The following contains small spoilers for season four, episode 14 of Star Trek: Discovery.
Season 4 has been an intriguing one for Star Trek: Discovery. Todays finale once again guarantees a return to the things that make Star Trek, well, Star Trek.
It starts with the reality that while the major threat this season began as a spatial abnormality (called the Dark Matter Anomaly, or “DMA”), it was found to be merely a harvesting tool utilized by a formerly unidentified species, one the Federation calls the 10C. It might have appeared harmless to the 10C in its function as farmers, however the Federation found itself in the role of a rabbit in front of a rake. The DMA destroyed Kwejian; both NiVar (née Vulcan) and Earth were next.
CBS
In previous seasons this would have moved Starfleet into action hero mode, and some characters did supporter for a more violent and assertive method. This might not sound interesting, however its always been one of the things Star Trek does best: individuals talking about contrasting concepts. In other series this might appear like a horrible concept, but Trek is supposed to be, in theory, an utopia.
Weve seen this in previous shows like The Next Generation and Voyager, where terrorists like the Maquis were treated with compassion. In Discovery its even more at the leading edge given Books status as a main character, but likewise the series values as the Star Trek show thats all about sensations. While the program sometimes takes flak for all the crying, here the emotional components feel well balanced, with everybodys intentions plainly articulated both to each other and to the audience.
Season 4 has been an intriguing one for Star Trek: Discovery. Todays finale as soon as again assures a return to the things that make Star Trek, well, Star Trek. In Discovery its even more at the forefront given Books status as a main character, but also the series values as the Star Trek reveal thats all about feelings. Theres likewise indicating in that the episode is where Discovery lastly reconciles itself as a Star Trek show, making its highest point of drama not the struggle to leave a doomed world, or the attempts to stop Tarkas strategy, but the real face-to-face (so to speak) conversation with the 10C. Star Trek has constantly been woke, but Discovery has just dipped its toe into the water in previous seasons.
Last weeks episode was dedicated to the crew and assorted ambassadors methodically working through chemical and mathematical solutions to construct a working bridge language. They handled to develop to the 10C that there were issues with the DMA, opening up the door to further negotiation in this weeks episode.
” Coming Home” has a great deal of significances in the context of the actual episode. Theres the danger of the DMA heading toward Earth, theres a number of scenes set in our solar system involving returning character Sylvia Tilly, and reconciliation in between Michael Burnham and her fan Cleveland Booker, the individual who grounds her in the 32nd century.
CBS
However theres also indicating in that the episode is where Discovery lastly reconciles itself as a Star Trek show, making its greatest point of drama not the battle to evacuate a doomed world, or the attempts to stop Tarkas plan, however the actual face-to-face (so to speak) conversation with the 10C. Its nothing like the action-based method of the Abrams movies and even earlier seasons that dealt with war and time travel and evil sentient computers. Its diplomacy. Its a lot of talking, and relaxing and talking about feelings.
With Earth in immediate risk it seems like an unreasonable ask at the minute, but its likewise really much in the values of Star Trek to think about ones basic societal and galactic effect. The core of Star Trek is humanism and social justice, and so many timeless episodes deal with issues of identity, civil rights, and environmental concerns. Discovery has invested so much time dealing with one substantial violent crisis after another that it hasnt had time to do easier humanist metaphors, and bringing that in at the end here seems to show a desire to deal with those problems more in approaching seasons.
The whole denouement makes that guarantee: The Federation is growing in strength, the Discovery crew is taking some time off on their own, and a very unique guest toward completion seems to be the show making its politics clear to those sections of the audience who love to decry “woke Trek.” Star Trek has actually constantly been woke, but Discovery has just dipped its toe into the water in previous seasons. With its fifth season on the horizon, its ready to plunge fully in.All products recommended by Engadget are picked by our editorial group, independent of our parent business. A few of our stories consist of affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we might make an affiliate commission.