Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101” takes us to school. Dal learns the importance of study and knowledge. We solve a temporal conundrum, and all this is largely through the aid of a mysterious benefactor. Class is now in session. Let’s get started with my review of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101.”
For the Kids
Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101” includes a good bit of humor with Jankom Pog. He is working so hard to be polite, quite contrary to the contrarian nature of Tellarites. I admire how hard he’s working, but sometimes, you’ve just got to let loose. When Jankom must resort to percussive maintenance, it filled me with delight.
Another aspect of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101” that works well for kids is illustrating a method of conflict resolution. While Dal and Maj’el are arguing, Zero thinks of a third way for them to resolve their problem. “What you doing?” “De-escalating the conflict,” they say. Learning to work out alternative solutions is always a good thing, especially when kids can be prone to arguing and wanting their own way.
One other thing that I think is effective in Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101,” and really Star Trek: Prodigy in general is that all of the robots used by the Vau N’Akat are incredibly creepy for kids and adults. All these spider and scorpion-looking robots that the Vau N’Akat use are super gross, and things I know would’ve given me nightmares as a kid.
For the Adults
There are a lot of fun Easter eggs for the adults in the audience in Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101.” Gwyn’s shuttlecraft is the Sacagawea, named for the Indigenous guide to the Lewis and Clark expedition, but also is the name of a shuttlecraft on the first Voyager. It’s a nice touch. We also get a lovely Bones-esque line from The Doctor—“I’m a doctor, not an exorcist!” That got a good laugh from me.
However, the best part for me is the second appearance of Dr. Erin Macdonald in Star Trek: Prodigy. As you may recall, she showed up in the season one finale of Star Trek: Prodigy. Dr. Erin Macdonald is the science advisor for the Star Trek franchise, so the fact that we are getting a real science lesson from an actual scientist in Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101” is absolute perfection. The best line is of course, “So you want to build a Time Machine? I wouldn’t recommend it.” Just avoid the headache from the start, friends.
Final Thoughts
As much as I enjoyed all the fun of a Dr. Erin Macdonald cameo, the best part of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101” is the redemption of Gwyn’s relationship with her father. Ilthuran says, “I can’t get you out of here, but I won’t leave you.” This man has only just met her and he’s already in good dad mode. That makes the shock of him finding out he wasn’t this good or kind in the future all the more gutting. “Was I some sort of monster?” he asks. “…I’m not him. I’m here now, and I’m putting you first.” Cue the waterworks. I hope this means good things for their future relationship. Gwyn’s words to him before she leaves seem to point to that potential future. She says, “You can write your own future.” That’s a good word for Ilthuran, and really a good word for anyone in the audience.
Finally, who is that reflected in Murf’s eye at approximately 2:14 and that he appears to be talking to at the end of the episode?! Is that our mysterious benefactor? If you have any thoughts on who it is, I’m all ears.
What did you think of Star Trek: Prodigy 2×04 “Temporal Mechanics 101?” 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?”
