[RavenSplat]

Episodes Discussion

"Red Directive" & "Under the Twin Moons"

Airdate: 04/04/2024 (Paramount+)

This thread is for the pre and post discussion of the Season 5 episodes "Red Directive" & "Under the Twin Moons" - this will be a spoiler filled discussion so if you've found your way past the warnings in the activity stream and the spoiler tag on the thread, this is your last chance to turn back, or at least it will be at the end of this first post. You have been warned!

Red Directive
Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery are sent to retrieve a mysterious artifact hidden inside a 800-year-old Romulan vessel - but find that they're not the only ones on the hunt.

Under the Twin Moons
On Saru's last mission as Captain Burnham's Number One, the team ventures to a seemingly abandoned planet to hunt for what might be the greatest treasure in the galaxy.


"Red Directive" is the first episode, 1 of 10.
"Under the Twin Moons" is the second episode, 2 of 10.



(Sorry this is late, I will endavour to get these out earlier in the future so pre discussion can occur if it wanted. Didn't think of making one myself till after watching the episodes.)

[Tain]

I loved the episodes and the fact they are continuing a long abandoned plot line. Can't wait to see where they take it.

[darthnovawave]

I thought it was a pretty decent opener. Callum Keith Rennie's Captain Rayner seems like a promising new addition to this season's cast. Kinda get some similar vibes as Jason Isaac's Lorca character from season 1, so will be interesting to see where they go there.

Also some deep (and not so deep) cuts nodding to TNG and setting up what could be an interesting final season for the show. Definitely still action-heavy compared to other Trek, but love it or hate it that seems to be what Discovery goes for. Hopefully they'll get to go out on a high note for their final outing.

[RavenSplat]

I really enjoyed these episodes. The thing I love the most about Discovery is all the character interactions and this episode has not dissapointed on that so far. I'm really happy to see Tilly isn't being completly left behind even though she is at the Academy and I hope the same will be true of Saru once he joins the diplomatic corps. I was very surprised, but happy to see, Saru and T'Rina's Engagment and I do hope we get to see thier engagment. If nothing else becuase I really want to see the 32c. Dress uniforms. Captain Raymer is also a surprise but I am enjoying him so far, I am surprised Discovery is going to keep up the Two Captains to one ship thing though. While it made sense with Burnham and Saru as Starfleet is overall keeping most of the time displaced crew together I feel it makes slightly less sense now, although as his expertise was going to go to waste otherwise I suppose I can keep going along with it for now.

Overall two very good episodes to set up what looks to be an action packed season bringing back some excellent nods to TNG along the way.

[WelshAvenger]

My $0.02 Not bad episodes but I do think that they missed a golden opportunity to make Burnham more relatable. For the first four series, the overall impression was that Burnham could never be wrong or do wrong. Even in this episode, her actions lead to losing the bounty hunters and yet she shows no sign of admitting that with a, "Oh well, nevermind the red directive, we'll find them another way" kinda attitude. Imagine if she'd been found to be wrong and they put Rayner as her XO to kind of be the voice of experience to guide her going forward. Kovich did Captain Rayner dirty by not showing up in his defense.

Positives:
USS Antares was an interesting design which I wouldn't mind seeing more of.
Science Lab!
Linus!
Culber seems to be getting more screen time finally.

Negatives:
WHERE IS JETT RENO???

[Bridger]

Episode 1 was the typical Disco but Episode 2 was way more interesting with more depth to it.

[RavenSplat]

My $0.02 Not bad episodes but I do think that they missed a golden opportunity to make Burnham more relatable. For the first four series, the overall impression was that Burnham could never be wrong or do wrong. Even in this episode, her actions lead to losing the bounty hunters and yet she shows no sign of admitting that with a, "Oh well, nevermind the red directive, we'll find them another way" kinda attitude. Imagine if she'd been found to be wrong and they put Rayner as her XO to kind of be the voice of experience to guide her going forward. Kovich did Captain Rayner dirty by not showing up in his defense.

Positives:
USS Antares was an interesting design which I wouldn't mind seeing more of.
Science Lab!
Linus!
Culber seems to be getting more screen time finally.

Negatives:
WHERE IS JETT RENO???

I absolutely agree that Burnham seems to have little care for losing the ex-courier ship. I do wonder if they accidentally cut the scene which explains what a Red Directive is which might give us some more info of why everything is happening as it is. I am guessing it's a drop everything but the Rules of Engagment are not explained well unfortunaterly.

I also loved the Scinece Laband Linus. Also the Culber/Staments couple these episodes are great.

My fav characters in this series have been Tilly, Adira and Reno and although I am very happy to see Adira and Tilly still being part of the group I do share your dissapointment at the lack Reno and hopefully we get some more Chief Enginner Reno stuff soon. I would also like to see Paul actually make the Jump as I feel like we haven't seen him actually do it for ages (Just going to black alert and jumping all on bridge).

[Arno12]

Not gonna Lie, the mention of a Breen Imperium and Tholian Republic has me more interested in seeing the setting further developed and explored.

[JCarrill0]

Very well rounded episodes, I’m glad they brought them all back, even if it is the final season.

Can’t say I heard of a Red Directive, but it kinda makes sense.
Reminded me of the Omega Particle back in ST:VOY