9 Ups & 1 Down From Star Trek: Discovery 5.8 — Labyrinths

Labyrinths wasn't the first time the dashing, (now) Lieutenant Commander Gen Rhys had command of the bridge. For example, he was previously given the conn by Saru in Far From Home, not long after Discovery had crashed landed in the 32nd century. About a year later, he was in the chair again when Captain Burnham and Booker were down on Alshain IV. In the present season's Face the Strange, Burnham also put Rhys in command so she could have a little word with one Commander Rayner.

It is surely a shame that Rhys couldn't join Detmer and Owosekun on the ISS Enterprise — 'Connie' class, his favourite — for the trip back to Federation HQ, but then that would have most likely robbed us of his command appearance in Labyrinths. Once more, Rhys proves himself worthy of the chair. He handed out orders and instructions to the crew with such ease, it was like he was channelling every Starfleet captain who ever lived — perhaps most Kirk-like, with a hint of Picard, if such comparisons are worthwhile. Rhys will surely have his own command soon!

As the Breen dreadnought was on approach, Rhys' decision to take the Discovery out of the oasis and back into the plasma storms was a risky, but ultimately bold move. If Discovery couldn't cloak, they'd have to use the 'bad' in Badlands to hide from the Breen instead. "We can only withstand that storm for so long," states Tilly, a little obviously, but with care. "I know. We just need long enough," replies the ever stoic Captain (Commander) Rhys.