REVIEW: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5 Episodes 1-2

Season 5 of Star Trek: Discovery promises new purpose for the characters we have come. It’s something that the crew of Discovery has started with since they jumped 938 years into their future. Following the devastation caused by the first contact with Ten-C, the journey in the future becomes even more challenging. In Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episodes 1-2, they must accept what was lost, just as they were starting to uncover it. Unfortunately, the galaxy always has another threat looming in the distance.

As the series enters its final season, many paths are uncertain at the start of Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episodes 1-2. Mr. Saru (Doug Jones) hesitates to accept the role of Federation Ambassador because it would require resigning from the USS Discovery. Despite his willingness to do so for his new love interest, he remains torn. This conflict mirrors past seasons where he struggled between staying with Discovery or pursuing other paths. With the final season underway, one hopes Saru has a clearer path. It’s disappointing to see him stuck in this cycle again, especially as he seeks confirmation from President T’Rina, without success. His current crisis mirrors the “life is short” dilemma he helped Tilly (Mary Wiseman) navigate just a season ago. Given his growth, witnessing his regression to familiar storylines is regrettable.

After briefly revisiting the various characters in the series, Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg) kicks off the season’s main plot. The always impassive doctor assigns the USS Discovery a red directive level mission, the most classified type of mission in this time period. The mission involves recovering an item from an 800-year-old Romulan science vessel. Despite the Discovery having the closest connection to the time, Kovich gives little details. Before the Federation can arrive, two thieves, Moll and L’ak, beat them to it. The Federation attempts to apprehend the duo, into the action-packed side of Star Trek.

The sequence underscores Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery’s dedication to being in the action, regardless of incomplete mission details. Despite failing to apprehend the thieves, Michael enlists the help of Cleveland “Book” Booker (David Ajala), to locate a potential buyer for the ancient tech. While it’s nice to see the lovers reunited, it’s evident that Captain Burnham hasn’t resolved her complicated relationship with Book. Unfortunately,  Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episodes 1-2 continue offering more of the same dynamics for the duo. Throughout Episodes 1-2, it is clear that characters like Tilly have had growth off-screen. This makes it that much more frustrating to have other characters remain stagnant.

The buyer Moll and L’ak approach is a Data-like android, bearing an homage to Dr. Soong in its serial number. With Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episodes 1-2 spending so much time on themes from past seasons, seeing connections to Star Trek: The Next Generation is thrilling. Even with this revelation, Dr. Kovich remains reluctant to trust the crew of the Discovery. Their commitment to Federation ideals should grant them access to all details, especially considering the significance of the spore drive research and the unique capabilities of the Discovery. It is up to the crew to prove themselves trustworthy prompting investigation over action.

Similar to Saru’s storyline, it feels like a slow start and rehashing of past seasons, perhaps to catch up with new viewers or prompt long-time fans to reflect on their journey. However, this approach detracts from the desired focus on connections to The Next Generation. The reintroduction of the enigmatic progenitors to the canon heightens this eagerness for development. The first episodes of Discovery’s final season shouldn’t require this much prior exposition to engage viewers in the upcoming plot. Given the rapid action injection, the same urgency should apply to setting up the crew’s last hurrah.

In the second half of Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episodes 1-2, Michael finds herself caught between a fellow captain’s determination to push the limits for the mission, even if it jeopardizes innocent lives. It serves as a compelling commentary on the extremes of prioritizing the needs of the many over the few and debating the ethics of Starfleet’s mission directives. This places Captain Michael Burnham in a challenging position where she must hold Captain Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) accountable, despite her history of bending Starfleet’s rules to save the galaxy. Unfortunately, this new dynamic emerges as the most interesting aspect of Star Trek Episodes 1-2.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Episodes 1-2 already feels like more of the same as it retreads into familiar themes before promising anything new. Even with the excitement of The Next Generation connections, characters still grappling with familiar issues is tiresome. Although, there is hope as the Discovery crew begins to unravel the mysteries of the progenitors. The core tenets of exploration and understanding are still very much present. The action is well done, the characters are endearing, and the plot shows promise. However, it is hard to shake the sameness that permeates throughout.

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