STAR TREK: DISCOVERY
SEASON 4, EPISODE 7
SEASON 4, EPISODE 7
...But to Connect
Series: Star Trek: Discovery - (2017 - 2024)Season: 4
Episode #: 7
Original Airdate: December 30th, 2021
Writer(s): Terri Hughs Burton & Carlos Cisco
Director(s): Lee Rose
Guest Stars
Ian Alexander as Gray Tal
David Cronenberg as Dr. Kovich
Shawn Doyle as Dr. Ruon Tarka
Chelah Horsdal as President Laira Rillak
Tara Rosling as President T'Rina
Phumzile Sitole as General Diatta Ndoye
Annabelle Wallis as Zora
Co-Stars
Andreas Apergis as Guardian Xi
Nicole Dickinson as an Orion Delegate
Alex McCooeye as Lee'U
Giovanni Spina as Provost Sta'Kiar
Uncredited Guest Stars
Lizz Porter as an Alien Delegate
Jennifer Rebecca as an Alien Delegate
Leeu as Grudge
Stardate: TBA
Synopsis
With the U.S.S. Discovery still undergoing repairs as a result of its mission to the subspace rift, Paul Stamets and Adira Tal analyze the data from the energy particles that the Dark Matter Anomaly (DMA) left behind when it traversed the galactic barrier and entered our galaxy. Zora calculates the coordinates for Species 10-C, the name Starfleet assigned to the DMA’s elusive creators, but refuses to divulge the information in an effort to protect the crew from danger. Zora denies Captain Burnham’s order to share the location, prompting a visit from Doctor Kovich, who explains that he must evaluate Zora, as Starfleet prohibits fully sentient artificial intelligences from being integrated into its vessels.
As Federation President Rillak hosts an assembly that includes representatives from all four quadrants, we are reintroduced to General Diatta Ndoye of the United Earth Defense Force. We learn that Titan has become part of Earth’s jurisdiction once again, and Rillak expresses a hope that the former member will consider rejoining the Federation. The impressive gathering brings together numerous species, ranging from Orion, Ni’Var, Ferengi, Cardassian, Andorian, and Alshain, among many others. Rillak addresses the delegates, believing that they must decide on how to deal with Species 10-C. Ndoye proposes forming an armada, while T’Rina of Ni’Var suggests a diplomatic approach. Burnham cites voles who eat Denobulan bloodworms as an example of a species that causes destruction without malice, implying that Species 10-C may not hold hostile intent.
Aboard Discovery, Kovich meets with Saru, Stamets, Culber, and Zora to work through the issue of the artificial intelligence’s sentience. Stamets emphasizes his displeasure with Zora’s emotional display, while Kovich states that the astromycologist’s views might be influenced by the 23rd century fight against Control. Zora hypothesizes that her capacity for emotion was inevitable once the starship merged with the Sphere. Zora proposes a compromise: a failsafe device that would allow Discovery’s crew to terminate her if they ever felt she had become a threat.![]()
[ Screencap Index ]
At Rillak’s assembly, Ruon Tarka chimes in to encourage the delegates to destroy the DMA with a new weapon he designed based on the research he had conducted. The device is an isolytic weapon, a technology banned by the Khitomer Accords and previously employed by the Son’a centuries earlier. Burnham points out that the subspace burst could travel back through the DMA’s wormhole and be seen as an act-of-war by Species 10-C. During a recess, Book argues that action must be taken against the DMA, mentioning Burnham’s own insubordinate attempt to attack the Klingons as a precedent. The captain prefers diplomacy, a position supported by Rillak. In a private conversation with Book, Tarka shockingly admits that he wishes to use the DMA controller’s power source to travel to a parallel universe where The Burn never occurred. Tarka plans to move there and reunite with another scientist who had also been imprisoned by Osyraa, the former Emerald Chain leader who was killed a year earlier.
Adira and Gray join Kovich’s mini summit to defend Zora’s rights, where the group learns that Zora is responsible for providing her own core programming: to care for the crew of Discovery. While examining Zora’s systems, the crew finds a sector containing various images (Discovery’s rendezvous with the Sphere, its trip into the future, and tender moments with the crew among them) that reveal Zora’s subconscious values love and connection… suggesting that Zora is an entirely new lifeform!
Following Book’s impassioned plea in support of Tarka’s weapon on behalf of all those who had been killed by the DMA, Burnham urges the delegates to work toward the future they wish to see rather than be guided by fear. The representatives are swayed by the captain’s words, with the majority voting for a peaceful approach.
At the same time, Stamets explains to Zora that trust must go both ways, causing Zora to reevaluate her position and provide Species 10-C’s coordinates. Kovich concludes his evaluation by determining that Zora is a new lifeform, resulting in a beautiful moment where the A.I. truly feels ‘seen.’ The astromycologist then recommends that Zora officially join Starfleet. Kovich explains that, had Stamets held on to his misgivings, the doctor would have reassigned him rather than extract Zora from Discovery.
In a stunning move, Tarka steals the next generation spore drive he had developed with Aurellio and installs it into Book’s ship. Having left a love note for Michael and transported Grudge to the captain’s quarters, Book pilots his vessel out of Discovery’s shuttle bay and, along with the Risan scientist, makes an unsanctioned jump to parts unknown.
Trailer
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