Researching the Anomaly
In the last episode, Lieutenant Commander Stamets and Book came to an understanding. In doing so, Stamets made a promise to Booker that he would discover what the gravitational anomaly was. He hoped with that knowledge, he could prevent another planet from suffering the same fate as Kwejian. Using the data that he and Book had gathered from the anomaly, their goal was that the Ni’ Var Science Institute would assist in discovering its origins. Realizing the grave danger the anomaly represents, the Ni’ Var agreed to assist with the research. Meanwhile, having nothing else to do, and wanting to help, Book agreed to go along with Stamets to Ni’ Var. Even though Stamets warned him they would be discussing the death of his home world in cold, hard facts.
A Murder Case
While this mission was ongoing, Captain Burnham and the Discovery were given a new assignment. A number of dilithium thefts had been ongoing with the last resulting in the death of a Starfleet Officer. The culprit was a Ni’ Var citizen and a member of the QoWat Nivat order named J’Vini. Because of the ongoing hope of Ni’ Var joining the Federation, they agree to send a joint Federation/ Ni’ Var contingent after her. This would include two QoWat Nivat sisters, one of which was Burnham’s Mother Gabrielle. They would go along with Captain Burnham and Lt. Tilly. Tilly was sent at the recommendation of Mr. Saru who thought, after talking to Tilly, that she needed to get out of her comfort zone. Nothing like putting yourself in harm’s way to do that.
The Consolidation
And if that wasn’t enough, the moment had come for Gray to be joined with his android body. To say that Gray was excited would be an understatement, however, no one was more nervous for this moment than Ensign Tal. Specifically, with the worry that something could go wrong. A fact that is brought up when Guardian Xi appears in holo form to assist with the unjoining and the consolidation. A Procedure known as the Zhian’tara. He warns that it is not without risk, and it is something that Gray needs to consider. But Gray has been ready for this moment for a long time. He was most definitely ready.
Making a Choice
The case of dilithium that was stolen contained a tracking device. Because of this, Burnham and her team was able to track J’Vini’s whereabouts. As they approached in Book’s ship, which Burnham had borrowed, Burnham and Tilly were told that they would need to leave their phasers on board the ship. Gabrielle reminded her that the Federation had agreed to respect the QoWat Nivat way. This meant swords instead of phasers. Much to the chagrin of Burnham and the delight of Tilly. Talk about going outside your comfort zone.
As the ship landed, Tilly began scanning the planetoid for life signs. There were none to be found on the surface but there were under the surface. As well as traces of the stolen dilithium. But before they could get any further, members of J’Vini’s crew materialized on the ship. The fight was on. During the battle, the QoWat Nivat sister that had accompanied Gabrielle was killed. But the boarding party was vanquished. As they knelt by the fallen QoWat Nivat, J’Vini appeared. She told them that she never wanted more blood to be spilled. But they have a choice. Choose to live and leave the moon or follow her and forfeit their lives. Tilly knew that warning fell on deaf ears. They would pursue J’Vini.
Nothing to Do But Wait
The Zhian’tara procedure was completed. Unjoining Gray from the Tal Symbiote and putting his consciousness into the android body. But it would be some time until the success or failure of the consolidation would be revealed. This was difficult for Adira, especially since she could no longer “feel” Gray as she once had. Dr. Culber told her there was nothing to be done but to wait, as he asked Adira to take a walk with him.
This is No Moon, It’s a Spaceship
Back on the Moon, the landing party finds remnants of an unknown alien race covered with J’Vini’s cloak. Tilly suggests that this might be why J’Vini had come to this planet. To fulfill her lost cause. However, Gabrielle counters if the alien was her cause, its death would have ended it. As they discussed the possibilities, the moon began to shake. They surmised that the dilithium had been activated. This wasn’t a moon… nor a space station. It was a ship. And its engines had just been started. They needed to access the dilithium chamber. Which was located on an upper level. Fortunately, there was lift available to do just that.
