10 Most Intense Star Trek Cold Opens

2. Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2

Star Trek: Discovery's second season came to a head with Such Sweet Sorrow Part 2, the culmination of several arcs, and the final episode set in the show's 23rd Century. As such, it includes a 'previously on' to remind the audience how things had gotten to this point - before the adrenaline truly kicks up a notch.

Across the Discovery and the Enterprise, two crews prepare for battle. The engineering team on Discovery construct a new Red Angel suit, while Reno charges the Klingon Time Crystal. Emperor, now Captain, Georgiou boards Discovery just in time for Leland - the revenant in the grip of Control - to hail them all. Saru and Pike are steely-eyed against dead eyes, both espousing hope and courage.

Then the Section 31 fleet splinters as hundreds of support craft detach from their parent ships - dwarfing the resistance against them, all before the credits roll.

Saru's words, quoting Sun Tsu, reminding those around him to be the director of their opponent's fate, seem small in the face of so much opposition. It all builds to a crescendo, and the stand-off is ready to explode.