We’re off to Trill this week in Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal.” We’ve got action! There’s relationship awkwardness! We’ve got political intrigue and more! Let’s fly right into my review of Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal.”
Field Trip to Trill
First up, our crew heads to Trill to find the next piece of our puzzle. I appreciate that this quest is complete with riddles, and quite literally looking for buried treasure. There are some nice throwbacks in Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal.” The main throwback is the Trill practice of Zhian’tara, allowing a past host’s consciousness to be transferred to another non-joined person. This is first seen in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 3×25 “Facets.” We saw another type of Zhian’tara in Star Trek: Discovery 4×03 “Choose to Live” when Gray was split from Adira’s consciousness and transferred to his new body.
Watching Hugh act as Jinaal is a lot of fun. His gruff voice feels like Wilson Cruz is doing his best Christian Bale Batman voice. Fun comments like, “Oooh, this guy works out!” and the relishing of a long walk makes for some nice levity in an otherwise intense scenario. Watching Michael and Book wrestle with how to get around the invisible spider-fly monster lets us showcase both Book’s “animal friendship” and Michael’s xenoanthropology skills. We don’t get to see those skills very often, so it’s nice when we get to see them in action like that.
Finally, our trip to Trill was not without some relationship awkwardness between Adira and Gray. As you may recall from my review of Star Trek: Discovery 5×01 “Red Directive,” I felt dissatisfied with the reasons that Book and Michael broke up. I do not feel that way about Adira and Gray’s breakup because Adira mentioned that they had been talking quite a bit. That feels much more realistic to me than just saying, “We didn’t talk so now we have to break up.” Is this the end for them? Maybe? I’m not entirely sure. We’ll have to put a pin in that for now.
Getting to Know You…
“…getting to like you.” Maybe? Not yet. Rayner is connecting with the crew in Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal.” “Connecting” is a term that I am using very loosely in this scenario. I can certainly appreciate the necessity of what Rayner is doing, but it’s also a bit futile if Zora is also working on the problem. It seems to me as an excuse to avoid following Michael’s order to get to know the crew.
I love that Tilly goes off on Rayner and lets him have it in 20 words or less! Following the letter of his request, but also telling him exactly what he is is a very classy and direct call out. The thing I appreciate the most about this scenario is that there is no way season one Tilly could have ever done this. It demonstrates her growth and her growing confidence. I’m here for it!
It’s that call out that makes Rayner see the value in Michael’s request. The knowledge gained from even the smallest interactions though did prove useful later, but the point still stands. Knowledge of someone is not the same as having a relationship with them. I hope that we get to see Rayner grow in his relational skills this season. Speaking of relational skills, let’s check in with Saru and T’Rina.
Politics as Usual
The “handsome and erudite” Saru is having a rough first day at work in Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal.” It’s not all bad. He helped to work out a compromise, which is good. But, the nuances of working with your partner in a professional setting can present its own challenges. Duvin, as a political advisor, is not wrong about how Saru and T’Rina might be perceived.
But even so, he was out of line going to Saru after T’Rina told him no. “To rush a sehlat is to risk a goring,” indeed. Duvin may be risking a goring when it comes to T’Rina. I find Duvin to be a little suspicious. My theory is that he is interested in T’Rina and doesn’t like that Saru is an outsider about to become the first man of his planet. Either that or Duvin is after power, and is looking to obtain it through his relationship with T’Rina or is looking to politically devastate her in some way. Either way, I don’t trust him. I’m eager to see how the politics of this situation will work out.
I also appreciate the way Saru and T’Rina handled their conflict. It’s very healthy, and good grief, do we ever need more examples of people healthily handling conflict in our media. It’s a good stepping stone for both of these characters and another mark of personal growth for Mr. Saru. More of this, please!
Final Thoughts
I think the quote from Gray in Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal” is a great summation of this episode’s theme. He says, “Connection is a choice.” Saru and T’Rina are learning to connect better. Adira and Gray will remain friends and keep that connection, though they are no longer together as a couple. Rayner is learning that connection with others is not the same as knowledge of others. Discovery is the best Trek series when it comes to interpersonal dynamics and relationships. This emotional health is desperately needed not just in media, but in our society as well. I’m going to soak up all I can get with this series.
The other big highlight for me in Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal” is the triumphant return of Tig Notaro as Jett Reno. Calling Stamets “Space Dad” is basically just giving voice to the audience. Also, “Wow, I just sounded like a WooWoo Asshole” made me laugh harder than just about anything else. I need more Jett Reno in my life, please and thank you.
Finally, what the heck did Moll put on Adira?! How did Moll get into Trill unseen? How is she able to fit in? Wouldn’t these folks notice if someone new showed up?! I have so many questions and not enough answers. We’ll have to wait for next week’s episode to get these questions answered, I hope.
What did you think of Star Trek: Discovery 5×03 “Jinaal”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Discovery will air on April 18, 2024, on Paramount+.
