What an amazing conclusion to a largely successful season two, especially given the creative differences at the outset that necessitated a shakeup at show-runner position, and apparently an abandonment of a potentially very interesting God versus Science angle. I remember being intrigued by Pike's biblical references and religious upbringing, by his referring to himself as being "provincial". I'll always wonder what might have been...
But the show did recover in my opinion, delivering a highly entertaining story with astounding special effects, top-notch production values, mostly excellent directing and refreshing camaraderie among the crew. The writing was rather straightforward and ordinary, and lacked the aforementioned promising juxtaposition between faith and knowledge, which I so loved about DS9 and the wormhole aliens, nonlinear time, etc. aspect. But classic Trek tenets of inclusiveness, family, bravery, loss, needs of the many, etc., were all there and covered, and emotionally satisfying, and that excuses a lot about the lack of complexity or "high concept" ideas and debate.
Random:
--Loved that "can't defy the basic laws of physics so--NO" quip, sort of the anti-Scotty response and great reaction shot by Burnham. "Get off my ass--SIR!" Hope the character returns...
--Pau sideways eyeblink--cool! Star Wars-ish repair bots--not so much!

--I noticed that Peck the actor had trouble with the Vulcan salute...
--Number One SMOLDERS and is such a smart ass... Me likey!
--Control: "Women stop talking!"

--Tilly and beer...
--Spock voice over toward the end was almost pitch-perfect delivery.
Okay, rounding up has to be a 10, especially given what could have gone horribly wrong after the creative shakeup to kick off the season. Let's hope the team adds a few writers who can create a more mentally fascinating and novel story line for season 3. 950 years in the future from a time where warp speed and molecular disassembly and reassembly are possible is going to pose a real challenge I hope Kurzmann and company are up to.