Here's a poll. would love to know your thoughts
Poll Top 5 episodes of the Season
- Thread starter mattman8907
- Start date
My opinion will greatly deviate in some cases. Where it does, I'll explain why before someone asks, "How can you choose that?"
"Point of Light" --> I like the Klingons, so shoot me.
"Saints of Imperfection"
"If Memory Serves"
"Project Daedalus"
"Perpetual Infinity" --> If you didn't lose a parent at a young age, you're not going to get out of this what I did.
"Point of Light" --> I like the Klingons, so shoot me.
"Saints of Imperfection"
"If Memory Serves"
"Project Daedalus"
"Perpetual Infinity" --> If you didn't lose a parent at a young age, you're not going to get out of this what I did.
This is really hard. I really like the finale, but I'm going to go with the variety pack that I'd probably pick if I were randomly rewatching:
"If Memory Serves": This may be one of my favorite hours of Star Trek is a long time. Just a gorgeous episode in every way.
"Project Daedalus": It's a testament to this episode that Airiam emerges as such a strong character, and the episode as a whole tells an eerie and creepy story.
"Brother": A juggernaut out of the gate. Action-forward Trek.
"New Eden": A small story, but a lovely and contemplative one with a fantastic final sequence between Pike and Jacob.
"Perpetual Infinity": Such a powerful story and quite an affecting one, I thought.
"If Memory Serves": This may be one of my favorite hours of Star Trek is a long time. Just a gorgeous episode in every way.
"Project Daedalus": It's a testament to this episode that Airiam emerges as such a strong character, and the episode as a whole tells an eerie and creepy story.
"Brother": A juggernaut out of the gate. Action-forward Trek.
"New Eden": A small story, but a lovely and contemplative one with a fantastic final sequence between Pike and Jacob.
"Perpetual Infinity": Such a powerful story and quite an affecting one, I thought.
brother - great energy, nice refreshed tone and visuals, closest we've ever gotten to star trek (2009) the TV show and that's a good thing in my book
new eden - quintessential star trek episode, or as close it comes on discovery
such sweet sorrow part 2 - impressive extended battle scene, tons of pathos and action and not much else
through the valley of shadows - i loved the klingon monks and the use of pike's vision of the future is the best discovery has ever used its nature as a prequel to further the story and add nuance to existing characters
obol for charon - another quintessential star trek story, but it had the balls to change saru's character fundamentally
new eden - quintessential star trek episode, or as close it comes on discovery
such sweet sorrow part 2 - impressive extended battle scene, tons of pathos and action and not much else
through the valley of shadows - i loved the klingon monks and the use of pike's vision of the future is the best discovery has ever used its nature as a prequel to further the story and add nuance to existing characters
obol for charon - another quintessential star trek story, but it had the balls to change saru's character fundamentally
New Eden, Obol for Charon, Sounds of Thunder, If Memory Serves, Project Daedalus. Real showcases of how good this show is capable of being. More of this, please and thank you.
Of the last five, only Through the Valley of Shadows is really of this kind of quality. A shame.
Of the last five, only Through the Valley of Shadows is really of this kind of quality. A shame.
2x01 - Brother: One of the best season openers since DS9 in my opinion. It basically felt like what a 21st century Star Trek movie should be, a perfect action-adventure piece to set up the seasonal arc. It had just the right mix of humor, thrilling action, mystery and character drama, and was also the best imaginable introduction to Pike's character.
2x04 - An Obol for Charon: One of the best of DSC ever, what at first seemed like a revisit of the classic man against the machine plot akin to TNG's Contagion, DS9's Civil Defense or Voyager's Worst Case Scenario turned out to be an intriguing and surprisingly uplifting, true sci-fi story about the Sphere wishing its life's work to go on. The episode caused me my first tears shed in the season, at the conclusion of Saru's plot and at the Sphere's self-sacrifice. Not to mention Tilly. She was an absolute delight in this one (and the next one as well - these two were easily Mary Wiseman's best of the season), and she broke my heart with Space Oddity.
