TL;DR – We continue our quest in Trill, where all may not be what it seems, and the game of politics continues.

Disclosure – I paid for the Paramount+ service that viewed this episode.

Star Trek: Discovery Review –

As we fly through the galaxy on this quest, it has been interesting to see just how much this season of Discovery is linking itself back to the past series of Star Trek. It has always felt like it has been pushed there by many people into being more of its own thing. But now, it is embracing its place in the Star Trek world, and I, for one, would love to see it.

So to set the scene, last week Under the Twin Moons, we discovered that the next clue in the treasure hunt was not hidden on Betazed as it first seemed, but was instead on Trill. This was possibly great news for Adira (Blu del Barrio) because Gray (Ian Alexander) has been studying there to be a Guardian. However, as the race heats up, the question is, how will they find the next clue when it has been 800 years since it was hidden? Now, we will be looking at the episode as a whole from here, so there will be some [SPOILERS] ahead. 

While the first two episodes this season have been playing in the space left behind by The Next Generation and Picard, this week, it is time to dive into Deep Space Nine’s realm as we arrive back on Trill. There was a big DS9 vibe to this episode, from the Ferngi running the bar on the USS Discovery-A to some good old-fashioned Sluggo Cola, and we even get the unseen but profoundly mentioned Tzenkethi. This was a nice and welcomed shift, and it was fun seeing all those little nods. It also felt like it fit the vibes of the episode, finding the treasures while the show goes on a treasure hunt.

The chase itself across Trill was an interesting one because it let Wilson Cruz chew all the scenery as the titular Jinaal. It was a delight to see him jump into this new character and just thrive with it. I think you will work out the moral lesson before Michael (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Booker (David Ajala), but it still works. Thanks. I think it was in part due to the fascinating character design that made it feel menacing. The reference to the Dominion War also was a nice touch because it made sense why a Romulan and a Trill would be working together and why they would not trust the Federation of that era with the technology.

From here, we get a lot of relationship drama that is a bit hit-and-miss. I hope this is not the last of Gray we get to see this season because that story with Adria landed in a place where I think there is more space to explore. I am here for everything that happens with Saru (Doug Jones) and T’Rina (Tara Rosling), and their first fight and resolution was a perfect representation of who they are as people. It was also lovely to see the Federation at work during those political moments. The oddest part of the episode might be Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) only giving the crew 20 words to define themselves. I mean, it led to some funny moments, and I think the ending landed, but it was fascinating. Also, the younger person telling the older person that respect is earned and not given was very pointed.    

In the end, do we recommend Star Trek: Discovery – Jinaal? Yes, we would. Sure, there were some clunky parts and a sequence that went on for a touch too long. However, it was a lot of fun, and it let its actors shine. I hope the rest of the season works as well as this.

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

Have you seen Star Trek Discovery yet?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day.   

Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of Star Trek Discovery
Directed by – Andi Armaganian
Written by – Kyle Jarrow & Lauren Wilkinson
Based off – Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry
Created by – Bryan Fuller & Alex Kurtzman  
Production/Distribution Companies – CBS Television Studios, Roddenberry Entertainment, Secret Hideout & Paramount+. 
Starring – Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Wilson Cruz, Blu del Barrio, Callum Keith Rennie, Tig Notaro & David Ajala with Annabelle Wallis, Tara Rosling, Eve Harlow & Ian Alexander and Patrick Kwok-Choon, Orville Cummings, David Benjamin Tomlinson, Victoria Sawal, Natalie Liconti, Christina Dixson, Raven Dauda, Andreas Apergis, Clare Coulter, Ingrid Rae Docet, Glen Michael Grant, Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon,