Star Trek Discovery 1.07 Magic to Make the Sanest Man go Mad review

Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad review

The seventh episode of the series, in which there is a time loop. An interesting take on the concept, different to other Trek versions of the idea (see below regarding the TNG episode, but not so different to Stargate SG1's Window of Opportunity.) It was a good opportunity to see how these characters could deal with the issue. Then there's the party that's happening in the Discovery's Mess Hall as the loop begins. It is portrayed rather realistically, but it it's obvious why Burnham would have trepidation about it.

(And the Stardate would seem to be too high, but Stardates are inconsistent anyway, so no reason for a separate nitpick post.) The space whale, or rather Gormamander is an interesting idea (but then we have seen space borne lifeforms before), it mostly serves to point to the main plot, which is Harry Mudd's plan to get back at Lorca for stranding him on the Klingon Prison Ship, and also to gather information on the Discovery for the Klingons, using advanced technology based on a time crystal.

The episode flows quite differently than in TNG, Cause and Effect, in that we don't see the Discovery explode over and over again, or the same scenes repeated endlessly. An approach that is more reflective of the above referenced Stargate SG1 episode, or Groundhog Day. One similarity to both is that Staments remembers each loop, due to his having some of the Tardigrade's DNA. However an aspect that does have disturbing (even if played for laughs) is Mudd killing Lorca at least 53 times.

Seems quite psychopathic. But that is not the entire focus of the storyline. There's also further character development for Burnham. That she hadn't been in love is believable, as she had been brought up on Vulcan, and therefore wouldn't have had opportunities in her teen years for forming relationships, and as noted regarding going to parties on the Shenzhou, a relationship with a subordinate would have been inappropriate. But the connection between the two of them (in at least one loop) is interesting.

There is at least a connection (unlike the unrequited attraction to Seven by the EMH in Someone to Watch Over Me. Seven's interactions with Chapman are also similar to Burnham's initial iteraction with Tyler at the party.) However the end where the Discovery crew outwit Mudd and give him to Stella and her father was also done well. 9/10.