Star Trek: The Conscience of a King (First Watch: E13)

...Okay, work stuff sucks.  I like work so far, but I thought I fixed the direct deposit thing and got the card instead and >:( You asked me, I said I didn't want it, you gave it to me anyway.  (Maybe I've been writing too much Cambion!Jim lately.)  But seriously, though.  I did it well ahead of the deadline, I don't want another card at a bank not connected with the accounts I check regularly, especially with a card at an obscure bank that invites a million usage fees.
That being said, this is one of my favorite episodes so far.  I think I'm gonna go watch demons explode, though (Naka's playthrough of DOOM seems about right what I need now.)
~Dreamer~

Death count: Most of the existing Tarsus Nine.  O’Reilly managed to survive it.  Also, Former Governor Kodos.

Ohhh boy.  If this is the one I think it is, ohhh boy.  We’re in for a ride.

That’s not quite the expression I expected, but yeah, it is the one I think it is.  Thanks fandom.  …this music is far too happy for the subject matter. 

And he accepts it.  He trusts Starfleet.  AOS!Kirk is probably Tom.

Though part of that might be self-preservation.

Yeah, that’s more tension.  He’s better about dealing with it, he’s better about hiding it, but he’s got issues.

That grin is terrifying me.

Nah, it was for me so I wouldn’t throw up.

Ohhhh, he’s scheming.  Are you really flirting with the daughter to get information?

So far, you haven’t flirted with anyone without a motive.  You’re…I don’t know, more lonely?  More mature? 

That.

What are you wearing??  You just threw a square of fabric over your head.  Twice.

But seriously, that smile is weird.

She’s wearing something else weird.

And Spock knows something’s up.  Because he doesn’t do this.  At least, not while they’ve been on board.

His smile is a shark’s right now and it’s definitely scaring me.  Evil!Kirk would be pretty bad.

Ohhh shoot, he’s super on edge when he’s not shark smiling.   I mean, I saw that coming, but still.

EVERYONE HAS AWESOME BOOTS WHAT IS THIS

Why are you doing this on the bridge where anyone can hear??

Spock is also tense.

Bones is dismissing it because he thinks the girl’s pretty.  Bones, you’ve almost got more of a rep than Kirk, so far.  Even if you haven’t acted on it.

You missed a line.  “First star I see tonight”.  Maybe others.

The Enterprise mimics Earth lighting, probably to sleep.

Cleopatra led to Caesar’s death.  Partly.

Spock’s agitated, nice.

Found Tarsus IV.  Spock actually’s upset about Tarsus IV.  Bones didn’t know he was a Tarsus survivor.

Oh, it’s O’Reilly.  As long as you don’t sing.  Uhura’s okay.  It’s not my kind of singing, but it’s okay.

…murder on the radio!  The Shadow Knows!

*shivers* poison, oh dear.  I’m sorry, O’Reilly.  I mean, if it’s not too fast-acting, Bones might be able to save you, but.

You need your glass of milk, even in space.

Warn the Captain!  And, oh, yeah, we’ve been figuring things out and trying to look out for you with or without your permission.

He hasn’t yelled at people.  He is so angry.

The phaser overload.

It’s lucky you have a Pressure Vent Disposal.

Are we dealing with a Luddite?

Stain of cruelty?  You speak of cruelty, but you’re the one who’s been going around killing witnesses.  I actually don’t think Kodos was the one, because it looks like he has Alzheimer’s.  That doesn’t mean he’s not a monster.  I think it’s his beautifully fatal daughter.

McCoy, you’re terribly oblivious sometimes.

Except now Kirk has a phaser.

Yep.  Yep, I called it.  She was yelling about using people, but she was the one.

He’s actually regretful, and also like seriously, what psychopath have I had as a child.

Your regularly scheduled broadcast has been interrupted by a psycho committing patricide.  She really needs help.

I kind of cared, but.  It’s not the first time the aftereffects of Tarsus has ruined my life.  Why not another?

I’m not sure it was love.  Because, well.  The whole manic/obsessive/terrifying smile thing…that wasn’t genuine.  Maybe something underneath it all?

Actually, thinking about it after a few hours, I wonder if she was to serve as a counterpoint, and it can’t be coincidence that they chose Macbeth.  Maybe, in general, the episode is a cautionary tale (like Moby Dick) against the dangers of obsession.  You’re not yourself when you’re obsessed; you’re something else.  A monster, not a man (or woman, or human, or being).