Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium” gives me what I’ve been clamoring for since day one of Strange New Worlds—#MORETEGAS! We’ve also got a few callbacks to more than one Star Trek series, an ethical dilemma, and more. There’s so much to unpack, so let’s dive into our review of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium.”
Star Trek Callbacks Galore
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium” calls back to several episodes of Star Trek across multiple series. The most obvious, of course, is Star Trek: The Original Series season 1 episode 18 “Arena,” but we also have flavors from other Star Trek series. I caught notes of “Darmok” and “The Enemy” from Star Trek: The Next Generation, and “Dawn” from Star Trek: Enterprise. I’d also say that we’ve got nods to the classic sci-fi film, Enemy Mine.
That being said, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium” manages to make the episode its own, while paying homage to what’s come before. What makes the difference for me with this episode is watching Lt. Ortegas overcome some of her trauma. That’s an interesting character piece that I don’t think we’ve seen done in quite this manner. The sad thing is that we’ve given her some new and exciting trauma! More on this in a moment.
MORE: Read our Strange New Worlds season 3 reviews—Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, and Episode 4.
And Now….#MORETEGAS!
I’ve been banging the gong for this since day one. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium” finally delivers on #MORETEGAS! Melissa Navia delivers so much in this episode. She brings the full range of emotion, largely through monologue. She’s snarky, funny, and joyful, even when she’s stranded. She finds joy and even delight in her new friendship with the Gorn. But we also see her exhibit fear, anger, despondency, and yet persevere with courage. This could have been a tired Trek trope episode in the hands of a lesser actor. However, Melissa Navia understands the assignment and performs beautifully. My only hope is that we get more #MORETEGAS episodes before the series finishes.
MORE: Check out our interviews with Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Celia Rose Gooding, and Melissa Navia!
Understand Your Enemy
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium” gives us a side of the Gorn that we didn’t expect. I think what blew me away was finding out that the Gorn can understand Federation Standard. Knowing their enemy includes understanding them. That understanding is taken to a whole new level in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium.”
First of all, it’s difficult to play off someone who can only growl and snarl at you. Even with the addition of “Agree” or “Disagree,” that’s still not a lot to work with. However, Melissa shows her acting chops here, giving the audience a standout performance. What this does is demonstrate how a connection can be made, even with communication barriers. The key is finding common ground.
One of the reasons I personally connect with Lt. Ortegas, and really, Melissa Navia, is that I have so rarely seen women in any kind of fiction who are like me. I see so much of myself in Erica’s playfulness, her joy, her smart mouth, and her sharp, short haircut. These qualities feel like me, but more than anything, I see myself in her default posture of “I got you.”
Once you’re Erica’s friend, she’s got your back, and she’ll fight to the death for you. This is extended to her new Gorn friend. She sees some of herself mirrored back in the Gorn, as another lady pilot. “We’re just two gals having a slumber party,” she laughs as she gets to know the Gorn. What a sweet way to express that sentiment.
What is heartbreaking is to find that kindred spirit, only to have her ripped away by your friend who, understandably, thought she was going to hurt you. Erica’s pain and anger are palpable in that scene. It’s one of those things where I expected it, but it didn’t hurt any less to experience it. I hope we get some resolution with La’an and Ortegas about this. It’s a situation where it’s not really anyone’s fault, but that knowledge does little to relieve the pain. More thoughts on this later.
MORE: Check out our Strange New Worlds season 3 reviews— Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, and Episode 8.
Uhura vs. The Rest of the Ship
Another interesting aspect of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium” is that we see Uhura really test her limits. I admire her tenacity to keep looking for Erica, even when the odds seem against them. Uhura is who I want in my corner if I ever go missing in a wormhole. And though it’s out of character for her, I can’t blame her for fudging the numbers. 56% is only 5% off from 61%. As the adage goes, “That’s good enough for government work.”
