85: "Face the Strange" (Discovery S5E4)

This is it! We’re reviewing a new “Star Trek: Discovery” episode for the last time. From binary stars to binary black holes, we’ve been here through it all. This time we’re doing our usual nonsense, expressing feelings first, then discussing the specially shot series-end segment, then backing into the main core of the episode. Mind-bending corridors! Lengthy bridge discussions! Fancy dress wedding! Book’s new living room! We cover it all. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

The season-long plot nears its conclusion—but this is “Discovery,” so there’s still time for a heart-to-heart while wearing Breen helmets. Jason and Scott have an oil bath to get to, but before they do, they break down the penultimate episode! Saru’s back! Vulcan flower holders! And the most dramatic scene of a man sitting in a chair that we’ve seen in years. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Into the space library we go! Burnham faces a mental labyrinth while on the outside, the Breen are busy doing Breen stuff—being annoying, mostly. We discuss Moll’s commitment to her husband, delight in library wardrobes, and more—but only after Jason makes strange, brief digression to discuss “Magnum, p.i.” and how it’s not connected to “Star Trek.” Except where it is. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Discovery rolls on toward its end, with an episode that should involve a lot of plot pivoting, but ends up being an old-fashioned talky diplomatic dilemma crossed with scientific puzzle solving. Also, so many Breen! And Rayner learns that when you’re in trouble, you have to take the walk of shame instead of beaming home. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

What’s more Star Trek than violating the Prime Directive? This week’s “Discovery” episode feels familiar in a very good way. Jason defends Captain Burnham in imaginary Prime Directive court, but Judge Scott is not hearing it. Also, we spend a surprising amount of time wondering about how replicated food works. We blame Culber’s abuela. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

At long last, this episode of “Star Trek: Discovery” answers the question fans have been asking about for decades: What’s under that Breen helmet? Wait, was that not your question? How about some backstory for this season’s antagonists? No? You wanted to know more juicy details about the Mirror Universe? Well, we don’t know what to tell you. Look in the mirror. We did. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Time may change me, but I can’t trace time! We ping-pong through the personal history of the USS Discovery as Michael tries to teach herself how far she’s come, Rayner learns to let the Burn go and live a little, and Stamets gets to construct a box to crush a Time Bug. Also, a Short Trek is surprisingly relevant! We break it all down. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

This week Burnham and Book take another hike to find a clue; Tilly explains to Rayner that he’s not on his old “Star Trek” show anymore; Saru tumbles into a Ni’Varian episode of “Veep”; and Gray and Adira go their separate ways, worlds apart. It’s all about connections, you see. And this episode connects Scott and Jason to each other, and both of them to you. See, we’re going with the Disco flow. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Live Star Trek is back in season! “Star Trek Discovery” has returned with a two-episode premiere, and we’re here to break it down. Once again, we profess our love for Jerks Who Are Right. We discover what form a Vulcan Proposal takes. Our new villains look like they’re space Bonnie and Clyde, but maybe they’re just misunderstood. And we enter Conspiracy Corner in order to ponder secret clues for what might be coming next—but not before a moment’s silence for Fred. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

With season 2 of “Strange New Worlds” in the rear-view mirror, Jason recorded a season overview on the Mothership. But so many people watched and enjoyed the season that we have brought back the Vulcan Hello season wrap-up panel, too! Moisés Chiullán with Cicero Holmes, David J. Loehr, Heather Berberet and Houman Sadri.