Star Trek Discovery S04E12 is the penultimate episode of the fourth season of the scifi TV drama series streaming on Paramount+. The series had a mixed reception due to its perceived retconning of Star Trek canon, being set 10 years before the events in the original Star Trek TV series and by introducing Michael Burnham (as the sister of the iconic character, Mr. Spock). In season 3, the series transported the ship and its crew almost a century into the future, thereby (cleverly) avoiding any issue with Star Trek canon once and for all.
S P O I L E R S
Entitled “Species 10-C”, Star Trek Discovery S04E12 finally depicts Discovery making first contract with the alien species designated as 10-C. The process of communication is a long drawn affair and highly reminiscent of similar scenes in the Arrival movie. Which makes for building tension as the DMA is heading towards Earth and Ni’Var with their destruction hours away. But of course, despite the countdown, there is still time for Michael and Saru to have a bonding moment (?!?!?) A ludicrous scene that had them screaming at each other to overcome their nerves at the tense situation. But that’s Star Trek Discovery Season 4 for you, an over-abundance of emotional sharing!
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Discovery’s seeming lack of progress results in Tarka taking drastic action which puts everybody at risk for the sake of the mad scientist obtaining the power source he covets. Now the fact that Tarka ultimately is the villain of the entire piece comes as no surprise whatsoever. That plot development was telegraphed too us a long time ago and the fact that Book continued to trust him isn’t much of a positive reflection on Book.
Star Trek Discovery S04E12 ends naturally with a cliff-hanger as the Discovery crew faces death and destruction in the season finale. Should be interesting to see how this dilemma is resolved.
Now streaming on Paramount+.
… still there’s more …