Star Trek Discovery 1.08 Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum review

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum review

The eighth episode of the series, continuing the storyline of the war against the Klingons. The opening, where Discovery tries to save the Gagarin, was done very well. The bridge crew clearly try their best to stop the Bird of preys from taking out the Gagarin. It is quite obviously the cloaking devices that give the Klingons the advantage here. Lorca's tactic of placing the Discovery in harms way to protect the other ship was a good idea (and one that we have seen the other captains we have seen use).

Too bad it doesn't work and the Gagarin is destroyed. (Lorca then asks Airiam to take the conn. Is she the third in command?) However, there is the other storyline, with Saru, Burnham and Tyler on Pahvo. An actual planet based mission with a mysterious subspace transmitter to investigate? It is a change from the ship focused episodes preceding it, and it's reflective of the various planetary exploration episodes of the previous series (particularly the Original and Animated Series, but parts of Voyager and Enterprise also).

The nature of the planet and it's inhabitants are also well established, as is the effect it has on Saru (more on this below). But before that, the discussion lead by Burnham about the creatures and their nature was done rather well. Back on Discovery, Tilly is wondering, what is up with Staments, why did he call her 'Captain' earlier? It is obvious that being the navigator for the Spore Drive is having some kind of effect on him. (And also that he doesn't want to Culbur in a very difficult position, but enough about that).

Cornwell is on the Klingon Ship of the Dead. L'Rell is there also. The latter tries to help the former to escape. (Did she really want to defect to the Federation, or is it one of House Moquai's schemes? Probably the latter.) Still these scenes were done rather well. Then Kol catches her in the act and Cornwell is electrocuted. Quite a... shocking scene. But what is more shoking to L'Rell is that she finds former friends dead. Also quite effectively acted. But back to Saru, the aliens do something to him, taking away his fear.

Burnham then has to get to the transmitter, leaving Tyler behind to delay Saru. These scenes are also quite well done. (Showing Saru running at speed.) The Discovery responding to the distress call, and rescuing the landing party (I'm sure the term 'Away Team' wasn't said, was good, as well as Lorca's incredulosity at the Aliens signalling the Klingons so as to try to bring about peace. 9/10.