Star Trek: Discovery 3.2 Review - Ups And Downs From Far From Home
6. Why Didn't They Ask The Miners What Year It Was? (Down)
The saloon setting was a great location for the episode and there are more than a few nods to the old Western movies that DeForest Kelley starred in as Saru and Tilly enter the bar. The only missing is a piano player closing the lid and scurrying away. The surroundings are a great treat for the eyes here - especially with the half double swing doors opening into space.
However.
This leads to the first down in the episode. While Saru had made a point on board the Discovery not to give away too much about their identities and when the ship is from, why didn't he and Tilly, after ascertaining that the miners in the bar were friendly, simply ask them what year it was? Or the location of the planet they are on? Granted, Cal says that the planet doesn't have a name - but is that all of the information he has?
It seems like the plot demanded Saru not know what year it was, so therefore he didn't ask.