What's Past Is Prologue

Lorca launches a coup against the Terran emperor.

This is an enjoyable and visually spectacular action adventure that feels closer to Star Wars than Star Trek.

Lorca leads a rebellion against the Terran empire and Burnham, supported by Discovery plays a crucial role in how the events unfold. As an example of thrilling spectacle it is pretty strong, but I get the feeling this might bother Trek purists who prefer the franchise to have emphasis more on characters using their brains to resolve problems (with the odd Vulcan neck pinch or double-handed hammer punch thrown in). Saying that there is some tactical manoeuvring on display, along with the obligatory technobabble, but a lot of what happens comes down to shooting, stabbing, martial arts and explosions.

Visually it is stunning with more wonderfully composed shots, great lighting and colours. This not only creates atmosphere but makes you feel the crew are in a different place, but importantly it conveys the story well. The camera moves a lot more in Discovery than traditional Star Trek, which is a plus point for me.

The only negative aspect is the exposition heavy dialogue that creeps in here and there. It's not as heavy handed as in others, but it still sounds forced and unnatural when it happens.

All performances are good, especially Jason Issacs, Sonequa Martin-Green, Michelle Yeoh and Doug Jones.

This episode is more Burnham focused but the rest of the primary cast all get a shout. Probably the least "classic Trek" episode of the series so far. But that's not a bad thing per se. I say least classic Trek because of the amount of action, fighting and violence. The closest previous episodes I can think of are ones where Klingons are invading DS9. However those episodes where pretty straight forward plot wise where as this episode of DSC has lots of twists and turns. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this one. I have to give it to the production team. Not only is this is turning into great Star Trek but also a fantastic Sci Fi series overall. Something that we've been missing as of late. I didn't rate Blade Runner 2047 and the less said about the Last Jedi the better. It kinda appears that the writers have attempted to turn this first season into a 13 hour movie basically. Similar in structure to West World. Which I think a lot of us suspected from the outset. Building up to an explosive final act. If the last couple of episodes of the season are as good as this, I can't wait! I still hope they manage to sort the look of the Klingons out though. Would also like to see a couple more stand alone episodes in the 2nd series. Where individual members of the crew get a chance to shine.

I might be the minority, but I had hard time watching the same kind of shaky camera work that turned me away from series like Black Sails and Vikings. Fortunately, not every episode of ST: Discovery has these annoying camera movements, but they were strong in this one and made my eyes hurt.

The last three episodes have been still an invigorating ride after the tedious Ep4-Ep9. After ST: TNG I don't have any deep thoughts for the newer action oriented one, but it's merely fun to see how they are messing things with mirror universe and evil characterizations even if it doesn't result to logical explanations. I like the fast-paced and a bit rushed storytelling but I wish there were more room for building up the mystery of Captain Lorca who suddenly became the more interesting character in the series.

A good episode, but nothing special. Some minor decision making made little sense, so does "the science". I also frequently feel like they'd recycle too many elements from previous shows and movies. "Riding on top of an explosion" is getting old, for example.

And about the show in general: I'm a bit disappointed by "the hounding" from setting to setting, within few episodes. So far Discovery's priority certainly isn't to deepen the plot, rather than jumping to the next climax.

My goodness, the AU plot was a doozy.. Tightly scripted, edge of seat and even occasionally, dare I say, buttock clenchingly tense.

13 episodes led to this point... Like an X marks the spot. If you watch the series again, you can see the signs and the hints... Lorca, the UPPITY Klingons, the Mycelium network...

This epsiode was pure unadulterated Star Trek pulled into the ... ahem... 21st century...

Noble battles of morals against the darkness, selfless acts of bravery... Comeuppance and of course occasional moments technobabble to show that some are cleverer than us...

Not to mention an epic warp to end all warps!!!!

Surely now, for all those naysayers, Ladies and Gentlemen, it would time for all to acknowledge that THIS IS STAR TREK.

If you haven't watched it yet, this is pretty much as good as it gets!!!