Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 1x14 - "The War Without, The War Within"

[Rahul]

My impression is that the writers have approached this show like a modern Hollywood blockbuster: Define the set pieces and devise cool moments and then write some connective tissue to get from point A to point B.

That's probably the most apt description for this show.
To be fair, the set pieces are amazing for a tv show! But Star Trek is probably the single, only science fiction property that doesn't necessarily need big set pieces. On many of the most popular Trek episdoes, the grand finale was three people in a room arguing. And those were some of the most intriguing moments of sci-fi entertainment ever captured on screen. I fear the producers don't trust a sober "story" anymore, and instead think people will only like their show if it offers "action" and "big twists"

 

[NaughtyTrekkie]

Do you htink MU Philippa has some plan in her head?

 

[Michael]

Another episode that didn't really work for me at all. I think the writers have now completely lost me, I'm sorry to say. I feel kinda bad, because originally I was very optimistic and positive for this show, but there have just been too many weird decisions this season.

Some of the character moments in the first half of the episode were nice (especially the scene with Tilly and Burnham and later with Tyler and Burnham), but there's just so much stupid stuff going on. Why do they immediately trust Ash to be free of Voq, letting him run around the ship unsupervised? And why do they trust L'rell for that matter to actually having freed Tyler of Voq? Why does the Discovery crew suddenly act as if Ash was such a big friend; they never really established any of that in previous episodes. Why does Sarek force a mind meld on Saru? Why doesn't he object? And first and foremost, why do they make a murderous dictator the captain of the ship? And even if it's just for show, who do they want to fool with this?

I don't get this show anymore.

 

[FitsHisFace]

I'm assuming the missing words in that sentence are "Mirror Discovery" - she got blown up by the Klingons, as the Admiral explains (though SF assumed it was "our" Discovery).

.

Missing words (sorry about that) were Admiral Cornwell

 

[Nyotarules]

I'm watching it again at home since I prefer large screen to my little phone, so I have a few more ramblings
1. Unless Admiral Katrina Cornwall, a qualified psychologist has some Tactical and Security experience what is she doing on the Discovery, and why do they need Sarek?
2. T'Kuvma was right, the Federation does seek homogenization and assimilation but in the 24th century al Picard style lol
3.There is no way Burnham can end up as Captain even without the mutiney, she makes stupid decision on top of stupid decision, do you really want to give asylum in the Federation to female Hitler????? What is going on in her head, she is beyond emotionally compromised.
4. I know everyone grieves differently but Stamet just lost the love of his life, he is handling it too well
5. Sarek should have performed a mind meld on Evil Pippa....too obvious right?

 

[Tuskin38]

Caitian

i don't think so

 

[Noname Given]

So Tyler knows what Georgiou tastes like and Burnham knows what Saru tastes like.

Spoiler

Two great tastes, that go great together...Georgiou...Georgiou/Saru cup.

 

[SJGardner]

Another hugely entertaining episode for me. Despite how grave their situation seems, the atmosphere on the ship already feels a lot less suffocating and foreboding than it was before. I just loved the character moments; how Tilly decided to not give up on Tyler (despite, for me at least, looking uncomfortable at the start), followed by at first Detmer then the others. Maybe it's but the first sign of closer relationships between the crew and perhaps we'll get other crew members fleshed out in Season 2. I didn't feel the breakup scene forced at all, my only thought overall was that I wanted to give Ash a big hug. Stamets visibly holding back his feelings when meeting Ash and Tilly convincing Burnham to meet him were also great moments for me.

Saru was great in the captain's chair again, especially when he quickly took over from a stunned Cornwell. With each passing episode, I'd like more to see him as Discovery's captain after this all ends. Speaking of ending, well, I'm not sure anymore. With Starbase 1 and most of Starfleet Command being destroyed in this episode (and I'd rather not dwell now on how a VFX error placed it in Earth orbit despite it being 100 AUs from it), and Qo'noS apparently being blown up and/or incinerated in the next episode, I'm starting to get very worried that we're heading straight towards a reset next week.

 

[matthunter]

With regard to sending Cornwell to deal with Discovery - she was the one who reported Lorca's mental issues (which turned out to be something worse) which - in Starfleet's minds - would be behind any reason for Discovery's seeming disappearance and reappearance. Since she knows him personally, SF probably considers her the best choice to bring him in (not knowing about her compromised status when it comes to him).

