TV Review: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 3, Episode 6 Slows Down And Brings the Franchise Back To Its Roots
by Frank Martin
After some episodes heavy in nostalgia, it was nice to see Star Trek: Discovery get back to a good old-fashioned Star Trek episode. At its core, Star Trek is about exploration and encountering new forms of life and civilization. In an age of limitless visual effects, where audiences expect high action, character drama, and a nice shot of nostalgia, Star Trek episodes sometimes forget its own roots. Discovery seems to be leaning in that direction, so it was very nice for this episode to take it all back to its foundations and tell a heartfelt tale that also moved the season plot along in a meaningful way.
After having some trouble with the latest clue, Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the rest of the Discovery crew head to a planet riddled by storms and populated by a primitive civilization. This society worships a mountain, which is really a weather tower in disguise placed there by the scientist who hid the clue. In order to gain access to the tower, Burnham and Tilly (Mary Wiseman) attempt to infiltrate a group of natives. Tilly succeeds, but unknowingly sets herself up as a sacrifice to the society’s gods. In order to save her and a another native, Burnham breaks the Prime Directive by revealing herself to the native’s father, convincing him that the mountain is really just technology and will work regardless of any sacrifice.
Without any competition to race against, this episode definitely slowed down the pace of the treasure hunt. It was a smart move that allowed Burnham and Tilly to really bond and explore this primitive civilization. The fact that Burnham broke the Prime Directive was also very interesting. It showed her leveling with this culture in a very real way. This theme also resonated well with a side plot involving Culber (Wilson Cruz) as he tries to reconcile with his own personal spiritual awakening. These type of long character arcs are usually seen in other Star Trek shows. Discovery hasn’t focused on them a lot. But it does from time to time. So it’s especially great to see the series take a little detour during this chaotic final season.
Star Trek: Discovery stream Thursdays on Paramount+.