers.* As part of his "What is Starfleet?" documentary, Beto interviews Captain Christopher Pike and his crew about their lives in service to the Federation.
In his quarters, Lt. Spock recalls running away to the Plain of Blood as a child after his friend Surak was instructed not to associate with him. Young Spock attempted to cut away his human half with a Vantu blade. Speaking in her own quarters while working on her motorcycle, Lt. Erica Ortegas defends Starfleet's need to remain armed on its missions. Lt. La'An Noonien-Singh concurs, describing multiple injuries she sustained, including a slash from a Kolaran blade. Nevertheless, La'An emphasizes that Starfleet prioritizes exploration, classifying its weapons as defensive.
In the Ready Room, Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley assures Beto that Starfleet always has the interests of Federation and non-Federation worlds in mind. Meanwhile, after launching a devastating attack on Lutani VII, Kasar attempts to lay claim to the planet and its resources. Allowed to film Captain Pike's briefing for his story on the Enterprise,** Beto listens as Pike references a classified mission to transport cargo to Lutani VII. Despite past hostilities with the Lutani, the Enterprise will transport a Jikaru — classified as livestock — to be used in rebuilding efforts.
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A decent episode. It reminded me of the MASH episode in which someone was filming a documentary of the 4077th.
Interesting creature.
Love the show, but have to say this episode was boring as hell.
Secondary plot of the alien being turned into a weapon against its will would have made a good show, but making the primary plot out of the making of a documentary just didn't do it. Pushed all the special effects behind a grainy faux camera lens just sucked,
Totally agree. I didn't care for that. I guess high technology hasn't caught up to camera drones in this show, which is kind of stupid because real life camera drones today are better than that was.
Heck, I didn't even know this was on. Thanks for posting this. Going to watch it now.
Join the club, lol. Several of us were unaware of the new season, myself included. All caught up now, though.
The upcoming episode "4 1/2 Vulcans" looks funnier than hell.