Here it is, folks. Star Trek: Discovery 5×10 “Life, Itself” marks the season and series finale for the show. Today we’ve solved the puzzle, found the Progenitors, and given some closure to our crew. It’s a lot to take in, so let’s dive into my thoughts on Star Trek: Discovery 5×10 “Life, Itself.”
The Progenitor Portal
The Progenitor Portal is fascinating. Even after watching Star Trek: Discovery 5×10 “Life, Itself” several times, I’m not sure how the mechanics work. It appears we have portals to every world where humanoid life exists. The aesethics of the Progenitor Portal really work for me though. It’s beautifully done and a creative way to illustrate something seemingly infinite in a finite way. There’s great action in Michael’s run-ins with the Breen and her fight with Moll. I’ve not mentioned it enough this season, but Eve Harlow as Moll has been truly phenomenal. She has an intensity that matches Michael’s and has been a good adversary for her in this final season.
However, it’s not just this final showdown with Moll, it’s finally getting the big question. Who are the Progenitors? Who created us? There’s a lot to love here. First, when considering the vastness and diversity of all the humanoids we’ve met in Star Trek, it would make sense that the Progenitors must also look like us in some way. By this I mean, not every Progenitor is white, as is the one Progenitor we meet in Star Trek: The Next Generation 6×20 “The Chase,” played by Salome Jens. The imago Dei, the image of God, requires many expressions considering the sheer number of races and species, and I find it fitting that Michael, as a black woman, would be greeted by a Progenitor who is also a black woman. It’s a really beautiful and affirming scene and I applaud Michelle Paradise for making that choice.
Who Creates the Creators?
Finally, what I love the most about this is that there is still mystery surrounding the Progenitors. While yes, the Progenitors created all humanoid life via the technology in the portal, it is not a technology they created; they found it. We are left with the question, “Who creates the creators?” The mystery is beautiful and a fitting conclusion for our adventure this season. Sending the tech beyond the event horizon is a wiser choice than most would make.
Showdown with the Breen
We’ve got a war on two fronts in Star Trek: Discovery 5×10 “Life, Itself.” The first is the firefight between Discovery and the Breen dreadnought. The separation of the saucer is something we’ve not seen Discovery do before. The daring move of separating the saucer to perform this previously unperformed jump had me wide-eyed and gasping. The firefight gave us great insight into Rayner’s capacity as a tactical military leader. If you can’t beat them with force, remove the opponent from the playing field. In the same scenario, many would be looking for a way not to lose. Instead, he recognized the only way to win. Well done, Rayner and Discovery crew for the creative tactical victory.
Action Saru: Now with Diplomacy Death Stare Action!
It’s one thing to go up against Saru in a physical battle. You’re going to get toasted if you do that. However, getting to see Action Saru come out swinging diplomatically is a whole new side we’ve not seen before in Star Trek: Discovery 5×10 “Life, Itself.” His political and diplomatic savvy is paired with his battle ferocity in a way that is intense and truly intimidating. When he says, “Look into my eyes and tell me if you see even the slightest glimmer of doubt,” I got chills.
Saru is one of the best embodiments of positive masculinity on television. What we see here is not male aggression, but a man only going on the offensive if he absolutely has to. He’s standing up to a bully, and that defensive posture protects everyone in his care without him having to throw a punch. We need more of this kind of masculinity on screen, please and thank you.
In a fitting end to Saru’s on-screen arc, we get a glimpse at Saru and T’Rina’s wedding reception. The costuming in that scene is beautiful, and a lovely insight to both N’Var and Kelpien culture. Saru highlights their common ancestry and their connection in this scene, harkening to Star Trek: Discovery’s overall theme of connection. It’s heartwarming and appropriate as this scene closes our season.
What the Future Holds
Star Trek: Discovery 5×10 “Life, Itself” gives my little shipper heart exactly what it wants, not just with a Saru and T’Rina marriage, but with Michael and Book finally getting it together! Sonequa Martin-Green has looked gorgeous all season, and goodness, David Ajala absolutely killed in those cornrows. “You, me, and Grudge” is sweet and funny. It’s a beautiful scene and the perfect send-off at the end of this season.
