Star Trek: Discovery: Season 1, Episode 3 "Context Is for Kings"

 Star Trek: Discovery: Season 1, Episode 3 "Context Is for Kings"

October 01, 2017

“Context Is for Kings” is a successful soft reboot for Star Trek: Discovery. Taking on what we know from the first two prologue episodes, we are introduced to a new set of characters and a mysterious, brand-new captain. Characters we have met such as Saru make welcome appearances. This episode is about Michael Burnham trying to find redemption for herself as her reputation precedes her. She has to get the people on the U.S.S Discovery to trust her, which may be difficult considering she is the first person to have led a mutiny against Starfleet and the women who began the Klingon War. When she killed T’uvma last episode, she ultimately made him a martyr. We, as an audience, know her intentions were good and pure. She was caught up in the midst of a firefight. There are people who may think that isn’t it a good thing that she killed the creature who murdered her captain? She was First Officer in the first place, so she has to prove why she was. The episode has some very strong writing that easily shows Michael’s inner demons. There is a line of dialogue she has with Captain Lorca saying that he needed her services, but there is no way she could after what she had done. As Lorca counters, shouldn’t she stop the war that she helped create? The strong writing helps introduce us to our new characters in fine fashion.

I really enjoyed meeting people, new and old. Ensign Tilly (Mary Wiseman) is played with such a nervous energy. She kind of reminds me of myself when I get overtaken by nervousness. She has some great lines, but I can see how people would be turned off by her behavior. Then, there is Lieutenant Stamets (Anthony Rapp). He works as the head of the engineering team and is immediately hostile to Michael. Rapp’s delivery of vague scientific terminology works well even if we do not know what he is talking about half the time. And captain, o captain. Captain Lorca is right up actor Jason Isaac’s wheelhouse. A charming, mysterious man that has another side. I wouldn’t classify him as evil but there is more than what meets the eye. From his actions such as bringing that big beast into the ship, I feel he is up to something. As for older characters, Saru is back! He has little reason to trust Michael and shares some good dialogue with her. There are other characters whose faces we recognize from before such as Detmer, who pilots Discovery.

As for the plot, it is a simple but fast-paced story. Michael is on the prison transport ship, and the other prisoners do not like her. The ship is attacked by these energy beings and to the rescue is U.S.S Discovery. She is immediately tasked by Lorca to help the engineering team with complicated quantum science. There is something known as a spore drive which is the use of organic energy to power spaceships which would ultimately win the war against the Klingons. Other than that, a lot of awkward introductions with people on the ship, especially those who see her as a traitor.

Overall, I had a great time with the episode. This series has been fast-paced and it already made Michael a pivotal part of the team. Can she redeem herself in the eyes of the crew? In addition to all the good science stuff we love about Star Trek, there is some good action scenes. That monster chase was fun! After three episodes, I say give me more!

My Grade: A


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