IR TV Review: STAR TREK - DISCOVERY - EPISODE 7 (“…But To Connect”) [Paramount+-S4]

The trevails of Episode 6 of "Star Trek: Discovery" actually introduced a different motif to the universe which actually comes about as a right turn in many ways to the ideals that were initially being discussed. Again this season initially was thought to be more episodic and yet it is ending up playing more serialized than one would think though not as claustrophobic as before. A main focus in Episode 7 "...But To Connect" (which is the mid-season finale) does offer an interesting diatribe that plays both to the first Star Trek movie and in a way to "2001". The person that shines here interestingly enough on one angle is David Cronenberg who plays a head scientist at the new Starfleet. He is human to a point but his logic and monotone delivery speak to a different kind of empathy which is an interesting balance point to both the now more emotional Burnham and the hesitant Stammets.

The negotiation back and forth of a certain point of contention works quite well while a larger negotiation happens within Starfleet in a larger context, To give away any more would spoil the surprise but Tarja, the scientist that Stammets initially goes head-to-head with is a focal point. The reasoning is what opens up the world and that is where a connection and a divide begins which will focus the story points to the end of the season. There are a lot more voices coming to play but interestingly enough, many whom we have come to know are not seen or figure into the larger story though the context of the main players and different details of their life to start to unfurl certain agendas and motivations which before might have been simmering below the surface. The chase or the tug of war starts (at the end of this episode) which will hopefully accelerate the pacing. And yet the living of lives goes on...which obviously is part of the point. B

By Tim Wassberg