Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 Episode 9 Overview: Rubicon

There’s a model of this story the place Tarka’s predicament is portrayed as deftly and thoroughly as this episode tries to deal with the variations of opinion about E-book’s actions between numerous members of the Discovery bridge crew, one which acknowledges the unimaginable state of affairs he’s discovered himself in and which doubtless units Michael and buddies tackle a mission to assist him discover his approach residence by the top of it. As a substitute, this character is laughably one-note, and his presence is so grating that it nearly undoes all the great work the remainder of the hour manages to realize with this story. Who feels unhealthy for this man or is even barely torn on his behalf? And who didn’t see this coming from a mile away? 

Maybe this choice to destroy the DMA would have been extra impactful had E-book really determined to fireside on it himself, since we’ve really spent an entire season watching him grieve and battle and tear himself in two over Kweijan’s destiny and what, if something, he may have completed to forestall it. It could have been an emotional betrayal of Michael, certain, however it will have additionally been an comprehensible, even defendable choice on his half.

Plus, he would have needed to have taken direct and full duty for no matter occurs afterward, versus now, the place he’s type of responsible and can clearly really feel unhealthy about it however isn’t absolutely in charge as a result of not less than he did attempt to do the proper factor in the long run. It smacks a little bit of eager to have it each methods along with his character and as a lot as I like E-book and Burnham’s relationship, I might have appreciated to see them take a story threat right here. 

At any charge, the destroyed DMA is principally instantly changed with a brand new one, as a result of Species 10-C is absolutely not messing round and I swear if we don’t discover out what sort of beings these are subsequent week I’m going to lose my thoughts. They must be some extremely highly effective creatures, sure? 

Regardless of ending on a clumsy first contact that undoubtedly may imply warfare with a dramatically extra highly effective alien race, “Rubicon” has a variety of nice moments all through. However as a lot as I appreciated the character and was happy to see her again on the canvas, I”m not totally certain Nhan’s presence was totally essential—although the truth that she’s now an official Starfleet safety staff member means not less than she may pop again up once more later—if solely as a result of it, as soon as once more, it felt just like the present attempting to string the needle with regards to Michael’s informal disregard of fundamental guidelines and protocols. 

Everyone knows that there was 100% no approach she ought to have ever been concerned on this mission in any capability, not to mention left in command for it, and the return of Nhan looks like Discovery attempting to not less than acknowledge that it is aware of how ridiculous it was that she was allowed to take action. But, even if Rachael Ancheril and Sonequa Martin-Inexperienced get to share a number of nice scenes collectively (and I needed extra about Nhan’s discovery of her household!) it by no means looks like there’s any approach Nhan will really override Michael and provides the order to explode E-book and his ship.