Last time on Star Trek Discovery
When we last left Captain Burnham and Discovery, they had entered an asteroid belt that was in the path of the gravitational pull of the DMA. Their mission was to evacuate a planet that was in the midst of the belt. Concerned that it is in the path of the gravitational influence of the DMA. But not only did they have the inhabitants of that colony to deal with but also the 6 inhabitants of the separate prison facility. Michael and Book had the mission of evacuating the prison facility but found one of the inhabitants unwilling to leave. Reluctantly, Michael conceded to the man’s wishes, despite Book’s insistence that he should be saved.
Researching the DMA Control Sphere
Meanwhile, Commander Stamets and visiting scientist Ruon Tarka experimented with trying to recreate the DMA control sphere. They almost succeeded but were thwarted by the ships lack of power and Captain Saru’s insistence on not blowing the Discovery up during their experiments. Go figure. However, they did have a better understanding of what controlled the DMA, but no clue on what its origins were…yet. What they did know was that the DMA left a subspace rift in its wake. It would be the Discovery’s mission to investigate that rift, to try to learn those answers.
Investigating the Subspace Rift
Going into the subspace rift, left by the DMA is an exciting prospect for the crew. They are ready to do something positive and perhaps, find a way to combat the DMA. In addition to the upcoming investigation into the rift, Captain Burnham is also dealing with a new revelation. Apparently, the ship’s computer Zora has recently developed “emotional awareness.” This is undiscovered territory for Burnham, and she is concerned what the ramifications might be. Regardless, they have a mission to undertake.
From past Starfleet history, they expect their transition into the rift to be a “bumpy” one. But after the initial unstableness, it smooths out. The problem is that they have no readings by which to navigate. No visuals, no communications, not even space static. Captain Burnham decides to send out a probe to investigate, before sending Book and his ship out for reconnaissance. Much to the dismay of Book who wants to do something useful.
The Dot leaves the ship and transmits visuals but no readings whatsoever. Eventually, the dots hull begins to erode, as if acid was eating away at its skin. Despite failed attempts to retrieve it, the Dot disintegrates into dust. That’s not good. Even Book said the same. The ramifications of this are obvious. If not careful, the Discovery could also be “eaten” by the rift. So, with that in mind, they will do whatever they can to avoid the same fate as the Dot and continue their investigation.
Delaying the Inevitable
After brainstorming on the bridge, their next course of action is to send a flare out and measure distance and time, to attempt to see where the rift’s barrier is and where structural integrity begins to fail. After launching the flare, they find that the rift’s barrier is closing. In an estimated 32 minutes, the Discovery would begin to feel the corrosive effects on the hull. To delay that, Burnham orders shields to be extended. However, that requires more power. Commander Stamets is given the duty of increasing power to the shields without hampering critical ship’s functions. Book, with his need to take action, volunteers to help Stamets in this endeavor.
Do You Want to Play a Game?
Meanwhile, Gray is in the ship’s lounge, talking to Zora. She too is struggling with the lack of external input the void blocks. Because of this, Zora is being overwhelmed with the various internal ship’s input she IS monitoring. Gray suggests they play a game, believing it might help to clear Zora’s mind and allow focus.
Shocking Jump Results
After Stamets and Book gave Captain Burnham everything they could as far as powers goes, they found themselves still getting closer to the rift’s corrosive edge. The logical course of action was to abort the mission and leave the area. Regardless of the crew’s disappointment. However, without points of navigational reference, they could not plot a course without possibly moving even closer to the rift’s edge. Not even Zora could calculate a path, without external data.
Under those circumstances, Captain Burnham decided they would risk a jump, while taking into consideration Commander Stamets concerns. It is agreed that Book will make the jump while Paul monitors and collects any data that he can. However, as the jump commences, a surge of power, like a lightning arc, flows through the system and into Book. And while he appears to be ok, the mycelial network is not. They will not be able to jump.
