6 Ups & 3 Downs From Star Trek: Discovery 5.10 — Life, Itself

The first Kelpien in Starfleet, Saru changed the destiny of his entire species (still a pre-warp civilisation when he joined). Homeworld Kaminar was rather unique in that all Kelpien were prey to predators the Ba'ul, biologically and environmentally pre-programmed to live in a state of fear until the time of the vahar'ai and their culling.

That is until Saru went through the vahar'ai himself aboard Discovery and survived, learning a few things about the history of his planet in the process. Bye, bye 'threat ganglia' and Googling the best captains; go, go, Action Saru with head darts!

Skipping ahead several episodes and several hundred years to Life, Itself, we witness the culmination of Saru's change in character in his thoroughly fearless negotiation with Primarch Tahal. "I am Kelpien, first and foremost," Saru declares to the holo-head. "My species are predators, and I have studied you like prey". Tahal then accuses him of bluffing, to which Saru simply replies, "Look into my eyes, and tell me if you see even the slightest glimmer of doubt". More chills than a Breen refrigeration suit! Just don't play Saru at "Ferengi rummy," as Nhan — whose presence was equally appreciated — pointed out.