The "Previously On …" intros play a dual role, both jogging viewers' memories about the ongoing saga they are about to revisit and offering a tantalizing glimpse into upcoming events through carefully curated clips. However, these intros can also cast a veil of misleading anticipation. The "Previously On …" segment for "Lost in Translation" hints at an episode teeming with significant ramifications for existing storylines, thanks to snippets showcasing Spock and Chapel's recent kiss and an erased moment between Kirk and La’an, a moment now forgotten by all except La’an, following the restoration of the timeline. Could this herald the return of the Department of Temporal Investigations? Will Spock and Chapel be compelled to make pivotal decisions? And what prompts Hemmer's mysterious reappearance, a crew member whose absence is still keenly felt aboard the Enterprise?
While "Lost in Translation" intertwines with these narrative threads, it does not dwell on any of them. Instead, it unfolds as another first contact episode, placing Uhura front and center as the Enterprise ventures toward a stellar nursery, which also houses a deuterium refinery. Its strategic positioning at the fringes of explored space adds an element of urgency and makes it an ideal launching pad for subsequent missions — a fact Pike seeks to underscore in an inspiring speech. Additionally, it's a pivotal location given the escalating threat posed by the Gorn. (Indeed, they remain a formidable force, despite our recent silence on the matter.)
The stopover should have been straightforward: Pike assumes the role of fleet commander, the station becomes operational, and the crew refuels, marking the mission as a success. Yet, nothing is ever that straightforward, with only one crew member initially sensing the underlying complexity. An unseen force is transmitting signals audible only to Uhura. To unravel the mystery, Uhura heads to engineering, where she watches a YouTube tutorial she had made with Hemmer, demonstrating how to recalibrate the communications array. Initially irritated, Pelia soon finds herself nostalgic for Hemmer upon realizing the context. Routine continues until Uhura, once again hearing the eerie noise, receives a harrowing vision of an undead, grotesque-looking Hemmer aboard the turbo-lift.
What could this portend? M’Benga offers no immediate answers but observes that Uhura might be suffering from a mild case of deuterium poisoning and notes her lack of sleep. His prescription: rest. Ironically, this advice only escalates the intensity, as Uhura begins to glimpse fragments of a vision whose full horror will only be unveiled later.
As she navigates through her thoughts, the starship Enterprise welcomes an unexpected guest by the name of James T. Kirk. His reunion with his brother, Sam, is laced with an underlying current of tension. Jim brings momentous news—he is poised to become the first officer aboard the Farragut. Over drinks in the Enterprise lounge, their conversation about Jim's achievement stirs up old grievances within Sam. He feels that Jim disregards his decision to delve into xenoanthropology and believes that his brother's overachieving nature stems from their father, who equally lacks respect for Sam's career choices. This unfolds a vivid picture of their complex family dynamics.
Yet, this isn't the sole source of tension in the lounge; the other, though different in nature, stems from another corner. While engaging in a game of four-dimensional chess, Spock and Chapel find themselves attempting to dissect the nature of their relationship. Do they need to disclose their bond to Starfleet? Is there, indeed, a relationship blooming between them? Chapel compares human relationships to Schrödinger's cat, suggesting that theirs currently exists in an undefined quantum state, fragile enough to collapse under external observation and labeling. With a wink from Chapel, this brief exchange encapsulates all we glean about Spock and Chapel's dynamic in this episode, leaving the cat safely confined within its box.
Regardless of their personal entanglements, the pair offer little solace to an increasingly agitated Uhura, who seeks refuge in a glass of Saurian brandy. However, her peace is soon shattered by Jim's chatty interruptions. Annoyed and uninterested in his advances, she attempts to dismiss him, but her efforts are in vain. Matters scarcely improve when Jim insists he wasn't hitting on her (a claim that, given his character, rings somewhat hollow), prompting Uhura to flee. Ironically, instead of finding escape, she stumbles upon a harrowing vision of crew members' corpses scattered down the corridor and engages in a struggle with a doppelgänger. Snapping out of her trance, she realizes she has struck Jim.
