Leslie Sterling

So much better than I thought it would be, and my expectations were high. (NO spoilers follow) I'll start with the people who won't like it: it doesn't have a lot of "action", although there are some creative fight sequences, and there are not a lot of space battles either. However, if your favorite episodes from the Star Trek universe are the ones that blend the hard science and action elements with the infinite complexity and intensity of human drama, and if you realize the greatest unknown to explore is the realm of emotion, memory and the experiences that make life most precious, then this will hit you in the gut in a powerful and unforgettable way. The political intrigue and parallels to current world situations are very well done. And there are constant references to morsels of information from the rest of the Star Trek universe that dedicated and observant fans will notice with delight. Last but not least, if you are already a fan of Patrick Stewart, and Jean-Luc Picard, the best Captain in Starfleet, it is criminal that you have not seen this already. Clear a weekend for watching the first season as though it were a trilogy of feature-length movies. Do it ASAP. This series alone is worth the cost of a Paramount Plus subscription.

The best thing about Agatha Christie is that even when you think you know where it is going, she is a step ahead of you. You get to sit there thinking you have it figured out, only to find out that you didn't know the half of it. Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Elsa Lancaster, John Williams and many others make a spectacular cast, and there is not a bad performance among them. If you love courtroom dramas, this is the granddaddy of them all--two years before Anatomy of a Murder, three years before Inherit the Wind, five years before To Kill A Mockingbird, and unlike 12 Angry Men this one actually has dramatic scenes that take place IN the courtroom. And please, if you are watching it with someone seeing it for the first time, let them enjoy it and don't give away the ending!