A new signal has appeared over Boreth, a Klingon moon, and where Tyler’s son is hidden. Tyler confides to Burnham about his son. L’Rell boards the ship and reveals that Boreth guards a source of mineral crystals. Tyler insists on going down, to see his son. The two Klingons argue, until Pike states he will go.
Saru gives Burnham permission to investigate a S31 ship that was late checking in. I hope he sends someone with her tho coz sending an officer on a solo mission just seems to be a generally stupid idea, unless there’s a reason. Speaking of which Pike arrives at the monastery. The Klingons guarding the monastery refuse to allow Pike to leave with a crystal. Pike insists, so the Klingons allow him to try, with a warning that he might not be able to take what it will show him.
Burnham prepares to depart, with Spock insisting to leave with her. Which makes sense. Why would you not want backup on a recon mission to a secret organisation??? There is no advantage. Reno sits down in the mess with Staments who is down over not being able to figure out how to recover Dr. Burnham or combat AI. The bridge crew have a bonding moment before Reno asks Staments about Culber. I just love seeing Anthony Rapp act, he has such a broad range. He can be cold, condescending, vulnerable, assertive, comforting, supportive, while always feeling like the same cohesive character.
The adult Klingon Pike is talking to reveals he is Tyler’s son, which I guess is an interesting way to get around the Alexander problem. He demonstrates his age by showing a freshly planted seed immediately grown.
Spock and Burnham arrive at the location of the S31 ship, where the entire crew is frozen in space. One crewman is still alive, the old Shenzhou tactical officer. He recounts the ship locked them out and ejected them all, because he tried to erase a suspicious subroutine.
L’Rell and Tyler make the most of their chance to talk. Tyler’s son and Pike pass pillars for the past and present (omg is this Star Trek‘s take on the The Christmas Carol??)
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Pike picks a crystal and – we flash forward to the accident where Pike was severely injured, before seeing him in his infamous support chair. Pike screams back to reality. Tyler’s son says if he takes the crystal, the future he saw will happen. Otherwise he can walk away. Pike recounts the pledge he took as a captain, and takes the crystal.
The Away Team aboard the S31 ship try to determine what is happening. However the ship activates itself and jumps to warp. They come up with a plan to isolate the program by drawing it to a dummy program and closing it in, like a lion following fresh meat into a cage. Honestly doesn’t really make much sense to me but okay what do I know about computer security (other than it’s my degree lol).
Gant reveals he is Controlled (surprise to absolutely no one. If you have one survivor of a enemy who is known for POSSESSING people maybe you should check for that). ControlledGrant and Burnham fight as Control attempts to infect Burnham. Spock tries to nerve pinch Control, but he simply breaks his hand and throws him away. Burnham blows a hole through Gant, but the nanoprobes slide towards her before Spock eliminates them with magnets.
Pike returns, telling L’Rell and Tyler that his son is in the place he needs to be, bringing them comfort.
The ship drops to red alert as thirty S31 ships chase down the ship. Burnham recommends to Pike their only remaining solution at that moment is to destroy the ship.
The Star Trek franchise and logo is copyright of CBS. A Christmas Carol is copyright of TNT.