Normally the biggest issue with fan films is the acting and directing, that is not an issue with this episode. This episode is excellent and as professional as any episode in the original series and most of the subsequent series. The pacing was good, with only minor issues, but a lot better than many of the more recent star trek series episodes. As for story, it was good and better than many official stories, however this is not surprising. One thing fan films normal excel at is the stories. Overall, in terms of acting, this is most certainly the best episode so far.
In terms of the specific story, it grabbed you from the beginning and had that magic mystery which I love. There were plot gaps, why did Tiberius let Kirk two leave if it was so powerful. If there was a reason it was unclear. Also it was unclear that they had discovered a 2nd kirk, a name plate would have been useful. There are a number of these minor plot issues, but they do not subtract from the viewing experience at all. Pacing was good, but it did slow down a bit in the last quarter, before speeding up once Kirk 2 was piloting the Defiant. Again, nothing major.
I wish the more recent star trek series was as good as this, I am very sad that no more episodes will be filmed due to the paramount directive. I love the series and recommend it to anyone who is a real trek fan.
Review of Still Treads the Shadow
