10 Dumbest Things In Star Trek: Section 31 (2025)

2. Killing Off The Crew Before We Had A Chance To Care

Star Trek has often relied on a shock death to pack a punch. Discovery considers a day without three deaths a dull affair (much like a Dothraki wedding then) but there is a balance that needs to be struck before bumping off the supporting cast.

Consider the slew of red shirts that have met the Great Bird Of The Galaxy throughout the years - they were never meant to be much more than disposable stake-lifters. For the most part, they do their job well, and we salute them.

Melle's death is a frustrating affair. Why on Earth would the script bring back a Deltan, show them fully in control of their powers and ready to use them to aid the mission, and then vaporise her so aggressively early? 

Zeph was a chance to dive into the muscle of the group, and explore what made him tick - and what led to his mechanical mass - and instead, there is a horrific scene of the suit turning against him. 

Both deaths were meant to shock the audience, though both just felt like a quota for deaths had to be met, and they picked the short straws. Gratuitous death is nothing new in the franchise but there is a lot to be said for a smart use of death, rather than a dumb decision to thin the numbers.