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

The closing scene of the episode begins with a theatre production of Georgiou's ascent to power. Stamets leads the production, Greek-like in the telling, speaking directly to the theatre kid in this writer's soul. It is potentially a bit silly, yet enjoyable as a way to lead into the dedication ceremony of the ISS Charon. Once the curtain drops, revealing the Imperial flagship for the first time, we see that the energy sphere inside is framed perfectly by the Emperor's headdress, explaining the rather odd-looking halo!

She then stabs Stamets in the neck, revealing the fact that she knew he was in on the assassination attempt. Burnham is quickly confronted by Killy and Georgiou, who finds herself still unable to execute her, further displaying the changes that she has gone through.

The episode ends with her ordering Burnham to the brig. There is some serious side-eye going on from Owosekun during all of this, who seems to be expressing, through her silence and expressions, her lack of support or, at least, surprise at Georgiou's actions.

The episode is easily the best episode of the season so far, ending on a cliffhanger worthy of the first season. It has both answered and delivered more questions through the course of 40 minutes than the rest of the season put together. If the rest of the season remains this strong, season three is in a good place.