As we jump again to the future to see where she and Book end up, my heart is warmed by the beauty exemplified in their marriage. The aging techniques they used for David and Sonequa look great and make the scene all that more believable. There are also some nice touches in this scene as well. The Space Deer is Alice, a throwback to Amanda reading Alice in Wonderland to Michael and Spock. Michael and Book’s son is Leto, after Book’s nephew.
Finally, we see Michael taking the Discovery out on one last mission, leaving Zora out in deep space, which fulfills the Short Trek, “Calypso.” While I get the reasoning behind this, I feel sad for Zora. It’s sad to leave her out there all alone until Craft shows up. I hope there’s a backup of Zora at Starfleet HQ. Surely they wouldn’t leave Zora’s knowledge out there for that long unguarded and unattended. This is the only aspect of the finale that I wish had been resolved differently. I do hope the folks at Paramount+ reinvigorate Star Trek: Short Treks. It would be a great way to get the next bit of Zora’s story.
Final Finale Thoughts
Overall, I feel satisfied with what we got in Star Trek: Discovery 5×10 “Life, Itself.” All things circumstances considered, it’s a good wrap to the season and a good send-off for our Discovery crew. I appreciate the little group hug flashback we get. I was good and didn’t shed a tear all episode, but when we got to the big hug with Michael and Tilly, it finally broke me. Cue the waterworks. I described Michael and Tilly to a friend of mine as my “Star Trek besties.” They are two of the characters that I admire the most and see myself in, and their friendship exemplifies the kind of friend I want to be. The world needs more examples of positive female friendships on television, and this is one of the best. I am so glad that it exists, and I’m so sorry to see it go.
We have some questions that I hope will gain resolution in Star Trek: Section 31 and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Dr. Kovich being Agent Daniels from Archer’s Enterprise resolves the longstanding fan theory that Kovich is a time traveler in a satisfying way. I would speculate that we’ll see him again in Star Trek: Section 31. Knowing that Tilly is the longest tenured professor at Starfleet Academy has ensured her a spot on the show. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the cute skinny bearded guy we see with her in the Star Trek: Discovery 5×01 “Red Directive” and in the wedding scene in this finale shows up too. There’s much to look forward to here, and even though we close the door on Discovery, the future of the 32nd century is looking bright.
Final Star Trek: Discovery Thoughts
Star Trek: Discovery will hold a special place in Star Trek history and my heart. Without Discovery we would not have this wonderful new age of Star Trek television. It brought an embarrassment of riches to the franchise. Without it, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds would not exist at all. Star Trek: Discovery’s success also brought about the greenlighting of Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Prodigy. The fact that it beget such a diversity of Star Trek series means that the series themselves actually exemplify an aspect of the Federation—there’s room for everyone in the Star Trek universe. Not everyone is going to like everything, but that doesn’t mean that this diversity of shows shouldn’t exist. I am grateful for this new world of Star Trek that Discovery opened up.
A Personal Connection
Star Trek: Discovery is also special to me because it is the series that made me a Star Trek writer. I began covering the show here on Fangirlish in season 3, and haven’t stopped writing about Star Trek since. Through my writing here, I’ve gotten the chance to interview so many Star Trek cast members and showrunners, an opportunity I’d never have gotten otherwise.
The series came to me at a time when I was struggling with my mental and emotional health. Watching the characters in Star Trek: Discovery work through their own mental and emotional health struggles helped me to work through and get help for my own. The show allowed me to make new friends, both online and in person, allowing me to find my way to my Star Trek podcast, We Are Starfleet. Suffice it to say, Star Trek: Discovery changed my life for the better, and I will always be grateful for it.
To the cast, crew, and showrunners of Star Trek: Discovery, you have my thanks, my love, and my gratitude. Until we meet again, let’s fly.
All episodes of Star Trek: Discovery are streaming now on Paramount+.
