Star Trek: Discovery Episode 3.9 Review: Ups And Downs From Terra Firma Part 1
3. Carl And Danus V (UP)
Danus V is the planet that Zora sends the Discovery too, pointing out a potential cure exists on the planet. It is uninhabited, so there is little chance of meeting alien life. That is, of course, until they meet Carl.
Carl is a brilliant addition to the episode. The cigar chomping man is so out of left field that it was a true surprise when he appeared. He is reading the next day's newspaper, the cover of which states Georgiou has died in agony. He does say though that, through the standing door that appeared beside him, there is a potential for a cure.
A couple of genuinely funny puns later (what do you call an attractive portal? Adorable) he persuades Georgiou to cross over. While we do not have much in the way of context to Carl, it is clear that he either is a being of immense power ala a Q, or is a representation of one. Either way, he suits the tone of the episode perfectly. It's not overdone, the joking is kept to a minimum and the sarcasm balances it out perfectly.
If he is to be a new player, he is off to a very good start.