So I go into this episode confused about why it’s so easy to trick the Discovery crew that Mirror!Georgiou is Prime!Georgiou, when the whole Discovery crew has just been to the Mirror Universe and literally pulled the same trick on them. I mean, thinking about it – I don’t think Burnham told any of the Discovery crew that the Terran Emperor was Georgiou, but even so.
Interestingly, the ‘previously on’ is said by L’Rell in Klingon (with, amusingly, a caption translating it to ‘Previously on Star Trek: Discovery‘). As the Klingons approach Earth, Discovery approaches Kronos, where Georgiou does little to act like her Prime counterpart, being dismissive and abrupt with her crew. We already saw last episode how much more ‘Trek-like’ the crew had become when released from being under the captaincy of a Terran so seeing them thrushed straight back under one will be interesting. Georgiou takes the opportunity to belittle Saru for being a Kelpian (by reciting a phrase about Kelpians from ‘where [she’s] from’, which no one apparently finds odd considering how rare Kelpians are, and that they are not from Malaysia …).
After Burnham tries to subtly expose Georgiou, they speak in private, with Georgiou threatening to throw her into the bridge. She tells Burnham her problem is she never commits to following through, which was her mistake on the Shezhou. She tells her the Federation asked her to lead because they were desperate, and asks Burnham if she’s with her or against her, to which Burnham dryly comments she’s with her.
Georgiou and Burnham interrogate L’Rell (much to L’Rell’s surprise, who unfortunately reminds us again how they ate Georgiou). When L’Rell refuses to tell her, Georgiou goes into the cell and beats her, which obviously doesn’t work, considering L’Rell is a Klingon master spy. Burnham stops Georgiou and reluctantly tells her about the more palatable Klingon they have on board.
Tyler is practising a bowline, the first thing he learnt as a child that ‘made him him’ (which appeals to the author of this article, being an enthusiastic sailor myself). Georgiou tries to belittle Tyler by referring to him as an ‘it’, but he doesn’t seem to even care. Tyler agrees to divulge Voq’s knowledge. Georgiou arranges a landing party of herself, Tyler, Burnham and – Tilly. I just love the scene that follows as Tilly enters, gushes over meeting Prime!Georgiou (I’ll gloss over my continued incredulity that no one realises she’s Mirror!Georgiou), before Georgiou reminisces about how they oppressed the Betazoids, causing Tilly to react in the way only Tilly can to realising this is Mirror!Georgiou:
Tilly: Oh. So she’s not-
Tyler: No.
Tilly: So she’s-
Burnham: Yeah.
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| Never change |
Also see! She realised! Why is it taking everyone else soooo long?!?!? Also Tilly, completely confused about what is going on, instinctively gives an awkward Terran salute and like omg she’s the best
The landing party dress as ‘lowlives’ (which Georgiou seems to relish in being able to wear leather). Tyler asks Burnham if she’s going to be okay, to which Burnham replies that he doesn’t have to worry about her – and then Tilly, knowing how uncomfortable Burnham is, subtly walks between them, giving Burnham her space from Tyler, which is just an adorable attention to detail and I love this character and the dynamics and aaaaaaaaaa
The ship jumps inside Kronos, and the landing party beams to an Orion settlement. They meet an Orion arms trader and sell them arms to maintain their cover. Tilly asks Burnham if she wants to go get some food (which she feels the need to clarify straight away that it was an excuse to talk to Burnham in private). Burnham admits that she doesn’t know what Georgiou’s plan is, and Tilly comforts her and tells her she has her back (<3). Tyler (who tells a disgusted Tilly she’s eating a space whale) and Georgiou come over and they head to a tavern. Georgiou tells Tyler and Burnham to buy information, while Georgiou apparently enjoys the Orions …
Voq takes part in a Klingon gambling game, slipping very easily into Klingon behaviour and mannerisms without realising it, freaking Burnham out.
Tilly is pressured into smoking something which causes her to pass out.
Tyler has no luck getting information from the Klingons (who find a Human speaking Klingon funny). Burnham reveals what happened to her parents, that the Klingons murdered them while she listened from her hiding spot. She pointed out how the Klingons laughed and talked after they murdered her family, hence why the Klingons laughter triggered her. Tyler comments that Burnham has every reason to hate Klingons – but in a beautifully Star Trek moment, Burnham comments that she can’t find that she can – she sees the settlement she’s in now and all she sees is people living their lives, in their home, in their own way. Tyler points out, having literally two perspectives in his head, that no Klingon has ever felt the same way towards their enemy. Burnham disagrees, saying he did. Tyler is lost for words before spotting some Klingons he feels will know where the Shrine that leads to volcanic passageways are.
