Star Trek: Discovery Review: Scavengers (Season 3 Episode 6)

If you think it’d take long for Burnham to defy Federation orders again, Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 6, “Scavengers,” quickly squashes that notion. Discovery seems to be settling in nicely with the Federation, but the mystery behind the Burn still compels Burnham to do things her way.

Her theory that the Burn has an origin point, and does not happen simultaneously, would change things for the Federation if proven true. Unfortunately, they’re too busy putting out fires with the Emerald Chain crime syndicate to care.  

So Discovery stays docked on this episode, but there’s plenty of adventure thanks to Burnham’s insubordination. A message from Book about a newly discovered Starfleet black box sends Burnham and Georgiou on an unsanctioned mission to rescue him.  

Star Trek: Discovery continues to weave in new details about the Burn to keep audiences hooked on the mystery, but it also risks stretching the mystery too thin by leaning heavily on it. Fortunately, this episode also uses the mission to highlight developments within Burham’s personal relationships which spices things up.  

Take for example Georgiou, who agrees to go on the mission with Burnham but keeps her at arm’s length about the mysterious blackouts she has involving memories from her past. Instead of growing closer, Georgiou pushes Burnham further despite her pleas of trust. 

It could be frustrating that the episode doesn’t directly answer any questions about Georgiou’s ailments, but the writers still manage to make the scenes between Georgiou and Burnham worth watching. Martin-Green and Yeoh’s chemistry is undeniable, and the pairing seems to understand each other even more after Burnham’s year alone despite Georgiou’s desire to push away. 

Burnham: Your emotional spectrum runs from cranky to homicidal. 

Speaking of chemistry, Georgiou doesn’t let Burnham off the hook this time about her clear interest in Book. Their relationship’s slow-burn progression to being more than friends fuels this episode.  

Burnham wants the black box that Book has found because it could provide evidence about the Burn’s origin. But clearly, her motivation runs deeper than that. She cares about him and refuses to leave him behind after she finds him enslaved by the Emerald Chain. 

The mission is successful… but watching Burnham and Book finally share a kiss on this episode is the real payoff to fans. Hopefully, we will see more of Ajala (and Queen Grudge) this season. 

That said, this new development adds more questions about Burnham’s future on Discovery. 

Despite setting up the inevitable conflict early on, the episode spends relatively little time on Saru and his reaction to Burnham’s disobedience. But the limited time they do spend they make the most of. 

Hearing Saru admit that he hasn’t distrusted Burnham this much since serving on the Shenzhou breaks your heart. His conversation with Tilly, who encourages him to report to the Admiral for the sake of the whole crew, highlights just how deep the division between Burnham and the crew has grown. 

The final twist of the knife comes later when he relieves Burnham as his Number One. It’s a necessary decision, for both of them, but leaves a question about whether Burnham will ever find her place again on Discovery.

Saru: One day we will find the answers we are all looking for, Michael.

Saru shows a lot of maturity as the captain and even seems to understand that his desire for normalcy caused him to ignore the truth about the situation. But you’re left to wonder whether this rift will create more problems down the line.

Admiral Vance doesn’t entirely shut down Burnham’s investigation, but it doesn’t look like Discovery will be a part of it.  

Not every friendship on Discovery is on the rocks. We get a touching scene where Adira admits Gray’s existence to Stamets, and he relates to his own experience with the death (and life) of Culber. 

The show established Adira is cut from the same “genius” cloth as Stamets, but this revelation gives them something deeper to bond over. And after seeing Stamets devote so much of his time to his work, it’s also nice to see him refocus that energy on human connection and helping someone else.

With the Burn looming over everything, the mystery behind Gray’s existence is perhaps slightly less tantalizing as it would be otherwise. But seeing Adira integrate with the crew through their friendship with Stamets is something to look forward to. 

It’s not the most memorable mission, but Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 6, “Scavengers,” shows significant changes for the crew and its future. This season continues to be one to watch. 

 Additional Thoughts:

• I definitely geeked out along with the crew at all of Discovery’s upgrades. Even the programmable matter creeps me out less than it did at the beginning of the season. 
• They make a big deal about the Emerald Chain and their leader Osyraa on this episode, so they could be building up to a bigger confrontation. But unless the Emerald Chain caused the Burn, it’s a little hard for me to care. 
• I am very happy to see the return of Grudge (and her owner of course). We’re still waiting on any big reveal about Grudge’s significance as a “queen,” but I enjoy any screentime for her. 
• “Did you eat her?” The Grudge body shaming has got to stop!
• Compared to last season, Tilly has been given less to do. Perhaps she will be Saru’s new confidant with Burnham sidelined?
• Linus! I love how they set up the transporter gag on this episode. I burst out laughing when he interrupts Book and Burnham’s big moment.

 

What did you think of this episode of Star Trek: Discovery? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Star Trek: Discovery airs Thursdays on CBS All Access.

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