2x08 - If Memory Serves: It was a perfect homage to The Cage. It started with that beautiful recap which ended with that insanely powerful, brilliant cut from Jeffrey Hunter to Anson Mount with the same expression on their faces, and it just went way up from there. I can't find any problems with this episode even if I tried.
2x09 - Project Daedalus: I liked it much more than Frakes' other direction in the season; it felt more mature, collected and professional than the first seven episodes. I know many felt the focus on Airiam was rushed and undeserved, but for me it built her up perfectly to the point I actually cried for her at the end. This was also the episode where I finally realized how much I identified with Burnham, after already finding her very relatable in her interactions with Spock. Their heated argument in the middle of the episode, especially Spock's scathing criticism of Burnham's chronic hero syndrome and ingrained self-blame was a cathartic strong point in her arc.
2x13 - Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 1: A beautiful and strong build-up to the finale. Not only did it feature a gorgeous Enterprise that felt like coming home and a wonderful return for Tilly after being reduced to a gimmick in the second half of the season, it had many beautiful emotional moments centering on the others' decision to go with Burnham, Pike's final address to the crew and their farewells to their families. The whole episode was one uninterrupted moment of tense, excited anticipation for the finale. In retrospect, I had to coclude I actually liked it better than the finale itself... If Parts 1 and 2 were considered one episode though, I would include them together.
2x04 - An Obol for Charon: One of the best of DSC ever, what at first seemed like a revisit of the classic man against the machine plot akin to TNG's Contagion, DS9's Civil Defense or Voyager's Worst Case Scenario turned out to be an intriguing and surprisingly uplifting, true sci-fi story about the Sphere wishing its life's work to go on. The episode caused me my first tears shed in the season, at the conclusion of Saru's plot and at the Sphere's self-sacrifice. Not to mention Tilly. She was an absolute delight in this one (and the next one as well - these two were easily Mary Wiseman's best of the season), and she broke my heart with Space Oddity.
2x08 - If Memory Serves: It was a perfect homage to The Cage. It started with that beautiful recap which ended with that insanely powerful, brilliant cut from Jeffrey Hunter to Anson Mount with the same expression on their faces, and it just went way up from there. I can't find any problems with this episode even if I tried.
2x09 - Project Daedalus: I liked it much more than Frakes' other direction in the season; it felt more mature, collected and professional than the first seven episodes. I know many felt the focus on Airiam was rushed and undeserved, but for me it built her up perfectly to the point I actually cried for her at the end. This was also the episode where I finally realized how much I identified with Burnham, after already finding her very relatable in her interactions with Spock. Their heated argument in the middle of the episode, especially Spock's scathing criticism of Burnham's chronic hero syndrome and ingrained self-blame was a cathartic strong point in her arc.
2x13 - Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 1: A beautiful and strong build-up to the finale. Not only did it feature a gorgeous Enterprise that felt like coming home and a wonderful return for Tilly after being reduced to a gimmick in the second half of the season, it had many beautiful emotional moments centering on the others' decision to go with Burnham, Pike's final address to the crew and their farewells to their families. The whole episode was one uninterrupted moment of tense, excited anticipation for the finale. In retrospect, I had to coclude I actually liked it better than the finale itself... If Parts 1 and 2 were considered one episode though, I would include them together.
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My own two cents:
If Memory Serves - Only near-perfect episode this season - beats out best of Season 1.
An Obol for Charon - Classic Trek story with great character focus for Saru. The unearned intimacy between Burnham and Saru did irk me a bit though.
New Eden - Another classic Trek tale. I thought the story and acting was very good, though some of the directing choices were odd and impinged on my enjoyment
Brother - Straight-ahead, competent action adventure
Project Daedalus - A good episode which was only slightly marred by the showrunners not giving Airiam a speck of development up until this time.
I think The Sound of Thunder would have been next on my list, then Through the Valley of Shadows.
