Yet another fine, but not spectacular episode. The discovery writers clearly just spinning their wheels in an attempt to delay the endgame of the season. So the question we need to ask ourselves is if it's worthwhile.
Generally speaking, I found the A plot of this episode - the crossing of the galactic barrier - to be weaker.
There were aspects of it I liked. As much as I have complained about the lack of tension in recent episodes, the decision to put an end to the cattiness between Michael and President Rillak was the right one, as it signaled growth on the part of both characters. I also think actually making the DMA a tangible threat again (even if it happened offscreen) was needed in order to have some urgency. We know that Earth/Ni'Var probably won't be destroyed, but it's not about our reaction, it's about that of the characters. And the "debate" between Rillak and Michael regarding whether to tell the crew or not was well-played and mature, as there were merits to both sides.
But the tension around - and the time taken - to actually cross the barrier was unconvincing and unneeded. We know as viewers they're going to make it, so the threat is more about what it reveals regarding the characters. In this case, it didn't reveal much because everyone was too busy reacting and spitting out technobabble. More broadly I just cannot stand the way Discovery does expository dialogue, and there's just way too much telling instead of showing here, from the opening conference room shot (really, a conference room?) to every cutback to the bridge.
But the B plot with Tarka and his...erm..."friend" was compelling stuff. Honestly, maybe the first time since Forget Me Not that I've been surprised in a good way by story turn in Discovery. Like that episode it's a love story between two characters - one we just met, and the other we barely know. While this episode doesn't make it 100% crystal clear that Tarka and dude had a romantic relationship, there can be no doubt that it's a deep and abiding love - one which is still felt so strongly for Tarka he's willing to do anything to be reunited. While the whole setup is something we've seen many times before, it makes him a much better, and more understandable, antagonist. I wish the entire episode was from his POV in some ways. Now this is how to waste time in style!
Looping back to odds and ends, The Saru/T'Rina stuff...developed a tiny bit I guess? Saru's awkwardness is cute, but they're really stringing us along here. And Adira is back, though they had no story purpose here other than to inform us they're totally fine with their boyfriend being written off the show. I don't mind this stuff - I used to love "Piller filler" back in the day after all. But at the same time I have to note that pretty much all the supporting cast gets now is filler scenes (and occasional technobabble in the case of Stamets).
