Spoilers Star Trek: Discovery 4x12 - "Species 10-C"

[ananta]

Wow, I loved this episode. It confirmed my feeling that this season is perhaps the most “Star Trek” Star Trek has been in many years. It reminds me in spirit of TMP, my favourite Star Trek film—and perhaps the purest distillation we ever got of Roddenberry’s ideals. It has shared TMP’s pacing problems, too, but depending on how well the final episode holds up, I think people may look back on this season as a triumph and possibly DSC’s finest.

The way they handled 10C so far has wildly exceeded my expectations (remember the other week when people conjectured that 10C were the same species as Tarka’s friend?). This felt like hard sci-fi which is something surprisingly rare on Trek. It was intelligently done and captivated me throughout.

I don’t mind Tarka because he’s at least not a standard Trek villain hellbent on REVENNNGE (looking at you, Trek movies), but has a more interesting motivation. He is a real dick, to be sure, but, frankly, I so are a lot of people when facing an immense threat. The way so many people have reacted to the stress of the pandemic the past two years confirms that: rational thinking goes out the window and people often react in truly stupid, shortsighted and harmful ways. That doesn’t make them evil necessarily; just human. I’m just grateful, however, that Book has finally woken up because the past few episodes I’ve been questioning his gullibility.

Reno was a blast; I really wish there was some way Tig Notaro could join the main cast and be in every damn episode. The show needs someone with her acerbic wit. The Burnham/Saru screaming scene could have misfired badly, but I actually found it kind of delightful, mainly because of how well the actors sell their friendship. I think I need to scream more often…

Really fascinated to see how they tie this up (and a little nervous).

 

[fireproof78]

A species capable of traversting incredible distances like the 10cc without even the slightest clue there might be other types of being out there (wait till they get a view of the Crystalline entity or the Tholians) makes them seem more stupid on a functional level then the Pakleds.

It's not that they consider other types of life; it's that they may not regard it as important. To quote Loki "An ant has no quarrel with a boot."

 

[Noname Given]

A 9.

I liked this one a lot - and someone on the writing staff clearly saw the feature film Arrival

Also, I felt the speed at which they are able to understand the 'language' of the 10-C was a bit fast; but yeah, to 'draw it out' would make for a very boring string of episodes.

My only big complaint was the ridiculous Screaming scene between Michael and Saru - but I guess the writing staff felt Burhan wasn't 'emotional enough' in the rest of the episode. Sorry, I just thought it was pointless.

 

[XCV330]

It's not that they consider other types of life; it's that they may not regard it as important. To quote Loki "An ant has no quarrel with a boot."

Which again, considering they destroying entire biospheres wholesale, sentient or not, makes them irresponsible at best, monstrous at most. Even NASA has been autoclaving Mars lander compinents before launch since the 70's partly to be sure we did not cross contaminate any microorganisms that might be alive there.

 

[Saul]

Good episode.

 

[fireproof78]

Which again, considering they destroying entire biospheres wholesale, sentient or not, makes them irresponsible at best, monstrous at most. Even NASA has been autoclaving Mars lander compinents before launch since the 70's partly to be sure we did not cross contaminate any microorganisms that might be alive there.

So, like the whale probe people?

 

[XCV330]

So, like the whale probe people?

yep. I almost expected to see them in this episode.

 

[Finn]

I think we need a new prequel show, with Reno fresh out of the academy, driving her superiors crazy.

 

[Vger23]

This was a really good episode. Many people have pointed out that it's a riff on "Arrival"...but hey, it's a darn good one, and that's what matters most.

This season (still one episode left, I get it) has been quite a ride. It's the most consistent season of DSC we've had yet, but it's also the safest and therefore lacks the greatness that S1 and S2 achieved at times. Almost every episode was a 7 for me...with a few 8's stretching the upper end. For me, a "7" (because I love Star Trek in general and I am a DSC fan to be sure) is probably most people's "5"...meaning it's an average hour of entertaining television...nothing great, but nothing bad.

One of the things I like about this season is Tarka. He kind of reminds me of a Sybok-style antagonist...he's not really a "bad guy," he's really just trying to do what he thinks is right, but he's using extreme methods under the guise of "the greater good." I find him to be one of the richest antagonists we've gotten in the post-Berman Star Trek era. I know a lot of people get frustrated with the pace...that honestly doesn't bother me. I'm a big fan of slow-burn stories...so I'm ok with it. I do agree with people that the constant assault of emotions and therapeutic catharsis we are witness to can get a little grating...but that's just the show and what it's evolved into thematically. It is what it is at this point.

