Star Trek: Discovery Review: Unification III (Season 3 Episode 7)
We’re halfway through the third season of Star Trek: Discovery, and we still don’t know what caused the Burn. But after Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 7, “Unification III,” the crew is one step closer to the truth.
Unfortunately, getting there involves retreading some familiar beats that put Burnham at the center of things once again.
Compared to the past two seasons, Burnham’s Vulcan heritage had been practically irrelevant up to this point in the third season. However, Admiral Vance drops some major news about the future of Vulcan and its possible role in the Burn on this episode.
Now called Ni’Var, after the Romulan and Vulcan reunification initiated by Spock, the planet has started an experiment called SB-19 to find a dilithium alternative at the Federation’s request. Ni’Var, however, want to stop the experiment after thinking it’s become dangerous and they believe the Federation’s refusal to stop it caused the Burn.
As a result, Ni’Var no longer belongs to the Federation and the data Burnham needs from the experiment to find the true cause of the Burn is no longer accessible. But conveniently, Discovery has the sister of Ambassador Spock on board, and Vance thinks they may listen to her.
Just like in earlier seasons, Burnham is made more important by her connection to Spock instead of being allowed to succeed on her own merit. The decision by the writers to make Vulcan important to the story is a little too convenient and feels like a forced twist.
Some long-time Star Trek fans will surely enjoy that the episode ties back to the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Unification II,” which features Spock’s mission for reunification. But the show’s reliance on Burnham’s connection to Spock is a crutch better left in the past and one I hope we don’t see again this season.
Adding some extra stuffing to this episode is the reappearance of Burnham’s mother, Gabrielle (Sonja Sohn). It turns out she’s alive and joined the Qowat Milat, the same group of Romulan warrior nuns introduced during the first season of Star Trek: Picard.
While we have been waiting for her to show up this season, it’s hard to revel in their reunion when they’re immediately set to work. Burnham’s decision to invoke a Vulcan ritual, T’kal-in-ket, forces a diplomatic situation that puts all the pressure on Burnham to convince them of her cause.
Her back and forth with the hostile council forces her to confront some truths about what she’s been feeling since rejoining Discovery. The trial offers compelling moments, especially thanks to the tension between Burnham and Gabrielle, who gives her daughter a heavy dose of absolute candor.
In an emotional scene, Burnham realizes she does want to be a part of the Federation despite her earlier misgivings. Some viewers dismiss the amount of feelings Burnham seems to have, but I always enjoy Martin-Green’s scenes of catharsis and this one is no different.
Although she withdraws her request rather than inciting conflict between the divided Vulcans and Romulans, her honesty wins over President T’Rina (Tara Rosling).
Gabrielle slips Burnham the data she needs from T’Rina, which means the investigation is back in business. It’s not exactly the big revelation about the Burn we’ve long been waiting for, but it’s another step forward.
Although Burnham’s trial takes up the bulk of the episode, a few other plot threads make their way in.
T’Rina indicates to Saru during a heart-to-heart that Ni’Var have more than one reason for leaving the Federation and her distrust of them runs deep. So far, this season relies on Vance always deferring to security reasons to explain his secrecy. But could he and the Federation be hiding something in addition to the Burn?
And after demoting Burnham last week, Saru asks Tilly to act as his first officer. Instead of showing pure joy, Tilly questions his motivations and her own qualifications for the role.
Despite always having leadership aspirations, it’s interesting Tilly would choose to doubt herself now. It takes a pep talk from the entire Bridge crew and Burnham for Tilly to accept the role, but it makes you wonder if her and Saru’s working relationship isn’t off to a rocky start.
With Burnham staying on Discovery, there’s likely to be more conflict to come between her and Saru. But as long as they all keep chipping away at the mystery of the Burn, a little conflict can’t hurt!
Additional Thoughts:
- For a PG-rated episode, we do get quite a steamy moment between Book and Burnham. I’m definitely not complaining.
- The absence of Georgiou and Adira is notable. They have such interesting stories that are shelved this week.
- Hearing the phrase “Live long and prosper,” is always a comfort.
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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Breeze Riley
Breeze Riley is a pop culture enthusiast who decided to turn her love of watching too much TV into a hobby writing about it. Although she's a convention-going sci-fi and fantasy nerd, she's just as likely to be watching an off-beat comedy or period drama. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic.