On the bright side, this episode has given me at least some hope that this series will finally take off. For me, at least, this was the best episode of ST Discovery so far.
***SPOILER ALERT: just giving you a heads up. I really don't know how to review this episode thoroughly without giving away some plot points. So if you haven't seen the episode, stop here and watch it first.
So why only 5 stars? Here's why:
THE GOOD: First and foremost, this is the first episode of ST Discovery that had a cogent plot and real pacing. The Search for Sarek was paramount and this was the first time that we had an overarching plot that wasn't broken up by a lot of unrelated nonsense. In fact, there was a kind of unity between Lorca and Burnham, confronting their demons and raking in their self control.
The insight into Lorca, comes out from a combination of his actions and from the dialogue, rather than just planting information about his past.
Burnham is a little better this time. She was actually almost likable this episode.
Ash Tyler is the first true Starfleet officer on board Discovery. He certainly will have imperfections, but at least he doesn't wear them on his sleeve like everyone else.
There was a slightly more hopeful tone. We're not quite there yet, but at least there is a glimmer of hope.
THE BAD: 1) It's hard to make the search for Sarek a real cliffhanger. Unless you thought that they were starting, say, the Celsius Timeline* (just add 273 to anything in the Kelvin Timeline), it was a foregone conclusion that Sarek would survive. 2) The character of Tilly is, well, a little too silly. We are getting dangerously near Wesley Crusher territory. 3) Still a lot of lack of discipline in Starfleet. No military organization would resemble this. 4) I'm not jiggy with Vulcan terrorism. (If Stamets can say groovy, I can say jiggy.) In the past, at least, Vulcans themselves did not commit violent acts. (The bombing of the Federation Embassy on Vulcan was perpetrated by V'Las, a Romulan undercover operative.) Suicide bombings are also a politically loaded topic, so it would be very disappointing if they just used this as a plot device. 5) The writers concentrate too heavily on character flaws. Characters that are too deeply flawed and imbalanced become too difficult to relate to or unlikable. 6) Except for Ash, the crew does not aspire to function as a group. 7) I have a really hard time understanding how Burnham didn't understand Sarek's decision or why he didn't tell her. Umm... did she really grow up on Vulcan? 8) Ditto for Sarek feeling guilty about his decision. Spock--being half-Vulcan-- WAS a more logical choice. It would have been better if Sarek felt guilty because he didn't understand what a profound effect this choice had on Burnham. 9) The writing needs more originality and needs to be smarter
THE UGLY: 1) It's still not Star Trek 2) Our focus has turned from the bad sci-fi concept of the organic/inorganic-hybrid-mycelial-blink drive to the equally bad concept of the Katra-that-knows-no-spatial-bounds garbage. 3) Good thing Engineer Stamets had that 'Make Your Own Analog to Digital Psychic Katra Locator Link Device for Dummies' book lying around, so he could cook one up in a jiffy. Considering he had no idea what a Katra was before this, it's not clear how he produced the prototype in screen seconds. 4) Not clear what the deal is with interstellar booty call. There was really no real reason why Admiral Cornwell needed to make a personal appearance on the Discovery, other than the writers needed her so she could be the substitute Sarek for the secret meeting with the Klingons. 5) Lorca has put his career on the line again and sent crew members on a mission of unparalleled peril. The tension is mounting as the danger increases... So it apparently makes perfect sense that instead of minding the store, he decides to get it on with the admiral. I guess it helped relieve some tension. Of course, the writers should have milked that sexual tension for at least a few seasons before pulling the trigger. It's a tried and true device that really works (Think Sam and Diane from Cheers, Ross and Rachel on Friends, Homer and Marge on the Simpsons**).
THE CONTROVERSY: I read some nonsense about Ash Tyler possibly being a Klingon plant (like Arne Darvin in TOS, The Trouble With Tribbles).
I doubt that this is true. First, the writers have so far been guileless. Second, Ash has an actual record at the Academy and verified back history. It would be unlikely for the Klingons to have somehow hacked the Starfleet database at this point in history (Unless Starfleet went with Cybersecurity by Equifax instead of Vulcan). Moreover, Ash must have been examined by the ship's doctor after his torture on the Klingon vessel; so ostensibly, he would have been identified as a Klingon. ("Heartbeat is all wrong. his body temperature is... Jim. This man is a Klingon!") It is possible that Ash could be an unwitting spy for the Klingons (some kind of implant relaying information) or a sleeper agent ala the Manchurian Candidate. But we have to hope that the writers don't mess up the one, solid, relatable character that they have.
*As TOS was a product of 1960s, US television, I'm assuming the original time line was measured in Fahrenheit. (Unlike Tom Lehrer, I am not quite old enough such that I have a deep desire to give my age in Celsius. That'd put me in early grade school.)
**Okay. The last one was a joke. I'm getting a little punchy...
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