Star Trek Social Club

There was a lot left to explain in that dimensional prison

Agree.

using it as a finale to neatly wrap a lot of different plot threads was great

Sort of?

IMO it felt very hamfisted in the way it tried to wrap those plot threads. And it felt like it should have been the culmination of a large number of episodes scattered across multiple seasons. Not a follow-up to a single episode earlier this same season. But if they had spent more time laying the groundwork to explain how the gorn Alien impregnation relates to the Great Cosmic Evil (and why the Great Cosmic Evil is even a relevant theme to explore in this world), then choosing to wrap that all up in a dramatic finale could perhaps have been awesome.

there’s two massive red lasers with the same power as a star beaming in through the balcony and none of the natives there were bothered by it enough to get out of their seats

All the scenes on the planet gave me that sense. It really felt obvious they were acting in front of the Volume. When the main characters just walk up and assault the portal guards, nobody reacts. When they discuss what to do next right there, nobody reacts. When the giant lasers shoot down, nobody reacts.

The planet design was really cool

Agree! I wish we could have explored more about them and their culture, and how it links to the culture of the previous planet the Great Cosmic Evil was on.

It’s interesting that the planet has no warp travel but still makes contact with alien races

I got the sense (sadly, the episode wasn't interested in exploring these aspects at all) that it's because they were contacted by the Orions, who don't follow the Prime Directive.