Georgiou is in bed with the two Orions, before attacking and threatening them for information. Tilly wakes up to find the Orion trying to cut the drone box off her harm. The Orion reveals she inhaled volcanic vapour, which means the volcanoes are still active. Tilly cuts open the lock box and finds that there is a bomb in it. She contacts Burnham just before Georgiou returns and knocks her out, taking the bomb. Tilly reveals to Tyler and Burnham that the bomb will cause an apocalypse on the planet.
Back on Discovery, Burnham calls out Cornwall on her plan for genocide (in what I think is an analogy for Hiroshima?). Burnham points out she was going to make the same error the previous year, and that she was wrong. The entire crew stands with Burnham and makes its refusal to carry out genocide in the name of Starfleet.
Burnham beams down and tells Georgiou to turn the weapon off, and her freedom is still guaranteed. Georgiou refuses and aims her weapon at Burnham, but Burnham doesn’t think Georgiou can watch her die a second time (did she she her die a first time???). Surprisingly Georgiou doesn’t seem willing to do that and gives up very easily? L’Rell (in her full Klingon armour she apparently got from somewhere??) and Tyler then enter, where Burnham explains the situation. She gives L’Rell the detonator, and tells her that she can use the threat of Kronos’ annihilation to take power and reunify the Klingons.
Tyler reveals to Burnham that he’s planning to go with L’Rell, so he might be able to help with Klingon Human relations. They say their goodbyes and Tyler leaves, giving Burnham a bowtie to remember him by and he and L’Rell beam away.
L’Rell addresses the twenty-four houses. She tells him the unification has been lost in the War with the Federation, and a new leadership is needed – hers. Their laughter subsides when she reveals she’s holding a bomb that will destroy Kronos.
The Klingons retreat from Earth (although I’m not sure why – like sure, the Federation have given L’Rell the ability to take leadership, but surely then commanding them to not attack Earth when they’re so close would be a sign of either puppetry or weakness to the Klingons?) and Burnham meets Grayson and Sarek in Paris. Sarek admits his mistake, and commends Burnham on her actions. Further, he tells Burnham she’s been forgiven and recommissioned, and he PINS A BADGE ON HER UNIFORM YESSSSS FINALLY AGAIN THAT’S BEEN BOTHERING ME SO MUCH!
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| Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa |
Burnham gives a beautiful speech to the Federation Council about what Starfleeet is (if not a bit on the nose), as the crew of the Discovery (including a promoted Ensign Tilly and the late Culbert) is commended for their actions with Medals of Honour. Discovery warps to Vulcan to pick up its new captain. Starfleet has become committed to not using humans as interfaces for the spore drive, but Staments is happy to travel the old fashioned way. Sarek and Saru enter the bridge of the Discovery.
As the ship warps, they receive a priority one distress signal from a ship. The signal is choppy so they are having trouble identifying the ship. The registry is NCC-17 something … (so…….), but the comms officer manages to identify the captain as Pike (soooooo…..), which causes Sarek and Burnham to immediately share a look as they realises it’s the Enterprise!
A bold move from a show which has taken steps to distance itself from the other series. I imagine I’d be fanboying hard at this stage if it hadn’t been spoilt for me like two nights ago but whatever, it was still amazingly executed, with the Enterprise flying in, the original theme tune playing, which is then played over the credits.
Obviously, we all know Spock is also on that ship at the moment …. which is very interesting …
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| Doooooooooooo dooooo do doooooo |
So that was season one of Discovery. It started off very decisive, with the first half of the season being notably hit and miss. The Mirror Arc however was fantastic, and the shake up definitely solidified the series more. I can’t say the wrap of the Klingon War seemed to make much sense, but the strongest and most consistent aspect of the show is definitely the characters.
If people remember to reconsider this series of Star Trek to be more about exploring the crew rather than new worlds, it is definitely a stronger show. The character arcs were all phenomenal, the acting spot on, and I could watch Tilly all day long.
The show is definitely much better than people are giving it credit for (most of the critics are butthurt fans – I went into this show expecting to hate it and I found that I didn’t – I actually love it). Definitely watch it, and I can’t wait for season 2.
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