Star Trek: Discovery Episode 3.9 Review: Ups And Downs From Terra Firma Part 1

Oded Fehr returns this week as Admiral Vance, sharing a scene in the beginning of the episode with Saru, Tilly, Culber, Burnham and Kovich. It seems now to be common knowledge that the Sphere data has integrated with the ship's main computer, and while it is a definite cause for a raised eyebrow that everyone seems so cool with this, it serves to give the crew the next direction.

Vance, this week, seems to have settled into a respectful relationship with Saru and, to a lesser extent, Burnham. He acts like an Admiral who has been there and done that, and come back with advise to pass on. He gives Saru that authority to act as he sees fit, based on Culber's suggestion. While Saru initially acts in the best interests of the Federation, Vance advises him to help Georgiou.

He then puts Burnham on the spot, asking if she can make the hard decision if it comes to it, reminding her about how she froze when it came to Ariam. It is a fair question, not asked in an accusatory way. It is refreshing to see that Vance has relaxed somewhat around this crew that quite literally just dropped into his lap.

HOWEVER.

Saru's hesitation to help Georgiou stems from the fact that all of Starfleet needs to be on high-alert, as the Emerald Chain have increased their threats against them. Vance almost cuts him off and tells him to go, saying with a smile that 'we can handle the Emerald Chain.'

This may be nothing...or it may be that Vance wants to keep Discovery out of harm's way while something major happens.