I was not ready for this episode, I don't think anybody is going to be going into it blind.
Let me start with the obvious, above board 11/10 performance by both Christina Chong (La'an) and Paul Wesley (T. Kirk). The depth of emotions explored by these two, and the way it was uniquely presented in a completely new yet familiar fashion is something that will mark this episode for me as the most emotionally challenging episode in the history of Star Trek series since TNG.
Paul Wesley delivered T. Kirk for me a in a way that I am going to have trouble not having him around for every episode or in his own show.
Christina Chong was the soul of this episode, I have never been touched by someone's emotional acting performance before but the ending had me shedding tears with her.
I wish there was a spin off of these two as the agents working to save the timeline outside the show while maintaining their current show.
Star Trek Strange New Worlds has managed to do what all the other Star Trek shows have missed to deliver since Star Trek TNG/Picard. That is to deliver the same quality and improve on it.
I am still speechless and dumbfounded by the fact that I didn't realise how many other good actors and actresses this show offers alongside the main actors/actresses.
I cannot wait for the next episode, Christina and Paul better be getting that drink soon.