This series is really starting to confuse me.
On the one hand, I find myself smiling and nodding as I say to myself "wow...this reminds me of how an old-school TNG episode would be" and that somehow subconsciously makes me happy. Then, on the other hand, I find that approach to be so disheartening, since the main reason I have loved DSC so much is that it made an effort, warts and all, to separate itself from the bulk of the franchise's previous tone and approach.
Overall, I guess I enjoyed it. It was "fine," as I like to say. The stuff on Ni'var was interesting, and I love that there was an emphasis on Culber (still one of my favorite characters) as he helps Book deal with his grief. The shuttle crash was fun, but it felt way too contrived for me to take it seriously, and the acting performances from the guest cadets were really REALLY horrific. I also thought that Tilly's exit was abrupt and not well explained or executed. Is that really IT? Like...she's out?? Just seems really weird to do it that way. I'm glad they didn't spend half the episode having Adira and Grey smile at each other and say lovingly sappy things. After a good little run of actually doing some relationship stuff well for Star Trek (I love Culber/Stamets and Burnham/Book isn't too bad)...Adira/Grey is pretty awful, so less is better there. The show has never looked better, and I really liked that it opened with a Captain's Log.
Anyway, like I've been saying, this season reminds me very much of what TNG tuned into in the later seasons....a smoothed-out and risk-free serving of comfort food. It's never going to be "bad" and it's never going to be "great" with that approach. I'm ok with it, but I just don't feel nearly as excited or compelled as I did during the series first two years. Heck, I didn't even watch this episode for 3 days after it dropped.
7/10 - same rating I've given every episode this season....like I said...not bad at all...but nothing that gets my blood pumping either.