Star Trek: Discovery Review: The Sanctuary (Season 3 Episode 8)
After some detours resulting from Burnham’s investigation into the Burn, the crew is back to helping out new worlds. This time it’s even more personal as they visit Book’s home planet of Kwejian on Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 8, “The Sanctuary.”
Book receives a message from his brother that Kwejian is under threat from the Emerald Chain, who have taken advantage of the planet’s natural disasters after the Burn.
Admiral Vance doesn’t seem all that convinced that this planet is more worthwhile than the dozens of other star systems under risk of collapse. But apparently, he’s given up on saying no to Burnham and gives Discovery the go-ahead under the guise of diplomatic observers.
It makes sense the show revisits the Emerald Chain given its importance early in the season. The episode also reverts to the planet of the week format the show adopted during the first half of season three.
The show finally introduces Emerald Chain leader Osyraa (Janet Kidder) on screen, providing a tantalizing and ruthless adversary.
Osyraa’s motivations lack nuance until the end of the episode, but seeing Discovery go toe-to-toe with one of the biggest villains in the galaxy provides plenty of excitement. Saru gets to show off his capabilities as captain, and Tilly proves a more than competent first officer.
Saru even finds his captain’s catchphrase (“Carry on”) after some trial and error. It’s something we’ve heard Saru say before and fits him nicely.
Seeing Detmer overcome her PTSD to be the most bada** pilot since Han Solo also adds some thrills. Although Star Trek: Discovery doesn’t need to revisit that storyline, it provides a highlight of the episode.
It also gives newbie Ryn something more to do than just be a fugitive, as he helps her take down the Emerald Collective’s defenses. After all, it’s Ryn’s fault the Emerald Collective come after them. Apparently, he knows some things his old boss Osyraa would rather keep quiet.
The action on the Bridge ends up being far more interesting than what’s happening on Kwejian, which gets bogged down by family melodrama. Even Ajala’s charisma can’t save the clumsy scenes between Book and his brother, though the scene of them using their empath powers together to save their planet might warm your heart.
The episode, directed by Jonathan Frakes, clocks in at just under 48 minutes. Normally I appreciate a leaner episode, but some moments feel rushed.
A lack of exploration into Book’s empath powers and what they mean to his culture stand out as a missed opportunity. Compared to the amount of attention and detail given to Trill culture in Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 4, “Forget Me Not,” the world of Kwejian seems underdeveloped.
The C-plots crammed into this episode also don’t help with the pacing.
Discovering a Federation distress signal at the Burn origin thanks to the Ni’Var data should be a big deal. Somehow it gets pushed aside the entire episode. With so much advanced technology, should the algorithm to decode the signal take that long?
The scene does queue up an important conversation between Adira and Stamets about Adira’s pronouns and adjustment to their Trill identity. The writers do a superb job making the conversation feel authentic, furthering the connection between the characters and putting non-binary representation front and center.
It’s still unclear what’s going on with Georgiou, other than apparently she’s dying. Culber indicates there’s more to it than that, but it’s not cleared up on this episode.
Yeoh does her best to show Georgiou’s vulnerability, even if the writing isn’t quite there. At least she gets some more killer quips on this episode.
Georgiou: I could deconstruct the both of you with a snappy insult and a withering glance.
Despite leaving too much on the table, the episode is still a solid entry for the show and builds out the season’s main antagonist. With five episodes left, Star Trek: Discovery has plenty of time to tie everything together.
Additional Thoughts:
- Book deciding to join the Federation is a welcome surprise. I wonder how Saru will react.
- Who would have guessed Linus would provide so much humor in this season? When Book’s nephew calls him Lizardman, I’m both offended and amused.
- Actors Mary Wiseman and Noah Averbach-Katz are married in real life, but I hope they don’t force a Tilly-Ryn relationship. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but their scene together raised my suspicions.
- Gray not talking to Adira seems random, especially since we already know Gray will appear in Season 4.
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.