However, the tension between finding Erica and delivering the vaccines to Captain Decker (perhaps Matt Decker from Star Trek: The Original Series episode “The Doomsday Machine?”) is real, especially in a COVID-19 world. The audience is meant to feel the pain of the decision. I’m just glad that we were not forced to make a terrible choice.
MORE: You’ll want to watch our interviews with Christina Chong, Jess Bush, Ethan Peck, and Babs Olusanmokun!
Final Thoughts
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 episode 9 “Terrarium” is by far my favorite episode of the season. However, I am willing to argue that it is the strongest episode of the season. While yes, there are several classic Trek homages in play here, it makes them accessible and fresh for a new audience.
For many, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is their entry point to Trek fandom. If this is your entry point, then this is a great way to whet your appetite for episodes like “Arena,” “Dawn,” and “Darmok.” It asks the questions Star Trek has historically asked, like “Can I or should I make peace with my enemy instead of annihilating them?”
So are the Metrons necessary for this episode? No. However, I think if we do think of this as an entry point for Trek fandom, then this is a way to open the broader world of Star Trek outside of Strange New Worlds for a strange new audience. Finally, if Melissa Naiva isn’t nominated for an Emmy, we riot. I’ll be the first in line.
The next episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will air on September 11, 2025, on Paramount+.
So ignore 50 years of Canon and bad writing because Melissa did her job well?
Cant do it. Even if she was the only one to show up and do a solid job that fit Canon.
Star Trek Arena showed Kirk refuse to kill the Gorn or shoulder the Consequences for going against Star Fleets Mantra to Preserve Life. He was willing to Die to not become what Star Fleet was designed to stand against.
This Episode the Gorn coulda sacrificed itself
It woulda shown they were also capable of Preserving life even at the cost of their own like Star Fleet did for 50 years over 5 series before this episode crapped all over Star Fleets core identity that united all those series over countless Generations on screen.
This episode was REALLY Badly done from a Canon POV
I mean imagine if Pickard just killed Praetor Shinzon with no internal Conflict
The build up to a moment like this was big enough for a Feature film Pre Paramount+
Now its just shoot first and often , no need to seek Peace
Ive seen non Canon things thats bothered me the last 15 years
But nothing that directly undermined the foundation of Star Fleet.
This episode erodes the 1 unifying factor that links Generations together in Star Fleet.
If there’s no Consequences for La’an Crew then its betrayed Star Treks Foundation/Legacy.
Its literally the only way to salvage this train wreck.
Its sad they did Melissa Naiva dirty like that as she did an amazing job
She was the only Character that stuck to Canon at all costs despite an internal struggle .
Sadly La’an needs to lose her commision for the show to salvage this without undermining 50 years of Star Trek Canon in 5 minutes of a single episode.
Also the fact you pre approve Comments is sad.
It means you limit Democratic Debate and undermine Democracy as a whole.
There’s no excuse for such actions , literally not a single one.
When the anxiety got to me running Home of the Habs with a Former Partner.
I bowed out to avoid damaging the integrity of the Forum
I didnt propose we pre approve comments though as bad as it got.
As a Gay man i just dont like the idea of pushing Intolerance as a Standard.
Intolerance in the name of Tolerance is why for the first time since the early 90’s i’ve had people target me shamelessly in public for being Gay. Intolerance in the name of Tolerance only ever leads to Discrimination usually against people like me.
Its why we need Star Trek to be Star Trek
It promotes the ideals of Debate , Peace and the value of Life for Generations.
Something this era has lost site of leading to people like me being able to walk home alone at night anymore without a fear of being jumped.
You’re either part of the Problem or Solution
Do Better, Be Better.
Great episode of this season, even if it had a few eye rolling moments at the end of the episode for this long time fan of Star Trek. I much prefer the NEW in strange new worlds!
Melissa Navia truly showed up for her #moretegas episode, showcasing depth and brilliance in her performance.
Great review, not sure what Billy is ranting about, and also the comments section is not reflective of government democracy, so I do appreciate his making me laugh!