I already realize that the serial nature of this series makes reviewing each episode quite a different task than the other Star Trek shows. It almost feels too soon to be reviewing, as we've only seen a small piece of the plot. The show still hasn't settled down into what will be its normal routine. Or maybe there won't be a normal routine, who knows?If I had to re-name this episode, it would be "In Case You Weren't Certain, Michael is Definitely a BADASS!" We begin with her on a doomed inmate transport shuttle. When the shit is hitting the fan, she stays ice cool while everyone else is panicking and futilely pulling at their restraints. I can't decide if she was just super chill under pressure because she's confident of her own abilities, or if she was ready to die. Probably both. Anyway, she's right to stay calm and they are soon rescued by Discovery, and we get our first look at this beautiful ship.
It turns out that the captain, Lorca, has bent a few rules to make sure that she ends up there. At first I found myself questioning how in the world a reviled inmate could end up just walking around a starship again. But after I gave it some thought, I guess if Janeway can just pluck Tom Paris from prison and give him his rank back just because, Lorca could probably arrange the same thing. He puts her to work on the weird science mission that they're involved in, even thought the crew unanimously does not want her there. Meanwhile their sister ship loses its entire crew due to their scientific meddling. Burnham goes on the mission to check it out, and there seems to be some sort of horrific monster on board that killed everyone, including some nosey rubber-necking Klingons. Burnham saves the day and they escape, after learning nothing of the disaster. They destroy the ship, presumably to kill the monster and get rid of whatever science contamination they may have created.
It's time for the prisoner transport to take off, and no surprise, Burnham isn't on it. Saru is perturbed. She has decided to stay because Lorca has explained to her that doing the right thing regardless of the rules is what she did to end up in prison, and what he is willing to do to win the war. They are working on a biological propulsion system that can basically transport them to anywhere in the universe instantly. She is captivated by the prospect, and is wooed into staying to help. Then we close with the revelation that Lorca has transported the monster on board the Discovery. That guy....he's up to no good.
Overall this is a Good episode of Trek. We have action, but not too much as was almost the case in the opening two-parter. There is good character development in getting to know Burnham's skills, and it's fun to see the mutual respect but caution exercised in her relationship with her former shipmate Saru. What in the world a horrific monster has to do with whatever they're trying to accomplish on the ship or in the war with the Klingons is beyond me, but I guess that's the hook that is supposed to keep us watching. We meet some new characters as well. Landry is chief of security, and is firmly on the side of Lorca in whatever scheme he's up to. Stamets is in charge of the science experiments going on, but doesn't want to be wrapped up in a war and resents his work being used by Lorca for those purposes. Tilly is Burnham's cabin mate, and is a bit of a neurotic mess but a capable officer and certainly will eventually be a valued ally of hers. There's some nostalgia and symbolism used throughout the episode- a tribble here, a fortune cookie there, Alice in Wonderland....but none of it is particularly gripping or intrusive.Published Oct 18, 2017
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