Star Trek: Discovery Episode 3.7 Review: Ups And Downs From Unification III

In a rather surprising twist, Dr. Gabrielle Burnham is found to be alive and well, having joined the Qowot Milat on Ni'Var. These of course are the order of Romulan Nuns who believe in absolute candor - first introduced in Star Trek: Picard (earlier in this endless year). It is not only a nice surprise to see her so much earlier than we expected, but to have her transformed from the admittedly brief appearance she had previously displayed.

Sonja Sohn returns this week, with time obviously having passed for her every bit as much as it has for Michael. She says that the suit brought her back to Essof IV, which was in the wrong part of the galaxy for Michael to find her in her year of searching.

The Qowot Milat, who we have seen mostly through Elnor in Star Trek: Picard, have a policy of absolute candor, or put it another way, incredibly annoying amounts of honesty. Dr. Burnham has adapted to this policy rather quickly, although admittedly she may have been on Ni'Var for a long time. In any case, she plays both a maternal role, but also that of a tough guide for Michael here, pressing her daughter into admitting truths to herself (in a potentially inappropriate setting) that allow Michael to come to terms with how she feels about Starfleet.

This, at least, is a cap on some of the many mysteries this season has held. While Dr. Burnham remains behind on Ni'Var, it has closed the door on when they will reunite, along with developing their relationship a little better than it had been.