Last Time
When we last left Discovery, Commander Stamets and Zora had ascertained that the DMA would stay in its present location for a week. Michael used this information to convince Book to stand down for that time. If the diplomatic efforts failed, then the Federation would back Book and Tarka’s plan to destroy the DMA. Book agreed but Tarka did not and fired his weapon at the DMA, destroying it. However, the power supply he expected to find was not there. It was on the other side of the Barrier. In addition, a stronger DMA was put in place of the now destroyed one. No steps forward, two steps back.
Episode 10: The Galactic Barrier
With the first DMA destroyed and a second stronger one in its place, the need for the Federation to expedite their First Contact with Species 10C has been put on Warp Speed. Michael and Discovery will attempt to cross the barrier and make contact. With the goal of somehow convincing the aliens that the destruction of their miner was not a hostile act. To assist in the diplomatic emergency, President Rillak has chosen to accompany Discovery. She has turned over the Presidency to the Vice-President while she is away. Admiral Vance wasn’t sure this was the best time for Rillak to be absent. She was the glue holding the Federation together. But Rillak had 20 years of diplomatic experience and if this first contact went south, if might not matter who was in charge.
Michael and Rillak’s Responsibilities
After Rillak came aboard, Michael and Rillak discussed their positions. Michael was in command of Discovery and would appreciate if Rillak wouldn’t openly question her decisions. Rillak was in charge of the diplomatic mission and her decisions in that arena would hold sway. With that understood, the ship was almost ready to depart. All that was left was for the crew to say their farewells to friends and family, because there was no guarantee that Discovery would be coming back. Part of the gig in Starfleet, I suppose.
Suru and T’Rina
With that in mind, Suru had his own farewells to make. He had grown fond of Navar President T’Rina in the last few months as they communicated from time to time. So much so that he decided to discuss his feelings with Dr. Culber. It was Suru’s original intentions to “break it off” with T’Rina. But Dr. Culber told him he would be an “idiot” to do so, if he thought he had feelings for her. Instead, he should tell her how he feels. Suru decided to screw up his courage and tell T’Rina that he would be interested in exploring a relationship beyond friendship. He felt confident in this since he knew he was getting ready to leave on Discovery. But little did he realize that the Ni’Var Ambassador didn’t get to Discovery in time so T’Rina was going in his place. Now Suru would have a nice long voyage with T’Rina knowing his feelings. Perfect. Darn that Dr. Culber. Just wait until Suru sees him again.
Book looks to Revoke Tarka’s Ticket
Back with Book and Tarka, Book is more than a little peeved with Tarka for setting off the isolytic device right after he had agreed to a week’s hiatus. So much in fact that he was ready to boot Tarka off his ship and packed his bag to emphasize it. Tarka understood his anger, but he knew the DMA needed to be destroyed. Besides, their mission was not complete yet. Now they would have to venture across the Galactic Barrier to retrieve the power source Tarka needed to get “home”. But to do that, they would need to modify Book’s ships shielding. The element needed would be found on a planet nearby that Tarka was familiar with.
Tarka and Oros
Upon arriving, Book recognized the compound they were going to as an Emerald Chain post. He turned on Tarka wanting to know the whole story behind the place and Tarka’s need to go “home.” From this point, we get a flash back from Tarka’s life as an Emerald Chain prisoner. He was put together with another alien prisoner named Oros. Both were brilliant scientists and while they were wary of each other initially, they became friends, working on Oros transporter project. Oros planned on creating this device to bring him to an alternate universe where he and others like him could live in peace. He called it “Home.”
Betrayal and Regret
Eventually, they had assembled the transporter and engaged it when the power supplying it cut off. Come to find out, Tarka had made a deal with the Chain to work with Oros, test his loyalty and let them know when his device was functioning. Apparently, Tarka had done so. This won Oros a beat down. Tarka was sorry that he had agreed to the deal. His freedom for assisting and spying on Oros. But he had made the deal when he didn’t know Oros. That betrayal gnawed at Tarka. However, Oros forgave him. He admitted if given the chance for freedom, he might have agreed to anything as well. But now, Tarka needed to leave him. He promised Oros he would come back, perhaps meet together at “home.” That was the back story behind Tarka’s need for the power supply and his want to go “home.” The element they needed was right where Tarka had left it. So, they would soon be ready for the Barrier.
