Episode:110
Despite Yourself

Jack's Rating:

While in unfamiliar territory, the USS Discovery crew is forced to get creative in their next efforts to survive opposing and unprecedented forces and return home.

Features:
Stardate: Unknown
Air Date: 11/19/17
Director: Jonathan Frakes

Episode:202
New Eden

Jack's Rating:

A new signal brings the Discovery to a distant planet, Terralysium, that is inhabited by the descendants of human survivors of World War III, which was fought on Earth 200 years earlier.

Features:
Stardate: 1027.32
Air Date: 01/24/19
Director: Jonathan Frakes

Jack's Review
Hands down the best episode of Discovery - any season - and there is no argument possible against that statement. Why? Three reasons. First, the director is Jonathan Frakes, who knows how to tell a Star Trek story. Second, Anson Mount as Captain Pike is stellar - and this one is probably his finest. Last, and the real reason for this being such a terrific episode - it is classic Trek. We get a prime directive sensitive away mission and a "B story" on the ship. It works perfectly, and I wish the writers would keep this formula up. What is a "B story"? A sub-plot that carries along perfectly without overshadowing the main plot. Watch TNG and you will see LOADS of B story examples. Here we have the plot on the planet that involves the red angel. Meanwhile, on the ship we have the radiation problem that will kill all life on the planet. It works in perfect harmony and since I know that Anson Mount is a Trekkie of old like I am, I am pleased that he was the actor that gave us this gem. This episode is exactly why I am sure that Strange New Worlds will succeed.

Episode:209
Project Daedalus

Jack's Rating:

Suspicions arise that the crew may have a traitor in their midst; Burnham tries to help Spock.

Features:
Stardate:
Air Date: 03/14/19
Director: Jonathan Frakes

Jack's Review
Just when I was really starting to warm up to Airiam....Sad. An actually well done episode.

Episode:303
People of Earth

Jack's Rating:

Finally reunited, Burnham and the U.S.S. Discovery crew journey to Earth, eager to learn what happened to the Federation in their absence.

Features:
Stardate:
Air Date: 10/28/20
Director: Jonathan Frakes

Jack's Review
And we get another Hell on Wheels alum here in the form of Christopher Heyerdahl - AKA The Swede. Another amazing actor. Great to see him pop-up here. I am always expecting the Norwegian accent when I see him, however. This is a fun episode. Frakes makes it feel very TNG and I salute him for that.

Episode:308
The Sanctuary

Jack's Rating:

Burnham and the U.S.S. Discovery crew travel to Book's home planet to help rescue it from Osyraa, the formidable leader of the Emerald Chain. Meanwhile, Stamets and Adira continue their search for valuable information on the origin of the Burn.

Features:
Stardate:
Air Date: 12/02/20
Director: Jonathan Frakes

Jack's Review
I don't know what the writers were doing here. This one is pure filler. I really like Booker and this one really is a classic stand-alone Trek story - but it's closer to "The Way to Eden" than "The Apple".

Episode:312
There Is A Tide...

Jack's Rating:

After capturing the U.S.S. Discovery, Osyraa seeks a meeting with Admiral Vance while Burnham and the crew must overcome unimaginable odds as they attempt to regain command of their ship.

Features:
Stardate:
Air Date: 12/30/20
Director: Jonathan Frakes

Episode:406
Stormy Weather

Jack's Rating:

Seeking answers, the U.S.S. Discovery ventures into a subspace rift created by the Dark Matter Anomaly. Meanwhile, Book faces a strange visitor from his past.

Features:
Stardate: Unknown
Air Date: 12/23/21
Director: Jonathan Frakes

Jack's Review
And with one episode the season redeems itself well. Finally, an actual Star Trek story! It has the sci-fi element, a moral, and a good conclusion. There were a couple of flubs that made me scratch my head but nothing too awful. The main thing I found annoying - really the only thing this round - Burnham needs to let people finish their sentences! She constantly cuts people off because she knows everything. A solid episode overall - and once again - directed by Frakes!