Though displeased with the altercation, Jim senses that Uhura is grappling with something he might assist her through. He leaves her to consult with the Farragut's doctor, wise in knowing that a second opinion is always beneficial in matters of health. Left alone, Uhura experiences another harrowing vision, this time witnessing the destruction of the Enterprise. She discusses this with Pike when Jim returns, marking the second of three historic encounters within the episode, following his introduction to Uhura.
Over at the refinery, Una and Pelia labored to breathe life into the facility, blending scientific acumen with managerial prowess. However, their initial attempts fell short. Pelia's rebellious streak, usually a hindrance, unexpectedly proved beneficial when she uncovered evidence pointing to sabotage. This discovery propelled Una and Pelia into a hunt for the perpetrator, a Starfleet officer named Ramon (Michael Reventar), who seemed consumed by the same delusions that had befallen Uhura. Upon being escorted to the Enterprise's sick bay, Ramon displayed symptoms even more pronounced than Uhura's, lashing out at the crew before escaping.
The subsequent search led to a fleeting encounter between Jim and La'an, but it was Uhura who ultimately tracked down the fugitive. Her timing couldn't have been more crucial; Ramon was in the midst of another attempt to sabotage the Enterprise. Uhura tried to reason with him, sharing personal anecdotes in hopes of calming him, but to no avail. A scuffle ensued, and Jim arrived just in time to rescue Uhura, sending Ramon hurtling out of an airlock.
In the wake of the ordeal, Jim and La'an shared a poignant moment, during which she accurately perceived him as someone who couldn't ignore someone in distress. This reflection triggered memories of Jim's childhood, traveling the galaxy with his father, always on a mission to lend a helping hand. Annoyed as a child, Jim now understood his father's calling all too well. Grateful for Jim's father and those like him who saved lives, La'an expressed her appreciation. They savored a tender moment, but when Jim hinted at taking her up on her earlier offer of a drink, La'an silently walked away, leaving their potential romance hanging in the balance, much like Spock and Chapel's.
Jim, preoccupied with other matters, listened intently as Uhura recounted the tragic shuttle accident that claimed her parents' lives, the lingering trauma it inflicted, and how Hemmer's death had deepened her doubts and fears. In response, Jim delivered a classic (as yet unofficial) Captain Kirk-inspired speech, stirring Uhura to revisit Hemmer's video. A realization dawned upon her: she was receiving a message, a code from a species being annihilated by Starfleet's deuterium mining operations. With urgency, Uhura and Jim rushed to Sam's lab, where the other Kirk's expertise proved invaluable. Together, the Kirks decrypted the code, revealing Uhura's visions as a plea from a dying species. The refinery must never be activated!
Regrettably, the refinery has already roared to life, its power irreversibly engaged. Furthermore, the option to deactivate it has vanished into thin air. Amidst the subsequent, frantic rush, Uhura is struck by a vivid vision, compelling her to confront the haunting memories of her parents' demise before she can impart her profound realization to Pike. She conveys that if they cannot silence the refinery, their only option is to obliterate it. To Uhura's relief, Pike, far from dismissing her insights as the ravings of a madwoman, heeds her counsel. He swiftly initiates an evacuation and sends the refinery soaring into oblivion, consequences be damned. As a result, the deuterium beings, or whatever mysterious entity they may be, are spared, a fact affirmed by a final, reassuring vision: Hemmer, beaming with approval, offering a knowing nod.
With this weight lifted, Uhura can finally rest easy, a peaceful slumber presumably claiming her even before the episode's closing scene unfolds. Here, Uhura is seen bonding with a future crewmate, whom she introduces with warmth to a current compatriot, Spock. The trio exudes an aura of potential synergy, hinting at a future where they might form an unstoppable team.
