For Pike and Batel, a duo engaged in what appears to be a conveniently erratic romance, their time spent in each other's company defies the casual nature their bond is presumed to uphold. Or, at the very least, they strive to make it so: As the curtains part on "Among the Lotus Eaters," the captains have meticulously carved out a moment for an enchanting romantic dinner, only for interruptions to pile up relentlessly. Initially, their schedules are in such high demand that they are constantly hailed with inquiries. Subsequently, Batel bestows upon Pike an incredibly considerate (and pivotal to the narrative) gift: an Opelian Mariner's Keystone, only to be whisked away abruptly by an urgent message, returning visibly perturbed. As Pike astutely deduces, Batel has been denied promotion to commodore, with his own circumstances from Una's trial a few episodes prior serving as a contributing factor.
This twist is far from what Pike envisioned, prompting him to ponder the trajectory of their relationship. If they believed it to be nonchalant, they were merely deceiving themselves. Their reunions are far and few between, and even these encounters are detrimental to Batel's career aspirations. They yearn to be together unequivocally, yet an array of obstacles prevents them from doing so. Ultimately, she departs disheartened and unsatisfied, leaving behind a night steeped in disappointment.
Moreover, the night is poised for a dramatic upheaval. In the briefing room, Una serves as a refresher for the executive officers, reminding them of a visit to Rigel VII five years prior, which culminated in an emergency evacuation after encountering the pre-warp Kalar society, who swiftly attacked them, resulting in the tragic loss of three crew members. Or so they had believed. An aerial photograph unveils a landscape meticulously sculpted in the shape of a Starfleet delta, compelling them to rectify their past mistake and uphold the Prime Directive. Following Una's counsel not to push Batel away as he has done with others in his life, Pike refocuses his attention on Rigel VII, recognizing that he can only tackle one dilemma at a time.
Indeed, it is a formidable challenge, one that necessitates navigating a shuttle through a tempestuous atmosphere. It is a task tailor-made for Ortegas, who eagerly anticipates participating in the landing party for once. "Most of the time, I pilot the ship. It's exhilarating, yet it can grow monotonous," she confides in her personal log. Hence, it stings when Pike informs her that her services are required above, owing to unforeseen obstacles.
Fortunately, Pike boasts an impressive array of piloting expertise. Safely landing in their full Kalar attire, Pike, M’Benga, and La’an embark on a perilous trek through hostile terrain, bound for the Kalar caste. They forgo their usual equipment to avoid further cultural contamination, rendering their journey treacherous even in the absence of mishaps. La’an is the first to encounter the mysterious amnesia, yet Pike and M’Benga, despite their concerns, push forward to the castle. Upon arrival, they confront two daunting revelations: the Kalar possess Starfleet weapons and have captured the Enterprise landing party as hostages.
The situation deteriorates further when they discover Zack (David Huynh), presumed killed in action during their previous mission to Rigel VII, very much alive but transformed into an arrogant and delusional despot, having used the weapons to proclaim himself king. Perhaps this transformation isn't entirely Zack's fault, as he reveals to his former captain, "This isn't a normal planet." La’an isn't the only one plagued by memory loss; confusion reigns supreme. When Pike, M’Benga, and La’an awaken in a cage, they find themselves utterly disoriented, unsure of their whereabouts or even their identities.
However, the effects of Rigel VII extend beyond its surface. Aboard the Enterprise, Uhura begins to lose her memory, prompting a visit to sick bay. Chapel is perplexed, and Ortegas is disturbed by her condition, which quickly spreads among the crew.
Meanwhile, on the planet's surface, the Enterprise team gains an unexpected ally in Luke (Reed Birney), a Kalar mentor who offers guidance through their "forgetting" and shares insights on navigating life as a "Kalar from the field," a class tasked with arduous labor. Luke instructs them to focus on the present, fulfill their assigned duties, and avoid irritating the guards (whose helmets seem to shield them from the Forgetting, unlike other Kalar from the palace). Above all, they must confront the Forgetting. "We don't lose the deeply held things," Luke assures them, noting that everything else must be preserved through body art, echoing the haunting narrative of Memento.