Venturing the Galactic Barrier
Back on Discovery, Burnham and President Rillak received some troubling news from Admiral Vance. The new and improved DMA (Thanks Tarka) was now mining at an increased rate. Instead of a week, they now had days. More importantly, the next destination for the DMA would be the Alpha Quadrant. That would put Earth, Ni’Var and many Federation planets at risk of the same devastation as Kweijan. The question was, should they inform the crew? Michael was for telling the crew, knowing that they were professional enough to compartmentalize it. Rillak felt that it would put undue stress on them at a critical time. Newsflash for President Rillak. These are Starfleet officers. Discovery crew. They are ALL about stress. Regardless, they decided to table that information, for now.
Facing the Galactic Barrier and the Truth
In the meantime, they had arrived at the barrier. But they needed a way to travel through it without destroying the ship. That’s where the scientific duo of Stamets, Zora and the recently returned Adira comes in. They deduce that if the Discovery uses the spatial cells found in the barrier, they can basically use them to carry Discovery through the barrier and to the other side. The science of it all loses something in translation. Especially for those who have no idea what their talking about. But it worked, which is something I CAN relate to. They had made it through the Barrier. After seeing how the crew responded in THIS crisis, Michael asked Rillak for another conference about whether to tell the crew about the DMA. This time, Rillak agreed, and Burnham let the President inform the crew and the diplomatic delegates on board. They were stunned, but calm. No surprise…it’s what this crew does.
“A Calming Presence”
As repairs were being made, Suru ran into Dr. Culber and told him what had happened between him and T’Rina. He told Culber he would have NEVER expressed his feelings for her had he known she would be going with them. He was flustered. For Suru, that is saying something. Culber, for his part, expressed his pride in Suru. He told her how he felt. That took courage. Now, he should relax and see what comes of it. Not long after Dr. Culber left him, T’Rina approached Suru and asked him if he could spend some time talking with her. The news of what might happen on Ni’Var had disquieted her and she finds his presence soothing. It might be the romantic in me, but I find this storyline more interesting than the first contact with Species 10C. But I’m sure that is coming to a head in the remaining episodes.
Thoughts
The Species 10C storyline is coming to a head but more like a tugboat rather than a speed boat. We continue to get some nice interactions between Michael and Burnham discussing their lanes and when the other needs to stay out of them. Not to mention their discussion about whether the crew should be told about the new DMA and its current trajectory. Of course, I am all for the relationship between T’Rina and Suru. Doug Jones (Suru) and Tara Rosling (T’Rina) bring that nervous and excited new relationship vibe to their interactions that makes you just want more. But as I said, I’m a hopeless romantic.
Self-Absorbed
So, we learned about Tarka’s relationship with Oros and why he is working so hard to get back “home.” While this does expand the character and explains his determination, it doesn’t really make you like him any better. He has been a self-righteous and self-absorbed asshole pretty much since the character was introduced. The fact that this same character flaw caused Oros to be beaten up and left behind seems like par for the course. The fact that he is feeling some guilt over the situation doesn’t resolve that fact. He still put his own self-interest over the greater good. Then and now. That being said, Shawn Doyle had done an excellent job playing the character to make me feel that way.
Coming down the Home Stretch
Ten episodes down and Captain Burnham and Discovery are across the Galactic Barrier and ready to face Species 10C with the fate of many lives in the balance. Sounds like another day at the office for the Discovery crew and we have another few episodes to bring it all home…so to speak. I give this Episode a 4 out of 5. Mainly on the strength of Suru and T’Rina’s budding relationship. Star Trek Discovery can be seen on Paramount+ with new episodes on Thursdays.
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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.