The Ni’ Var Science Institute
Meanwhile, Paul was explaining his findings to the Ni’ Var Science Institiute and his theory about the gravity anomaly being a primordial wormhole. However, the only evidence that was missing to substantiate his hypothesis was tachyon particles. The Vulcans contemplated the problem, entering into a deep meditative state as they did so. Much to the surprise of Lt. Commander Stamets. Nothing for him to do but wait. (A lot of that going on in this episode).
An Empathetic Vulcan
While this is going on, the Ni’Var President T’Rina offers Booker some tea. She could tell that he was still bothered by the death of his planet, as would be expected. But she also picked up on his guilt about the event. This was not logical to her as he had no responsibility in what was considered at this point, a natural disaster. He was amazed at her intuitiveness. She countered that it was a common misconception that Vulcans felt no emotions. They do, sometimes strongly. But they have learned to suppress them in favor of logic.
Booker asked if she could give him some pointers about how to do that. T’Rina reminded him that Vulcans spend most of their lives learning this ability. It would not be something that could be learned quickly, nor would it be natural to him. As a Kwejian, emotions are as much a part of him as blood flow. While Booker appreciated her words, he still couldn’t help but feel he had missed some sign. Some warning that would have allowed him to save his family.
Delaying the Ship’s Departure
Lt. Tilly locates the Dilithium chamber and believes she can shut the ship’s engines down. However, she reminds that J’Vini would immediately know that the ship had been sabotaged. While Tilly worked, Burnham examined the carvings on the walls and realized the truth of what was going on. What they had initially thought was a mausoleum, was in fact, a large number of stasis chambers. The aliens were in cryo-sleep. They had left their planet on this ship when their sun had gone supernova. J’Vini was trying to save this species as her “lost cause.” The one alien they had found dead was the victim of graverobbers. So, now that they knew what they were dealing with, they needed Tilly to stay and act as bait to draw J’Vini out. Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t much fun.
A Guiding Light
Still awaiting Gray’s awakening, Ensign Tal is upset. She thinks she made a mistake letting Gray agree to the procedure. Dr. Culber reminded her that it was Gray’s choice, not Tal’s. Besides, they were told that it could take time. How much time was uncertain, but the waiting grated on Tal. He then told Tal that sometimes all a person needed was a guide. A light to follow out of the darkness. So, as Dr. Culber spoke to Saru about the case, Tal went back to Gray. She would sit by and be that light. As long as it took.
Waiting with “Baited” Breath
Tilly stood by the ship’s engines, waiting for something to happen. It didn’t take long as J’Vini appeared telling her to step away from the engine. Tilly immediately complied, stating that she most definitely chose life. As this happened, Michael appeared as did Gabrielle behind J’Vini. The fight broke out, but Gabrielle told Michael not to interfere. This was between the QoWat Nivat Sisters. J’Vini disarmed Gabrielle and held her blade to her neck.
As Tilly worked to fix the engines she had sabotaged, Michael spoke to N’Vini, learning how she had taken on her lost cause. The planet the ship was near was to be the alien’s new home. But they never awoke from stasis. J’Vini needed the Dilithium for the ship in case the gravity anomaly appeared. She had asked the Federation for some Dilithium but they had refused. Mainly because N’Vini would not reveal who she was obtaining the Dilithium for and their location. Michael explained that she knew why J’Vini was doing what she was doing and that she believed she could awaken the aliens from stasis. If they survive and inhabit the planet, her cause would be fulfilled. J’Vini gave Michael until the time Tilly fixed the engine.
The Missing Tachyons
Finally, the Ni’ Var Scientists came out of their trance. They re-iterated that the missing tachyon particles made Paul’s theory unproven. Which made Paul upset as he believed that a primordial wormhole had to be the answer, despite the missing tachyon particles. The Vulcan’s found his emotional reactions to empirical data to be illogical for a scientist. It was then that President T’Rina inquired to Booker if a glowing blue cast was visible when Kwejian was destroyed. This would serve as proof of Tachyons. Book informed her that Paul had asked him that same question before. He just didn’t remember.