If Memory Serves - Only near-perfect episode this season - beats out best of Season 1.
An Obol for Charon - Classic Trek story with great character focus for Saru. The unearned intimacy between Burnham and Saru did irk me a bit though.
New Eden - Another classic Trek tale. I thought the story and acting was very good, though some of the directing choices were odd and impinged on my enjoyment
Brother - Straight-ahead, competent action adventure
Project Daedalus - A good episode which was only slightly marred by the showrunners not giving Airiam a speck of development up until this time.
I think The Sound of Thunder would have been next on my list, then Through the Valley of Shadows.
Brother: Season 2 began like a bullet fired out of a gun. It never slowed down. This was going to be season 2's pace, like it or hate it. I liked it. A lot. We have no captain but Pike.
New Eden: A Star Treky Star Trek episode, and well done. I think this is going to be one of the most re-watchable Disco episodes.
An Obol for Charon: At this point just start copying @eschaton 's comments for mine.
If Memory Serves: One of my top star trek episodes. I don't know if it will stay that way. I'm awful with lists, but so far it's sticking.
Such Sweet Sorrow part 2: I would include part 1 in this also as they're really one episode but unable to, part 2 was a very daring episode in pushing beyond where star trek has been before but also concluding matters with Pike and his crew as well (but leaving, I think almost everyone wanting more of Pike and his crew and the beautiful Enterprise) . Outstanding performance between Peck and SMG, and again , Wilson Cruz makes his brief time on screen more memorable than the time allotted.
New Eden: A Star Treky Star Trek episode, and well done. I think this is going to be one of the most re-watchable Disco episodes.
An Obol for Charon: At this point just start copying @eschaton 's comments for mine.
If Memory Serves: One of my top star trek episodes. I don't know if it will stay that way. I'm awful with lists, but so far it's sticking.
Such Sweet Sorrow part 2: I would include part 1 in this also as they're really one episode but unable to, part 2 was a very daring episode in pushing beyond where star trek has been before but also concluding matters with Pike and his crew as well (but leaving, I think almost everyone wanting more of Pike and his crew and the beautiful Enterprise) . Outstanding performance between Peck and SMG, and again , Wilson Cruz makes his brief time on screen more memorable than the time allotted.
New Eden - Good Star Trek story, debate between Burnham and Pike about faith and then about the Prime Directive is great, bridge crew get something to do with Owo on the landing team and the rest getting good screentime on the ship
An Obol for Charon - Sphere creature is interesting, good focus on Saru, standard "it was actually trying to communicate all along" twist is standard and predictable but well-done
Saints of Imperfection - The Network is cool, May is a fun character, the slowly-advancing wall of death stuff on the bridge makes me laugh for the same reason the ridiculous Baryon sweep in TNG does
The Sound of Thunder - Plot goes a bit stupid after they board the Ba'ul ship, but everything up until then is good and the Ba'ul-Kelpien dynamic is an interesting one. The resolution is completely terrible, though
If Memory Serves - I think everyone agrees this is good
An Obol for Charon - Sphere creature is interesting, good focus on Saru, standard "it was actually trying to communicate all along" twist is standard and predictable but well-done
Saints of Imperfection - The Network is cool, May is a fun character, the slowly-advancing wall of death stuff on the bridge makes me laugh for the same reason the ridiculous Baryon sweep in TNG does
The Sound of Thunder - Plot goes a bit stupid after they board the Ba'ul ship, but everything up until then is good and the Ba'ul-Kelpien dynamic is an interesting one. The resolution is completely terrible, though
If Memory Serves - I think everyone agrees this is good
It's not an outstanding episode or anything, but it brushes on interesting material regarding religion, the Prime Directive, Pike's own religious beliefs (which never really got followed up on), a bit of worldbuilding for 23rd-century Earth (Owo grew up in a small low-tech community), and so on. It's more the outline of a great episode than an actual great episode, but that's still not bad.
