Runners, take your positions this week for Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak!” Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak” offers a nuanced discussion of the Prime Directive, science, and faith. Hope you’ve hydrated because we’ve got a lot of ground to cover in this review of Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak.” Let’s go see the gods together.
Away Mission with Your Bestie
Anytime you give me a Michael and Tilly episode, I’m a pretty happy girl. Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak” sends our girls on a trip to Halem’no. There’s a lot to consider with this girls’ trip. First, Hitoroshi Kreel, our Denobulan scientist, set up weather towers on Halem’no to provide water for the people there. The thing about technology is that it will eventually fail. I understand the need for secrecy around this as well, but for the sake of the people of Halem’no, then someone should have been tasked with checking up on the panels that run the operation. This is a Prime Directive violation waiting to happen. It just so happens that Michael and Tilly are the ones to uncover it. Positive female friendship is one of the things I enjoy the most in television and films, and Michael and Tilly’s camaraderie helps them succeed in their mission.
Additionally, Tilly’s new mentorship role is quite prominent in Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak.” Not only is she being approached by her students about difficult life decisions, but she also naturally moves into a mentorship role with Ravah. Tilly is immediately warm and protective towards them, like a good mentor. Tilly’s true character shines through in the playful, “You’re a little s***, you know that?” She gives them some of her water so they can “go see the gods together,” and then comforts them when they think they’re going to die. It’s that kind of warmth that endears Tilly to me, making her my favorite character in Star Trek: Discovery. I sincerely hope we get to see her in the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series because I need more of this in my life.
Enjoy Your Spiritual Experience
Second, what I especially appreciate about Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak” is this interesting melding of science and religious belief. Not just the explicit discussion of the religious beliefs of the Halem’nites, but the echoes of religious practice and tradition our Discovery crew have in their own lives, even if it’s not necessarily rooted in religion. For example, Tilly is effectively repeating a liturgy while running, “A body in motion stays in motion.” When she stops or slows down, “A body at rest stays at rest.” Yes, these “liturgies” are Newton and not scripture, and yet, she repeats them to remind herself of what she must do, as one would a liturgy. “Chase your moss. I’m the Queen of Endurance!” she says as he pushes herself along, even though she’s clearly exhausted. Her liturgy keeps her going.
Culber does something similar, using his skills as a scientist to try to understand the spiritual experience he’s having. And even though science cannot bring him the solution or explanation he would like, he is starting to explore spirituality in a somewhat scientific way. Paul and Book help him to understand both sides of the equation. If science cannot explain it, Paul advises him to “enjoy your spiritual experience.” Culber is uncomfortable with that, but his conversation with Book seems to help him accept the idea that he is experiencing something that may be unexplainable by science.
Ohvahz says, “Perhaps devotion means being able to hear when the gods tell us something new.” This idea applies not only to the situation on Halem’no but also to Hugh’s spiritual journey. Embracing his spiritual journey is effectively his hearing when the “gods” or whoever tells him something new.
Let’s Go See the Gods Together
The aspect of Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak” that I enjoy the most is this nuanced discussion of religious belief. I mentioned in my review of Star Trek: Discovery 5×05 “Mirrors” that I am an academic, a Star Trek fan, and a person of faith. The delicate handling of the Halem’nites’ religious beliefs is done in a way that is respectful of their beliefs and culture while also helping them to be able to handle this new information about how the towers work. She says, “Nothing we have shown you means gods don’t exist…or that the Journey of the Mother Compeer didn’t happen. It’s just now that you know that there is also us.” That knowledge is a great way to show respect to both sides of the discussion. Tilly called it two sides of the same coin in Star Trek: Discovery 5×05 “Mirrors” and Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak” is the illustration of that idea. As Ohvahz says, “It’s more beautiful than I could have imagined.”
Final Thoughts
Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak” is my favorite episode of this season so far. As I’ve already iterated, the nuanced discussion of religious belief and intellect sits very well with me. There are a few other things I’d like to make note of before I close this review. First, if I have one thing that didn’t sit right with me was teasing us with Denobula and then NOT going to Denobula. Please have John Billingsley back to play all the Denobulans! I mean, how many Soongs has Brent Spiner played? Surely we can have some more Denobulans on Star Trek. Let’s change this.
Second, all of the guest stars this week are absolutely top-notch. Alfredo Narciso as Ohvahz and June Laporte as Ravah give compelling performances, as does Marium Carvell as Anorah. Star Trek never fails to cast memorable guest stars, but this week’s are outstanding.
Third, I appreciate the growth that Adira is experiencing. Putting Adira on the bridge gets them out of their comfort zone. I hope that gives them a bit more confidence. Finally, there are a few other silly things of note in Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak” for me. Book is playing some combo of Battlezone and Asteroids! Kovich is really leaning into the theory of him being a time traveler from the 21st century. I love that. And the best one, Michael saying, “I am not a god” only made me think of Ghostbusters.
What did you think of Star Trek: Discovery 5×06 “Whistlespeak”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Discovery will air on May 9, 2024, on Paramount+.
