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Geek Girl Authority
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
TV Review: NAUTILUS Episode 5, ‘Anguille Fumée'
Season 1 Episode 5 of Nautilus begins with the ship in free-fall as every effort to dislodge the giant electric eel they picked up in the previous episode fails. Worse still, soon after, the crew starts acting strange. An unlikely hero must rise if the crew is going to make it out of the depths of the ocean. I found Episode 4 of Nautilus underwhelming, but the team behind this AMC show comes back swinging with its fifth entry. In 'Anguille Fumée,' the show brings out its most tense episode yet in a locked-room horror mystery. This was like watching some of our favorite Star Trek horror episodes, but set in the deep in a submarine. Nautilus, Season 1 Episode 5, 'Anguille Fumée' With so much of the episode taking place in the submarine itself, I felt we got to see more of the Nautilus crew in this episode. We still don't know any of their backstory, but more screen time with the supporting crew is always enjoyable. Their quirky personalities cut through all the tension. RELATED: Read our Nautilus reviews Elsewhere with the East India Mercantile Company, the stakes rise as captured Nautilus crewmember Jagadish Ghosh (Chum Ehelepola) is in dire straits while being confronted by Captain Billy Millais (Luke Arnold). The creative team has been dropping hints throughout the show that there's more to Millais than he can let on. And Arnold has been quietly capturing this intrigue in his performance. I am looking forward to seeing where they take his character. RELATED: Everything We Know So Far About The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping 'Anguille Fumée' is spectacularly tense. The ship is in danger; the crew is at their wits' end, and danger is at every step. They're in uncharted waters—literally and figuratively—and trust isn't high. Anything and everything can set off a fuse, and this Nautilus episode plays with that concept while leaning into classic horror imagery and story beats. The Accent Issue An issue that hasn't cropped up before is the accents. I can't assess the other accents on Nautilus , but several characters speak Hindi, and one character speaks Bengali in this episode—the actors speaking Hindi are very obviously not native to India, because it's heavily-accented. RELATED: The Final Battle Begins in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle Official Trailer Nemo actor Shazad Latif is a British actor with Pakistani heritage. Shabana Azeez, who plays Nemo's wife Renouka, and Samara Wheeler, who plays their child Mya, are both Australian. They're playing Indian characters in an era where hardly anyone traveled, they shouldn't have anachronistic accents when speaking their mother tongues. And the gentleman speaking Bengali—not an Indian character or actor—kudos for trying, but I couldn't understand a single word he said. I had to read the subtitles. RELATED: Summer Game Fest 2025: A New Era of Horror Begins With Resident Evil Requiem But the accent issue is a negligible problem on Nautilus . The actors are doing their best, possibly in languages they aren't familiar with. I can't fault them. I'm someone who grew up in India, and I speak regional languages with an accent because English is my first language. And I watch way too much TV, which has affected the way I speak. Nemo and Humility We get a little more of Humility Lucas' (Georgia Flood) backstory. It's nothing we haven't seen and read in a ton of stories about women in the past who tried to break the mold. But for young viewers, they'll find Humility's chaffing and belligerence against a sexist world a mirror to their own fight against the patriarchy. RELATED: Everything Coming to Netflix in July 2025 But an ongoing issue is that the creators of Nautilus are so intent on positioning Humility as the 'underestimated woman with brains' that they keep forgetting Nemo is the brains behind the ship's design. He would, therefore, know something about engineering and science. Nemo spends far too much time stultified by the science, while Humility is always saving the moment with her scientific knowledge. The story and their connection would be far stronger if they worked together. They can disagree on their methods—which briefly happens in this episode—but they're always at odds, or underestimating each other. Five episodes into Nautilus , their dynamic seems to be standing in place. RELATED: Read our Interview with the Vampire recaps If Nemo and Humility spend too much time tearing each other down, the eventual bond that the writers have undoubtedly written for them won't be believable. But I have faith that the show will right that issue, if by doing nothing else but leaning into the chemistry that Latif and Flood have easily built over five episodes. RELATED: Movie Review: M3GAN 2.0 This is one of the best episodes of Nautilus yet, but, perhaps because it's so engrossing and enjoyable, the show's issues were amplified. Nautilus airs every Sunday on AMC and AMC+. TV Review: IRONHEART Monita has been championing diversity, inclusivity, and representation in entertainment media through her work for over a decade. She is a Tomatometer-Approved Critic. She writes for Bam Smack Pow and Geek Girl Authority. Her bylines have appeared on 3-time Eisner Award-winning publication Women Write About Comics, HuffPost, (formerly Soundsphere/Screensphere, FanSided's Show Snob, and Vocal. She was also a TV/Movies features writer at Alongside her twin, Monita co-hosts the pop culture podcast Stereo Geeks.


