Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | 2x04 "Among the Lotus Eaters"

https://startrek.website/post/281604

Episode Discussion | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | 2x04 "Among the Lotus Eaters" - Star Trek: Website

::: spoiler Logline Returning to a planet that dredges up tragic memories, Captain Pike and his landing party find themselves forgetting everything, including their own identities as he confronts a ghost from his past. ::: — Written by Kirsten Beyer & Davy Perez Directed by Eduardo Sanchez

I’ve only managed to see this episode once, but something I didn’t understand was Spock’s decision to try and hide in the debris field. At this point they believed the planet was the source of the problem, but it seemed mostly a guess that the debris field might shield them.

Wouldn’t the most logical action have been to get as far away from the planet as reasonably possible until the effects appeared to subside? I know Una made a point that they had crew down there, but it’s not as if they can’t return more cautiously and with a clearer understanding of what’s happening. You’re also helpless to help your landing party if you’re completely incapacitated yourself.

Have I missed something important?

That’s what I expected them to do as well, but I’m no science officer.