Summary
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5 was also its final season and delivered 10 of the best episodes of the series.Discoveryseason 5 wasn’t produced to be the final season, but after Paramount+ chose to end the series, it was fortuitous thatStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5 already felt like a natural conclusion. Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the crew of the USS Discovery asked big, existential questions in pursuit of the ancient treasure of the Progenitors, and many characters' storylines were resolved satisfyingly.
A sequel to theStar Trek: The Next Generationseason 6 episode, “The Chase”,Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5 enjoyed a tonal shift into a quest adventure, as the USS Discovery pursued the literal power of creation via a series of elaborateclues that tested Captain Burnham’s intelligence and heroic qualities.Discoveryseason 5 also introduced instant fan-favorite new characters in First Officer Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) and the villainous couple Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak (Elias Toufexis).Discoveryseason 5 revamped the Breen for the 32nd century and concluded with poignant romance and a flash forward to the ultimate destiny of the USS Discovery.Here’s howStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5’s episodes stack up against each other.
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10"Whistlespeak"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 6
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 6, “Whistlespeak”, isa throwback to a classicStar Trek: The Original Series andStar Trek: The Next Generation-style story. Captain Burnham and Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) infiltrate the planet Halem’no for the fourth Progenitors' treasure clue hidden in a weather tower built byDenobulan scientist Dr. Hitoroshi Creel. Tilly nearly dies in a ritual sacrifice before Burnham reveals herself to be an offworlder, challenging the Halem’nites to balance their religious beliefs with the knowledge they’re not alone in the universe.
Eternal Gallery and Archive
Unknown
Deceased
Written by Kenneth Lyn and Brandon Schutz, and directed by Chris Byrne, “Whistlespeak” was a welcome exploration of a new culture byStar Trek: Discovery. Balancing Tilly and Burnham’s exploits on Halem’no,Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz)struggled with his newfound spiritual awakening, and begins to form a bond with Cleveland Booker (David Ajala). There are more exciting hours of Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5 than the introspective “Whistlespeak”, but it’s also, pleasingly,one of the most fundamentallyStar Trekepisodes ofStar Trek: Discovery.
9"Under The Twin Moons"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 2
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 2, “Under the Twin Moons”, sends Captain Burnham and Captain Saru (Doug Jones) to the planet Lyrek in search of the first Progenitors clue hidden by Romulan scientist Dr. Vellek (Michael Copeman).The array of ancient defensive weapons on the graveyard planet calls back toStar Trek: The Next Generationepisodes like “The Arsenal of Freedom”, and brings out theaction hero in Saru, appropriately dubbing the Kelpien"Action Saru".
The joy of “Under the Twin Moons” is the final team-up of Burnham and Saru.
Written by Alan McElroy and directed by Doug Aarniokoski, “Under the Twin Moons” turns out to be the last hurrah of Saru as a member of the USS Discovery’s crew.Saru becomes a Federation Ambassador inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5and becomes betrothed to hs love, President T’Rina (Tara Rosling). The joy of “Under the Twin Moons” is the finalteam-up of Burnham and Saruas Michael would endStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 2 by naming Commander Rayner as the USS Discovery’s new First Officer.
8"Jinaal"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 3
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 3, “Jinaal” is the series’final voyage to Trillin search of the second Progenitors clue hidden on his homeworld by Trill scientist Dr. Jinaal Bix (Wilson Cruz). As Captain Burnham and Cleveland Booker endure Jinaal’s dangerous test for his clue, Ensign Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) says goodbye to their romance with Gray Tal (Ian Alexander). Meanwhile,Commander Rayner meets with the USS Discovery’s personnel, with discouraging results.
“Jinaal” is a showcase for the talents of Wilson Cruz.
Written by Kyle Jarrow and Lauren Wilkinson, and directed by Andi Armaganian, “Jinaal” is a showcase for the talents of Wilson Cruz, who relishes portraying a character very different from the compassionate Dr. Hugh Culber. Saru also struggles with his new position as Ambassador and learns the perils of mixing politics with his personal life.“Jinaal” has multiple fascinating and entertaining character beatsand deepens the audience’s understanding of severalStar Trek: Discoverycharacters.