The inquiry into what constitutes "deeply held things" unfolds throughout the remainder of the episode. Pike acknowledges his unfamiliarity with this type of mission and realizes that the keystone dangling around his neck is more than just a gift; it's imbued with sentiments that transcend its material form. But what do these emotions signify? Hardly has Pike had the chance to ponder this when a scuffle erupts between the new arrivals and the guards, leaving La’an gravely wounded in the fray. Under Luke's guidance, they seek refuge in his quarters, although their host's priorities lie elsewhere. He is a devout believer who views his role as enabling the Field Kalar to forget, freeing them from the shackles of the past so they can embrace the present wholeheartedly. Reluctantly, he agrees to assist them in reaching the palace where, presumably, M’Benga holds the key to saving La’an.
Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise, the situation has deteriorated drastically. The memory loss epidemic is claiming more victims by the minute. Anticipating its onset for Spock and Ortegas, Spock directs the pilot to navigate through an asteroid field, hoping the interference might shield them from Rigel VII's effects. As an extra precaution, Spock entrusts Ortegas with a pad containing her vital information, with her role as the ship's pilot being paramount. Yet, this proves barely helpful. When the Forgetting strikes Spock and Ortegas, they lose their ability to read, causing Ortegas to flee in panic, wandering through corridors filled with similarly affected crew members. The scene resembles a zombie flick, where the "zombies" strive to restore their minds rather than consume others. The prognosis is bleak!
Back at Kalar, near the palace, Pike once again contemplates the keystone, linking it to a feeling that Luke identifies as love—an emotion so profound that even the Forgetting cannot eradicate it. Luke, who has personally inked over the markings on his arm that chronicle his past due to the overwhelming pain, knows this all too well. Though his choice may not be ideal, for now, he is at peace with it. This approach to life, embraced by the Field Kalar, finds partial validation aboard the Enterprise. In her quarters, Ortegas, cowering in fear, strikes up a conversation with the ship's computer, which reminds her of her identity and, crucially, her purpose. "I am Erica Ortegas. I fly the ship," she repeats to herself as she makes her way to the bridge and discovers, indeed, that she retains the knowledge to pilot the ship. This singular skill proves pivotal in saving their lives, rendering everything else secondary.
Pike disrupts the fragile equilibrium and swiftly neutralizes Zack, who corrects him: their cherished memories do not lie dormant within a palace coffin, as the Field Kalar erroneously believe. The culprit, rather, is the planet itself, an insidious force that erases the minds of the unprotected, yet its hold wanes beneath the shield of protection—a revelation that dawns on Pike amidst his relentless pounding on Zack. With this insight, the day is rescued from oblivion. Zack is apprehended, while M’Benga tends to La’an’s wounds. Luke’s past surges back with a vengeance, and though the recollections are agonizing, he cherishes them nonetheless. "The narrative of one's life, the very fine print: they hold immeasurable significance," he imparts to Pike, who ponders these words while clutching the keystone. Recognizing the necessity to seek forgiveness from Batel, Pike devises ingenious methods for Zack's repatriation to Starfleet. "You have restored me to my rightful place," he tells her, followed by an earnest plea for absolution. Who could deny such heartfelt entreaty? As the episode draws to a close, what was momentarily disconnected is now unmistakably rekindled.
"Among the Lotus Eaters" sometimes feels less like a single episode divided into A and B plots and more like two narratives seamlessly melded into one. On one thread lies Ortegas' tale, where boredom sets in from monotony until she grasps the vital role she plays. The other narrative, more surface-level, aligns with the classic Star Trek tradition of encountering seemingly primitive civilizations mirroring facets of Earth’s distant past. Yet, these parallel stories complement each other, albeit leading to disparate conclusions at times. Ortegas' journey embodies an Existentialism 101, as she realizes her existence is shaped by her actions. Conversely, Pike's adventures underscore the confines of such a philosophy. The emotions he cannot let go and the memories he fiercely retrieves are intricately tied to his feelings for Batel, forming an integral part of his identity alongside his duties as captain. It is only when his memories resurface that he regains his full self, preventing him from exacting fatal justice on Zack. His sojourn on Kalar might have served as a stark self-discovery by stripping him bare, but it is these very elements that constitute the essence of Pike.
