"Sanctuary Lost"
Story by Brian S. Matthews
Directed by Jennifer Cole
Based on Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry
Synopsis:
The Helena, now captained by her former first officer, Theresa Faisal,
is commissioned to explore the newly revealed frontiers previously hidden by the
Briar Patch. But not all is well in the wake of Naros' destruction of the Dyson
Sphere, and a surprising discovery may lead to deadly consequences.
The Odyssey has been lost in the Andromeda Galaxy, and information on the fate
of the missing members of the R'Kag's crew is a shattered mirror of
misdirection, bad information, and rumors of death. Thanks to the efforts of
Commander Jorian Zen and Commander Robin Lefler, all is not lost - but something
strange is brewing in the newly revealed recesses of a formerly hidden frontier
that has suddenly taken center stage - and it could lead to a lethal showdown
with a never-before encountered lifeform.
Review By Roger D. Noriega
*****Spoilers Herein*****
"You know him?"
"No Captain. He had a bunion on his foot - total disregard for oneself."
"I had a bunion once."
Command staff discussing the situation at Sanctuary Outpost.
It is not often that we have a new Star Trek series, albeit one that was not actually produced by the wonderful people at Paramount Pictures or CBS Television. Rob Caves is at it again and not only with one, but multiple series at the same time, not unlike Paramount in the 90's. Not to long ago, Hidden Frontier ended its seven-year run and was replaced by Star Trek: Odyssey and now we have running concurrently with the aforementioned show, Star Trek: The Helena Chronicles.
If your memory serves you well, you can recall that the U.S.S. Helena was captained by Tolian Naros in the Hidden Frontier run. Naros' heir is Captain Theresa Faisal, his former first officer. She now has Jorian Dao as her first officer along with Artim Ibanya as her conn officer along with lots of new faces that we'll get to just a bit later.
The events take place 6 months after the pitched battle fought in Star Trek: Odyssey [click here for review] and Lt. Corey Aster wakes up from being in a coma since that blessed event. Aster can only remember small bits of his survival, saved by a Klingon no less. As events pass, Astor finds out that the Odyssey is believed lost and his husband, Ro Nevin is lost, presumed dead.
Admiral Knapp sends the Helena to Sanctuary Outpost at all possible speed - something is going on there and the outpost can not be lost. After the events of Hidden Frontier, the Briar Patch no longer has the mysterious properties that kept Starships from using their warp drive while in the patch and as a matter of fact, Sanctuary Outpost is the only place that has metrion particles.
Arriving at Sanctuary Outpost, everyone is dead and silicon residual is every where - not a good thing. After making the outpost whole again, the crew finally figures out that there just may be proof of the attackers. Helena goes into stealth mode and not long after, a few of the remaining life-forms that are indigenous to the Briar Patch return to the station. All the while, Astor can not get over the apparent loss of Ro and he is having visions. These visions have taken a physical form in that Astor is now scarred on the inside of his hand. His crewmates are stunned and have no answers for Astor's behavior.
"Ro found a way, I have to believe he found a way."
Dr. Ness makes clear to Astor that in the latest conflagration, many good people were lost and that Astor living makes it seem to the crew that maybe they "got one back".
The crew of the Helena is able to cleverly resolve the "eco system on the run" that is reminiscent of Insurrection and when the crew of the Enterprise were able to free Picard from the Borg in The Best of Both Worlds.
If you pay attention to the crew's conversation about the Alpha Predator, you will realize why the image of the Helena warping away is rather warped.
I must say that at times, the episode is not only engaging, it borders on being very true to Star Trek - the good stuff of Star Trek. The score is new and unique - well done. Several actors also stand out here. Dr. Ness, Lt. Dais, and Engineer Rockney really stand out. Think about it: A Masochist Doctor, an A-Type male role being taken by a female Bolian- Nausican, and an Engineer that has no problem showing his love for his one, true lady. C'mon . . . it sounds like fun.
The script by Brian S. Matthews has some genuine humor in it and the story moves along smartly.
A good start here. Well worth your time if you need a Star Trek fix.
Episode on YouTube: Preview Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Bloopers
Episode on YouTube here: Teaser Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Blooper Reel
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