Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 Episode 13
It’s been a long road. Because of a mid-season break, and a contemplative, slow-burn plot, Star Trek: Discovery season 4 probably seems a bit longer than it actually is. If any old school fans were worried Discovery couldn’t do a big-idea science fiction story without resorting to an action-adventure plot, the totality of season four proves those haters wrong. Fans will probably be split if this is the best season of Discovery, but, one thing’s for sure, from a tonal point of view, it was easily the most consistent. And, by the end of episode 13, “Coming Home,” the series seems to be confidently stepping into yet another new direction. Here’s what happened at the end of the Star Trek: Discovery season 4 finale and what it might mean for season 5…
The DMA averted
After President T’Rina (Tara Rosling) does a big scary mind-meld with the alien species known as the Ten-C, it appears, at least, for a moment, that the united front of the Federation and their allies won’t be able to convince these aliens to stop the DMA from destroying Earth and Ni’Var. T’Rina’s mind meld attempt was noble however and totally references Spock doing similar large-scale mind-melds in the Star Trek: The Animated Series episode “One of Our Planets Is Missing,” and, of course, Star Trek: The Motion Picture. But, in the end, the crew has to communicate their intentions through the most classic model of Star Trek diplomacy; brutal honesty, and some actual apologies.
Book’s punishment
Back in episode 7, “…But to Connect,” Book (David Ajala) disregarded the Federation’s vote to pursue diplomatic relations with the Ten-C, and instead, opted to join up with Tarka in trying to deliver an isolytic weapon to destroy the DMA and harness the power of the DMA controller. This put Book at odds with Burnham and the crew of the Discovery for pretty much the entire second half of the season. In the end, Book realizes Tarka has gone too far, and with a little help from Reno, prevents the rogue scientist from ruining any chance at diplomacy. Book is also instrumental in getting the Ten-C to change their ways. However, when the smoke clears, he’s still broken a ton of Federation laws, regardless of how it shook out. At the very end, we learn what his punishment is: He’s tasked with helping refugees displaced by the DMA. This easily makes one wonder if David Ajala will still be a series regular in Discovery season 5. He’s no longer on the ship, so will he still be around?
The return of Tilly (But Where’s Gray?)
Although Tilly (Mary Wiseman) left the ship to teach at Starfleet Academy in “All Is Possible,” (episode 4 this season) she returns triumphantly in the finale to assist Admiral Vance (Oded Fehr) with the excavation of Earth. To be clear, Tilly doesn’t rejoin the crew formally, either. Which, like Book, makes you wonder, is Mary Wiseman a regular in season 5, or a recurring guest star? Right now, Michelle Paradise, the showrunner for Discovery can’t reveal anything about the next season, but has gone on record saying that once characters enter the DISCO universe, “they’re always part of this world.” This seems to indicate that the entire DISCO gang, no matter how spread out, can still reunite in some way shape or form. Obviously, this includes Gray (Ian Alexander) who left for Trill earlier in the season, but also means that Lt. Bryce (Ronnie Rowe Jr.) and the mysterious Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg) could be back in the mix for Season 5, too.
Earth and the United Federation of Planets
The biggest news of the Discovery season 4 comes at the very, very end. Here we learn that United Earth — previously separated from the Federation after the Burn — is now a full-fledged UFP member again. The President of Earth (played by real life politician Stacey Abrams) doesn’t even hesitate in rejoining the Federation. And, because Vance and Tilly reallocated Fed HQ to Earth’s orbit, it seems to indicate that Discovery season 5 could, at least partially, take place on the Earth of the 32nd Century. Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 is streaming now on Paramount+
