For our review of the last episode of Star Trek: Discovery, click here.
Synopsis: Burnham is stunned when she learns her ties to Section 31 run deeper than she ever fathomed. Armed with the identity of the Red Angel, the U.S.S. Discovery goes to work on its most critical mission to date. (CBS)
Writers: Chris Silvestri and Anthony Maranville
Director: Hanelle M. Culpepper
Rating: TV-MA
Running Time: 60mins
“The Red Angel”starts off with Tyler being released while a funeral is held for Airiam. The crew each give a speech on how important Airiam was to them and how she embodied the ideals of Starfleet. They sing a song of remembrance for their fallen comrade before jettisoning her into space. Burnham apologizes to Tyler for getting him locked in quarters. She opens up about Section 31 and Control hoping that Tyler chooses his side.
The crew discuss the ongoing threat of Control and the futuristic AI. Pike believes it will lie dormant and that they should be ready for anything. Tilly comes into the room with some startling news. In Airiam’s files they found one called Project Daedalus, the last words she spoke to Burnham. The cause for concern is that in this file is a bioneural signature of the Red Angel which turns out to be identical to that of Michael Burnham.
In medical bay, they confirm Burnham is a match for the signature. They question why she would become the Red Angel and what apocalypse she is trying to prevent. With only half of the signals having revealed themselves, there is still a lot more to this mystery. Saru interrupts when Leland and Georgiou beam on board with a solution. Leland wants to set a trap and capture the Red Angel to interrogate her for information.
With the name Project Daedalus being thrown around, Leland reveals Section 31’s secret project. Turns out they built the armour the Red Angel uses as they were dabbling in time travel. With very minimal information, Burnham and the Discovery crew feel wary of trusting their Section 31 counterparts. In Engineering, Tilly and Stamets have figured out a mousetrap to incapacitate the Red Angel.
Nhan pulls Burnham aside and agrees that it is hard to let go of the past. They are both grateful that the other was there in that tense situation. Leland questions why Saru was instructed to work alongside him. This causes Saru to question Leland and his behaviour. He doesn’t trust him. This tense conversation is interrupted when Burnham wants a word with Leland.
She forces him to open up and learns that her parents worked for Section 31. They built the Red Angel suit, but were killed by the Klingons trying to get a Time Crystal. Leland blames himself for Burnham’s parents dying and she punches him for his choices. She immediately confronts Tyler about if he knew. He didn’t, but she berates him for working with Section 31.
Culber has a sit down with Admiral Cornwall hoping she can use her therapist background to help him. He doesn’t want to hurt Culber, but she tells him that love is a choice and he needs to take that road again if he sees fit. Meanwhile, Spock visits Burnham in the gym and talks about her intense emotions. They reconcile and learn that the variance in the Red Angel’s appearances is Burnham.
They believe this is the Grandfather Paradox. Future Burnham cannot survive without the current one. While the team preps the plan, Burnham finds Tyler to apologize for her actions. She breaks down about her fears and lets the walls down once again for Tyler. The bridge prepares for the mission before a brief pause as Lt. Nilsson (Sarah Mitich) takes Airiam’s place on the bridge. Culber tries to apologize to Stamets for how he acted, but Stamets has his guard up.
On the surface, they set up the trap with Burnham strapped down as bait. Spock locks her down as the away team prepares to either capture the Red Angel or save Burnham from the brink of death. Toxic fumes fill the air as Burnham is burned inside and out. While Georgiou wants to interfere, Spock holds them at gunpoint. Spock and Burnham know she needs to be on the verge of death. Pike calls in the abort, but Spock ignores the order and continues to hold the away team hostage.
Burnham flatlines as each of the crew react. They try to beam her on board, but there is massive interference. The Red Angel has arrived. Section 31 shoots their containment beams while the away crew witnesses the Red Angel shoot a beam into Burnham. They release the trap. Leland tries to override the Section 31 system, but Control fights back and stabs Leland in the eye. With an EMP spike, the Red Angel is dislodged from her suit and forced into the containment field. Burnham looks up and realizes it isn’t her. Instead, she mutters one word: Mom?
Captain’s Log
- How did Burnham’s mom survive?
- What does she want?
- Can Control be stopped?
- Is Leland still alive or himself?
- What do the red energy sources mean?
- How will the mycelial network play into the Red Angel mystery?
Overall, The Red Angel was a good episode. What seemed like a straightforward, emotional journey turned into a shocking revelation that forever twists the narrative of Discovery. The Red Angel has finally been revealed, but its purpose is still a shrouded mystery. The subplots of identity, loss and scientific ambition are all prominent this week giving the necessary supplementary atmosphere to the story. With one mystery resolved, the stakes of survival have come to an all-time high.
Score: 8.5/10
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