People of Earth
The third episode of the third season. Burnham catches up with the Discovery crew, and Discovery visits Earth. This catching up was done rather well. But the 'meat of the episode is what happens in the Solar System (as it's not just Earth involved in what happens next.) But first the set-up. Burnham and Book have information on an Admiral who had been to Earth a decade earlier. More on that later. Of course the Spore Drive is used to get to Earth (and also plays a role in the episode's events.)
The changes in Burnham as a result of the past year were believable. (Are there going to be more flashbacks to that year later?) Why Discovery would have so much dilithium isn't addressed. (Perhaps Kirk was reckless with it? That wouldn't be surprising.) The plan to hide the dilithium on Book's ship was sound (and great setup for later). They arrive at Earth to find that Earth is isolationist and no longer a member of the Federation. Starfleet had withdrawn to protect them from some undefined post-Burn threats.
That's certainly in character for Starfleet. But boarding Discovery without much warning? The United Earth Defense Force certainly is paranoid. However there is something else happening, mysterious attackers after Earth's hoarded dilithium. But they aren't who they appear to be. Rather they're from Titan, which had suffered an accident and was no longer self sufficient. (Lack of communication...) The way the dispute was resolved was reminicent of similar storylines in The Next Generation.
The feint, where Burnham and Book pretend to abscond with Discovery's dilithium to offer it to the Titanians, was done rather well. However, an interesting aspect of this episode is Adira. Curiosity about the Spore Drive was done rather well, as was the revelation about being host to a Trill Symbiont who was part of that Admiral. A very good episode. 9/10.
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