Saints of Imperfection
I really, really enjoyed this episode!
This episode had a really good structure: While the last episode was a bit over the place with it's different story-arcs, this one had a very clear main story, and all the side-stories were clearly integrated and in service to this one. Very well done! I'm going to comment on each of the plotines individually a bit:
A-plot: The journey to Mycelial Network
This plot had a lot of things going for it, but the two major things standing out are:
- It was fucking bonkers. A bit scary. And weird. Always a plus in my books
- It was a premise unique to the show - only DIS could have pulled this story off, because it was built on the specific premise of the show
That's how it's supposed to be done! Last weeks red blob (which I also liked) could have happened to any other Trek crew on any show. The journey into the mycelial network? This could have only happened on DIS. I still don't really
like the idea of the universe-spanning subspace mushroom. But once the show already established that - it's great to follow up on that in such a unique manner!
I loved the journey into the weird world. Tilly and her friend had
great chemistry, the "away mission" to save her was the type of stuff I love Trek for, the Discovery being half-sunk into it was a great visual, and it was all around just the right mixture of fun, weird, exciting, scary and surprising. Thumbs up!
Culberts return
I... actually don't really care for Culbert? Like, I'm always not a fan of bringing dead characters back - I
hated how it was done in Into Darkness and Transformers 2 (the previous two times Alex Kurtzman did it). Hell, I wasn't even too keen on bringing Nimoy-Spock back in "The Search for Spock".!
But:
As much as in TSFS - this was a
good way to bring a character back. It was so unique to the premise, such a spectacularly unique one-time event, that it's absolutely impossible to replicate it for all the other dead characters. Especially if (as hopefully) the door to the mycelial network will be closed one time for good in or after the series. So while I'm not too keen about bringing Culberts back personally - the way
how they did it was absolutely good.
Section 31
That's the main concern in this episode - I really hate the basic premise, but the execution has been fine this episode. It's obvious - at this point, for the writers - S31 is not the secret Cabal it was originally envisioned as, but a completely legit (if shady) intelligence agency. Like S.H.I.E.L.D over at Marvel, or James Bond's or Jack Bauer's division.
As such - a known, shady intelligence service - it was actually really well integrated into the main storyline. I like having help from a ship of a completely different division, not just only always another Starfleet ship. And, actually, I think the relationship between Pike and Leeland was kinda' great. I just have
tremendous difficulties accepting MU Georgiou. Hadn't they depicted her as a cannibal and commiting mass-murder and genocide - I would have absolutely loved her appereance here!
As is - there is just too much off about the characters and concept in general to take it really serious. I really,
really don't want to see her having her own show. But at this point, I'd actually don't really mind her continuing to appear on this one.
Other little nuggets I liked:
- The pinky-promise between Tilly and the spore creature
- Admiral Cornwell! Actually, the whole exchange between the three of them. Leeland: "Except if you like Georgiou" Both Cornwell and Pike at the same time: "No"
- The teaser for the next episode looks fucking fantastic! With completely new, unique and fucking cool ship- and alien design, and a great premise!
Nitpicks I didn't like:
- The Burnham speeches are back. I think they are faaar to self-indulgend and self-important. At this point, I'd prefer the good old loogbook entries back. Or at least turn down the drama a notch down
- So, uuuh, Culbert killed a tons of innocent aliens? Yikes.
- The endless teases for the search for Spock: At this point, I'm as uninterested in this arc as the Klingon war arc in the first season (though I don't loathe it as much as the MU arc)
- Also, I had hoped the Tilly-subplot would have been connected with the main plot of the red angels. Sadly, it was not, so far just two plots running concurrently. Not bad, but a bit disappointing
Final words:
Overall, I really liked it. Hell, I liked most of S2 so far! It really felt like S3 of ENT - a big step up in their game! More focused storytelling, and especially covering more new ground that's unique to the respective series!
Final grade:
Right now I'm swaying between 8/10 and 9/10. I think I'll decide after I had more time to think about the individual episode, and maybe see how this episode integrates itself into the larger arc(s).