Geek Girl Authority
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
SID MEIER'S CIVILIZATION VI PLATINUM EDITION Is Free in the Epic Games Store
Highlights Every week, the Epic Games Store gives away in-game loot and free game titles; all you have to do is remember to collect them. gives away in-game loot and free titles; all you have to do is remember to collect them. This week, create an empire that will stand the test of time in Sid Meier's Civilization VI Platinum Edition . Sid Meier's Civilization VI Platinum Edition Act quickly because this loot is only free via the Epic Games Store for a limited time. Epic Games is known for giving away free games every week. It's simple — all you have to do is log into your Epic Games account, download the launcher, and claim your weekly freebies. Check out the loot available this week and grab it now because it is only free for a limited time. RELATED: Need more free games? Check out F2P Friday Sid Meier's Civilization VI Platinum Edition Sid Meier's Civilization VI (2016) is a 4X turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. Play as one of over 20 leaders as you strive to create the best civilization on Earth. Much like in real life, each leader has their strengths and weaknesses. Guide your civilization from the Stone Age to the Information Age by conducting research, managing diplomacy, and waging war. Explore even more ways to achieve one of five victory conditions, including tweaks to the science and culture victory conditions. RELATED: July's Most Anticipated Video Games The platinum edition of Sid Meier's Civilization VI includes six DLC packs that feature civilization and scenario packs from around the world. Additionally, the platinum edition includes the Gathering Storm and the Rise and Fall expansions. The platinum edition is a great and comprehensive way for new players to experience one of the most expansive and beloved game series of all time. Sid Meier's Civilization VI Platinum Edition is free (a $79.99 value) in the Epic Games Store until July 24 at 10 a.m. ET.


Geek Girl Authority
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
THERE IS NO GAME: WRONG DIMENSION Is Free in the Mobile Epic Games Store
The Mobile Epic Games Store is now offering free game titles every week; all you have to do is remember to claim them. This week, play the game that does not want to be played by solving tricky puzzles in There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension. There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension. Act quickly because this loot is only free via the Mobile Epic Games Store for a limited time. For a while now, the Epic Games Store has been giving gamers free PC titles and in-game loot every single week. Now, mobile gamers can get in on the freebie action using the Mobile Epic Games Store app. All you have to do is download the app, log into your Epic Games account (or create a new one), and get the goods. Remembering to claim your freebies is the hardest part. Luckily, Geek Girl Authority will be there to remind you every week. RELATED: Love mobile games? Check out our Mobile Game Monday adventures There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension (2020) is a quirky point-and-click puzzle adventure developed and published by Draw Me A Pixel. Team up with a bizarre talking program and embark on an adventure that you didn't ask to go on. Nonetheless, solve clever riddles as you jump from one video game dimension to another. Fortunately, if you aren't the best at thinking outside of the box, there is a helpful hint system. Do not be afraid to click anything and everything because you never know what this game has in store. This short and silly 2D adventure features pixel graphics, intentional bugs, cheeky comedy, plus plenty of other surprises. The question is, can you make it through the game that doesn't want to be played? RELATED: Mobile Game Monday: There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension is free (a $4.99 value) in the Mobile Epic Games Store until July 24 at 10 a.m. ET. Mobile Game Monday: LOST IN PLAY


