‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Recap – ‘…But to Connect’

Written by Shae Rufe

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 407 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.
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The mid-season finale of Star Trek: Discovery has dropped, and it has me torn to shreds emotionally. Seriously, I don’t even know where to begin. I felt like so much happened all at once and I’m still working out how to process it all. The DMA is still running rampant, and Paul is working with Zora to find the source of the DMA. Michael and Book are impatiently waiting while Michael tries to win over Grudge the cat… not that that’s going well by any means.

It’s always important to note that cats are often filled with indifference. You really have to earn their respect and you might be deemed worthy of their affection. Finally, a breakthrough, Paul calls Michael in to talk about the findings. Zora has located the source of the DMA, only… she isn’t going to give them the coordinates. Michael is upset, as she is the captain and orders Zora to give the coordinates, however Zora refuses. Michael is willing to work with Zora more, but she gets called away.

There is a meeting of worlds going on, both Federation and Non-Federation Planets are meeting to discuss what to do about the DMA and how to handle this whole situation. Tarka introduces a weapon he made that would destroy the DMA without harming its power source, but the risks are unknown, vast, and possibly damaging. While the Federation is pushing for First Contact. There are arguments on both sides of the table. Tarka says that by destroying the DMA they could saves billions of lives. Book even seconds the whole thing, citing the destruction of his own planet as reason enough to stop the DMA as soon as possible.
 
Michael counters the offer by saying that’s not what the Federation stands for. They stand for making peaceful first contact with new life forms, and the DMA originating from outside their Galaxy is enough reason to have a peaceful first contact. By destroying the DMA, they could be unknowingly declaring war on whomever built it. And the unknown builders might have a worse weapon. Destroying the DMA is too big of a risk, and they need to approach this delicately. Tarka doesn’t like this, so he pulls Book aside and explains his true motives for needing to kill the DMA. He’s from a mirror universe and needs the power source of the DMA to get back, supposedly. Either way, the vote is in, and the majority has voted for a peaceful First Contact. Tarka and Book disagree, so Tarka takes a next generation Spore Drive, melds it with Book’s ship, and they head out with it to take out the DMA themselves.

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Michael does not like this.

As for Zora? Well, there’s a lot to unpack about Zora. Computers that evolve into sentient beings aren’t permitted on Federation ships. She, theoretically, could be removed from the ship and placed into a different body. Paul and Hugh debate with Dr. Kovich over what to do about Zora. Paul, doesn’t trust her. So, to make him feel better, Zora offers them a kill switch that would erase her programming instantly. Hugh disagrees with this idea, as does Adira and Grey once they show up to help Zora. Kovich is trying to figure out what Zora is before any decisions can truly be made.
 
It’s a long debate, and finally Paul concedes that he would feel better in trusting Zora if she trusted them. A dive into Zora’s programming proves that she’s evolved in such a way that she isn’t an advanced AI, but something new entirely. Zora is alive, and she views the crew as her family and her primary directive is to keep her family safe. She does agree with Paul though, and she gives them the coordinates. Kovich rules that she is a unique sentient being that he cannot remove from the ship, and all is well, right? Paul even suggests Zora join Starfleet. Grey decides to leave the ship in pursuit of his dream and Adira goes with, just for a few weeks to help him get settled.

All is happy and well. Except for Book maybe starting a massive war and destroying the DMA… Book might be in over his head.

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