Why she's running tactical ops later on is another matter, but it might just be a case of "not enough Admirals to go around these days" and SF wants whoever is ranking officer onsite running Discovery.

 

[Nyotarules]

That would be an impressive trick for a dead man.

That holodeck programme in TATV...its a FAAAAAAAKE!

 

[Rahul]

So Tyler knows what Georgiou tastes like and Burnham knows what Saru tastes like.

They'd better not have an Alive-style shuttle crash.

Yikes!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Great episode! I genuinely felt bad for Tyler having to deal with the breakup from Burnham and everyone looking at him like he's a monster (as they should).

Question: I wonder how much autonomy Captain-Emperor Georgiou has commanding Discovery? Will Saru or Admiral Cornwell be looking over her every move? I know the trip to the Mirror Universe is supposed to be classified and punished as treason, but will Georgiou have access to the files that show how Lorca overrode the jump drive to get there? And what would prevent her from jumping back to the Mirror Universe instead of Qo'nos?

Edit: Cornwell's dialogue pretty much confirms since she considers "her" Lorca is dead that Prime Lorca will be back. Is he still in the MU, or did him and Captain Killy survive the ISS Discovery's destruction in the Alpha Quadrant? Because, what's better than one Cadet Tilly? Why TWO, of course!

 

[Nyotarules]

Okay. But you do get that I was agreeing with you? Right?

Ok cool see I don't speak American lol

 

[Longinus]

It's more likely that Michael will save the day with a politically correct diplomatic compromise while spouting off some sanctimonious tripe about Federation values.

I really fucking hope so!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I suppose that materializing in hard vacuum (or close enough to it) is more plausible than into an atmosphere. I mean, where does the air go where Discovery is now located? Is it trapped inside the walls? Does air pressure suddenly double on the ship?

Maybe when Discovery jumps, it swaps places with whatever air occupies the location Discovery jumps to. We've seen Discovery jump into an atmosphere before without it creating violent down drafts on the surface.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Ok cool see I don't speak American lol

'Murica, yo!

 

[Butters]

I gave this a five because I’m starting to suspect that the writers are taking the piss.

“Captain Georgio?” The crew say, “but surely that’s the Empress of the Terran Empire we brought back from the MU! Why are you trying to deceive us, previously presumed dead Admiral?”

What’s starting to bother me about the series is that it’s none of the things the haters hate it for, but it’s still managing to balls it up. I’m a Trekkie, other shows should not be better than this, and yet, when does The Expanse return?

 

[Longinus]

Another episode that didn't really work for me at all. I think the writers have now completely lost me, I'm sorry to say. I feel kinda bad, because originally I was very optimistic and positive for this show, but there have just been too many weird decisions this season.

Some of the character moments in the first half of the episode were nice (especially the scene with Tilly and Burnham and later with Tyler and Burnham), but there's just so much stupid stuff going on. Why do they immediately trust Ash to be free of Voq, letting him run around the ship unsupervised? And why do they trust L'rell for that matter to actually having freed Tyler of Voq? Why does the Discovery crew suddenly act as if Ash was such a big friend; they never really established any of that in previous episodes. Why does Sarek force a mind meld on Saru? Why doesn't he object? And first and foremost, why do they make a murderous dictator the captain of the ship? And even if it's just for show, who do they want to fool with this?

I don't get this show anymore.

Yeah. Actors are good, they're doing their best with a story that seems to be fundamentally broken. Ultimately things happen and people do things because that's what the plot demands at that particular moment, but there is not any sort of coherent believable whole.

 

[Nyotarules]

Well, remember the line in STVI:TUC: "The Klingon Empire has 50 years of life left to it..." and "The Klingon Homeworld will be uninhabitable in that time..," <-- That's 80 years PRIOR to TNG where we (again) see Q'nos habitable; with ancient building/halls on the surface and Klingons living in various districts.

The Feds stepped in cleaned up their messes

 

[dahj]

“Captain Georgio?” The crew say, “but surely that’s the Empress of the Terran Empire we brought back from the MU!

Only Saru, Burnham and the transporter fellow know she beamed over.