Geek Girl Authority
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
REVIVAL Recap: (S01E06) Bloodlines
Revival Season 1 Episode 6, 'Bloodlines,' is a bonkers, utterly mad outing in the best way. The alternate name should be 'Dana Cypress and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.' Em takes out the Check brothers (and not to dinner) like the badass she is. Dana kills her shooter, Brent, like the badass she is. The Cypress sisters clean bad guy house. Oh, and there's an alien, which is clearly connected to Revival Day/Revivers. Also, Melanie Scrofano and Romy Weltman deliver compelling, balls-to-the-wall performances. They give it their all. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Revival episode, 'Triage' Revival, 'Bloodlines' We open with a flashback to 20 years before Revival Day – 1988. Patty Cypress (Lara Jean Chorostecki) gives birth to Em at home. It's a water birth. However, she notices that Em isn't crying. After this, the Cypress family stays in the hospital while doctors run tests on Em. Wayne (David James Elliott) chats with Mayor Dillisch (Conrad Coates), who's not a mayor yet. Wayne vents about Patty's insistence that she give birth at home instead of in a hospital. Dillisch remarks that her cancer, although in remission, probably caused complications. After this, the doctor brings Em in, revealing that it looks like she has early-onset OI. She'll be fragile all her life. Young Dana holds her. Then, we flash forward to a moment that occurs later in the episode. Em (Weltman) walks down a hallway in a warehouse, covered in blood. REVIVAL — 'Bloodlines' Season 1 Episode 6 — Pictured: (l-r) Mark Little as Deputy Brent, Melanie Scrofano as Dana Cypress — (Photo by: Mathieu Savidant/Lavivier Productions/SYFY) Kill Two Birds With One Stone Then, the Check brothers — Anthony (CM Punk), Andrew (Matt Willis) and Adam (Joe Delfin) — brainstorm a game plan while in their warehouse. It's time to cut ties with McCray now that he's in police custody. Also, Anthony proposes expanding the business. Perhaps bring in a woman for more Reviver parts — switch things up. But how will they find a young female Reviver? Anthony knows how they can kill two birds with one stone. Uh-oh. RELATED: Revival : Co-Creators Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce on Crafting 'Weird' New Series Meanwhile, Brent (Mark Little) scares a sleeping Dana (Scrofano) awake. He informs her that May (Katharine King So) wants to chat with her. May hands Dana her own files for the Blackdeer case. Dana wonders why May has said files. May believes it's all connected: the Blackdeer case and McCray. Someone tried to kill Dana because she got too close to the truth. McCray is merely a patsy. Dana and Brent joke about corruption in the force. Before she departs, May urges Dana to read her notes on the case. Elsewhere, Ibrahim (Andy McQueen) arrives at his apartment and conducts more research on the algae bloom from the creek. If you recall, he grabbed all the samples at the makeshift CDC headquarters in town after the governor demoted him. REVIVAL — 'Bloodlines' Season 1 Episode 6 — Pictured in this screengrab: Andy McQueen as Ibrahim Ramin — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY) Is It Really McCray? At the same time, Lester (Peter Millard) brings Dana flowers at the hospital. Wayne follows hot on his heels with doughnuts and sweets. Hey, I know a particular Syfy character who loves doughnuts … and whiskey. Dana's nurse gives Wayne the third degree for bringing Dana junk food. RELATED: Revival 's Romy Weltman on Becoming Em and Working With Melanie Scrofano Wayne tells Dana that it's hard to see her like this. Dana jokes that, thankfully, the drugs alleviate the pain. Wayne beats himself up for not sniffing out McCray as the culprit. Dana never liked McCray. And now the Check brothers are involved. Dana believes the Checks aren't in the mix for this mess. Wayne asks about Aaron and why he texted her. Dana does her best to circumvent the truth without disclosing Em's