The President offered to mind-meld with Booker to bring those memories more into focus and see. Paul was reluctant to put Book through that and to relive once again Kwejian’s demise. However, Book agreed to the procedure as he too would like to know. She applied the mind meld and Booker went back to when the moon was destroyed. She was ready to break the meld at that point, but Book wanted to see more.
He saw Leto run off to tell his friends of his coming-of-age ceremony. But he had missed Leto turning around to look back at him. Knowing how much his Uncle Book loved him. It was a memory Book had lost. But now he knew. As she broke the meld, Book was crying, thanking her for giving him back that moment. However, she claimed that she saw no blue cast. No evidence of Tachyons. Hmmm… Paul was disappointed in the finding but even more so that Book relived the demise of Kwejian for nothing. Book disagreed. It had served a purpose…for him.
Fulfilling the Cause
On the Ship, Michael worked to revive the aliens from their status while Tilly worked to repair the ship’s engines. She fixed the problem, and the stasis pods began to activate. In time they would awaken. At the same time, Tilly repaired the engines. If the anomaly appeared, the ship would save them. With the aliens safe, J’Vini’s cause was at an end. She released Garielle and dropped her sword. Michael produced some restraints and Gabrielle applied them to J’Vini. She understood what was required and went along willingly. Back on Book’s ship, Gabrielle and J’Vini did a service for their QoWat Nivat Sister. Afterwards, Michael showed them the aliens making their journey to the planet. Following the path, they were meant to be on.
Justice Sometimes Must Wait
With the return of the team of Discovery, Captain Burnham expressed her hopes that mitigating circumstances would be taken into consideration during J’Vini’s sentencing. However, she found that J’Vini’s fate would rest with Ni’Var. The Federation had released her into their custody. The reasons were trying to keep a path open for Ni’ Var to join the Federation. Michael was not pleased by this decision as she feared that justice was not being served. Especially not for the Starfleet Officer’s family. However, The Federation President believed that justice has to take a back seat to diplomacy at times. This unfortunately was one of those times.
Gray Follows His Guide
Back in Sickbay, Tal still waits on Gray. Sleeping in a chair next to him as he awakens. Tal is shocked at first but then thrilled. Although worried if it is really Gray. Dr. Culber enters, pleased to see Gray up and about. They embrace as Gray thanks him for all he had done. Then Guardian Xi appears, also pleased that the consolidation was a success. Gray then thanked Tal for being a guide out of the darkness. They were together now.
The Road to Healing
Book lies in his quarters, a holo of the Kwejian forest playing in his room. Michael enters, surprised but pleased that he has taken this first step toward healing. Book tells her that it is his hope that eventually, his grief will fade. But not the memories. Those he wants to retain.
Thoughts
A beautifully done episode exploring the paths one takes. Whether it be a lost cause, a fleeting memory, or the regaining of life itself. There is always something peaceful and at times courageous about choosing life. We see it in J’Vini’s Lost Cause, Gray and Tal’s journey to reunite, and Book’s attempt at reconciling his grief. Each segment handled with a surgeon’s hand and emotionally cathartic. Although, the lack of perceived justice on J’Vini’s crime might cause some to ponder. Such is the case whenever bureaucracy is involved. Just cannot please everyone.
I am looking forward to seeing how Gray and Tal will evolve now that Gray is in android form. Although in truth, I just like seeing how Ian Alexander and Blu de Barrio interact with each other. Very talented young actors. Plus, I can never get enough of David Ajala. Great acting makes any science fiction better.
I am curious, however. President T’Rina (Tara Rosling) stated she saw no evidence of the blue cast when she mind-melded with Book. I could have sworn I SAW the blue cast. Maybe I was not looking at the right thing. But she was ready to break the meld awful quickly after the initial destruction. Only Book’s insistence of seeing Leto’s memory kept them in the Meld. Just a thought.
Regardless, it was an emotionally charged episode and covered all the bases with me. I give Choose to Live a 5 out of 5. Star Trek Discovery can be seen on Paramount+ with new episodes on Thursdays.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
