Hidden behind trials, tests and general annoyances that would drive even a sane person a little bit mad, the final piece of the puzzle is in sight. Hidden within an ancient travelling archive of the galaxy’s most prized knowledge, the only problem is figuring out what it all means.
Arriving at the Eternal Library, Captain Burnham opens the pages of an ancient Betazoid manuscript looking for the final answer only to find herself trapped in a psychological game where she doesn’t even know the question…
Guided by Reno’s knowledge as a former smuggler, the realisation that the mysterious Betazoid chunk of metal is nothing more than a library card and with Book pointing them in the right direction by using his empathic skills, Discovery heads to the Badlands to find a hidden library containing artefacts and knowledge from all across the known universe.
First off, seeing the Badlands re-jigged for modern visual effects is fantastic. In Deep Space Nine In the 24th century the Badlands was a chaotic permanent plasma storm, the largest in the quadrant, and despite it being a place where Starships were often lost, it was often used by people who wanted to remain hidden, such as the Maquis.
In the 32nd century the storm rages on and it’s glorious. The 90’s visual effects were stunning enough, with practical effects that included a propane fuelled fire within a custom made wind tunnel. The Discovery effects captured that chaos and danger as Discovery tried to navigate through what had become a more harsh environment to the eye of the storm where the library lay hidden from the dangers of the outside world.
Visually this episode if a weird highlight. From the newly enhanced Badlands right through to the real world library converted to convey the ancient moving structure with the only weak point being the overused pyrotechnics on Discovery’s bridge. But it all worked nicely as the episode was simple and effective in it’s production. Not just in the visuals, but the story which oddly made it one of the best ones of the season so far.
Using the final clue as a catalyst, the core of the story was more personal and low key. Using the same Ressikan technology that had Picard live out another life, the Betazed Manuscript traps Burnham in her own head to complete a puzzle for the final answer. Seeing as this is the greatest scientific discovery of all time hidden by scientists, thats her method. Picking apart her surroundings, her sole companion and figuring out where the final clues will lead. Of course, this is a Betazoid book and the franchises favourite of the species is a therapist.
A clue for the audience more than the Captain, sure. But it leads Burnham to solve the mystery through failure. As she fails, submitting due to a time limit imposed on her, she lays everything out in a weirdly self aware way. Her insecurities, her fear of repeating her greatest missteps and mistakes – mainly what happened to Georgiou – and how that illusion of trying to be the perfect person for everyone wasn’t the strength she wanted it to be. Especially as it had isolated her from the person she loved the most.
And of course, thats the key. Not a challenge of intellect or problem solving. The scientist who his the Progenitors power didn’t want this going to anyone. They had to know it was going to someone who was worthy. It’s a nice way to end the final clue, and leans a little more into the concept of the Federation being a peaceful hope for the future. Of course the Breen had to go ruin it…
While the A story was calm, quiet and nicely internalised, surrounding Burnham’s chat with her inner self was a little bitt of chaos. Following Discovery to the Library, the Breen used Moll’s knowledge to take the final clue and piece together the puzzle to take the Progenitors power for themselves. Which gave the rest of the crew some fun things to play with.
Rhys gets some spotlight as he takes the Captains chair for a while as Discovery hides form the Breen boarding the library while Rayner guards Burnham alongside Book and Culber which makes for some fun. It’s another showing Rayner in charge, making the decisions while – to them -= the captain lays unconscious and he shows a more focused and less emotive view as he calls the shots; at one point willing to risk the captains life to save the crew. Which is a fair assessment with Breen ready to kick the doors down.
It all led to some fun and games with Rayner arming up with Book to face his nemesis in the invading Breen while on board Discovery the crew work together to find a way t break the Breen’s grip on the station. It all ramped up quite nicely when Burnham awakened and back on board, ending the episode with the whole point of her little wander through her own mind. With the answers available to them, Burnham gives up the prize and hands it over to the Breen. Both calling back to her own fear of screwing up and getting peoplke killed again, as well as proving the Protegetors point; her conscience makes her worthy.
Ending with a bang, quite literally, everything felt quite nicely wrapped up towards the final episodes. Some have felt a little dry so far when they’ve tried to keep the story on a smaller scale, though this one hit the balance between Burnham and the rest of the story quite nicely. Breaking up Burnham’s self reflection with the action around them was a nice contrast and everything coming down to self discovery is pretty much what the shows been about since day one.
The only part that felt really off was Moll’s massive turn at the end. When Burnham handed over the artefact and fakes Discovery’s destruction, Moll somehow wins the loyalty of every Breen soldier under the Primark’s leadership. Sure, there is a claim there. Her deceased husband was the rightful heir. Sure, the Primark was on a massive power trip, ruling through fear. But it all seemed a bit too quick and easy.
Still, it was a fun and enjoyable episode that sets up the final episodes quite nicely. At this stage all the clues are found. There aren’t many lingering questions and the new character dynamics are all set up for the big finish.
The big question now is what they’ll find at the end of the trail…
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