Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 5x10 - "Life, Itself"
- Thread starter Commander Richard
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Now this is just straight up the best uniform on Discovery, ever!
Why?
Because it's fucking symmetrical.
Never understood that quirk of the DIS custome designer to make every uniform asssymetrical. Just looks... Like an accident.
Very TOS like. Now, minor quirk, I like that it's played by a POC. "Traditionally" progenitor races are always presented as kind of "white" people (Prometheus, Van Dänikens greys). Still not a huge fan of the concept overall though...
After watching "Loki" I just assume all these aren't the "originals" but "variants", coming from people playing with the timeline a lot.
My favorite reveal
The Daniels thing really bugs me.
Could he not just be Kovich who was a cool character. Does everything have to be a memberberry.
32nd century Disco was Treks one chance to not just be "hey look it's" all the time but no.
Could he not just be Kovich who was a cool character. Does everything have to be a memberberry.
32nd century Disco was Treks one chance to not just be "hey look it's" all the time but no.
(1) He bought it on Ebay from a prop store.
(2) As an aside, he now has enough merch on his shelves to be able to launch his own youtube review channel....
This worked better as a series finale than a season finale for me. As a season finale I felt the Breen storyline was resolved too soon (albeit in spectacular fashion), and I would've liked something more decisive to happen with it and also with the Moll/L'ak storyline. But with this being a series finale, my expectations were different because I was more interested in seeing who would survive and how the episode would end Discovery's run than the end of this particular story arc.
Discovery is still the best-looking Trek television series. This episode, like many of its others, was just so cinematic and beautiful to look at.
I do think the Progenitor arc was more satisfying than Season 3's The Burn, and the final episode was more exciting than Season 4 with Species 10-C. I also liked that the Progenitors didn't create everything, and that there being mystery in the galaxy wasn't a bad thing (which was reinforced by Culber's insight). I thought the episode did a good job teasing character deaths (Saru, Nhan, Book, and Culber), but I'm not surprised that everyone survived. I was thinking Discovery's creators would prefer a happy ending for everyone.
It was nice seeing a Progenitor (I wish it could've been Salome Jens, but I know she's 90, so I get it). The actor chosen was good, but the Trekkie in me would've loved to have seen Sisko, Kirk, Wesley, The Doctor, Synth-Picard, Q, Spock, or even Sarek (though I wasn't a fan of Frain's take, it would've been a nice nod to the series' beginnings). I did like finally learning more about Kovich and seeing his artifacts (I didn't catch them all, but for the ones that got prominence I wish there had been something I knew right off that was from Voyager and Enterprise, it wouldn't hurt either to have something from Strange New Worlds or Picard). I would've rather Kovich was definitively Future Guy, but I'm okay too with what they did. My quibble was he said he's from the "USS Enterprise" when I would've preferred the "SS Enterprise" or the "Enterprise NX-01". I'm sure it will be written off that he served on some USS Enterprise over the last thousand years (maybe even the Enterprise-J), but I still would've liked a more direct mention of the NX-01.
At the wedding, I was confused when Vance greeted Saru as admiral. When did Saru become an admiral? I do wish that Owesekun and Detmer had been at the wedding. I did like the reuniting of Burnham and Book at the wedding.
I think the coda took this episode to another level. It was great seeing glimpses of the future, and I really needed to see that Burnham flashback with most of the old crew just hugging it out. It really gave me a sense of finality, that this journey had come full circle. And it was great seeing elderly Burnham and Book, still together, and happy. And I really enjoyed meeting Leto.
Discovery's final mission didn't make much sense to me. Where was the crew that was supposed to be flying the ship? They could've just had some background people in uniforms, and still kept the focus on Burnham and Zora. Further, why take the "A" off the hull or restore Discovery's original appearance? I get they wanted to set up the "Calypso" short, but it made little sense within the story for them to do this. I am glad that Leto wasn't the captain of Discovery though. I thought doing that would've been too much.
I still enjoyed TNG and DS9's finales more, but I put this over VOY and ENT's finales. As for DISCO finales, I'm still processing, but right now, it's one of the better ones.
Discovery is still the best-looking Trek television series. This episode, like many of its others, was just so cinematic and beautiful to look at.
I do think the Progenitor arc was more satisfying than Season 3's The Burn, and the final episode was more exciting than Season 4 with Species 10-C. I also liked that the Progenitors didn't create everything, and that there being mystery in the galaxy wasn't a bad thing (which was reinforced by Culber's insight). I thought the episode did a good job teasing character deaths (Saru, Nhan, Book, and Culber), but I'm not surprised that everyone survived. I was thinking Discovery's creators would prefer a happy ending for everyone.
