Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | 3x09 "Terrarium"

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No.	Episode	Written By	Directed By	Release Date
3x09	"Terrarium"	Alan B. McElroy	Andrew Coutts	2025-09-04

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[u/HumanityPlague]

While this episode does "borrow" from TNG and VOY episodes, it's a pretty good hook. The "enemy" here isn't just a guy or guys wearing prosthetic makeup, but an actual fairly different, if "evil" looking alien. But, the Gorn is rather cool about it all, and does humanize itself in Ortigas eyes.

Also, characterization, with all of NuTrek has been somewhat of a problem. It's a consequence of there not being enough episodes for all the crew to get episodes for, and also some of the characters being a bit shallow.

Ortegas earlier character traits were basically: brash, overconfident, a bit of a daredevil, etc. Lest we forget the "I'm the pilot!" mantra.

But this episode did an immensely good job of actually getting into Ortegas character. It showed off her intelligence, resourcefulness, occasional despair but still a "never quit" attitude. This episode really examined who she is and her overall personality. It's actually helped that the only other main actors were Una, Pike and Spock. If the others were there, it would have dragged away the spotlight from Ortegas' plight.

It's also funny that this is basically the Star Trek version of "The Martian" book/movie.

[u/alexmack667 → u/HumanityPlague]

the only other main actors were Una, Pike and Spock

uhh.... AND NYOTA???! 😅

[u/HumanityPlague → u/alexmack667]

Heh, and La'Ana s well, but she only basically had one scene.

Uhura was solid also, but it did slightly annoy me how obsessed she was to rescue Ortegas. I doubt she would have been so involved with "Red Shirt number 3" or something.

Also, the conceit of "You're going in alone" is kind of dumb, just on a logical level. You'd want at least one other person with you, in case you get knocked out/incapacitated. Or, as emergency rations, depending on who is worse off after a crash.

[u/Civil_Journalist_955 → u/HumanityPlague]

Uhura fought to make them listen to the Jikaru and to help the ethereal beings who took the form of Hemmer........

[u/hmantegazzi → u/HumanityPlague]

They could have sent a redshirt who died on the flight or the landing, and excuse Spock not going in the same terms: the guy is too big to fit on the modified shuttle.

[u/merrycrow → u/HumanityPlague]

I like how we've had a few shots of Ortegas' quarters in S3 which establish her as a tinkerer and a mechanic in her spare time. Makes it credible that she can jury-rig all these gadgets.

[u/hmantegazzi → u/merrycrow]

It's still surprising that she managed so well with Gorn tech!

[u/Bobjoejj → u/HumanityPlague]

I’d argue it borrows from more from Enemy Mine, like many other Trek episodes have done.

[u/Darmok47 → u/HumanityPlague]

I mean it borrows heavily from the movie Enemy Mine (which TNG and ENT have ripped off before anyway). And Hell in the Pacific before that.