Summary
“Ad Astra per Aspera” is a drawn-out courtroom drama devoid of tension or fun. There’s a great message buried in this script, but it comes across as schmaltzy and preachy on the whole. There are a few snippets of some stunning world-building, and the ending feels comforting enough, though.
We recap the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 2, “Ad Astra per Aspera,” which contains spoilers.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds becomes a courtroom drama in episode two, “Ad Astra per Aspera.”
Una (Rebecca Romijn) is questioned in court and fights for her freedom. The crew of the USS Enterprise watch this tense trial from the ship’s safety and defend Una the best they can in court.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 2 Recap
Una is offered a deal; she will only be dishonorably dismissed if she pleads guilty to submitting false information to Starfleet. Even Una’s lawyer thinks this is a fair deal, but Una doesn’t want to resign from her duties.
Who is Nera?
Pike travels far and wide, searching for legal help for Una. The planet he visits has an atmosphere that doesn’t support human life, so he is forced to wear breathing apparatus. He meets with Nera, a lawyer who used to be good friends with Una.
Nera knows all about Una’s case but refuses to get involved due to personal differences. Pike insists that they need her help. If she takes the case, she will gain great exposure.
Nera changes her mind and accepts the case file.
Next, Nera visits Una in her jail cell. Their relationship is rather frosty. Una states that she doesn’t want to hide her identity anymore.
She eventually wins over Nera, and they decide to reject the deal.
What is Una’s new punishment?
This infuriates Captain Batel, who has taken this case personally. She argues with Pike about the decision. In retaliation, they provide new punishments for Una. If found guilty, she will be dishonorably dismissed and sent to a Federation penal colony for twenty years.
While Nera gathers evidence and looks for a loophole in the trial, La’an suggests a possible tactic. She thinks the information about Una’s identity was illegally obtained.
If she can prove it, then Una’s case may be dismissed. La’an asks Uhura for all the personal logs from the Enterprise, hoping to find references to Una, but Uhura refuses to give out this illegal data.
Pike meets with Batel, as they are still considered to be allies. Batel urges Pike not to take to the witness stand. If he does so, then he will be questioned about his knowledge of Una’s lies. This could end with Pike being charged with conspiracy.
In court, Una pleads not guilty to her charges. Batel talks about genetic modifications being dangerous and unethical. Nera fights back, stating that slavery was once a law; this law is also wrong.
Firstly, Admiral April is questioned by Nera. He talks highly of Una but admits he didn’t know about the lies. Nera asks if April would have accepted Una if she had broken the law.
April is adamant that he follows all of the Starfleet rules. Nera proves that he breaks the rules on occasion to save people’s lives.
Nera pushes the point too far, and the judges throw out all of April’s questioning. They state that April is not the one on trial. Afterward, April is frustrated that he wasn’t able to be more optimistic about Una and her achievements.
After this, Spock, Erica, and La’an are questioned. They all valiantly defend their crew member, claiming she is practically their best friend or family.
Why does La’an blame herself?
La’an speaks with Nera in private after the interrogation. She’s worried that it is her fault that Una has been imprisoned. When La’an found out that Una was an Illyrian, she was angry and made a personal log about it. La’an fears this message caused all the problems. Nera reassures her that they didn’t have long enough for a subpoena.
As the court case draws to a close, Una takes to the stand. She talks about how Starfleet inspired her, reciting their old motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera.” Una talks about her childhood and how the Illyrians were persecuted. She chose to hide her identity.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 2 Ending Explained
How was Una’s lie discovered?
Nera asks how Starfleet found out about her secret identity. Una admits that she actually turned herself in. She was sick of living a lie; she wanted to be accepted. While Una is on the stand, the prosecution questions her, asking when Pike found out. Una admits that Pike knew four months ago.
It looks like Pike may be in legal trouble as well, but Nera saves the day. She finds a loophole; Una was asking for asylum, and Pike grants it to her. Una fled persecution and sought the safety of the Starfleet.
The judges agree, granting Una asylum and finding her not guilty of all her charges.
Una returns to the Enterprise, where she thanks Nera. The crew gives Nera a round of applause. The episode ends with Una and Pike hugging.
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