It was nice seeing a Progenitor (I wish it could've been Salome Jens, but I know she's 90, so I get it). The actor chosen was good, but the Trekkie in me would've loved to have seen Sisko, Kirk, Wesley, The Doctor, Synth-Picard, Q, Spock, or even Sarek (though I wasn't a fan of Frain's take, it would've been a nice nod to the series' beginnings). I did like finally learning more about Kovich and seeing his artifacts (I didn't catch them all, but for the ones that got prominence I wish there had been something I knew right off that was from Voyager and Enterprise, it wouldn't hurt either to have something from Strange New Worlds or Picard). I would've rather Kovich was definitively Future Guy, but I'm okay too with what they did. My quibble was he said he's from the "USS Enterprise" when I would've preferred the "SS Enterprise" or the "Enterprise NX-01". I'm sure it will be written off that he served on some USS Enterprise over the last thousand years (maybe even the Enterprise-J), but I still would've liked a more direct mention of the NX-01.
At the wedding, I was confused when Vance greeted Saru as admiral. When did Saru become an admiral? I do wish that Owesekun and Detmer had been at the wedding. I did like the reuniting of Burnham and Book at the wedding.
I think the coda took this episode to another level. It was great seeing glimpses of the future, and I really needed to see that Burnham flashback with most of the old crew just hugging it out. It really gave me a sense of finality, that this journey had come full circle. And it was great seeing elderly Burnham and Book, still together, and happy. And I really enjoyed meeting Leto.
Discovery's final mission didn't make much sense to me. Where was the crew that was supposed to be flying the ship? They could've just had some background people in uniforms, and still kept the focus on Burnham and Zora. Further, why take the "A" off the hull or restore Discovery's original appearance? I get they wanted to set up the "Calypso" short, but it made little sense within the story for them to do this. I am glad that Leto wasn't the captain of Discovery though. I thought doing that would've been too much.
I still enjoyed TNG and DS9's finales more, but I put this over VOY and ENT's finales. As for DISCO finales, I'm still processing, but right now, it's one of the better ones.
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ENT's finale is still the worst in the franchise by a mile.
You have to admit though it was surprising and brave.
None of us here were expecting the moment Riker walks out of the sonic shower and declares the whole show a dream.
If only. 
Well spotted on the Admiral bit. I was still reeling from the "USS Enterprise part".
And yes, it's good to note that Burnham, that has had the most troubled and bumpy childhood, is the only series lead that went on to marry, have kid(s) and stay with that partner for a long time, as far as we currently know.
lol! Don’t be ridiculous
Got the reasoning and the show right, but thought Kovich was Future Guy instead of Daniels 
https://www.trekbbs.com/posts/13808078/
https://www.trekbbs.com/posts/13808078/
I love ENT, I'm dead serious and I'll build a timeshare on this hill.
The USS Enterprise bugged me as well but maybe the NX Enterprise became a USS Enterprise when the Federation was founded.
USS Enterprise NCC-01 perhaps?
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This is probably the series I want to rewatch the least. The finale is OK, but I can’t see myself rewatching it a second time. In that sense, it’s like so much of the series. I am glad they showed the wedding of Saru and T’Rina and gave Burnham a happy ending with her husband and son.
I just don’t get why they didn’t get the actor to play him if it was him. Kovich could have been anyone.Got the reasoning and the show right, but thought Kovich was Future Guy instead of Daniels
https://www.trekbbs.com/posts/13808078/
Good point
For what it's worth the schematics and visual guides for the Fleet Museum in Season 3 of PIC list Archer's NX-01 Refit as "U.S.S. Enterprise NX-01," so it's possible she was given the U.S.S. prefix before she was decommissioned in 2161.
I'm sorry I broke the voting. Voted terrible, when it was far from terrible.
I was going for a 9.
Easily the best episode this season, and it did a wonderful job sending out the crew in a way that was true to the series.
I've loved Commander Rayner this year, he was a great addition to the cast.
The conclusion of the Progenitor story was nicely done, even if it didn't hit the heights of the diplomats trying to communicate with Species-10 for me
T'Rina and Saru looked awesome in the wedding clothes!
I enjoyed seeing the later years of Michael.
I was going for a 9.
Easily the best episode this season, and it did a wonderful job sending out the crew in a way that was true to the series.
I've loved Commander Rayner this year, he was a great addition to the cast.
The conclusion of the Progenitor story was nicely done, even if it didn't hit the heights of the diplomats trying to communicate with Species-10 for me
T'Rina and Saru looked awesome in the wedding clothes!
I enjoyed seeing the later years of Michael.
I don't know if this will amount to a review or more a stream-of-consciousness.
Lesse. Let's start with ... direction. It cannot be overstated how distracting Olatunde Osunsanmi's style is. I'd call it obnoxious.
I found the episode unintentionally funny. I mean, I've joked about Burnham ascending, and we got pretty close here.
I had to pause, facepalm and burst out laughing at Kovich = Daniels. I suppose it's a harmless 'memberberry, and no offense was taken. Still, I had to laugh at the extraneous nature of it. For a moment, I thought he was going to introduce himself as Data.
