Star Trek Discovery S04E13 is the finale of the fourth season of the scifi space opera 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 “Coming Home”, Star Trek Discovery S04E13 is designed to wrap up the season arc of the threat of the DMA as well as the Federation’s first contact with the alien species known as Ten-C. As expected, there were quite a few twists and turns in this finale but ultimately a happy ending of sorts was delivered to provide a definite resolution to this season.
READ OUR REVIEWS/ANALYSIS OF STAR TREK DISCOVERY.
In the final analysis, both seasons 3 and 4 have not quite lived up to the excellent 2nd season and in many ways both story arcs were very similar. Whereas season 3 saw the Discovery trying the solve the issues brought about by the Burn, season 4 was pre-occupied with dealing with the DMA and species Ten-C. This DMA arc was dragged out unnecessarily for 13 episodes, which were padded out with several character developments that did not always land.
While this season focused on Michael Burnham’s ascension to ship captain, the rest of the characters were not given too much time and attention and most seemed to serve Burnham’s own character arc. Even everything that Book had endured, the destruction of his home planet and defiance of the Federation, seemed to more in the service of Burnham’s growth rather than Book himself. And the less said about Tarka – what a lame protagonist he turned out to be – the better. Perhaps more development of the crew would help audience development.
While Star Trek Discovery S04E13 is probably the high point of the season, overall it was a disappointment. Something to remedy in season 5 perhaps!
Now streaming on Paramount+.
… still there’s more …