TV Review | Star Trek: Discovery (S5:E5-Mirrors) - Future of the Force (2024)

The crew of the U.S.S Discovery come across a familiar Starship in the mid-season episode of Star Trek: Discovery Season 5.

We have reached the mid-season point of the final series of Star Trek: Discovery with this week’s fifth episode. After the events of last week and the time bug that affected the ship, this week sees us return to the whole crew being involved in the events. We get the return of Moll and L’ak as can be expected. But we also get to see into the pasts of the two ‘villains’. We see how they met, how their relationship developed, and why they are chasing the technology. All is wrapped up in an exciting episode that also brings some much-needed emotion to the season. Plus, we get to see the return of a familiar Starship that will bring a smile to the faces of the fans.

PREMISE

Captain Burnham and Book journey into extradimensional space in search of the next clue to the location of the Progenitors’ power. Meanwhile, Rayner navigates his first mission in command of the U.S.S. Discovery, and Culber opens up to Tilly.

THOUGHTS

The episode is a hugely enjoyable one from the start. With the mystery of what happened last week still fresh in our minds, this week takes the lead and throws us headlong into the action. Events that we saw last week are referenced as we take a journey literally into the wormhole. While the Discovery has to sit outside, being too large to fit into the wormhole, it is left to Burnham and Book to lead the mission. Rayner gets the chance to be an acting captain again with some unexpected results. While Moll and L’ak are in need of help themselves inside the wormhole.

The interactions between Burnham, Book, Moll and L’ak lead to some emotional scenes and leave us feeling warmer towards the pair. Instead of being token villains, just doing what they’re doing for nefarious reasons, we get the background of the pair, making us understand them better. Of course, they won’t be sitting around having drinks with the Discovery crew by the finale, but we get the feeling that they ain’t all bad. We could even say we like L’ak by the end of the episode. Moll, however, we can go either way. The emotion and enjoyment the episode brings to the table work wonders, giving us a more than satisfactory episode.

THE CAST

As usual, the cast all play their roles well. Sonequa Martin-Green as Burnham and David Ajala as Book are front and centre again, giving us some highly enjoyable scenes and action. But the supporting cast, namely Wilson Cruz as Culber and Mary Wiseman as Tilly are equally as good. Culber is suffering from the after-effects of his time on Trill, things that he doesn’t want to express out loud. Of course, Tilly picks up on it straight away, offering a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. Culber doesn’t want to admit something’s not right to Paul but with Tilly’s urging, Culber voices his concerns to him finally.

Once again, it is Callum Keith Rennie as Rayner who impresses the most. After thawing somewhat last week, he proves his worth on the bridge, making the crew start to respect him more. The writers have created a character that is an enigma, one that could so easily have become a side note or simply annoying. With Rennie portraying the character though, he has fleshed him out into someone we really care about. Over the past episodes, we have hated, despised, and felt elevation at his downfall, but find ourselves becoming fond of him at each and every turn. Rennie is superb as Rayner, giving us a character that has become a firm favourite.

THE WRITING

The screenplay by Carlos Cisco and Johanna Lee brings a great sense of Trek-lore to the episode. Events from the past are referenced, and a huge dose of emotion and fun are added. And with a beating heart at its core, all mix to create something we can’t help but be hooked by. The story of Moll and L’ak has us seeing things differently than before. The relationship between Burnham and Book is addressed slightly. And Raynor’s changing attitude makes for something that the fans will relish. And of course, the return of *SPOILER ALERT* the I.S.S Enterprise will have long-time fans punching the air with delight. As someone who loves the original Enterprise, some shots had me gasping in amazement. The writers have wisely come up with an episode that leaves us with a great sense of satisfaction by the end credits.

CONCLUSION

A worthy episode and one that the season needed, Mirrors makes for some really entertaining television. Not only does it move the season forward, but it keeps all the plot threads starting slowly to converge. We can’t see where it will go and how things will end. But it’s the journey towards the finish line that is so satisfactory. At some points, namely, Doug Jones as Saru not being in last or this week’s episode, we get the feeling of things winding down. But just like the final season of Star Trek: Picard, it all feels so right. Instead of going out with a whimper, the season is starting to give us something to remember.

Relationships are being forged, and some are being cemented even further. And with the feeling that everything is going well, the final season isn’t letting us down. It provides top-quality entertainment. Some thrills along the way, some emotion we never expected, and an overall sense of fun. How the series will climax is anyone’s guess. It is possible that we may see some of our favourites perish before it’s all over. But with episodes like this and the promise of what’s still to come, Star Trek: Discovery is going out with all phasers blazing. Sit back, relax, and let this episode take you on a ride that you’ll love.

The final season of Star Trek: Discovery is streaming on a weekly basis on Paramount+. The previous four seasons are available to watch completely now.

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