‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Recap – ‘Species Ten-C’

Written by Shae Rufe

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 412 of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Boldly going where no one has gone before has never had a more terrifying connotation than now. First contact with a species who has been subsequently responsible for the murder of an entire planet is a horrifying thing. Let it be said that first contact will always be a jarring experience, no matter how peaceful one can hope for. This is even more nerve wracking as Discovery's crew has no way to truly communicate with the Ten-C beyond the hydrocarbons they discovered on the dead planet. Outside of the Hyperfield, Discovery has tried hailing the Ten-C to no avail. The only other option left is to send drones, each with one of the sixteen hydrocarbons attached to them. It’s a long shot, possibly won’t work, but it’s all they have. Thankfully it gets a response.
 
The Ten-C encase the Discovery in a bubble and pull it into the upper atmosphere of a planet. The hyper shield hides an entire solar system inside, proving how massive the Ten-C truly is. The crew is calm, then scared, as would be expected with everything going on. The bubble stops and they’re summoned to the flight deck where the Ten-C attempt to communicate with them. A series of flashing lights and a hydrocarbon are sent. It takes a little bit, but eventually the crew figures out the pattern. Mathematical equations will be the communication style of the day. It’s something I would greatly fail at, since math is the bane of my existence. Still, it eventually works. The Ten-C send a transport to the deck, expecting some of the crew to enter. Michael, Saru, Rillak, and T’Rina board the offered ship. Inside is a replica of Discovery’s bridge. It’s a way for them to feel more comfortable. At least the Ten-C are considerate.

Which is more than I can say about Tarka. What’s that? He betrays Book? Oh no. Whoever could have seen that one coming. Definitely everyone who’s been watching this show the entire time because Tarka is as trustworthy as feeding a Tribble. Tarka’s plan is to steal the power source of the DMA and in doing so, it will cause a chain reaction that will implode the DMA device and kill the Ten-C, the Discovery, not to mention Earth, Titan, and Ni’Var will still get murdered by the DMA fall out. There’s no winning.

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​When Reno finally convinces Book to confront Tarka, and learns the truth, things get ugly. Book unknowingly got General Ndoye to agree to help Tarka. The plan includes her overriding Discovery’s protocols and shooting plasma at a specific spot on the bubble they’re trapped in, creating a big enough hole for Book’s ship to slip through. Then they fly to where the DMA is being controlled and Tarka gets everyone but himself killed. Really nice guy.

Zora has finally realized something is wrong and gets Culber and Stamets to help. Adira confirms that Reno isn’t around and eventually they find out that she’s not even on the ship. Adira finds the device Tarka planted, blocking Zora from noticing Book’s ship. It’s too late for them to do anything, however, since Tarka trapped Book with Reno and implemented his plan.

Communication with the Ten-C was going really well, too. Michael and the delegates were able to convey that the DMA was hurting them, and the Ten-C understood and empathized. But before they could ask the Ten-C to turn the DMA off and/or communicate further, Tarka had to screw it up. The Ten-C send Michael and everyone back to the flight deck instantly as Book’s ship escapes the bubble. Things were going so well too! Reno gets Book to help her get a message to the Captain about Tarka’s plan, and now Michael is left with an impossible choice. She has to find a way to stop Tarka and reestablish communication with the Ten-C and convey that no harm was meant. Good luck to that.

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