As a long-time viewer of STAR TREK DISCOVERY, I’ve eagerly followed the series through its four seasons, entering its fifth and final stretch with high expectations. Unfortunately, the third episode of this season left me feeling disappointed.
The episode struggled with its tone, oscillating between overly melodramatic moments and a puzzling storyline. Particularly, the plot involving Saru felt forced into unnecessary emotional depths. This season also seems to pivot towards a wild goose chase revolving around various MacGuffins, which is a stark departure from the intellectual and explorative spirit that I love about STAR TREK.
The visit to the planet Trill, though usually a highlight due to its backstory and potential for rich storytelling, didn’t manage to salvage the episode. Adira and Gray’s storyline, which should be a focal point given the setting, felt criminally underdeveloped. I found myself struggling to keep track of the overarching story, which seemed lost with the disjointed subplots.
Despite this, the episode did have its moments that ultimately saved this episode—brief glimpses of what makes STAR TREK, well, STAR TREK. Wilson Cruz was also able to flex his acting chops when his character’s body became host to a centuries-old consciousness, cementing one of the series’s best performances. However, these were just small islands in an almost hour-long episode, making it a low point of the season for me.
Overall, the excessive melodrama overshadowed the potential for an excellent episode. I remain hopeful that the rest of the season will return to form, but this episode certainly didn’t meet the expectations set by its predecessors.
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY is available to stream on Paramount+.