Last Time on Star Trek Prodigy
So when we last left our young space explorers, they had elected to explore a Class-M planet, under the direction of Holo-Janeway. However, after landing, they found out the planet had this particular need to use a person’s desires to convince them to stay. All the better to wrap you in vines and consume you. How RUDE! But while the crew was trying to navigate this small issue, Gwynn had escaped and contacted her Father. Not to mention trying to steal the Protostar. Either fortunately or unfortunately, the planet had other ideas. It restrained the Protostar and Gwynn attempted to escape the ship in an incomplete shuttle craft. This also didn’t go well and now it appeared they were ALL stranded on the planet.
Getting Back to the Protostar
Needless to say, acting Captain Dal was not too pleased with Gwynn. Even though she had fractured her leg in her escape attempt. So much so that when they decided to leave the area and go back to the Protostar, Dal was prepared to leave Gwynn behind. This didn’t sit well with Rok-Tahk, being the soft hearted kid she is. She attempted to help Gwynn but she used her powers to bandage her leg enough to travel. They probably needed to hurry as the planet still had designs on having a Protostar snack, pulling on it with its vines.
“Murder Planet”
No problem. They still had the Runaway. That ultra cool Federation Dune Buggy. At least, they did until the Planet decided that the Runaway would serve as a good appetizer before the Protostar Main Course. That left traveling the old fashioned way…on foot. Which should be no problem. Except the planet also appears to have the ability to move its landmarks. So an initial direction of “just over those hills” became much harder when the “hills” kept changing locations. That’s not very nice. Of course, as the day ends and night falls, so does the temperature. Not that Jankom Pog cared. He was the only one smart enough to wear an environmental suit and he had no reluctance to let the rest of the team know about it. Jankom also had a new name for their class “M” planet: Murder Planet! Which was pretty descriptive although not a nice as Rok-Tahk’s suggestion of “Larry.”
Power Drainage
Back on the Protostar, Janeway was still trying to hold the planet’s vines at bay. She contemplated what the “REAL” Janeway would do in her situation. She decided to send out the ship’s Photonic Ship Scrubbers to clean off the outside of the ship. In time they had removed the vines from the hull, but that wasn’t the only issue she faced. The ship’s power reserves were draining at a steady pace and it required a command level authorization to stop it. Which unfortunately, does not include Holo-Janeway. She would need to wait until Dal and the crew returned…eventually.
“Terror” Forming
Outside, Dal and the crew were still being led around by the nose by the Planet’s “Terror Forming.” At least, that was what Rok-Tahk believed. And the way the planet kept attacking them, she might not be wrong. Gwynn had other ideas however, fashioning a makeshift torch to set the attacking vines on fire, forcing it to retreat. She then lead the team over a cliff edge, sliding away from the burning vines. Much to gratitude of the crew. All except Dal, who reminded them that Gwynn had attempted to steal their ship and leave them there.
Regardless, they seek shelter in a derelict Klingon vessel from the now falling acid rain. As they sit, the crew discusses what the planet showed them to try to entice them to stay. When the subject of Dal’s parents comes up, he excuses himself from the group. Gwynn soon follows, finding Dal messing around with a Klingon mek’leth. She ponders how they could hope to survive if a group of Klingon Warriors didn’t. As they sit together, they discuss their wants and look at the stars. Marveling at the “constipations” or as Dal knows them as…Constellations. However, it does give Dal an idea. While the landscape is flexible, the stars are constant. They can use THEM to navigate and find the Protostar.
Family Face-off
Unfortunately, they are not the only people looking for the ship. The directions that Gwynn had sent her Father has lead them to the planet. Soon, they are face to face with Dreadnok. At first Jankom believes it is the “Murder Planet” playing tricks on them again. He soon realizes that he is wrong. Dreadnok IS there. And if he is, can the Diviner be far behind? Their worst fears have been realized. Especially when they are told that Gwynn brought them there. Will they be able to escape from the Diviner and Dreadnok? Can Gwynn be trusted? And how can they escape the “Murder Planet?” You will need to watch ALL of Star Trek Prodigy, “Terror Firma” to find out.
Thoughts
Another first-rate episode with drama, character building, and hard choices. Sounds like Star Trek to me. Terror Firma gave viewers a better glimpse into some of the crew. Especially Gwynn and her relationship with her Father. Why is it that megalomaniacal Fathers are so ready to sacrifice their kids? (See Thanos). Must be part of the requirements for Evil Fatherhood. We also know how important it is to Dal to one day learn who he is. He may SEEM flippant about his origins, but he cares a great deal.
As per usual, the writers mixed in a bit of humor to lighten the often somber tone of the episode. Of note was Rok-Tahk’s disappointment in not being allowed to name the planet Larry, and Gwynn’s usual battle for words as she and Dal looked at the “Constipations.” Keep hanging with Dal, Gwynn. He’ll get your vocabulary up to snuff. Overall, a well rounded episode. I gave Terror Firma a robust 4.5 out of 5.
Star Trek Prodigy can be seen on Paramount+ with new episodes every Thursday.
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Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
