If Memory Serves
The eighth episode of season 2. Burnham and Spock on Talos IV, while Culbur continues to have an identity crisis on Discovery. There is more than this though, involving Burnham and Spock's childhood, Section 31 and foreshadowing regarding Airiam (and what happened to her at the conclusion of the previous episode). Then there's Pike and Vina, but more on that later. But first, the recap of The Cage. That was rather well done. It certainly set the scene for the episode proper. The transition to Pike on Discovery was done rather well also.
There is also a theme of memory. Burnham and Spock's memories. Pike's memory of Vina. Culbur struggling with his memories and the dissonance between them and the fact that he is a literal new person. Each of these aspects were done rather well. Firstly, Spock... He knows how to get past the Talosian's illusion of their planet as a black hole. (That would certainly be an effective deterrent for visitors!) That illusion is rather scientifically accurate. Then going down to the planet, the scene with Burnham amongst the plants was done well.
This then leads to her meeting Vina and the Talosians. This was done very well, especially where they probe Spock's mind to fix the problem that mind-melding with a Red Angel caused. (But would melding with a time traveller really leave a Vulcan perceiving time like the Wormhole Entities do?) But the future Spock saw? That's an interesting development. I certainly look forward to seeing what that leads to. Back to Discovery, the confrontation between Culbur and Tyler was rather well done.
And Saru's point regarding Starfleet regulations is on point. Pike meeting Vina again via illusion is also rather well done (although I wondered when Vina would get to the point). The two of them definitely miss each other. (Forshadowing for the Menagerie? Maybe.) Then there is Section 31 (what they have to do with what Spock saw, is uncertain), intercepting Discovery above Talos IV, after the Spore Drive goes on the fritz. (Further set up regarding Airiam...) The Talosians tricking them was an excellent ending point to the episode.
Apart from Discovery going on the run...Overall this episode was excellent. 9.25/10.
