Common People:
This was only air. I found it a little predictable and lacking emotional power. It seemed to be created somewhat ‘by numbers’ and modern parallels (Netflix subscription models and health care) felt rather trite
Bete Noire:
This was potentially interesting but again I felt that the potential and opportunities of the (too little explained) device that drive the plot was rather superficially done. The characters seemed a little bland as well. This was unusual for this series where strong character depictions are/have been the norm
Hotel Reverie:
The idea(s) behind this were very interesting but the episode suffered from too many ideas and the story did not seem to know what its main trajectory should be – the technical device used re-imagine films and effect it had on user? The issues of being ‘trapped’ in the film and the degree of self-awareness of the person there trapped? How outcomes and relationships within the film could be, and were, changed – this probably the most interesting aspect but with all other ideas being dealt with felt that it was not really explored to its full potential. I could see other stories/episodes using this trope thought The episode felt a bit premature like a very late draft before the final version and it needed work and tightening up with a stronger dramatic focus.
Plaything:
Again, this was an intriguing idea and had a good, mystery-inducing set-up But the conclusion at the end was, for me, too much; the entirety of humanity is going to be affected by the AI creatures? And one never really knew exactly what and how the effect of the AI creatures was on one mind, let alone all of humanity – and the for initial recipient to simply indicate that t was far too complicated to explain rather seemed like a cop-out!
Eulogy:
Again, disappointing and frankly rather dull; the technology explored was interesting but the characters/events and circumstances that arose from this were rather predictable and I was not emotionally involved. However, it was made (often too) clear that I should be. Rather manipulative.
USS Callister: Into Infinity
Pleasingly, and thankfully unsurprisingly, by the far the best of this series and a pretty worthy successor to the first USS Callister story. It managed to build on and develop, thoughtfully, interestingly and plausibly the situations and circumstances of the first episode. The characters, particularly the ‘clone’ ones had some development which was very well and plausibly done.
I had doubts as to how the first episode could actually have a sequel but here it was managed marvelously well. I also much liked the way that there was some linking and interaction between the two worlds. In the first episode they were largely and necessarily established as existing in two totally different and non-interacting dimensions and while they were not closely linked (this would not have worked dramatically or intellectually) the degree of interaction here was very convincing and engaging.
It will be fascinating to see if there will be a third episode and what direction it will take.