Through the Valley of Shadows

The latest episode of Star Trek: Discovery was a perfect illustration of both the things the series has done well this season and the things it hasn't. Once again, and I think more than ever before this season, the character beats were excellent, while the narrative that contained them was loose-weave and nonsensical.

A fourth "signal" has appeared in orbit of the Klingon planet Boreth, so the Discovery crew contacts Chancellor L'Rell to arrange a visit. The planet Boreth is significant in more than one way: Ash Tyler reveals that the son he had as Voq is hidden there; and the planet is revealed to be a source of the time crystals needed to thwart Control. Captain Pike beams down to obtain one, but must pay the price in the form of terrible knowledge about his own future. Meanwhile, Spock and Burnham set out on their own to investigate a Section 31 ship that failed to check in on schedule, looking for clues that will lead them to Leland.

This season of Discovery began with one big Macguffin: a "Red Angel" had caused seven signals to appear throughout the galaxy for unknown reasons. Now that we've neared the end of the season, we've been told that the signals and the Red Angel are in fact not connected. And that's about all I think I understand about this plot device at this point.

Didn't the "seven signals" all appear in the season premiere? Like, our heroes knew there were seven, right -- that information didn't come from Spock? And yet now it seems that only four of the signals have manifested to this point, and three more are yet to come like some sort of RPG quest broken up into parts? I mean, I know this is a time travel story, but how can it be simultaneously true that the signals have happened and haven't happened yet? Have I missed something crucial along the way? Maybe the writers didn't explain it well to start with? Maybe the relentless action pace of the show has caused them to speed by crucial explanations for what we're seeing?

What I am clear about is this: after what everyone just saw happen to Leland, it defies reason that Michael and Spock would behave the way they do in this episode. They come upon a Section 31 ship where the entire crew has been killed except for one person, and they never stop to wonder if that person might be compromised? Was making him someone Burnham knew from the Shenzhou supposed to paper over this foolish behavior? Even if it did, it fails to explain Spock's lack of caution.

Also clear: "time crystal" might be about the silliest, most on-the-nose name ever attached to something in Star Trek since the original series called an "ugly" alien race the Medusans. Contrary to what Tilly told us a few weeks back, putting "time" in front of something does not necessarily make it sound cooler. Instead, it invites a snicker or an eye roll every time someone says it -- which in this episode felt like a hundred times. Time crystal. It just sounds so cheesy, so Flash Gordon-y or Ed Wood-sy. It's freighted with an inability to be taken seriously, which is really is shame when so much of the drama surrounding time crystals this week was otherwise so serious (and effectively so).

So, the plot ranged from confounding to implausible to ridiculous. But once again, the way the characters moved within it yielded some phenomenal scenes. Using Jett Reno as the latest sounding board for Dr. Culber was great. Even while, on the one hand, I'd like to see someone show Hugh some comfort and understanding in his situation, on the other, Reno's particular dose of hard truth was appreciated. Her insights into what it takes to be with a person like Stamets were affecting, as was the realization that some of her own cold demeanor may well stem from the loss of her own spouse. (But, ahem, Discovery. Seriously? Giving us another LGBT character and killing off her wife? Do you not see this negative pattern you're in?)

The exploration of L'Rell and Voq's son was an intriguing one. Too intriguing, almost, to be relegated to a minor element of an episode. Uncoupled from time, growing up in isolation, dedicated to a distinctly un-Klingon-like cause, and possibly plagued with constant nightmarish visions? Tenavik didn't have a lot of screen time, but was a quite thought-provoking character.

But of course, the big dramatic centerpiece surrounded Captain Pike. Anson Mount was given his most substantial episode to date -- and a challenging one too, that required more to be conveyed without dialogue than with it. Proving what Admiral Cornwell said of Pike, that he is the best of Starfleet, he now must go through life with full knowledge of the fate that awaits him, bereft of hope, dedicated to duty, waiting for the metaphorical axe to fall on his life. The original series had already done a compelling job of making Pike a tragic character, but Discovery has found an intriguing way to layer in still more tragedy.

There were certainly great elements within this episode. But it felt especially challenging to me to look past the elements that weren't great. I'd call "Through the Valley of Shadows" a B- episode overall.