Episode premises such as "Common People" (subscription healthcare tech costing a couple their future child), "Hotel Reverie" (immersive film remake trapping an A-list actress), and "USS Callister: Into Infinity" (sequel featuring returning character Nanette Cole in a virtual survival scenario) focus on human flaws, corporate exploitation, and digital consequences rather than identity politics, systemic oppression, or critiques of traditional norms. Casting includes diverse actors in new original roles (e.g., Rashida Jones as teacher Amanda in "Common People"), but this remains incidental and consistent with the show's long-running practice of varied ensembles without altering established canon characters or forcing representation as a statement.