Into the Forest I Go

I had written a review of the show at the end of episode 4 and I wasn't positive at all. I am still bothered by the appearance of the Klingons (unless they will change with an incident to what we know of the Original Series), there are still strange mistakes where there shouldn't be any (e.g., why do we have a Vulcan admiral when we all know Spock was first Vulcan to serve in Star Fleet?), however, the show started to feel like Star Trek proper from episode 1x06 onward. Besides, never mind Star Trek proper, it has turned into a really good to watch show. I hope the trend continues after the series' year's end break. I am very satisfied with the show right now as episodes 1x06 through to 1x09 are really good episodes except for the bullshit about Sarek mind-meld and guilt trip. Interestingly, the series I had thought was better, The Orville, is trying too hard to become Star Trek that I am not even bothering to watch it after episode 6. Life is funny like that. Finally, one should really appreciate how great an actor Jason Isaacs is.

The mid season finale and we get some firsts for Star Trek here. Such as a male gay kiss.

We also get a more honest exploration of PTSD than seen in Star Trek before before such as Picard getting tortured by Romulans with little after effect. Here Tyler gets flashbacks to his torture in captivity which places his and Burnham's mission in peril. Luckily they found Admiral Cornwall in the Klingon ship alive but injured and ready to see Tyler through his trauma.

Captain Lorca disobey orders to save the Pavhans and sees an opportunity to take on the Klingons such as destabilising their cloaking device by getting Tyler and Burnham to infiltrate a Klingon ship. I think Kirk & Co had the right solution in one of the movies. Look for the emissions from the exhaust pipe than the gobbledegook presented here.

Lorca is also a person who knows how to push people's buttons and persuades Stamets to make 133 micro jumps and makes sure he is jacked up for it despite the consequences to his health.

By the end of the episode Lorca and the Discovery crew have made significant inroads against the Klingon conflict but the one last jump by Stamets comes at a price.

There is a lot of action here and a significant development of the Klingon plot line but strands still remain such as Tyler's identity.

"Into the Forest I Go" is a very satisfying Star Trek: Discovery episode. In line with the previous episodes, there is hardly any room to breathe. I love this energy! We have space battles, the return of Admiral Cornwell from the presumed dead, a battle between Burnham and General Kol (who was not an entirely interesting character), and Stamets making an incredible 133 spore drive jumps. So buckle in and get ready for the ride! I know that people nitpick the series about certain things. Mine would have to be the characterization, or lack thereof, of the Klingons. L'Rell is seemingly the only semi-interesting Klingon because everyone else just grunts, growls, and double crosses one another. So, I guess it is as good as any time for Kol to meet his demise. The battle was thrilling. There is also some closure in terms of Captain Georgiou whom sadly the show seemed to put on the backburner. Tyler also has plenty to do. He is given a secret mission and it looks like his PTSD will be a factor in episodes to come. One can imagine why after watching that uncomfortable sex scene with L'Rell. And the ending! What are all those destroyed Klingon ships? I cannot wait to find some answers!

In this episode, the crew of the U. S. S Discovery is still trying to understand the invisibility cloak that the Klingons feature. Still at Pahvo, Lorca is given the order to stand down and retreat. Sensing a way to destroy the Klingons once and for all, he refuses the Starfleet orders and plans to use the spore drive, 133 jumps to be precise, to destroy The Sarcophagus. Stamets is at the end of the line as it is clear the spore jumps have been getting to him. Lorca sends Tyler and Burnham to the Klingon's ship to perform a stealth mission. If all goes well, Lorca's bold moves will make the Federation victorious.

Relentless is an opportune word to describe the episode. It does not stop. I believe this episode will be the bridge to expand the universe. There is some talk here about how alternate universes exist. Perhaps this is what we see at the end when Stamets dutifully performed his 133 jumps but landed the ship in a floating Klingon ship wreckage? There could have been some more exploration within Tyler's PTSD battle, but that is just a minor quibble. I am excited for the back half of the season!

My Grade: A-

I can finally say an episode of Star Trek: Discovery has left me completely satisfied.

In my opinion, this was the best episode so far of this new series. The plot was well executed and the acting outstanding. It left me looking forward to the future of the series.

If you had any doubts they will be allayed. You will not be disappointed in this show any longer.

Gene would be proud. Bravo to the producers and cast!

I've been a reasonably faithful Trek watcher for a long time. Love all the incarnation of the Trek universe. Some more than others. So far, I've be mightily impressed with the new Trek discovery. It definitely feels fresh, well acts, superbly produced and movingly directed.

I'm sure for those looking for plot holes and other supposed inconsistencies with previous incarnation of Star Trek will find plenty. For me personally, the diversity of characters in colour, orientation and personality makes this a true Trek show for our time.

Keep it up Discovery, I love where you're going!