TV Review | Star Trek: Discovery (S5:E4-Face the Strange)

“Yet again, Star Trek: Discovery pulls off a highly enjoyable episode that thrills as well as moves the season forward.”

After last week’s more leisurely-paced episode, Star Trek: Discovery is back at full warp this week. An episode that puts the ship in peril, this is what we have come to expect from the franchise over the years. Once again, it is pulled off extremely well, giving the audience a sense of thrill, spills, and excitement. Of course, we know it will get resolved just at the right time. But it’s what we get as we hurtle towards the finale that makes the episode so much fun.

EPISODE SYNOPSIS

On the way to the next clue, the U.S.S. Discovery is sabotaged by a mysterious weapon, leaving Captain Burnham, Rayner, and Stamets as the only crew members who can possibly save the ship in time.

THOUGHTS

Having Burnham, Rayner, and Stamets front and centre, being the heroes the episode needs works wonders. Sonequa Martin-Green once again kills it as Burnham, chasing the mysterious artefact to get the answers before the duo of Moll and L’ak. As the series has gone on over the years, the actress has become a vital part of the enjoyment we get from this version of the franchise. Burnham is now more confident than ever before, giving us an enjoyable lead in the series. By the final episode, we will find we will miss her and her leadership.

The same can be said about Callum Keith Rennie as Rayner. The actor has fast become a highly enjoyable addition to the cast. Raynor, for all his faults, does care for the crew of the Discovery, as he does for the ship itself. His directness in getting to and solving the problem the ship faces makes us fall more in love with him than ever. Raynor himself would hate it, but as an actor, Rennie brings something enjoyable to the character. We still don’t know what to expect from Raynor, but that is the fun. He keeps us on our toes at all times, making for an intriguing character that we will also miss by the finale of the series.

ANTHONY RAPP

But Anthony Rapp as Paul Stamets once again has us in the palm of his hand. No matter what the character gets up to, does, or doesn’t do, Stamets remains a firm favourite of ours. Anthony Rapp is one actor that I look forward to seeing every week in the new episodes. And he outdoes himself here. Being under pressure to solve the problems the ship faces, being pressured by Raynor, and his own feelings have us hoping that Stamets can pull off the impossible. Rapp delivers once more, having us desperate for his character to come to the fore.

CONCLUSION

Yet again, Star Trek: Discovery pulls off a highly enjoyable episode that thrills as well as moves the season forward. The race for the technology and the thrills we get seeing the battle between the forces of good and evil brings out the best in not only the characters but in the audience too. We find ourselves desperate to see the crew of the Discovery triumph ahead of Moll and L’ak. While the mystery of why they are chasing the artefact and their link to Book remains elusive for the moment. But as the season continues, the answers that lie maddeningly just out of reach will be revealed.

Ultimately, it’s a marathon, not a sprint and so, we must be patient as we slowly learn what’s going on and the plans that others have. What is enjoyable is getting there. The season continues to go from strength to strength on a weekly basis. After slowing down wisely last week, this week is full warp ahead, giving us an exciting episode that has us glued to our seats. Where the season goes from here is anyone’s guess. But for the moment, we can sit back and enjoy some of the best Trek we’ve had for a while. Just as long as they don’t let the excitement slip, we continue to be in for a treat. And that’s all we could want.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 continues on a weekly basis on Paramount+. You can catch the previous four seasons completely as they are available to stream now.