The “Star Trek: Discovery” finale has left fans with mixed feelings. The long wait for more “Star Trek” content gives us time to reflect on the episode’s successes and failures. Let’s dive into what the finale got right and wrong.
The finale delivered stunning visuals, making it one of the most visually impressive episodes of the series. The outer space sequences and the interior of the Progenitor portal were breathtaking. Drawing inspiration from M.C. Escher, the crew created scenes that truly amazed. While the Progenitor mystery’s resolution fell short, the visuals alone made the episode worth watching.
The finale gave many beloved characters their moments to shine. Critics often label the show as the “Michael Burnham show,” but this episode allowed others to step into the spotlight. Saru bluffing an entire Breen fleet and Dr. Culber and Booker braving an irradiated war zone to save a friend were standout scenes.
Even Dr. Kovich, played by David Cronenberg, revealed his secret identity as the Enterprise’s Daniels, a temporal agent, adding a delightful twist.
The final season and particularly the finale were rich with Easter eggs. These nods to earlier “Star Trek” shows delighted fans. From Geordi La Forge’s VISOR and Captain Sisko’s baseball to Chateau Picard wine, these references were a treat. Critics may call it fan service, but these Easter eggs added a layer of enjoyment for longtime fans.
The finale skillfully tied up loose ends while leaving room for future adventures. The ending with an older Burnham and Booker, filmed after the show’s cancellation, provided a satisfying conclusion for these characters. It also connected to the “Short Treks” episode “Calypso,” suggesting that the crew’s story isn’t entirely over and sparking imaginations about their future exploits.
Despite the praise, the finale had its flaws. The decision to bury the Progenitor technology felt like a missed opportunity. This tech promised to revolutionize the 32nd century, but the writers seemed hesitant to make significant changes. Setting the show 800 years after “The Next Generation” only to maintain the status quo was a frustrating choice.
The finale also failed some fan-favorite characters. Stamets and Tilly, who were central in earlier seasons, received minimal screen time. The final scene highlighted this issue, featuring characters like Owosekun and Detmer in non-speaking roles, reminding viewers of their underutilization in season five.
The surprise cancellation of the series led to a rushed finale. Saru’s wedding, teased all season, received scant attention. The Progenitor mystery’s resolution felt abrupt, and Burnham’s decision against using the tech seemed too hasty. The fast-forward to Burnham and Booker as an older couple with a child also felt rushed, complicating the setup for “Calypso.”
“Discovery’s” ending lands somewhere in the middle. It’s not as iconic as “The Next Generation” or “Deep Space Nine” finales, but it surpasses the finales of “Voyager” and “Enterprise.” Despite its flaws, the finale had more hits than misses, leaving fans with a bittersweet farewell to a beloved show.