Reviver status. She lies, claiming she shot the shooter in the right arm. Dana asks her dad if McCray has a wound there. Since he doesn't, Dana insists McCray isn't the shooter. Elsewhere, Brent argues with someone on the phone about his ability to get sh*t done. Unwanted Visitors Meanwhile, at the Cypress house, Em, Cooper (Hudson Wurster) and Jordan (Flora McInroy) play a game. Em texts Rhodey an apology, telling him she misses him. Then, Jordan catches Adam peering at her through the window. He puts his finger up to shush her. RELATED: Revival : Check Out 9 First-Look Photos From Melanie Scrofano-Led Series Next, J.P. (Glen Gould) interrogates McCray (Nathan Dales). McCray denies shooting Dana (and Aaron, presumably). J.P. asks McCray about the Reviver parts found in his trunk. McCray refuses to answer that question and declares his intention to quit the force. After this, J.P. informs Wayne that the parts in McCray's trunk are from a 20-something-year-old Reviver. There aren't many registered young Revivers. Then, J.P. shows Wayne footage of Rhodey (Kaleb Horn) slicing his chest during his show. Wayne arrests Rhodey and throws him in Wausau's Reviver detention center. At the same time, Dana asks Ibrahim to take the doughnuts and sweets away in the form of a monologue inspired by Harry and the Hendersons . Ibrahim doesn't understand the reference. Dana asks Ibrahim to check on Em and Cooper for her. Imprisoned Rhodey knocks on the door of his cell, demanding to be released. Myles (Josh Cruddas) chats with him from the other side of the wall. He tells Rhodey that despite serving his time in jail, the town treats him worse for being a Reviver. RELATED: Revival : The Dead Have Rejoined the Living in Official Trailer Later, Ibrahim arrives at the Cypress house to find it bereft of Em, Cooper and Jordan. He calls Dana, who figures out that the Check brothers kidnapped her sister and her son. After hanging up, Dana starts ripping out her IVs. She makes a break for the door, but is in intense pain. The nurses tackle and sedate her. REVIVAL — 'Bloodlines' Season 1 Episode 6 — Pictured in this screengrab: (l-r) Romy Weltman as Martha 'Em' Cypress, Phil Brooks 'CM Punk' as 'Anthony Check — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY) At the Check brothers' warehouse, we find a poor man with no arms and legs, only stumps that are slowly regenerating. Boxes full of body parts litter the floor. Anthony taunts Em, who's gagged and chained to the floor. Em begs to know about Cooper. Anthony already plans to use Jordan and Em, as he tells her, will be the new face of the business. The boss is excited to meet her. A Trade Then, Dana wakes up in bed after her sedation. Brent reassures her that Wayne already knows about the kidnappings. Dana reveals she struck a deal with the Checks, specifically Anthony, but it looks like that backfired. Meanwhile, Wayne angrily questions McCray about the location of the Check brothers' warehouse. McCray gives him nothing. His family is already in danger of reprisals from the Checks because he was arrested. RELATED: TV Review: Resident Alien Season 4 Anthony calls Dana. He briefly gives the phone to Cooper as a show of faith that the latter is alive. Then, Anthony reveals that if Dana wants Cooper to remain, well, whole, she'll cooperate. And by 'cooperate,' he means she'll let him take Em out of Wausau to meet the boss. He orders her to jot down the license plates and locations of the two trucks meant to leave town that night via the Eastern and Southern checkpoints. After hanging up, Dana orders Brent to get the car so they can send officers to the checkpoints to intercept and save Em. She and Wayne chat on the phone while she dresses. She explains the situation and where he needs to go. Then, Dana calls on the beleaguered nurse to inject her with the Feel Good Stuff. Initially, the nurse refuses to do this until Dana reveals that her family is in danger. REVIVAL — 'Bloodlines' Season 1 Episode 6 — Pictured in this screengrab: Melanie Scrofano as Dana Cypress — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY) Plot