Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5 Episode 4 — “Face The Strange”

REVIEW: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5 Episode 4 — “Face The Strange”

Adrian RuizBy Adrian Ruiz04/18/20244 Mins ReadUpdated:05/30/2024
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4 begins with L’ak (Elias Toufexis) and Moll (Eve Harlow) taking center stage. As they continue their quest for the Progenitor’s secret, it is revealed that they are lovers on the run. Their relationship could serve as a mirror to the various relationship storylines unfolding this season. The most intriguing to witness would be the showdown between L’ak and Moll and Captain Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Booker (David Ajala). Moll’s determination matches Captain Burnham’s and given Moll’s connection to Booker’s mentor, tension is steadily building toward confrontation. Throughout the series, viewers know the lengths Booker and Burnham will go to protect their loved ones. Now, what would lovers Moll and L’ak do with limitless power?

Back on Discovery, the bug that Moll planted on Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) on Trill begins to wreak havoc on the ship’s systems. The spiderlike nano-bot serves as a reminder of how far technology has advanced since the period most Star Trek fans are accustomed to. The bug not only can meld into the ship but also somehow causes Discovery to jump through different points in the ship’s history – past, present, and future. Unfortunately, Captain Burnham, Commander Stamets (Anthony Rapp), and Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) are the only ones aware of the loop the ship is caught in.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4 becomes a race against time to stop the time bug from looping the Discovery. L’ak and Moll have surged ahead in their pursuit of the secrets of the Progenitors. If “Jinaal” showed us anything, it’s that the technology they are all seeking likely shouldn’t belong to anyone, let alone two fugitives. Finding the time bug becomes crucial in preventing an unthinkable future.

As Discovery jumps through time, fans embark on a nostalgic journey through the show’s history. It’s a heartfelt reflection on the progress made by Burnham, the crew of Discovery, and the ship itself through five seasons. Despite the Temporal Prime Directive, the Starfleet trio receives assistance from the crew at different stages of their journeys. However, this highlights why this season has been disappointing so far.

The action has been toned down, with science and history driving much of the recent storyline. The temporal sci-fi elements at play are fascinating. However, it’s intertwined with rehashing similar plotlines featuring different characters. Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4 quickly becomes another iteration of the “this ship’s not big enough for two captains” scenario. Further, as two captains vie for dominance, the episode also attempts to impart another basic lesson to Commander Rayner.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4

So far, Commander Rayner has learned to open up to people. Now, he’s tasked with learning how to collaborate with others, which seems contradictory given his extensive experience as a Starfleet officer. I can’t help but feel that the effort spent developing Commander Rayner’s character arc could have been more effectively used focusing on the character we’ve known for four seasons. It’s particularly troubling when Commander Rayner is just grappling with basic empathy.

Additionally, Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4 once again highlights why Captain Burnham is worthy of leading Discovery despite her initial arrival as a prisoner. However, it plays more like a clip show than nearing the halfway point in the final season. After five seasons, Burnham has solidified her place as the captain. However, instead of pushing the boundaries of the Star Trek genre in terms of action and representation, there’s a heavy focus on reminiscing about that journey.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4 affirms that the series is hesitant to make significant plot moves until later in the season. Instead, it opts for a recap-like feel, with the writers guiding us through character development we’ve already witnessed over four seasons. Frustratingly, this occurs alongside the series’ exploration of compelling sci-fi concepts. By the episode’s end, the only anticipation lies in discovering what transpired during the time of the Discovery’s loop. That’s a considerable effort for one episode, especially when many of the lessons learned are ones the show has already taught.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 is streaming now, exclusively on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episode 4
  • 6/10
    Rating - 6/10
6/10

TL;DR

By the episode’s end, the only anticipation lies in discovering what transpired during the time of the Discovery’s loop. That’s a considerable effort for one episode, especially when many of the lessons learned are ones the show has already taught.

  • Watch Now on Paramount+ with Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Abigail’ Is Hilariously Demented
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Sand Land: The Series’ Episode 11 — “Flying Fortress Garam”
Adrian Ruiz

I am just a guy who spends way to much time playing videos games, enjoys popcorn movies more than he should, owns too much nerdy memorabilia and has lots of opinions about all things pop culture. People often underestimate the effects a movie, an actor, or even a video game can have on someone. I wouldn’t be where I am today without pop culture.

Related Posts

Helluva Boss Season 2 But Why Tho
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 2 Is A Deeper Dive Into Love And Power

09/11/2025
Helluva Boss Season 1 Episode 7 But Why Tho
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 1 Is Full Of Violence, Chaos, And Heart

09/11/2025
Sandra Yi Sencindiver stars as Yutani in Alien Earth Episode 6
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 6 — “The Fly”

09/10/2025
Task promotional key art featuring Mark Ruffalo from HBO
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Task’ Episode 1 — “Crossings”

09/08/2025
Aneesha Malik in Invasion Season 3 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Invasion’ Season 3 Episode 3 — “Infinitas”

09/07/2025
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3 — “Another Rick Up My Sleeve”

09/06/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here