Star Trek: Discovery Season 3.13 Review: Ups And Downs From That Hope Is You - Part 2

4. Plot Contrivances

Star Trek Discovery Osyrra
CBS

Book can pilot the Spore Drive? Gray is recognized by the holomatrix? The warp core didn't explode when slamming against the edges of that escape shaft? Discovery had enough room to jump with an explosive core directly beneath it? Discovery arrives JUST as Saru, Culber, Adira and Su'kal need rescuing?

There are a few. And they're highlighted here because the season has been rife with them. There are many times when this is all simply a part of the overall plot, and that's really fine. However, when there are so many slammed in together in a single episode, it seriously breaks the flow of events.

The idea of Book being able to pilot the Spore Drive itself is not an issue. The idea of him being able to understand it innately, with no pre-knowledge - that's a stretch. It also goes a way to dulling the impact of Burnham sending Stamets away at the end of the previous episode, which is sure to cause a now pointless rift between them.

The sudden twists and turns only go further to damaging the strength of the episode overall, and receive a down this week.

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"