Twist Brent returns to Dana's room. Dana notices his right arm is bleeding — right where Em shot him. He shot Dana. Next, Brent blocks the exit with a TV and turns it on. He whips out his gun and orders Dana to sit on her bed. However, Dana grabs her bedpan and thwacks him across the face with it. She does this a few times. RELATED: 10 Out-of-This-World Predictions for Resident Alien Season 4 Their skirmish culminates with Brent on the floor from a bedpan to the face one too many times. Blood spurts from his mouth. Brent asks why Dana can't just die when she drops the TV on his head. Well, there's no coming back from that. Dana grabs a coat and hat and sneaks out of the hospital. Next, Dana calls Wayne while on the road. He urges her not to do anything rash until he and the other officers arrive. She tracks down one of the trucks at a checkpoint and, gun in hand, orders the driver out of the driver's seat. Then, she demands that he open the back. Unfortunately, Em isn't there. Armless and legless dude is, though. Dana orders the man to call Anthony and reassure the latter that he made it past the checkpoint without any obstacles. REVIVAL — 'Bloodlines' Season 1 Episode 6 — Pictured in this screengrab: Phil Brooks 'CM Punk' as Anthony Check — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY) Murder on the Menu Meanwhile, Ibrahim learns from Deputy Rogers (Aryelle Morrison) that Dana killed Brent and fled. He also discovers the location of the Check brothers' warehouse. Dana chats with Wayne again. He asks if she's heard about Brent. Dana informs him that Brent shot her. Wayne shares that he hasn't seen the other truck yet. RELATED: 10 Predictions for The Ark Season 3 As it turns out, Em upended the other truck and killed the driver. We see her heading back to the warehouse to save Cooper and Jordan. In the warehouse, Jordan breaks free of her chains. Hey, she's got superstrength. She leaves her room. Em kills Adam and Andrew with lots of stabbing. Dana pulls up to the warehouse, where she discovers one of Anthony's men dead outside the building. She heads inside, gun at the ready. Meanwhile, that golden light, complete with those peculiar noises, is back. It moves through the trees. Jordan finds Ibrahim in the stairwell of the warehouse, who helps her escape. At the same time, Dana finds Cooper blindfolded and bound to a chair. Unfortunately, Anthony stabs her several times. Dana just can't win today. Aliens and Bones Thankfully, Em emerges from the shadows, leaping onto Anthony. She attempts to strangle him. Anthony breaks her arm. As Em stumbles backward, we see the bone protruding from her arm. Fun times. She whirls around and inadvertently stabs Anthony through the jugular with that jagged bone. I love a good creative onscreen death. RELATED: Read our Wynonna Earp recaps Ibrahim puts Jordan in his car while Em frees Cooper. She urges him to run. Then, Em tearfully sits with Dana, who's not doing well. Outside, Ibrahim and Jordan spot that golden light moving toward them. As it turns out, it's an alien with four spider-like legs. Jordan reassures Ibrahim that it's okay — this creature is here for her. Next, Cooper runs outside, stumbling upon Jordan interacting with the alien. Jordan thanks Ibrahim and Cooper for being kind to her before merging with the creature and vanishing into thin air. Ibrahim cries at the sight. Andy McQueen is acting . And I love it. REVIVAL — 'Bloodlines' Season 1 Episode 6 — Pictured in this screengrab: Andy McQueen as Ibrahim Ramin — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY) Unexpected Healing Em sobs, begging Dana to hold on as the latter bleeds out. We see what looks like black tears spill over Em's cheeks. That same golden light emanates from the palm of Em's hand as it hovers over Dana. Dana grows more alert as Em continues to hold her. She's healing Dana's wounds. RELATED: Read our Revival recaps Revival airs new episodes every Thursday at 10/9c, only on Syfy. Our 15 Favorite WYNONNA EARP Moments Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.