A Reunion
As Book suffered the surge of power, and he appeared to weather its effects, it was not without a side-effect. He found himself face to face with his estranged father, who was unhappy with the life that Book had forged for himself. He told Book that instead of being on the Discovery, taking orders from Burnham, he should be out hunting the enemy. Which was a pretty unusual circumstance, since his father was dead. He left the jump chamber, asking Stamets if he too had seen his father. Paul did not but insisted Book have Dr. Culber check him out.
Once in sickbay, Michael checked on Book and he told her about his vision of his Father. Dr. Culber suggests that the initial shock is over stimulating his cortical dream center. His is firing at an accelerated rate which no doubt caused his vision of his father. But, on the positive side, it is slowly coming back to normal. On the negative side, the rift is causing the same damage to the mycelial network. They will not be able to jump, but they do need to get out of there. The corrosive effects of the space they are in has begun to eat away at Discovery.
A Casualty
Back in the ship’s lounge, Gray and Zora are in the midst of their game. It is having the desired effect on Zora, as she is able to focus much more clearly now. In fact, she is now able to detect an imminent hull breach on deck 17. Gray tells Zora to inform the captain. However, Zora is reluctant without having data confirmation. Gray tells Zora that it is important for the captain to know, regardless of having verified data of what caused it. Once Zora informs Burnham, she sends Dr. Pollard to verify. Once she arrives at the scene, Ensign Cortez is working feverishly to fix the impending breach. She informs him to stop and escape but he is unable to before the automatic containment field drops. He is trapped behind it when the hull breach occurs and is sucked out into space.
Zora returns to Gray and explains what had happened. Gray pondered the story and realized that Zora was able to detect some input from outside the ship. This might be used to assist the Discovery in its escape. Gray hurried to inform Captain Burnham of this hypothesis. Zora may be able to save them. The bridge crew theorized that if they could get a signal through the void, then Zora could follow it and get the Discovery free. Although Zora had doubts. Captain Burnham left the bridge for them to consider the situation while Gray and Zora joined her in the briefing room.
The Hunter’s Oath
Book is still in sick bay when his “father” makes another visit. Once again, chastising him for sitting still and not chasing those responsible for Kwejian’s destruction. “Blood for Blood. Life for a Life.” That was the Kwejian Hunter’s Oath and he was not fulfilling it. All because he “loves” Michael. Book told his father that he was correct in that one instance. He did love Michael. But he would be the first to pursue those responsible for Kwejian’s destruction if he knew who and where they were. Not that it mattered, since he knew that his father was not really there.
Following Orders
Meanwhile, as the crew continued to banter ideas back and forth, a section of the engineering hull was weakening. Commander Owosekun reported this problem and requested permission to lead a team to re-enforce the structural integrity. Mr. Suru denied this request as the benefits didn’t outweigh the risks. Besides, he needed all of his bridge crew at stations. The Commander was persistent, saying that she would go down on her own if necessary. Saru reminded her that the bridge was not a democracy, and she had her orders, which she reluctantly obeyed.
Overcoming Fear
In the briefing room, Zora explains about the fear and guilt felt for the death of Ensign Cortez. Zora is also concerned that Captain Burnham has lost faith in “her.” Michael explains about the death of her parents and how she carried that guilt around for years. Eventually they must learn to accept when things are beyond their control. If not, they stop moving forward. The ship needs for Zora to overcome these feelings and do what they request. Zora tells the captain that she will follow the signal when it is launched. But before they could proceed further, Dr. Culber calls Captain Burnham to sick bay. They had analyzed the results of the brain scan of Book and discovered that some of the residual energy was transported with the DMA from the edge of the galaxy. That meant whoever was responsible, came from outside their galaxy. It gives them a place to start, IF they can escape the corrosive space, they are in.
Storing the Crew
Using the information gathered, they decide that a sonar ping could be created that Zora could follow out of the void. Unfortunately, after experimenting on the first ping, they realize that the ship’s hull integrity would fail before the Discovery could escape. Considering this, the decision is made to place the entire crew in the Discovery’s transporter buffer (See TNG Episode Relic). This will ensure their safety as Discovery makes its way from the void. Only Captain Burnham would remain intact on the ship to help Zora guide the ship and to re-instate the crew upon their escape. At least, that is the theory.
