Star Trek: Discovery recap: "Unification, Part III"

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🚨🚨 Spoiler alert: The rest of this email discusses the most recent episode of Star Trek: Discovery, “Unification, Part III” in detail 🚨🚨

Image credit: Michael Gibson/CBS

Star Trek episode names are always significant, but this one might be breathtaking: “Unification, Part III.” Where are parts one and two, you might ask? They happen to be in season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This two-parter focused on Spock, who travels to Romulus to assist in an underground movement to re-unify the Vulcans and Romulans (Romulans are descended from ancient Vulcans). We weren’t really sure what happened to the movement after the time of The Next Generation nor what the destruction of Romulus and the events described in Star Trek: Picard might have had on this movement. (If you’re interested in learning more about the shared history of Romulans and Vulcans, I wrote an article at StarTrek.com discussing that subject this week.)

But first, as the episode opens, Michael reflects on her place aboard Discovery. I said at the end of my last recap that I’m not sure I think she belongs on the ship anymore. She’s always had a rebellious streak, her own way of doing things — after all, let’s not forget she led a mutiny. Rather than tempering those instincts, her time alone in the future seems to have heightened them. While her insight and actions are certainly valuable, they don’t really have a place aboard a Starfleet ship. I’m incredibly glad that Tilly called Michael out on her actions, as that’s a really lousy thing to do to your best friend.

As Tilly and Michael analyze the data Michael has collected about the Burn, Tilly confirms Michael’s findings but reminds her that in three-dimensional space, they’re going to need a lot more than three data points to calculate a precise origin point for the Burn. Which means it’s time to find more data.

Image credit: Michael Gibson/CBS

They need access to the data from a sensor net, and it turns out that the answers lie on N’Var . . . which used to be Vulcan (the plot thickens!) It turns out that Spock’s dream of reunification came true. Centuries after his death, the Vulcans and Romulans unified and now live on a single planet — which is no longer part of the Federation.

SB19 was an experimental project designed to transport starships across light years instantly, as an alternative to dilithium-based warp travel. But it was dangerous, and when N’Var asked for permission to shut it down, the Federation refused, and they think this technology might have been responsible for the Burn — and they blame the Federation for it. But now Discovery has proof that this technology isn’t what caused the Burn. And as Spock’s sister, Michael is the only one who can represent the Federation to N’Var.

It’s good that Michael herself objects to this situation: Admiral Vance is going to use her the best way he can, of course. But I’m glad Michael is self-aware enough to realize just how much she’s messed up and let the people who rely on her down. She needs to find her place before she can represent anyone but herself, and now she’s being asked to foster diplomatic relations with a semi-hostile world. It’s a lot.

What follows is a melding of The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard, and in my opinion, it was accomplished in a fantastic way. There’s enough here to where if you haven’t seen either series, you can still follow what’s going on. One benefit to Discovery being from an earlier time than TNG is set is that they need a lot of this history explained to them. It’s the perfect vehicle to move the story forward, but also sprinkle some nice references for longer term fans of the franchise.

Image credit: Michael Gibson/CBS

It turns out that the member of the Qowat Milat who’s taken an interest in Michael’s case is none other than her mother, who seems remarkably different than when we saw her last. Before, she had the weight of the future on her shoulders; now, she’s passed on her burden and seems carefree and light; hopefully a bit of that rubs off on Michael!

The trial, because it is very much a trial of science, goes about as you’d expect — it isn’t until Michael opens up about her own doubts and fears that the quorum really begins to listen to her (after her mother’s intervention, of course). And in the end, Michael withdraws her request for the data. She sees just how tenuous the unification is, and she will not be the one to destroy what her brother devoted the last half of his life to.

This was my favorite episode of Star Trek: Discovery so far for many reasons. First, I’m a sucker for anything Vulcan. Second, trial episodes are a vital part of Star Trek history, and this episode felt so true and real. I cried multiple times over the course of it; the viewing felt cathartic.

In the end, Michael does get the data (and I cried quite a few tears) and commits to staying on Discovery. And Tilly accepts Saru’s offer of the XO job. I have to admit, I wasn’t surprised when he asked her. I thought it was out of the question, given her rank, but we’ve seen Saru turn to Tilly more and more for advice and her thoughts. It’s become incredibly clear that he doesn’t assign her to missions to make her feel like part of the team, it’s because he values her so highly. The show has absolutely laid the groundwork for this move, so it's not unexpected, but I’m not sure how it will play out because it’s so unconventional.

What was less certain was the crew’s reaction to this. While Tilly would remain an ensign in rank, she’d be in charge of all of them. That’s why I absolutely adored the ending scene so much — it was the crew, Tilly’s colleagues and friends, the people she cares about most telling her exactly what she needed to hear: She has their love, and most of all, their respect.