Star Trek: Discovery Episode 3.7 Review: Ups And Downs From Unification III
3. Stamets Making Tilly Feel Bad (DOWN)
Tilly's promotion (be it temporary or permanent) is one of the highlights of the episode, one that encapsulates the strange dynamic that the crew of the Discovery have with each other. Stamets' reaction to her news, at least initially, leaves a lot to be desired.
Let's be kind for a moment and say that he was setting her up for the reveal later in the episode, where the main cast gather to tell her they all want her to say yes to the position. Then, sure, this comes as an extra surprise as Stamets reveals he is totally on board with her promotion.
However, why did he have to be so bloody mean about it? He pointedly says how strange it would be having to take orders from her and, whether he simply being a good actor or not, it is abrasive and quite clearly not the thing she needed to hear in that moment.
Stamets has, overall, been on a positive journey in this season, building on the growth that he underwent in the second season. This was a bit of a slip, with an unpleasant side coming out, however briefly.
It is a down this week because Stamets has grown beyond this, so it no longer rings true to the character.