STAR TREK: DISCOVERY
SEASON 3, EPISODE 9
SEASON 3, EPISODE 9
Terra Firma, Part I
Series: Star Trek: Discovery - (2017 - 2024)Season: 3
Episode #: 9
Original Airdate: December 10th, 2020
Writer(s): Bo Yeon Kim, Erika Lippoldt, and Alan McElroy
Director(s): Omar Madha
Guest Stars
Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou
Oded Fehr as Admiral Charles Vance
Blu del Barrio as Adira Tal
Hannah Cheesman as Lt. Cmdr. Airiam
David Cronenberg as Kovich
Paul Guilfoyle as Carl / Guardian of Forever
Rekha Sharma as Commander Ellen Landry
Emily Coutts as Lt. Keyla Detmer
Patrick Kwok-Choon as Lt. Gen Rhys
Oyin Oladejo as Lt. Joann Owosekun
Ronnie Rowe Jr. as Lt. R.A. Bryce
Sara Mitich as Lt. Nilsson
Julianne Grossman as the Voice of the U.S.S. Discovery Computer
Hannah Spear as Dr. Issa
David Benjamin Tomlinson as the Kelpien Servant
Uncredited Guest Stars
Cait Alexander as an ISS Discovery Crewmember
John Adam Huggins as an ISS Discovery Engineer
Pamela Mars as an ISS Discovery Crewmember
Phi Huynh as an ISS Discovery Security Guard
Ariana Shaw as the Georgiou Silk Dancer
Robert Halley as a Silk Dancer
Angola Murdoch as a Silk Dancer
Martin Samuel as a Silk Dancer
Mark Segal as a Silk Dancer
Ana Shepherd as a Silk Dancer
Mike Tracz as a Silk Dancer
Stardate: Unknown
Synopsis
Assessing Philippa Georgiou’s condition in sickbay, the mysterious Kovich reveals classified data about a Betelgeusian time soldier who traveled forward in time from 2379 and across from an alternate universe that was created by a Romulan mining ship’s temporal incursion; referring to Nero and the Narada.
Additionally, Kovich explains that a person’s molecules thrive in the era in which they were born, so people (namely Georgiou and the Betelgeusian) who have moved through both time and multiple dimensions are even more susceptible to those ill effects. Kovich suggests no cure exists and that the Terran’s demise remains imminent, but Dr. Culber uncovers a potential solution after he instructs the U.S.S. Discovery-A’s computer to correlate data from before and after the starship’s journey into the future.
Georgiou’s “phasing” has worsened, leading to an awkward confrontation when Tilly attempts to offer a helping hand. Burnham intercedes and brings the Terran to a ready room briefing, where Culber relays that the Sphere data suggests a cure might be found on the planet Dannus V near the Gamma Quadrant. Saru shares some unfortunate intelligence of his own, stating that the Emerald Chain’s upcoming military maneuvers will require Discovery to remain with the fleet. However, Admiral Vance authorizes the mission, privately explaining to Saru that captains must do everything possible to save one of their crew members.![]()
[ Screencap Index ]
In the vessel’s gym, Georgiou and Burnham spar physically and verbally, with the subject of Mirror Burnham being a particularly sensitive topic. Prior to beaming down to Dannus V, Saru and Tilly convey heartfelt goodbyes to the former Emperor, who seems surprisingly moved by the friendly gestures… or at least as outwardly appreciative as a Terran can be. Down in engineering, Stamets supplies fatherly advice to Adira, suggesting that Gray has avoided speaking to them so that they will socialize with the rest of the crew.
The astromycologist and his pupil manage to decode the distress signal emanating from where The Burn originated in the Verubin Nebula. The holographic message is from Dr. Issa, a Kelpien aboard the K.S.F. Khi'eth, who explains that a Federation rescue vessel never arrived to assist her stranded ship. Stamets indicates that the recording dates back at least a century and was filmed before The Burn. Saru orders his team to work on remotely accessing the vessel’s sensors, as Dr. Issa’s mission entailed investigating a dilithium nursery in the nebula.
On the barren and snowy planet below, Georgiou and Burnham encounter a quizzical being named Carl who sits by a plain wooden doorway. After a series of befuddling statements from Carl, Georgiou resolves to seek the cure and steps through the door… where she is greeted by Sylvia “Captain Killy” Tilly in the I.S.S. Discovery’s shuttlebay. Georgiou deduces her arrival coincided with the time period in which Mirror Lorca and her beloved Mirror Burnham planned to enact their coup attempt.
At a gathering in a lounge, several familiar faces, including Airiam and Landry, are present. Mirror Burnham steps into the room with an evil air, and Georgiou probes her daughter for information related to Lorca and their secret plot. Burnham’s Terran counterpart becomes enraged at Mirror Saru, but Georgiou spares the Kelpien’s life. In the safety of her quarters, the emperor asks Saru for his perspective on why Burnham would betray her. The Kelpien elucidates that Burnham is under the impression that Georgiou has become weak, thus the younger officer must forsake the emperor in order to survive.
Georgiou resolves to demonstrate her strength, following through on her conviction when she murders Mirror Stamets just as he prepares to stab her at the I.S.S. Charon’s dedication ceremony. Burnham voices support for her mother, but Georgiou and Tilly capture her as she makes an exit through Discovery’s corridors. Burnham dares the emperor to execute her, but Georgiou restrains herself and declares that their future has not been written. Barely able to contain her anger, the emperor banishes Burnham to an agonizer.
Trailer
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