She orders the crew to group together in pairs or more. She wanted no crew member to enter the pattern buffer alone. Little by little her crew gathers together and beams into the buffer. But before Book gathers Grunge, he sees his dad one more time, this time on his ship. Once again, he warns Book that given the choice, Michael would pick Starfleet over Book (and Kwejian) every time. He should be prepared for that. While Book knows that this is still the results of the energy he absorbed in the mycelial chamber, he takes the time to say goodbye to his dad. He also allows that if this is indeed his dad, it gives him comfort to know that his family is not truly gone. After his dad disappears, he gathers Grudge up, visits Michael one more time and then, enters the buffer.
Stormy Weather
Michael puts on her environmental suit and straps herself into the captain’s chair. She then orders life support to be turned off and initiates the sonar ping. Zora moves the ship in the direction of that signal. As they travel, the ship’s hull integrity continues to fail and the heat from friction without the ship’s shields starts to rise. Michael continues to talk to Zora as they proceed and her discomfort increases. She asks Zora to bring the crew out of the buffer when it is safe. Assuming that she would not be able to. Zora assures her that she will. She would not let the captain or the crew down. Eventually, Zora offers to sing Michael a song, to try to take her mind off the trouble they are in. Michael agrees and Zora breaks into a lovely acapella version of Stormy Weather. Eventually, the ship makes it through the barrier.
Controlling the Hate
When Captain Burnham comes to, she finds the faces of Dr. Culber and Book staring down at her. Zora had retrieved the crew from the pattern buffer as promised. All of the crew were accounted for, and the ship would find its way its way into space dock for repairs. As Saru and Book watched the repair work, Book told Saru that his father had been so full of hate. He had never wanted to be like him. But all he wants to do is to hunt down those responsible for Kwejian. Suru sympathizes. On his planet, the Ba’ ul culled his people. They were responsible for his parents’ death. Now, he sits across the council table from them. He still feels that rage. But he must control it. They are much alike, Book and him. But there is a nobility in controlling one’s hatred. It is a worthy exercise.
Family Trees
Back in Captain Burnham’s quarters, she is completing her own version of the Lalogi Orb. A digital family tree. She has been creating it since she returned the one that Felix, (the prisoner who decided to stay to die) had stolen. Zora remarks that it is a fitting end to their day and asks if Michael would mind if she created one. Michael tells her that would be great, and Zora creates one with the crew of the Discovery. Her family. It is beautiful. Michael tells Zora that she is glad that Zora is with them.
Thoughts
When it was revealed in the last episode of Zora’s developing feelings, you could pretty much guess that it wasn’t done in a vacuum. It would be explored in the coming episodes. Stormy Weather is the first of that examination into Zora’s expanding sentience. What it revealed was that Zora was not far removed from humans when it came to fear and the effects it could have. It also showed that Zora’s need for trust, especially from Captain Burnham, was important to her. The interaction between Gray and Zora was particularly insightful and perhaps, beneficial for both characters. It had the added benefit of making Gray seem more useful to the crew.
The journey into Book’s psyche continues with some marvelous scenes between David Ajala and his father, played by Rothaford Gray. It remains to be seen if Book’s fathers’ warnings about his and Michael’s relationship will come to fruition. But they can never go wrong letting David Ajala loose on camera.
So, what have we learned to this point? The trail of breadcrumbs of the DMA has led to the edge of the Galaxy and Zora’s increased sentience will no doubt produce more repercussions as they continue. What they will manifest as is a mystery that will be revealed in future episodes. We also now know that Zora has a lovely singing voice. Which might come in handy at the next crew mixer. Stormy Weather was a self-contained episode that pushed the narrative a bit while revealing a bit more background into Book, Gray and Lt. Commander Joann Owoswkun. A solid if not spectacular episode, I give it the prerequisite 4 out of 5. Discovery is nothing else if not steady.
Star Trek Discovery can be found streaming on Paramount+ with new episodes released on Thursdays.
Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount!
Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
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.