‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Recap – ‘That Hope Is You, Part 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season three premiere of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’.
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If there is one particular belief that all of mankind shares, it would have to be that what we have as a society, is going to endure forever. Because what our kind has worked so hard to build and maintain has merit and value and it makes perfect sense that future generations would be eager to keep the status quo going and keep all that we have built and perfected, standing for ages on end. But the fact of the matter is, nothing lasts forever, and a change in tastes and beliefs can bring about an incredible transformation to a society and its structure and of course… nature and the universe and the outright chaos that comes with them, can shatter everything we’ve built in a matter of minutes. 
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But while most of us prefer to not think about what our world would look like if everything, we’ve worked so hard to build disappeared before our eyes, it is a scenario that storytellers are keen to explore. Simply because diving into such a wild and unsettling concept allows for the reader or the viewer to properly understand and appreciate what we currently have and why it is in fact, so important to maintain its existence. And it just so happens that a storied franchise has decided that after fifty-plus years of existence, the time has come to tackle this incredible topic in a universe where such a reality seems downright impossible. A decision that made the third season premiere of Star Trek: Discovery a bold one to say the least, since it features… a future where the United Federation of Planets; is fractured and no longer the driving force of peace and inspiration in the galaxy.

Which is a tough sentence to type, let alone read. But it is in fact, the harsh reality featured in ‘That Hope Is You, Part 1’, one that Commander Michael Burnham doesn’t quite learn about right away. For shortly after arriving in the year 3188, following the events of ‘Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2’, it seems as though she’s arrived safely in a new place without a worry in the universe. But a rough encounter with a courier named Book reveals to her that some 120 years ago, the galaxy went through a cataclysmic change known as ‘The Burn’. And in this burn, a vast majority of Dilthium just… burned up or exploded and since that is in fact the primary element that drives warp technology in the galaxy, the power and the majesty of the United Federation of Planets more or less disappeared, leaving the people of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants in utter chaos. 

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To the point where Andorians and Orions are now working together to maintain some kind of economy, one that Book takes part in and it was simply fascinating to see a universe that once was held together under notions of peace and unity and progress be reduced to petty crime and dark intentions. For everywhere we went with Book and Burnham revealed strife and struggle and an ‘every being for itself’ mentality, and that was sobering to say the least. But thankfully, there were still some bright spots to be found in the Milky Way Galaxy. For it turns out that the cavalier and aloof nature that Book exhibited toward Burnham and others was designed to keep a cover going. Because in reality, he’s a good man trying to do good things in a galaxy filled to the brim with fear and that particular revelation, along with the ending of this tale, keeps hope alive that the future might still be an optimistic and wonderful place after all.
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For it turns out, that there are still people who believe in Starfleet and the Federation and what it stands for, a reality that was discovered when Burnham asked Book for quite the favor. One that involved finding a place that could scan for the location of the U.S.S. Discovery, since at this point in time it was still missing in action. And that brought them to a remote and ancient Federation outpost, one that was in great disrepair but still functional in regard to its scanners. And while it didn’t yield any results when it comes to the NCC-1031’s location, the man who served at this station with unwavering dedication, made it clear that all the ideals that this once great organization stands for, are still alive in the hearts of a few, and that perhaps if that message was able to spread; the galaxy might believe in something more again and that really is a powerful and inspiring way to end one of the boldest Star Trek episodes to ever air. 

Because the Federation has seemed invincible and untouchable in regard to notions of collapse. So, to see it barely operating here and outright irrelevant was shocking to say the least. But it does go to show that our world and what it stands for can disappear on a moment’s notice, and that it is up to better angels and the hearts and minds of those that understand what we have and what it is worth… to keep it alive and rebuild it as necessary. Which means that season three of Discovery is likely going to revolve around restoring the United Federation of Planets and making Starfleet a force for good once again, which is inspiring and beautiful on so many levels. For this bold quest will remind audiences old and new, exactly what makes the Star Trek Universe such a magnificent place for storytelling and truly, that leaves one eager to see how a ragged crew of weary and war torn officers from 930 years in the past… will be able to pull of such an incredible feat in a universe they no longer recognize. Until next time.

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