Star Trek: Discovery (3×08) The Sanctuary Review

For our review of the last episode of Star Trek: Discovery, click here.

Synopsis: The U.S.S. Discovery crew travel to Book’s home planet to help rescue it from Osyraa, the formidable leader of the Emerald Chain; Stamets and Adira continue their search for valuable information on the origin of the Burn. (IMDb)

Discovery continues to suffer from mid-season fatigue in an episode that attempts to push forward too many important character arcs at once while continuing the major storyline as well changing up the pace from the Michael Burnham show to an ensemble. This time Discovery is going to Book’s homeworld of Kwejian to see his empath brother and hopefully convince them to stop living under the rule of the Emerald Chain. However, before we get into that, the subplots!

Culber is finally talking to Georgiou about her change in behavior to figure out what’s going on with her. He manages to get her to do an atomic scan that forces her to see flashbacks of San and she has a major panic attack. After regrouping, Culber confronts her and eventually the truth is revealed: Georgiou is dying.

Meanwhile, Saru, Tilly, Stamets and Tilly slowly chip away at the Ni’Var data to learn that there is a Federation distress signal hidden in the centre and it has been the source of the universe-wide music. However, it’ll take much longer to deconstruct all of the data leading to some bonding time for the crew. Stamets and Adira play music together in a sombre father-daughter moment as they open up about their emotions. Meanwhile, Saru and Tilly attempt to create their new dynamic as Captain and Number One in their uniquely lighthearted way.

Now back to the main story. On Book’s home planet, he and Burnham talk to his brother Kyheen who is obviously convinced that the Emerald Chain is their savior. Turns out that Osyraa has convinced Kyheen to attempt to get Ryn for her from Discovery. She shows up and despite Discovery trying to stay neutral, she bombards the planet to force Saru to give in.

However, rather than go against orders and fight back, Tilly has a suggestion. They send the struggling Detmer and confined Ryn in Book’s ship to scan Osyraa’s cruiser and find its weaknesses. This allows Detmer to shake off the anxieties she has been dealing with since the jump while making Ryn feel a sense of purpose. They manage to scare off Osyraa although she offers an antagonizing threat of course.

With Osyraa and the Emerald Chain leaving, the planet now has no solution to its original problem: famine locusts. Burnham finds a solution however as they boost Kyheem’s empath abilities to allow her to speak to the locusts and tell them to leave which they agree to. With the situation cleared, Ryn reveals why Osyraa is after him. Turns out he knows that the Emerald Chain is running out of dilithium and now that helps them have some info on their latest enemy.

The episode is absolutely stuffed full of plot development for all of its characters which makes it feel too overstuffed and easy to question if it could’ve been two separate episodes (a character-based ship-bound bottle episode perhaps?) However, it doesn’t feel overwhelming thanks to Jonathan Frakes’ outstanding direction bringing some great action sequences, strong character growth and excellent acting. The pacing works, it just needed more time.

Captain’s Log

• When will Georgiou die?
• Will Book and Ryn be new permanent crew members?
• What other species will Discovery manage to bring into their New Federation?
• What happened during The Burn?
• Will Tilly be a good Number One?
• What is the Emerald Chain’s plan?

What did you think of “The Sanctuary”? Let me know in the comments below!

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Dylan Phillips