Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2” really raises the stakes for our young crew. We get the full scoop on Janeway’s secret mission. We see the return of an old foe…and a young one as well. There’s a lot of excitement here, so let’s dig into my review of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2.”
For the Kids
A theme in Star Trek: Prodigy 2×01 “Into the Breach, Part 1” that made its way into Part 2 is the importance of doing all your homework. “Didn’t you read Temporal Mechanics 101?” Yes, Dal, maybe you should. But it’s not just Dal who needs to do his homework. Nova Squadron here jumped to a conclusion based on their prejudice towards our crew, or as they call them, “Never Squadron.” They assumed they were up to no good without getting the full story. They needed to do their homework too. There’s an important lesson here about not jumping to conclusions and about prejudice.
Something else in Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2” that I think is important for the kids in the audience to see is Gwyn failing in her first contact. Gwyn did everything right, as far as we can tell. She told the truth, but Ascencia got there first. Gwyn failed in her mission. Kids need to see that you can tell the truth, but people still may not believe you. That doesn’t mean the truth isn’t worth telling. In the words of Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation 2×21 “Peak Performance,” “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life.” Gwyn will need to regroup and try again, and that’s okay. It sucks, but it will be okay.
For the Adults
Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2” gives adult Trek fans some great new lore. We get to learn more about Solum. The Va’Lu’Rah ceremony that proves you are a real Vau N’Akat sounds a bit like gatekeeping, which I’m not a fan of, but that combined with hearing the Solum language reminds me a bit of Klingon culture with a bit more of the elegance of the Vulcans. Regardless, I’m excited to learn more about this new addition to the Star Trek canon.
The other question that Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2” raises is the question mark regarding Janeway and Chakotay’s relationship. The two never got together in Star Trek: Voyager for reasons baffling to many (myself included). And yet, Star Trek: Prodigy has implied a certain intimacy in every flashback we’ve gotten between Janeway and Chakotay. Janeway speaks of the potential loss of Chakotay with a deep ache. She says, “He changed mine too. And that’s why we have to save him,” and “He was my Number One” with at minimum, the intonation of someone lamenting the loss of her best friend. The body language animated into Janeway’s performance here perhaps implies something different. Watch Janeway’s eyes and expression. Our writing and animation teams are giving me big shipper energy. We’ll just have to watch and find out.
Final Thoughts
Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2” gives us something I didn’t expect—a meetup with Gwyn and the Diviner, or as he goes by at this time, Ilthuran. This man is wildly different from the one we know. He’s a dreamer. Someone who sees beyond what is directly in front of him. He says, “I’m a lonely astronomer on a planet that cares nothing about the stars.” That is shorthand for, “No one here can imagine bigger and better things than what they can see with their eyes.” Lack of vision is deadly. It prevents progress and lulls people into apathy. His curiosity gives me hope for the relationship he and Gwyn may have. Some redemption there would be welcome.
Finally, Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2” puts the proverbial Chekov’s Gun, or in this case, wormhole, into play. But who is the mysterious entity warning Janeway not to enter the wormhole, but then appearing later to tell her to do it now? The voice is hard to place. Who do you think it is? I’m eager to find out.
However, it’s not Janeway and her bridge crew entering the wormhole. It’s Dal, Zero, Jankom, and one of Nova Squadron—Maj’el taking the Infinity through the wormhole. (Also, I can’t be the only one that fangirled super hard at the name Maj’el being a clear nod to Majel Barrett Roddenberry, right)? Let’s just hope they don’t break time…or each other on this journey.
What do you think of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×02 “Into the Breach, Part 2”? Leave me a comment, and let’s talk Trek.
All episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 are streaming now on Netflix.
THIS SEASONS REVIEWS
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×01 Review: “Into the Breach, Part 1”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×02 Review: “Into the Breach, Part 2”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×03 Review: “Who Saves the Saviors”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×04 Review: “Temporal Mechanics 101”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×05 Review: “Observer’s Paradox”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×06 Review: “Imposter Syndrome”
- ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×07 Review: “The Fast and the Curious”
- Star Trek: Prodigy’ 2×08 Review: “Is There in Beauty No Truth?”
