Captain Pike visits a Klingon planet whilst Burnham and Spock investigate a Section 31 ship.
This is a fairly entertaining episode with decent character moments, some reasonably good sci-fi concepts but some plot threads that seem a bit contrived.
I liked the character moments more than anything, particularly certain parts involving Pike and the scenes with Spock and Burnham. The concept of Control continues to be pretty good, but it's appearance in this episode is quite predictable. I'm undecided how I feel about the time-crystal Mcguffin at the moment. I definitely wasn't convinced on plausibility of their location and guardians in this episode. This feels like a contrivance to revisit aspects of another plot. However, I thought the idea involving Pike was good.
There is more of the awkward dialogue that plagues Discovery, but I have now come to accept it as the writers style. The technobabble isn't too bad but there are other parts the over explain what's happening to the point of irritation.
The Ash Tyler and Burnham romance is still as poorly done as the worst of the Star Trek romances. I can't put my finger on exactly why it doesn't work for me other than I feel no real chemistry between the characters and have zero interest in whether or not it works out for them. It doesn't help that Ash Taylor always acts like a wet blanket in their exchanges together and I wonder how could anyone possibly love this character?
Culiber and Stamets do have better chemistry and a more compelling romantic arc but I really hope they don't dedicate too much time to it, as romance isn't personally what I watch Star Trek for.
The visuals as ever are superb with great cinematography, atmospheric lighting and great effects. I appreciate the editing, especially some of the scene transitions. There is one where Saru's face fades into a rock formation that is of similar shape which I thought was excellent.
Most performances are solid with Anson Mount and Ethan Peck having some of the best moments for me.