Last Time
When we last left Star Trek Discovery, the Federation and those worlds effected by the DMA were meeting to discuss alternatives in dealing with the aliens responsible. Captain Burnham proposed a diplomatic solution of First Contact. Ruan Tarka however, wanted to use his newly invented device to destroy the DMA. The nature of this device posed some risk to outlying regions of space. Book, still reeling from what the DMA had done to Kwejian, agreed with Tarka. However, the collected group decided to pursue the diplomatic approach. Which left Tarka and Book no alternative. Tarka stole the newest spore drive prototype and installed it into Book’s ship, and they jumped toward who knows where.
The Unexpected
Needless to say, Admiral Vance was perturbed that their spore drive protype was taken right under their noses. But not near as much as President Rillak who failed to see how neither Vance nor Burnham had prepared for or expected this possible outcome. Both Vance and Burnham explained that there was no perceivable evidence that Tarka or Book would do what they have done. While Rillak didn’t necessarily believe that the problem remained that if Tarka and Book were to succeed, they could upset a race of beings who could eliminate the Federation without much effort. Plus, it made the Federation appear to be incompetent by allowing their newest prototype to be so easily absconded with.
Admiral Vance had every ship at his disposal out searching for the missing Tarka and Book. As for Burnham and Discovery, their orders are to remain and continue to gather information on the DMA’s Unknown Species 10C. Burnham is reluctant to did this as she wants Discovery to join the hunt for Book and Tarka. But Vance agrees with President Rillak and gives her those orders.
The Quest for Isolynium
Meanwhile, Book and Tarka are trying to elude Federation pursuit. While they travel, Tarka asks Book for his first impressions on the new Spore Drive Prototype. Book is scant on details other than saying it was efficient and it worked and should help them to complete their mission. Tarka was disappointed that Book wasn’t more effusive in his praise or at least critical of some aspect of the device. As it is, Tarka will need 48 hours to complete his proposed weapon. They will also require a supply of isolynium. It will be Book’s task to locate it and acquire it. This was news to Book. He assumed that Tarka already knew where to get what he needed. But Tarka’s plan assumed Federation assistance. Without it, they would need Book’s resources. Fortunately, his past work as a courier has given him the contacts to find some. But it will come at a cost. Tarka assures him that cost would not be an issue.
New Orders
Back on Discovery, Burnham is contemplating the situation that Book and Tarka has place them in when Admiral Vance comes to see her. He explains his relationship with Ruan Tarka and how he brought him into the ‘fold.” He would hate to see that decision require him to send his family away again for their own safety right after just getting them back. So, he privately orders Burnham to do whatever she can to stop Tarka and Book from completing their task. He is counting on her to succeed, as the most imaginative and trusted officer under his command. This opens the door for Burnham to pursue them.
Researching Unknown Species 10C
With her new orders in hand, Burnham goes to see what progress Commander Stamets had made with the coordinates that Zora supplied. They have not found much, since that area space has not been catalogued. However, there is a gravitational anomaly located there that would indicate some kind of presence. Zora indicates that the database they had reported of a race called the Stilph, who should have some information about that area of space. Unfortunately, there is no record of contact with the Federation for the Stilph, although they have had some connections through the Orions. Captain Suru, who also was at this briefing was not enthused about the idea of dealing with the Orions. Burnham tells him that she has a contact that might have the information they need, forgoing Orion contact. But she would have to make the request herself.
Haz Mazaro’s Karma Barge
Book has taken Tarka to see one of his Courier contacts, Haz Mazaro. From his past dealings with Haz, he figures that he will either have Isolynium they require or will know where to acquire some. Regardless, the Karma Barge was not a place they should linger very long. As they waited for Haz, Book warned Tarka that he and Haz didn’t part on the best of terms when last they met. In addition, it would be best if he let Book do the talking. Once Haz came out to see “glow worm” (the nickname that Haz knew Book as), Book explained what he needed. Haz told him that he had a source, but he doubted Book had the latinum necessary to complete the deal. Book produced what he had and Tarka did the same. However, Haz reminded Book of how their last time together had ended up. The latinum they offered would pay for what Book owed him from that venture, but not for the Isolynium. Just as Book and Tarka were being shown the door, Book offered his and Tarka’s services in detecting those in the gambling house who were cheating. Since their normal scanning devices were not working, Haz agreed to this. But he would be keeping his eyes on the pair.