I thnk DSC needs to do a better job with integrating the main characters usefully. This has, quite honestly, been a problem since S1 ended. The screentime that most of the main characters (Saru, Tilley for a while, Culber, Stamets) seems more manufactured rather than an organic thing with the story. I still think it's the effect of having written this cast of characters explicitly for the needs of S1, and when that season ended and the series went into a different direction, it was very difficult to figure out how to fit everyone in.

Anyway, I give this episode an 8. Lots of great sci-fi fun and mystery....good tension....lots of fun. It's one of the better offerings of the season....but not particularly remarkable...just really good.

I'll reserve judgement after next week's episode...but this season is one I've enjoyed more than S3, but less than 1 and 2.

 

[The Knappos]

Meh. Arrival did Arrival better.

 

[Sakonna]

One other issue I have...I'm fine with Book not getting out alive, but most scenarios where he has a heroic sacrifice will now kill Reno as well...and I don't want that.

Mark my words, if it's a Book death next week, his last act will be getting Reno back to Discovery. Some technobabble solution that they can only make one transport, or one person has to stay behind on the ship for whatever reason while it's climatically destroyed.

 

[Uhura's Song]

Put me in the camp that enjoyed the Arrival portions of the episode alot, though there were some silly suggestions (do they know we are sentinent, etc).

I also think it strains credulity beyond breaking that no ine noticed Reno was missing for HOURS. I mean, it is a critical mission. Engineering is essential for it (and not that big). When looking for someone, all you have to do is ask Zora. Or someone else in engineering, to find her. That is weak as hell.

As is the Tarka, "we must attack now and cannot wait" BS. Especially from N'Doye (or whatever stupid Earth chick's name is).

It had the bones of a great episode, but plotholes take it down to a 7-8. And I am also annoyed at how we must, even with time sensitive missions, take a TO to get all touchy-feely every friggin' week. I screamed, too. It did not help much.

Still, one of the better episodes of the year.

 

[eschaton]

I thnk DSC needs to do a better job with integrating the main characters usefully. This has, quite honestly, been a problem since S1 ended. The screentime that most of the main characters (Saru, Tilley for a while, Culber, Stamets) seems more manufactured rather than an organic thing with the story. I still think it's the effect of having written this cast of characters explicitly for the needs of S1, and when that season ended and the series went into a different direction, it was very difficult to figure out how to fit everyone in

I think the writers need to map out compelling character arcs for all of the mains, not just Michael, next season.

I mean, let's try and summarize what's happened with each of them:

• Saru hung around being helpful as a "captain without portfolio" then realized he liked a girl and asked her out, and is now being emo about not knowing how she feels.
• Tilly actually got a decent character arc in the first four episodes, realizing "something was wrong" and then doing something about it. But she's gone so **shrug**
• Stamets spits out technobabble, pretends to be Adira's dad, and has loving scenes with Culber. Which is exactly what he did last season. The writers idiotically had him get over his anger/resentment with Michael off camera, when that could have been an interesting arc this season.
• Culber gets more screen time than ever, but in his weird new role as ship's counselor, he's mostly just a sounding board for others. When he's not, he's takes the initiative, and decides to be the emo one instead. But there's not much in the sense of forward movement from him - not much different from last season.

They could have done so much better with all four of them. Hell, I think if they gave each a character arc (not character "moments" - they aren't the same thing!) there would be a lot less complaints about the slow pace of the season.

 

[Quinn]

I want to LOVE this episode (Im not there), but at its heart, its one of the most "Trek" stories we have seen in a very long, long time.

I definitely agree that it’s one of the most quintessentially Trek stories we’ve seen in a good minute

 

[Uhura's Song]

Oh, I have to mention the fact that Book is essentially the Dread Pirate Roberts in reverse?

 

[XCV330]

Maybe book gets to go to that fabled perfect reality and Tarka winds up denied what he wanted

 

[Turtletrekker]

I think Book is going to go down on the same page as the likes of Dave Bailey, Willard Decker and Tam Elbrun.

His empathic powers will be key communicating with the 10C, and they will come to common ground over their mutual shared loss. Book will stay behind and become an ambassador to the 10C, engaging in a cultural exchange.

 

[shapeshifter]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH! Ok. That's better.

8.9 Nuff said. Peace!

Edit to correct rating to match vote.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Good episode. It should have been episode 4 of the season tho, it took us FAR too long to get here.

 

[IMC Headquarters]

Meanwhile, Gul Madred gazes at 10-C's light display wondrously...

I am thrilled they finally gave Reno some lines other than her brilliant snarky zingers. Her story about her late wife was moving and insightful. And her engineering expertise was also on full display, and delivered with uncharacteristic gravity. So wonderful to see. And I love how she discreetly scrutinized Tarka's work and played the unwitting Book.