‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Recap – ‘Face the Strange’

4/19/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Sonequa Martin-Green as Captain Michael Burnham in Episode 504 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ – ‘Face the Strange’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 504 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One particular bit of advice that tends to go the wayside for us, is that it is important to take a moment and reflect upon our journey. And we tend to forget about that… because we’re in the middle of the journey, where there is so much for us to do on a regular basis. After all, there are chores to perform and meals to make. Work to conduct and breaks to take, and if you have kids, they need to be cared for and entertained because that is life and that is how it goes. But truly, we should not let that advice ever go the wayside, because it really is important to reflect upon what brought us to this point in our lives.

All so we can properly appreciate what we’ve learned, how far we’ve come and find that sense of appreciation and wonder that accompanies such reflection. For it will give us peace in our soul and joy in our heart and well… the importance of this is top of mind today, simply because it served as the central exploration of the next episode of Star Trek: Discovery on Paramount+. A feat that ‘Face the Strange’ accomplished by having the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery find a touch of frustration with their mission. Simply because the next clue offered little direction or guidance. Just empty space and curiosity and a touch of infighting between Commander Rayner and the crew, which prompted a talking to from the captain.

Wherein, a strange occurrence happened once the talk was interrupted by a message regarding power fluctuations. For Burnham and Rayner found themselves suddenly jumping through time. Which of course left this duo curious as to how this happened and thankfully, it didn’t take long for Rayner to figure out that the tiny little bug that Moll put on Adira’s uniform, was a creature known as a Time Bug. Which could infiltrate a ship’s technology and send it into a time loop, incapacitating the ship until someone either came looking for the paralyzed vessel or until someone within it, understood that trouble had come. Which meant that this duo had to work fast to be free of the Time Bug so that Moll and L’ak wouldn’t jump ahead of them in the search.

Sonequa Martin-Green, Callum Keith Rennie, and Anthony Rapp as Captain Michael Burnham, Commander Rayner, and Commander Paul Stamets in Episode 504 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ – ‘Face the Strange’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Which brought about a wild adventure through time, one that took us to the laying down of Discovery’s keel in the 23rd Century to moments related to recent history. Which brought about cameos, reflection, and the theme at hand. But we’ll get to that in a moment, simply because… it is important to point out that our heroes did escape the chaos of the Time Bug, thanks to the fact that Stamets was aware of the situation because of his Tardigrade DNA, and with everyone working together on this little problem project, they were able to neutralize the Time Bug and get life back to normal, just in time to see that L’ak and Moll were indeed nearby, giving rise to a renewed chase and a chance to prevent a dark future.

But truly, what made this episode so unique, was the fact that Captain Burnham, Commander Rayner. and Commander Stamets did indeed have to take a moment and look at their respective journeys. The highs, the lows, how much they’ve grown as people and as leaders in Starfleet and that made… for a powerful tale. One that really showcased how much value we find in taking that moment to look back. For this trio really did find some special peace and some special perspective and that will serve them well in the fight ahead now they are once again in striking distance of their foe, and let’s be honest… it was very special to see the Burnham of old as part of the process, to really hammer home how quickly we grow and change in life.

In the end however, this was just… a lovely story. One that made sure to put forth one of the big tenets of Star Trek, specifically… the human condition and the wonders it harbors. While at the same time, offering up a pseudo-retrospective of the series. Since we did see a lot of history regarding this ship and were treated to a bevy of big moments from her past, and we also got to see old friends that we’ve lost along the way, and it was quite amazing to have a little reunion aboard the bridge of this ship and enjoy a greatest hits recap. For that most certainly helps us to process the end and say goodbye, and now is the time to do that. For there are only a handful of episodes left for this glorious series, and undoubtedly, the search for the Progenitor’s technology will soon become the sole focus. Until next time.

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