Multiple Bidders
As luck would have it, the Karma Barge was also Michael and Lt. Commander Owosekun’s destination to retrieve the charts Discovery needed. They also met up with Haz who was happy to see Michael or “Right-Hook” as he called her. It was like old home week. First Book and now Michael. Once she had made the deal for the charts she needed, she asked him about Isolynium. She showed him a bag of Latinum which should have more than paid for what she asked for. But, alas, he informed her that with multiple bidders, the price always escalates. Of course, he assumed she already knew who else was in play. She had not. At least not as far as Haz was concerned. But she was not surprised. She had a hunch this is where Book would go.
Making a Choice
As Book and Tarka set about detecting those who were cheating, Michael caught up to Book and asked for a moment alone. She tried to convince him to stop what he was doing. Perhaps to take the Isolynium for himself and return with it to the Federation. At this moment, they would understand his motives. But if he went through with this, he would be crossing a line that he could walk back from. And it would be her duty to stop him. Once again, verifying his father’s fears that when it came between Book and the Federation, Book would come in second every time with Michael.
Fight Club
Once Michael realized that Book was firm in his stance, she knew she would need to get the Isolynium for herself. But Haz had already told her that she would need more latinum if she wanted to acquire it. As they walked about, they noticed a fight ring where challengers were welcome. Lt. Commander Owosekun suggested to Michael that she compete in the challenge to win the needed latinum. Michael was reluctant but agreed to this unusual idea. At first, Owo didn’t fare so well. As each bout ended badly, Michael wanted to call it. But apparently, Owo was just reeling in the big fish. She asked for one more rematch and with larger wagers involved and 45-1 odds, she dominated and won the fight. Much to the chagrin of the man who was running the fight club who tried to reclaim the winnings. Book noticed and intervened and Michael finished the man off with a right hook to the jaw.
Changeling
Meanwhile, Book and Tarka were watching a suspicious individual at the tables. They soon realized that the alien was a changeling who could alter their appearance. Book went after him, asking Michael to repay his assistance with some of her own. They worked together to corral the alien until Tarka used a device to capture it. With that bit of excitement over, the status of the Isolynium was still in question. Haz had considered their positions a draw. Another way would need to be used to decide who gets it. They decided to settle it over a high stakes card game. The table included Book, Michael and two hold-out members of the Emerald Chain. Before play started, Michael asked Haz to see the merchandise. He allowed this and after Michael and everyone else was satisfied with its quality, the game was on. Play commenced and Book and Michael cleared out the other players secretly working together to assure the Emerald Chain members didn’t get the Isolynium, Play went on until it was just the two of them. Eventually, it came down to a winners take all hand and Book came out victorious. Tarka and he took the Isolynium, which did not make President Rillak or Admiral Vance happy upon their learning of the events.
Another Card Up Her Sleeve
However, Michael being Michael, she had a card up her sleeve. When she asked Haz to examine the “prize,” she serendipitously placed a tracker on the case. They could now trace where Book and Tarka went and hopefully, stop them from creating and using their weapon against the DMA. This is amplified more when Commander Stamets makes his report to Vance and Rillak. They conclude that the DMA is not a weapon, but a mining tool. A dredge that collects Boromite. The destruction of Kwejian was not a purposeful act but an unfortunate result of the stripping of Boromite from that system. But if Tarka and Book are successful in destroying the DMA, the species responsible WILL see it as a hostile act. They must be stopped. Whatever the cost. No one knows this more than Michael.
Thoughts
This was a great return episode from their brief hiatus. Of course, any chance to see the chemistry between Sonequa Martin-Green and David Ajala is a fun opportunity. It was also satisfying to see Oyin Oladejo get to shine a bit as Owo. A lesson not to get in Commander “Oh WOW!” Owosekun’s way in a fight. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention Daniel Kash’s turn as Haz Mazaro, proprietor of the Karma Barge. There’s a trick to showing charm when you are that made up in prosthetics, but Kash pulls it off with a good chemistry between himself, Ajala and Martin-Greene. Wouldn’t mind seeing more scenes between the three.
Needless to say, this is heading toward a showdown that neither Book nor Michael really wants. But they are both equally stubborn and unlikely to change course. Which means we have some great drama coming in the next few episodes. As for “All In,” it was a satisfying episode, if nothing else than for the poker game between Book and Michael and Owo going all James Kirk in a fight. But I don’t remember Kirk being so down and gritty in a fight as “Oh WOW” did. I give it a 5 out of 5 for those moments alone.
Paramount+’s Star Trek Discovery can be seen on Paramount+ with new episodes releasing 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.