Geek Girl Authority
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Season Premiere Recap: (S03E01) Hegemony, Part II
The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise has unfinished business with the Gorn. The Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 premiere episode, 'Hegemony, Part II,' has a teleplay written by Davy Perez from a story by Henry Alonso Myers and Perez and directed by Chris Fisher. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode, 'Hegemony' Near Parnassus Beta, the Enterprise is at red alert. It's being attacked by Gorn fighters. The bridge crew looks to Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) for orders. Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) notes that Admiral April (Adrian Holmes) has ordered retreat. But Pike says they weren't given a timetable. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Photo Credit: Marni Grossman/Paramount+ Pike asks for ideas. Spock (Ethan Peck) suggests diversionary tactics. Jenna Mitchell (Rong Fu) suggests venting the nacelles to make a cloud. Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) suggests jamming Gorn communications, preventing coordination. Pike accepts this final idea. Uhura modulates the deflector array to emit a spectrum in order to confuse the Gorn. To beam aboard the Gorn vessel and save the rest of the crew, they'll need to hack transporter codes. But there's no time. Una suggests they retreat and rescue. But how do they track the specific Gorn vessel carrying their crew? Spock posits using a rare element that they could track. Mitchell suggests tagging the Gorn ship with a dud torpedo containing the element. However, they must penetrate the Gorn's defensive systems in order to achieve this. Uhura points out that energy shields function via harmonics. By finding the correct frequency, they can ram the ship. Thus, the Enterprise rams the Gorn ship. Pike orders the torpedoes to be fired. Then the ship warps away. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, 'Hegemony, Part II' The Enterprise arrives at the rendezvous. April beams aboard to debrief. In sick bay, Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) prepares a Gorn-impregnated Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) to be cryogenically frozen. Batel reiterates that if it comes down to her or the crew, Chapel should take her out. Chapel assures her that stasis will prevent this. Batel is sedated, with the promise of waking up Gorn-free. But soon, alarms sound. Batel's body rejects the serum. Chapel contacts the bridge. She says Batel is allergic to cryo-serum and cannot be put in stasis. Chapel laments the absence of Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun). Spock volunteers to assist with Batel. In the Observation Lounge, April informs Pike that the Federation fleet has standby orders. April says the Gorn are outside Federation jurisdiction. They can't afford to send ships in while still recovering from the Klingon war. RELATED: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: 5 Books for Gorn Expertise Pike says the Hegemony will continue to encroach on Federation territory if they aren't stopped. April says he heard about the landing party. He asks after Batel. April says Pike's official orders are to monitor the demarcation line for encroachment. However, unofficially, April tells Pike to punch back and prove they aren't prey. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds In engineering, Pelia (Carol Kane) asks Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott (Martin Quinn) about his device. Scotty explains: it tricks the Gorn into thinking a ship is theirs. But Scotty doesn't exactly understand how it works. Pelia chides him for not writing it down. Pike enters and asks how soon it can be working. Pelia assures him that it'll be running before they cross the Hegemony line. Escape From the Sac Aboard the Gorn ship, bodies are held inside glowing sacs. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) is having flashbacks to her brother's death. She awakens and fights her way free. She surveys the sacs and sees crew members inside them. After calming herself, she starts by freeing M'Benga. He frees Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte). Meanwhile, La'an frees Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia). Part of Ortegas' right hand and arm has been digested. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Ortegas begins panicking. La'an calms her before M'Benga issues treatment. He assures her they can fix it on the Enterprise . Inside other sacs, people have been fully digested. They ponder freeing the others trapped in sacs. La'an continues to struggle with flashbacks. However, M'Benga brings her back. RELATED: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – You're Invited to the Captain's Table Sam notes that there are evacuation piles below the sacs: whatever the ship can't process. From one of these, he pulls a weapon out. La'an says she wants to rescue all of the surviving colonists. Even if they have to shoot their way out. Aboard the Enterprise , Scotty continues to work on the 'cloaking' device. Pelia rushes towards him in a panic. Panicking as well, Scotty makes several adjustments to the device. It's working! Pike calls for an update. Scotty realizes Pelia was feigning panic. Scotty is bitter about Pelia's tactic. But Pelia says she knows Scotty and knew the strategy would prove successful. However, it's clear that Scotty is still struggling with the loss of the U.S.S. Stardiver . Across the Demarcation Line The Enterprise approaches the demarcation line. Pike orders them to activate Scotty's device. Realizing it's a modified EM pulse emitter, Uhura says it makes sense. The Gorn's evolution has moved beyond using optical data. They use 'biometrics, heat and EM signatures.' Gorn Hunter ships approach the Enterprise . Thanks to the device, they harmlessly pass. The ships return to an uncharted binary system with unique stellar activity. The radiation in the system will prevent the use of all but impulse power, and eventually, will prove too much for the shields. Nevertheless, Pike orders them there. RELATED: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Pays Homage to Alien Franchise Spock and Chapel determine that Batel's body and the Gorn hatchlings are relying on each other. But all of their simulations result in 100 percent fatality. Spock suggests using an Orion street drug for treatment. Then he apologizes for how things went before Chapel left. She accepts his apology. Spock says the thought of losing her left him untethered. Chapel says things have gotten complicated, and she's 'not good at complicated.' She says she's still going to spend three months studying under Korby. They can check in on her return. The simulation once again finds 100 percent fatality. Spock observes Batel's human DNA can't handle it. Chapel proposes using Una's Illyrian blood. Although against regulation, it could save Batel's life. Chapel begins the simulation. Meanwhile, the away team plans to escape with the Gorn transporter codes. This will require stealing a Gorn ship. Ortegas is sure she can fly it. But before they can begin, the sound of snarling Gorn reaches them. RELATED: Star Trek : Worst First Contacts The Radiation Zone On the Enterprise , Una and Uhura have gone over all their Gorn intel. In the observation lounge, they share conclusions with Pike. They have determined there is a relationship between coronal mass ejections and the Gorn. Pike says they already know that it can set off a frenzy. But Gorn inactivity follows certain stellar activity as well. Hibernation is triggered by unique solar phenomena. The team has identified this phenomenon. They have also identified the stellar activity that precedes frenzies. And a long cycle of Gorn activity is about to begin. Mitchell informs them they'll soon be dropping out of warp. Uhura leaves. Una approaches Pike. She tells him she trusts Spock and Chapel with her blood. And because the mission is off-the-record, there's nothing to report. She urges Pike to be hopeful. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Number One Elsewhere, the simulation gives Batel her highest chance of survival yet: 86 percent. Chapel says they should continue. Soon, the Enterprise arrives at the edge of the radiation zone. Mitchell refuses to leave her station until they get everyone back. Sensors locate the Gorn ship. But the ship is deep in the radiation zone. On the viewscreen, the ship seems poised to travel directly into one of the stars. It turns off the power and seemingly vanishes. Pike orders power to the shields. They're following the ship into the radiation zone. In medical, Batel is coding. Something has accelerated the Gorn's growth. Spock says a 14 percent chance of survival is better than certain death. Quarantine Mode The radiation complicates the pursuit. The gravity wells of the stars do most of the work. Because of the bending light, which prevents seeing what happens after they pass through. Pike wonders if this is the Gorn homeworld. Myriad Gorn ships appear. They head towards Starfleet. Uhura sends a warning but can't confirm receipt. Una suggests dropping a long-range comm buoy. They must stop the invasion. