Wow! What a banger of an episode! Episode 1×15 of Star Trek: Prodigy really lived up to its title—“Masquerade.” We’ve got full spoilers ahead, so consider this your RED ALERT! Use those “Hold Onto Your Butts” grab handles and let’s find out who’s who in “Masquerade.”
Who’s Who
One of the big themes in Star Trek: Prodigy episode 1×15, “Masquerade” is identity. Dal’s been trying to figure out who he is and when he finds out he’s merely a lab experiment gone wrong, he’s devastated. Who wouldn’t be? That’s a tough thing to find out about yourself. I love what Rok-Tahk and Gwyn have to say about him.
“You’re one of a kind.”
“It doesn’t change how we feel about you.”
Even with their kind words, it’s hard for Dal to accept them. The emotional journey he takes to finally accept himself is very satisfying to watch. It’s also a lot of fun for long-time Trek fans to watch. I noticed a Vulcan, an Andorian, a Tellarite, and a Klingon, among others, in Dal’s DNA. The Klingon symbol is the only one I recognized. If you caught more, I want to hear about it! But the real Easter egg here is that Dal was created in a lab by some students of Arik Soong. Does this mean we’ll have Brent Spiner show up in Prodigy? We’ll just have to watch and find out!
Murf: Now with Kung Fu Grip!
One of the highlights of “Masquerade” for me is watching Murf get used to his new body and the crew getting used to it as well. I love the idea of a Murf hamster ball, but I love the idea of Murf now being the security officer even more! Jokingly, I said in our coverage of episode 1×13 on We Are Starfleet that maybe Murf would be like Jack Jack on The Incredibles once he emerged from his chrysalis. I never imagined I would actually be right! That was a delightful surprise. Murf’s chaotic energy is about to be used, and I can’t wait to see him in action.
The End of the Masquerade
The biggest surprise in Star Trek: Prodigy episode 1×15, “Masquerade” is the big reveal that Ensign Asencia isn’t a Trill at all. She’s a Vau N’Akat that was also sent back in time to destroy the Federation. It definitely took me by surprise, but my fellow co-host of We Are Starfleet, Craig McKenzie definitely called it in last week’s episode of our show! I didn’t suspect her at all, so good on Craig for picking that up. What I’m going to enjoy the most about this reveal is watching Jameela Jamil play a villain. She’s going to really relish this role for sure.
Final Thoughts
I’m not surprised that Okona turned tail and ran in “Masquerade.” He’s fun, but he’s also got a really high sense of self-preservation. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he popped up again by the end of the season. I mentioned in last week’s review that he’s got a Han Solo vibe about him. I bet he comes back a la Han Solo in A New Hope.
The Dauntless crew is really walking the line as close as they can with the Neutral Zone. Of course, the Romulans are trying to find the Protostar, but our crew manages to neutralize them with the aid of Kung Fu Grip Murf. I’ve got to think that it’s only a matter of time before Janeway says, “To hell with the Neutral Zone” and goes in. We’ll just have to wait and find out.
What did you think about Star Trek: Prodigy episode 1×15, “Masquerade”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Prodigy will air on December 1, 2022, on Paramount+.
