I’m back with a review of the latest episode of Star Trek: Discovery. Last week, we got to see where Michael ended up. This week, we find the rest of the Discovery crew–in the midst of an emergency landing! While I didn’t feel this episode was quite as exciting as last week’s episode, there is plenty that I like about it. Here are a few of my thoughts on this week’s episode of Star Trek: Discovery, “Far From Home.”
First Contact
Acting Captain Saru and Ensign Tilly make their way onto this new unknown planet in search of help for the damaged Discovery. What I especially love about this interaction is everyone’s surprise at Tilly being chosen for this mission and for Saru’s words to Tilly as they make their way into the unknown. When Tilly asks why she was chosen, Saru simply replies, “We are introducing ourselves to the future. You, Ensign Tilly, are a wonderful first impression.”
As someone with exuberant and hyperactive tendencies like Tilly, I found that interaction both heartwarming and affirming. Tilly proves Saru right in her interactions later with the Coridanites, tactfully talking down a standoff and even endearing herself to their leader, Kal.
Calling in Reinforcements: Georgiou Style
Georgiou shows up at just the right time, giving Saru, Tilly, and the Coridanites a chance to defeat their assailants. Say what you will about Georgiou and her questionable loyalties, but the woman can sure fight! It’s so fun to watch Michelle Yeoh, who more modern audiences might better know for her role as Eleanor Young in Crazy Rich Asians, to come out swinging and kicking and skull-cracking as Phillipa Georgiou in Star Trek: Discovery. I have seen regrettably little of her other work, but as I scroll her resume on IMDB, she has several action roles to her name including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Tomorrow Never Dies. I’m excited to watch her kick more butt and take more names this season as Georgiou.
Reunited and It Feels So Good
I’ll admit that I got a little scared when the Discovery got caught in that tractor beam. My first inclination is always to assume a defensive posture when facing potential danger. One of the things I admire the most about Saru is his consistent posture of asking questions, then defending if need be. He seeks first to understand. That is DIFFICULT, and yet he does it with such consistency. This posture could be dangerous. It could be costly, and yet he still chooses to do so. I admire that kind of integrity deeply. It is this posture that continually proves him to be an excellent acting captain, and truly demonstrates the ideals of Starfleet. It was definitely the right call this time since Michael and Book are the ones picking them up.
There are still more questions to be answered in the next episode. What’s going on with Lt. Detmer? Will Stamets and Reno ever take a day off? What have Michael and Book been up to in the year they’ve been waiting and looking for Discovery? There has been so much set up in these first two episodes and I am eager to get answers.
