After the apparent demise of L'ak (portrayed by Elias Toufexis) last week, the anticipation surrounding this fifth and conclusive season of "Star Trek: Discovery" has indeed intensified. Yet, we dare wager that his resurrection through Progenitor technology will serve as a prime example, highlighting the pivotal significance of the MacGuffin. Despite the commendable quality of the past few episodes, this season seems to adhere to a familiar narrative structure that has characterized the previous installments. We're at the juncture where an ion storm, colossal nebula, or even the Galactic Boundary wreak havoc on Discovery's mission. However, this iteration marks a significant improvement over the preceding two seasons, owing to several factors.
Regrettably, the impact of "Third Time Lucky" is somewhat diluted due to the familiarity stemming from the past seasons. We've witnessed similar scenarios or, at the very least, elements with a striking resemblance. Nevertheless, this time around, the execution is more refined. Undoubtedly, one of the episode's captivating aspects lies in the setting where much of the action unfolds - a mammoth, clandestine repository housing all the galaxy's knowledge.
The artificial reality video wall, pioneered by several VFX companies including ILM and Pixomondo for the production of "The Mandalorian," and often referred to as the "Volume," is employed to stunning effect. Furthermore, the writers and director - Lauren Wilkinson, Eric J. Robbins, and Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, respectively - have finally demonstrated an appreciation for the distinction between homage and blatant plagiarism. Paying homage or acknowledging another notable film or scene with a nod is perfectly acceptable, whether it's from the same genre or an entirely different one. This occurs frequently and is often clever, subtle, respectful, and enjoyable to witness.
For instance, in the "The Mandalorian" episode "Chapter 11: The Heiress," director Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, included a subtle nod to her father's movie "Apollo 13." Even "Toy Story 2" features a brilliant homage to "Jurassic Park," yet these homages add value, offering a new perspective or alternative development. The third season of "Star Trek: Discovery" saw an unprecedented number of homages, ranging from subtle to more overt. However, in "Scavengers" (Season 3, Episode 6), the writers crossed the line from homage and effectively lifted a scene directly from the 1987 movie "The Running Man."And the subtle nod in this week's episode, a loving tribute to "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" and Slartibartfast's charming answerphone greeting, steals the show. Imagine Ford, Arthur, Zaphod, Marvin, and Trillion, aboard the stolen improbability drive prototype starship Heart of Gold, stumbling upon the ancient, mysterious planet of Magrathea. It's a moment that's both there and hard to notice, but it's brilliant in its subtlety. Bravo indeed!
The season-long plot of following breadcrumbs may not be groundbreaking, but the writers' decision to keep secondary plots minimal and focus squarely on the main storyline is intriguing. It's a winning strategy that elevates the show. This time around, however, actor Doug Jones' absence is evident, leaving us to guess what's brewing between Saru and President T'Rina (Tara Rosling). Could a Starfleet wedding be in the finale? One can only hope.
The USS Discovery also benefits from having an exceptionally capable third in command, Lt. Cmdr. Gen Rhys (Patrick Kwok-Choon). It's clear that different writers penned this week's episode compared to last week's, given the inconsistent use of profanity. Yet, if this inconsistency is a constant, so too is the exceptional acting prowess of Sonequa Martin-Green (Capt. Michael Burnham). Green shines brightly, leaving no doubt about her talent. It's not her fault that the writers, directors, executive producers, and showrunners continue to give her mediocre stories to navigate.
Wouldn't it be thrilling to see a story where Capt. Burnham is captured and subjected to a grueling, proper torture? It may sound morbid and twisted, but episodes that test an actor's endurance are often the most straightforward and impactful. Remember "There are four lights!" from the TNG episode "Chain of Command" or O'Neill's (Richard Dean Anderson) torture by the Goa'uld System Lord Ba'al (Cliff Simon) in the "Stargate SG1" episode "Abyss"? Or Capt. John Sheridan's (Bruce Boxleitner) ordeal in the "Babylon 5" episode "Intersections in Real Time"? These episodes pushed the actors to their limits, resulting in some of the franchise's finest hours. The point is, given better material, Green could rise to even greater heights.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Space.com that the highly anticipated Starfleet Academy series remains in active development at Paramount, with plans to set the action in the 32nd century. This intriguing decision is likely influenced by the participation of Mary Wiseman, who plays Lieutenant Silvia Tilly in the franchise. While this might seem like a logical choice given subtle hints sprinkled throughout the current season, we must confess that pushing the Trek universe so far into the future could be a misstep. As we delve deeper into the unknown, the need for technobabble increases, and the storyline gradually becomes less credible and harder to relate to. Therefore, we eagerly await confirmation that these rumors are unfounded.
Meanwhile, the fifth and conclusive season of "Star Trek: Discovery," along with every other episode of the "Star Trek" franchise (excluding "Star Trek: Prodigy"), is currently streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus in the United States. "Prodigy" has found a new home on Netflix, appealing to a wider audience. Internationally, the shows are available on Paramount Plus in Australia, Latin America, the UK, and South Korea, and also on Pluto TV's Sci-Fi channel in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Additionally, they stream on Paramount Plus in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, offering fans across the globe a chance to immerse themselves in the vast universe of Star Trek. In Canada, the shows air on Bell Media's CTV Sci-Fi Channel and are also available for streaming on Crave, ensuring that no Trek fan is left behind.