Saru's "look into my eyes" scene was solid. Doug Jones should be applauded for managing to make a silk purse from a sow's ear season after season.
But please, can someone explain why ... why why WHY the dialogue is *so* painful? Honestly, I spent most of the episode looking at the bottom right corner of the TV; I could barely bring myself to look these actors in the eye as they were compelled to spout what they did. It's all such unrealistic, hyper-sentimental ... blather. I don't ... I *can't* connect with these characters, as none of them sound like real people. Ironic, given the series' fixation on connection.
The one positive takeaway is that the show was given a definitive end, putting to rest any notions of a Disco movie or follow-up in the future.
Other random thoughts:
Also, the final hug-fest on the bridge was an odd choice. I mean, why flashback to the crew in the middle of a red alert?
Either 2 or 2.5 / 5. So I'll go ... 4 / 10.
Tootle pip, Disco. You never failed to disappoint.
What could've been, I wonder?
I *sincerely* hope the only thing Academy has in common with Disco is the time period.
And, just for shits and giggles:
Series Finale rankings:
Lesse. Let's start with ... direction. It cannot be overstated how distracting Olatunde Osunsanmi's style is. I'd call it obnoxious.
I found the episode unintentionally funny. I mean, I've joked about Burnham ascending, and we got pretty close here.
I had to pause, facepalm and burst out laughing at Kovich = Daniels. I suppose it's a harmless 'memberberry, and no offense was taken. Still, I had to laugh at the extraneous nature of it. For a moment, I thought he was going to introduce himself as Data.
Saru's "look into my eyes" scene was solid. Doug Jones should be applauded for managing to make a silk purse from a sow's ear season after season.
But please, can someone explain why ... why why WHY the dialogue is *so* painful? Honestly, I spent most of the episode looking at the bottom right corner of the TV; I could barely bring myself to look these actors in the eye as they were compelled to spout what they did. It's all such unrealistic, hyper-sentimental ... blather. I don't ... I *can't* connect with these characters, as none of them sound like real people. Ironic, given the series' fixation on connection.
The one positive takeaway is that the show was given a definitive end, putting to rest any notions of a Disco movie or follow-up in the future.
Other random thoughts:
- Disco's flame grilled whopper station didn't disappoint. I mean, what's igniting? If it's a safety feature, then perhaps eject the flames somewhere where crewmembers aren't standing right in front of? Maybe?
- Burnham pleading with Moll to stop fighting one another. I could be wrong, but didn't Burnham literally kickstart the fight? At least we got a brief Neo v. Smith style fight out of it - right?
- Oh, which reminds me - another OOO (Olatunde Osunsanmi Observation) - the slow-mo. For dramatic effect of course. I think the first full belly laugh was Burnham's slow-mo build up to the gust of wind boosting her back through the ... er, planet portal thingy. It just looked ... cheap.
- Bit of a Contact rip off, it seems. The Progenitors did not originate the technology - they were merely guardians. On the surface, I feel it adds unnecessary complexity to the simplicity of the story presented in TNG's The Chase. Also, given the supposed age of the technology and the supposed age of the Universe, I don't know how much room there really is for the "countless cycles" alluded to by The Progenitor.
- The coda. I had some small hope for something more human at the end, but cringy, wonky dialogue won the day again.
Also, the final hug-fest on the bridge was an odd choice. I mean, why flashback to the crew in the middle of a red alert?
Either 2 or 2.5 / 5. So I'll go ... 4 / 10.
Tootle pip, Disco. You never failed to disappoint.
What could've been, I wonder?
I *sincerely* hope the only thing Academy has in common with Disco is the time period.
And, just for shits and giggles:
Series Finale rankings:
- All Good Things
- What You Leave Behind
- Endgame
- The Last Generation
- Life, Itself
- Turnabout Intruder (not entirely fair, but it is a bit of a shit episode)
- These Are the Voyages
It's the Shades of Grey of series finales.
I'm sorry I broke the voting. Voted terrible, when it was far from terrible.
I was going for a 9.
Easily the best episode this season, and it did a wonderful job sending out the crew in a way that was true to the series.
I've loved Commander Rayner this year, he was a great addition to the cast.
The conclusion of the Progenitor story was nicely done, even if it didn't hit the heights of the diplomats trying to communicate with Species-10 for me
T'Rina and Saru looked awesome in the wedding clothes!
I enjoyed seeing the later years of Michael.
I agree on Rayner.
I kept being drawn back to comparisons with Lorca with him (as he is very much what Lorca would have been were it not for the MU) and I struggled a bit. But I blubbed when he hugged Michael.
I think seeing older Michael (and I liked how she had her childhood hairstyle again) reminds us how telegenic Sonequa is (that's not a mysogynistic comment - just that she can carry whatever is thrown at her in costume and makeup- even the starfleet prisoner yellow jumpsuit look).
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