I like that SNW tried something different again this week, but it didn't quite work for me. It's a fun format, but I think part of why it works so well on other shows is that there are enough "normal" episodes for it to be a novelty. IMO would have been a better episide without the gimmick.
also a) Where is Scotty? Is he safe? Is he alright? Why didn't Pike invite you or Pelia to dinner? b) Uhura, you deserve so much better than Brotegas, sweetie, dump his ass* (* and date Scotty)
Martin Quinn is not available for every episode, something we learned from one of the writers.
That's unfortunate. Given the brevity and the message of the dinner scene though, that doesn't seem like an insurmountable hurdle. I doubt Melanie Scrofano was there just for her five seconds of cameo.
It sounds like his contract stipulates a number of episodes - a little surprising, but not altogether uncommon. youtu.be/qqZyIydfFKE?...