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds In medical, Batel's condition worsens. Engaging quarantine mode, Spock and Chapel prepare for surgery. They inject Batel with the experimental serum. On the bridge, Uhura informs Pike that the Gorn are jamming their signal. The Gorn will reach the Federation before their warning does. Pike considers shooting. Una says the ship can't hold up against an armada. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Chief Engineer Pelia Pike summons Pelia. He recalls Una and Uhura's conclusion about the cycle that would put the Gorn to sleep. They must create a stellar flare. Pelia and Scotty arrive on the bridge. The latter informs Pike that creating a flare is impossible. Pike says they'll become the flare themselves. Scotty analyzes this strategy. Pelia says it's possible. By modifying deflector shields, they can magnetize the hull and gather stellar material. It's terrible odds, but Pike says they'll 'turn it off before [they] blow up.' In medical, Chapel prepares to make an incision. But Spock stops her. He suggests they're looking at it from the wrong perspective. He proposes they treat the Gorn instead of Batel, feeding them and causing reabsorption. Chapel agrees. Ship Jacking Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Aboard the Gorn vessel, the away team heads towards the shuttles. La'an locates an interface. This leads to more flashbacks to her brother's death. M'Benga brings her back down. La'an gets the information that they need to save the colonists. They're interrupted by the approach of many Gorn soldiers. A firefight commences. La'an orders them to get to the ship. A Gorn lifts Ortegas, but La'an kills it. On the Enterprise , Una says shutting down the EM device will cause the Gorn to attack them. Pike says this is desirable. They begin pulling solar energy to the ship. Meanwhile, the away team continues to flee. They arrive at the ship they plan to steal. Ortegas is injured and in pain, but demands she be put in the pilot seat. RELATED: Star Trek War Journal: 8 Trek Episodes About War Ortegas takes off. Other Gorn fighters pursue them. Ortegas' blood spills onto the ship's controls. Meanwhile, beta particles and gamma rays cover the Enterprise . The Gorn fighters are on an intercept course. Uhura receives the signal from La'an. She sends the transport codes and tells them to beam the Parnassians out. The Enterprise 's hull integrity approaches critical failure. The Gorn ships vanish. Pike orders the deflector shields turned off. The Gorn have gone home. La'an and the others are heading back to the Enterprise . Our crew rescues the Parnassians. But have they just pushed the problem to someone else? She Flies the Ship After losing so much blood, Ortegas collapses on the ship's controls. The rest of the away team surrounds her. 'I fly the ship,' Ortegas declares. Then, the away team is beamed back to the Enterprise . In medical, Spock and Chapel have completed Batel's procedure. Chapel kisses Spock and thanks him for his assistance. Spock says, 'You're welcome,' and begins to walk away. But before he does so, he turns back to look at Chapel once more. Pike arrives to check on Batel. Spock is gone. RELATED: Read our Star Trek: Strange New Worlds recaps Una reports Ortegas is critical but stable. Pike orders a course for Earth. In medical, he approaches Batel. She remains unconscious. Pike tells his late father that he wins. He sits beside Batel and begins to pray. Batel awakens. A tearful Pike relates what's happened. He tells her he really doesn't want to lose her. Batel says she's still there. The Enterprise leaves the binary star system. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams on Paramount+ on Thursdays. Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: ERICA ORTEGAS Avery Kaplan (she/her) is the author of several books and the Features Editor at Comics Beat. With her spouse Ollie Kaplan, Avery co-authored the middle school textbook on intersectionality Double Challenge: Being LGBTQ and a Minority. She was honored to serve as a judge for the 2021 - 2024 Cartoonist Studio Prize Awards and the 2021 Prism Awards. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her partner and a pile of cats, and her favorite place to visit is the cemetery. You can also find her writing on Comics Bookcase, the Gutter Review, Shelfdust, the Mary Sue, in the Comics Courier and in many issues of PanelxPanel, and in the margins of the books in her personal library.