Star Trek: Discovery Episode 3.7 Review: Ups And Downs From Unification III
Star Trek: Discovery brings back some familiar faces.
We are over the halfway point in the season now and Unification III offers at least some resolutions to ongoing mysteries, while opening one or two more cans of worms. It is one of the more satisfying episodes of the season, even if it does suffer from the standard 'Burnham must do everything' tropes. To be fair though, this trope is turned and used as one of the central tenets of the episode.
This episode is the first in the season to truly depict what has become of some of the legacy races in the franchise. While the visit to Earth was brief, and the Andorians have been relegated almost to cameo status (although Ryn was a welcome addition to last week's episode), this week sees the Vulcans and Romulans return, now co-habiting on the planet Ni'Var, formerly known as Vulcan.
The episode is careful in its revelations. Nothing is spoiled for what may be coming in Star Trek: Picard or Lower Decks, with enough years having passed. The return of Dr. Burnham was a welcome surprise, even if her assimilation into the Qowot Milat seems rushed (but not unwelcome!).
The B plot could have done with some more fleshing out, but there are interesting ideas abound!
9. USS Yelchin (UP)
While this is an Easter egg, it is one that deserves a pause to appreciate.
Anton Yelchin of course played Pavel Chekov in the Kelvin-timeline films, in 2009, Into Darkness and Beyond. He was tragically killed in an accident at his home in 2016. As Star Trek Beyond is the most recent film in that series, there is yet to be another adventure with that cast, addressing the death of Yelchin.
This throwaway line, spoken by Tilly, is a beautiful little tribute to Anton Yelchin, by naming a ship after him. It may not be a huge moment, but much like the USS Nog was shown in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, it is a memory of a fantastic actor who left their mark on the series.
This episode marks the coming together of several facets of the Star Trek universe. The Kelvin timeline, Star Trek Picard and Discovery, Star Trek The Next Generation - they all appear in this episode in some form or another, making it one of the most franchise-encompassing episodes that there is.
Most importantly, what this episode has done is remember a Star Trek actor who was taken far too soon.