Star Trek: Discovery airs on CBS All Access on Thursday’s in North America and Netflix internationally on Friday’s.
Synopsis
Burnham receives the reunion she’s been longing for, but it doesn’t go quite as she imagined. Georgiou and Tyler sense a disturbing change in Leland.
Review
This is yet another episode of Star Trek: Discovery that I thoroughly enjoyed but also found a little frustrating. I feel as though as season 2 has progressed the series writing has leant in towards its emotional elements and has struggled with its science fiction elements somewhat.
Case in point: with the death of Ariam in the previous couple of episodes. Though we barely new her character the writers were able to craft an impactful death for her. The subsequent episode delicately handled the officers grief at the loss of their comrade.
Those same episodes featured some of the series most sloppy writing, particularly in reference to the “time crystal” which is powering Gabrielle Burnham’s suit.
It’s this lack of balance between the two sides of the series which I’m finding a struggle to watch. Overall I’m still very much enjoying the show and I stand by my initial statements that the show has improved over season 1.
But that being said I’m now enjoying it for different reasons than I would usually enjoy Star Trek.
Once again this episode tugs at the heartstrings of the audience. For almost two seasons we have seen Michael Burnham struggling with the sad loss of her birth parents. Though she had a good upbringing with Sarek and Amanda and has found family in the crew of the USS Discovery Neither of those fill the gap left behind by losing her birth parents.
Bringing back Gabrielle Burnham and making her the Red Angel certainly came out of leftfield. I had honestly expected an older version of another character on the show or a guest spot from another Trek franchise actor to be in the suit.
As I said in my last review it certainly fits with the overall theme of family to have the Red Angel be Gabrielle.
The episode itself is constructed to exasperate that feeling of disconnection as Gabrielle chooses to speak with Captain Pike over Michael.
Whilst it does give Sonequa Martin-Green plenty of chance to emote to it ultimately feels a little annoying as the show thrusts mother and daughter together eventually.
As it happens the episode functions at is best when conflict erupts on the planets surface and Burnham is forced to make a choice which could separate her from her mother permanently.
There is some excellent acting all round in this episode but it is by far Martin-Green who is the MVP here.
Verdict
“Perpetual Infinity” is another fine example of Star Trek: Discovery at its emotional best. Though the science fiction elements sometimes let the series down, overall it has found a consistent pacing thanks to its characters.
8/10
On the next episode…
Star Trek: Discovery is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout, Bryan Fuller’s Living Dead Guy Productions and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Fuller, Heather Kadin, Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron Harberts, Akiva Goldsman, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers.
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