I think some of the warmth people have for it is to do with watching the show as it aired, too. Brother suggested a "course-correction" from season one, and New Eden came along to really reinforce that idea and promised a grand return to the tone and style of classic Star Trek, whether people feel that was subsequently followed up on or otherwise. And after a season of fighting Klingons and blowing up Mirror Universe ships and shooting at everything, it was fantastic to have an episode where the ultimate goal was to rescue a community of people from destruction.
Brother
New Eden
An Obol for Charon
Sound of Thunder
If Memory Serves
New Eden
An Obol for Charon
Sound of Thunder
If Memory Serves
I thought Martin-Green did a beautiful acting job on this one (yes I lost a parent fairly young), but the rest of it was just 'bleh'.
That seems about right. I think I possibly didn't like it as much because it seemed like a return to a tone and tropes that Trek has done a lot, and it reminded me of what I was afraid Discovery was going to be initially, namely something so on-brand that it was a little boring. Thankfully they ramped things back up again, at least for me.
Unlike TOS, I can't simply look at an episode title and remember enough about it to revue or rank from memory.
I'll have to watch all the episodes at least once more, maybe even a lot more.
I did enjoy the finale more than all the other episodes.
I'll have to watch all the episodes at least once more, maybe even a lot more.
I did enjoy the finale more than all the other episodes.
Brother - a wonderful open to the season, which managed to wet my appetite from the get-go.
An Obol for Charon - they really had me all caught up into the Saru drama. I was fairly sure that he would be fine the end of the episode, but they really made me tense in the meantime. The plot about the sphere data was very refreshing. Saru's physical change led nicely into...
The Sound of Thunder - more Saru! He really was the most improved character thus year, I love him so much. Seeing his sister was heartbreaking, and seeing him and his race finally take their rightful spot in the planet's hierarchy was good to watch.
If Memory Serves - probably my favourite episode of Discovery so far. It was a wonderful homage to The Cage, and seeing Gina and the Talosians after so long was so exciting. I was also enjoyed that they didn't end the episode with a fight or something, but with an old-school Talosian fake-out.
Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 - wow! This really took my breath away. On a visual level, it was cinematic. I think some of the Red Angel arc plot points had lost their way towards the end of the season, but the way everything ended made a nice, logical circle for Burnham. I loved seeing the Klingons and the Kelpians come to the rescue, as well as Burnham 2001-ing to the different times and places that the Red Angel had already been earlier this season (and in the past).
I think I wish that Such Sweet Sorrow had all been edited into one episode, maybe 90 minutes? If it had all aired in one go, I might have liked part 1 a bit more. It feels like disconnected setup, though I guess when I come round to rewatch, things will flow a little better.
An Obol for Charon - they really had me all caught up into the Saru drama. I was fairly sure that he would be fine the end of the episode, but they really made me tense in the meantime. The plot about the sphere data was very refreshing. Saru's physical change led nicely into...
The Sound of Thunder - more Saru! He really was the most improved character thus year, I love him so much. Seeing his sister was heartbreaking, and seeing him and his race finally take their rightful spot in the planet's hierarchy was good to watch.
If Memory Serves - probably my favourite episode of Discovery so far. It was a wonderful homage to The Cage, and seeing Gina and the Talosians after so long was so exciting. I was also enjoyed that they didn't end the episode with a fight or something, but with an old-school Talosian fake-out.
Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 - wow! This really took my breath away. On a visual level, it was cinematic. I think some of the Red Angel arc plot points had lost their way towards the end of the season, but the way everything ended made a nice, logical circle for Burnham. I loved seeing the Klingons and the Kelpians come to the rescue, as well as Burnham 2001-ing to the different times and places that the Red Angel had already been earlier this season (and in the past).
I think I wish that Such Sweet Sorrow had all been edited into one episode, maybe 90 minutes? If it had all aired in one go, I might have liked part 1 a bit more. It feels like disconnected setup, though I guess when I come round to rewatch, things will flow a little better.
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