7"Erigah"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 7
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 7, “Erigah”, balances the tensions of a captured Moll and L’ak seeking to escape the USS Discovery with the arrival of the Breen, led by Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo), to Federation HQ. Commander Rayner’s revelation of the Breen’s invasion of his Kellerun homeworld turns out to be key in negotiating with the fearsome aliens. However,L’ak tragically dies in an ill-fated attempt to help Moll escape, and Moll, in turn, allies with the Breen to set upStar Trek: Discovery’s endgame.
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 7, “Erigah”, brought back fan-favorite Rachael Ancheril as Commander Nhan.
Written by M. Raven Metzner and directed by Jon Dudkowski, “Erigah” is thefinal appearance of Elias Toufexis as L’ak, who is revealed to be the Breen Scion and crucial to the Breen civil war to determine a new emperor.Both a political thriller and a heartbreaking tragedy for Moll and L’ak’s love story,“Erigah” firmly establishes the Breen as an existential threat to the United Federation of Planets, and one ofStar Trek: Discovery’s best adversaries.
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6"Mirrors"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 5
When Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 5, “Mirrors”, sends Captain Burnham and Cleveland Booker into interdimensional space in pursuit of Moll and L’ak and the third Progenitors clue, they find more than they bargain for - namely theISS Enterprise from the Mirror Universe. “Mirrors” features vital confrontations between Burnham, Book, Moll, and L’ak, establishing exactly what’s at stake for the ill-fated lovers. “Mirrors” also depicts how Moll and L’ak met in intriguingflashbacks that are also a revelatory download of information about the mysterious Breen.
“Mirrors” makes history by establishing L’ak as the first Breen to remove his helmet.
Written by Johanna Le and Carlos Cisco, and directed by Jen McGowan,Star Trek: Discovery’s “Mirrors” cleverly utilizesStar Trek: Strange New Worlds' sets to bring the ISS Enterprise to life, and lays down new canon about the happenings of the 23rd century Mirror Universe. “Mirrors” also makes history by establishing L’ak as the first Breen to remove his helmet, showing us the true face of the aliens, at last. Crucially,Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 5, ingeniouslyholds a mirror up to Burnham and Book, showing that they’re not destined for the same tragic fate as Moll and L’ak.
5"Red Directive"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 1
Star Trek: Discovery’s season 5 premiere, “Red Directive”, sees the USS Discovery team up with Captain Rayner’s USS Antares in pursuit of Moll and L’ak, who seek the ancient technology of the Progenitors. Captain Burnham and Rayner’s uneasy team-up leads them and Cleveland Booker to the desert planet of Q’Mau. Following a thrilling sand bike chase, “Red Directive” culminates with theawesome sight of the USS Discovery and the USS Antares protecting a settlement from an avalanche of sand.
As a Star Trek: Discovery season premiere, the narrative heavy lifting of “Red Directive” feels effortless.
Written byStar Trek: Discoveryshowrunner Michelle Paradise and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi,“Red Directive” masterfully establishes the high stakes ofDiscoveryseason 5and fist-pumpingly weaves in the canon ofStar Trek: The Next Generation,name-dropping Captain Jean-Luc Picard(Patrick Stewart). As aStar Trek: Discoveryseason premiere, the narrative heavy lifting of “Red Directive” feels effortless and propulsively sets the table for the adventures to come inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5.
4"Labyrinths"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 8
For the final clue to the Progenitors' treasure,Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 8, “Labyrinths”, introduces one of the series' most memorable locations: The Eternal Gallery and Archive. When Captain Burnham enters the massive intergalactic library hidden in the dangerous badlands, she becomes trapped in her own mindscape. With an avatar of Cleveland Booker as her guide,Michael must delve into her deepest fears and regrets to prove worthy of the final clueas the Breen seek to destroy the Archive.
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 8, “Labyrinths”, introduces Hy’Rell (Elena Juatco), who is only the third Efrosian (and first female) canonically seen inStar Trek.
