This is topic DSC 4x05 "The Examples" ($$$) in forum New Trek at Flare Sci-Fi Forums.


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Posted by Krenim (Member # 22) on :
 
Another episode that I rather enjoyed... why am I worried the streak is going to come to a crashing end soon?

The DMA disappears and then promptly reappears in a different location. Apparently this somehow proves the DMA is being artificially generated, although we've seen Trek anomalies do this before. Several ultra-powerful Trek species with the power to create such an anomaly are name-dropped: Metrons, Nacene, Iconians, and the Q. Interestingly, the Q are mentioned not to have been seen in 600 years.

The DMA is possibly on course to destroy an asteroid colony, so Discovery is sent with several other ships to evacuate.

A Risian scientist named Tarka shows up to try to figure out who or what created the DMA. He's definitely the insufferable risk-taking type.

Burnham and Book go to the colony's prison to break out the prisoners for rescue. Turns out they are the episode's titular "Examples"; most locked away for life for minor crimes as examples. One, though, committed a legit major crime, and elects to stay behind to atone. Book does not take that well.

Culber is having issues burning himself out. We finally get some idea of what Dr. Kovich's role is: He's a psychologist of some sort. In fact, Culber appears to be his patient. Also, the episode automatically receives a +1 to whatever grading scale we're using due to Kovich appearing.

Lastly... Is... Is that what I think it is on the back of Tarka's neck? If so... well, that's a plot twist and a half.
 

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Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
 
After a thousand years, though? That's some long waiting.

Return of the Akaali from ENT! With no makeup changes!

I saw a post on Tumblr recently that said DSC's major plot theme is "dealing with trauma", & that's what makes it relevant for today. After seeing that, thinking about it, & watching the past couple episodes, I'd concur in that assessment. The writing & canon problems that disconnect it from OG Trek are still a thing, but seeing the show in that light, a lot of it makes more sense: it's televised therapy wrapped in Trek's essence of hope. For the team, Star Trek is just the very loose vehicle to handle a world reeling with daily multiple physical & psychoemotional traumas.
 

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Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
 
I guess if I had one problem with the ep, it's... Tarka's experiment had to be done there and then with what they had available? It couldn't wait until they had more time and resources?

Therefore, it felt like two A-plots that were underdeveloped - or two B-plots that were padded out. Or both! The jeopardy of rescuing the Examples felt forced and contrived; so too was running a risky experiment that didn't need to be taking up some clever people's time and attention when they could have been doing something that would have ensured all the lives were saved.

But it was still pretty good, if not as well formed as all the previous episodes.

Rhys is getting A LOT of backstory this season. Callinng it now: Dead Soon.

What's the significance of the scar on the back of the neck? Was he rescued from the Matrix?
 

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Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
 
I think we're thinking Control.

We ARE getting a lot of Gen Rhys lately, which makes me bring up someyhing I've been wondering: where the fuck is Bryce? Suddenly we have a Lt. Christopher.

Also, still no CENG, so maybe Stamets & Reno are splitting the post?
 

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Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
 
I think it’s assumed that Reno is CENG (and Stamets is Science Officer) but she’s usually off in the (as yet unseen) engineering room doing her thang.

Apparently the scar might be an indication Tarka had been an EmChain slave and that was where his control device was.

Fairly certain Bryce was in one scene - with Christopher - in the first episode… oh, here we go:

quote:

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Bryce was promoted to Lieutenant commander and was assigned to the USS Curie and his post as communications officer was temporarily filled by Lieutenant Christopher. (DIS: "Kobayashi Maru")

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Originally posted by Shik:
That's why these reduced 10/12-episode seasons suck; there's nothing but power-pushing the plot forward. If it's not relevant to the Big Bad, character development falls by the wayside. We NEED those filler episodes to give processing breaks for important shit, & to allow those minor characters to be fleshed out better. This production team does not seem to grasp that.

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