Could have done with some more Jet Reno as well.

The Kovich/Daniels reveal seems like the sort of thing that may get a little exploration on Academy and possibly Section 31.

If nothing else, it was an odd choice for him to want to keep around a bottle of “sour mead”:

To a degree, but they’d better not break out a piece of paper to measure again.

“To save the few, they will risk the many” - Breen Leader

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” - Spock

Have we just completely lost track of lore?

Should it still be considered breaking the Prime Directive if you are fixing/adjusting the work of another advanced culture which previously infected a world’s advancement and beliefs? Also, for it to have been perpetrated by the Denobulans is just upsetting. On “Dear Doctor” (ENT s1e13) Dr. Phlox, a Denobulan, explains how the actions of Archer’s crew would drastically change the historical and cultural outcome of a planet.

Also to remind us that there hasn’t been a tremendous amount of character focus beyond the small core. We’ve seen these faces and maybe even remember a few of their names over the years. However, some of them still feel like strangers a few cubicles over where we say “What’s up?” but hesitate to include a first name or develop a nickname.

The catch of the episode put that front and center. I get why Worf had to spend time accepting that his path would never see him fully accepted by his Klingon brethren. It’s not too far a stretch to accept that O’brien is able to take so much punishment and bounce back (minus the PTSD effects lasting longer than 1 episode). Discovery’s crew is convinced to help in future Burnham’s cause with little more than 1-2 lines of detail. Some of those bits even the audience wouldn’t know until we’re told.

I will admit, that much of the potential growth is handicapped by truncated shooting schedules and seasons. We haven’t had 24-26 per batch where we can hyper focus. Only so much time to dedicate to bridge, engineering, sickbay, the bar, and crew quarters.

It all seems just a bit too shallow… the tension forced.

Side note: I did appreciate the end of act 2 callback to the Short Trek: Calypso . Really tied the series together.

To your edit: It seems like some cut content that would better explain Kalzara’s parting words “Thank you, for now I can rest,” the Tilly/Raynor scene, and hastily followed by the pool ceremony. I can get unexplained world building, as with Mad Max: Fury Road (the random mud stilt walkers, for example). 30 seconds of “I’ve fulfilled my sworn duty and will no longer be joined” might have sufficed. This was “Reel 3 missing” kind of messy. Still intrigued by the overall story, just a little let down by the execution.

Tying in the fun single episode adventure from “The Chase” and integrating the creation mystery as this season’s plot is a great move. Hopefully, they’ve built it out enough to have a fulfilling conclusion (especially since the string of reshoots that occurred when it was announced that this would be their last go). With Kurtzman’s involvement and his association with JJ’s brand of McGuffin storytelling, I will certainly temper my expectations.

Just working my way through the premier, but had to stop and remark upon the wonder of the everlasting…

Self-sealing stembolt! Captain Nog would be proud.

Further report/discussion pending.

Either way, it’s cool her character will have more to do than get killed and later see a statue of her get destroyed.

It was recently confirmed her character would appear.

That’s funny. Normally he’s such a chatterbox.

All that ship porn is getting me hot and bothered.

I only clarified because there are still plenty of Mark I’s out there scrubbing plasma conduits. Only 1 sang opera and daydreamed about being a captain.

So long as it’s THE Doctor.

Paramount had previously announced setting a trend with 1 Trek movie per year. Beyond Section 31, I know of no others specifically mentioned. Keep hope alive that the concept gets retooled. And perhaps… some holo logs of Captain Shaw.

Such a bummer. It’s Star Trek: Phase II all over again.

Maybe, if we’re lucky, Star Trek: Academy will pleasantly surprise us.

No worries. Just glad this place is here when we need it.