Written by Lauren Wilkinson & Eric J. Robbins, and directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, “Labyrinths” is a feast for the eyes, mind, and heart.Burnham’s inner journey showcases a powerhouse performance by Sonequa Martin-Green.Meanwhile, the confrontation with the Breen, withLt. Commander Gen Rhys(Patrick Kwok-Choon) in command of the USS Discovery, ratchets up the tension effectively.Star Trek: Discovery’s voyage to the final clue of season 5 is an all-time great journey within for Captain Burnham.
3"Lagrange Point"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 9
“Lagrange Point” seesStar Trek: Discoverytackling the heist genre with spectacular results.Captain Michael Burnham leads an away team disguised as Breen to infiltrate the Breen dreadnought and steal the portal to the Progenitors' technology. Meanwhile, Commander Rayner takes command of the USS Discovery, which is outmatched by the Breen’s massive starship. Rayner proves exactly why he was once a decorated starship Captain as he executes Burnham’s last-ditch effort to snatch the portal from the Breen.
“Lagrange Point” sets up Moll and Captain Burnam as the ultimate competitors for the Progenitors' technology.
Written by Sean Cochran and Ari Friedman, and the finalStar Trek: Discoveryepisode directed by Jonathan Frakes, “Lagrange Point” sets up Moll and Captain Burnam as the ultimate competitors for the Progenitors' technology, and it also marks the welcome return of Ambassador Saru, who was absent from severalStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5 episodes.“Lagrange Point” is a fantastic infiltration gambit containing action, tension, and even a pleasing amount of humor, and is a top-tier hour ofStar Trek: Discovery.
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2"Face The Strange"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 4
When Moll plants aKrenim time bugaboard the USS Discovery,Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 4, “Face the Strange”, sends Captain Burnham, Commander Rayner, and Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) careening through the USS Discovery’s past and future. “Face the Strange” is the first real test of Burnham and Rayner as Captain and First Officer, and they establish trust as they work together to solve their temporal dilemma.“Face the Strange” evocatively touches upon several importantStar Trek: Discoverymilestones to show how far the series has come.
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 4 teased the possible future for Zora (Annabelle Wallis) seen inStar Trek: Short Treks' “Calypso”, foreshadowing what was to come inDiscovery’s series finale epilogue.
Written by Sean Cochran and directed by Lee Rose, “Face the Strange” joyfully calls back to crucial characters and events throughoutStar Trek: Discovery, like the lateLt. Commander Airiam(Hannah Cheesman). Best of all, Captain Burnham confronts her past self from season 1,making it clear just how much Michael has bettered herself throughoutStar Trek: Discovery’s 5 seasons.“Face the Strange” is a rip-roaring and deeply satisfyingStar Trek: Discoverytime travel yarn, and it’s one of the best episodes of the series.
1"Life, Itself"
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 10
Star Trek: Discovery’s series finale, “Life, Itself”, is filled with vaulting ambition, and meets it in grand fashion. “Life, Itself” concludes Captain Burnham’s quest for the power of creation as she outclasses Moll to access the Progenitors' technology. Meanwhile, theUSS Discovery beats the Breenwith the help of Ambassador Saru. Matching its awe-inspiring revelations and emotional high-points,Star Trek: Discovery’s series finale has multiple touching endings, including the reveal of Dr. Kovich’s (David Cronenberg) true identity, the wedding of Saru and T’Rina, and the romantic reunion of Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker.
Captain Burnham chooses to banish the power of creation in a decision that’s a bit pat and too abrupt, but ultimately feels right.
Written by Kyle Jarrow and Michelle Paradise, and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, “Life, Itself” delivered on the awe and wonder the hunt for the Progenitors demanded. To wrap upStar Trek: Discovery, the finale’s resonant coda flashes forward 30+ years to show an elderlyAdmiral Burnham and Cleveland Bookerhad a happy life together before Michael sends the USS Discovery on its final destiny, synching the saga up withStar Trek: Short Treks' “Calypso”. Filled with grandeur, heart, and as a celebration ofStar Trek: Discovery’s characters,“Life, Itself” is one of the best series finales inStar Trek, and an evocative and worthy ending toStar Trek: Discovery.
