"These Old Scientists" was a gem of an episode and an instant top 10 of my all-time favourite episodes.
I also do have a few thoughts about it!!
So in the SNW era, red/maroon is usually for red shirts/security officers, notoriously known for dying faster than carnival goldfish. In the LWD era red shirts are for the command division, meaning that Pike the entire time probably thought that Mariner and Boimler were just red shirts.
Which is so funny to think about, these two capable command division ensigns getting mistaken for being in the worst career path of Starfleet at the time.
What also was quite fun was the constant making fun of Mariner and Boimler's constant casual and very specific references in their conversation. And Boimler's failings in keeping future events to himself through these references.
My favourite part however was when Boimler basically insinuated that comphet Spock was just a fad and that Spock and Chapel are doomed to fail. I love Ethan Peck and Jess Bush but I cannot stand Spock and Chapel together it just feels weird and wrong.
Mariner being obsessed with Nyota Uhura was also so valid, Uhura is so cool and one of my favourite characters I too would only care about her.
OOH- and the fact that Boimler called the Enterprise out on their xenophobia when talking about the Orions was so iconic. Defending his friends and their backgrounds/cultures is such a Boimler thing to do.
All in all- 10/10 episode. I have been waiting for this episode ever since it was first announced and this episode was the only reason I started to watch SNW. I was not disappointed!!
