STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Recap: (S05E06) Whistlespeak

Prime Directive? Do they even go here? In Star Trek: Discovery season 5’s sixth episode, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) will have to whistle while she works. “Whistlespeak” was written by Kenneth Lin & Brandon Schultz and directed by Chris Byrne.

In the lab on the USS Discovery, Burnham and Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) are analyzing the vial of liquid obtained in the previous episode. Stamets wonders if the clues were meant to mock them. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) is hopeful about the next analysis. But the clue has been stalling them for two days. Stamets recounts the results of testing so far: the vial contains water.

Tilly in Discovery's engineering section.

Photo Credit: Michael Gibson/Paramount+

Burnham wonders if the vial could be missing a piece. Tilly’s test again confirms the substance within is just distilled water. Stamets searched the ISS Enterprise’s database but found that nothing additional had ever accompanied the vial. Furthermore, fabricating the final two map pieces yielded no result. Burnham suggests searching history and anthropology for water connections.

Next, Burnham beams into the Infinity Room. She is greeted by Kovich (David Cronenberg). He has no lead on Moll and L’ak. Another ship has been assigned to that search. Kovich clarifies that Discovery’s mission is finding the Progentior’s tech. Burnham admits they’re stalled. Kovich states that the five scientists tasked with hiding the clues each worked in secret. Therefore it stands to reason that they would have utilized their respective fields of expertise. Kovich gives Burnham a list of the scientists’ names.

“Whistlespeak”

Aboard Discovery, Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) is conversing with a hologram recreation of his abuela (Maria del Mar). This is soon revealed to be a therapeutic beta program. Culber tells Zora (Annabelle Wallis) to send a message to Pollard suggesting the potential. Culber asks the hologram about his experience in “Jinaal.” His abuela asks about symptoms. However, he’s surprised when the program urges him to utilize science.

Meanwhile, Burnham states that they haven’t found clues from Betazoid Marina Derex or Denobulan Hitoroshi Kreel. Burnham is betting Kreel is behind the vial. He designed rain-generating weather towers. Kreel’s file reveals he worked on weather tech for other worlds. In an especially arid world, the water pulled from the air would be distilled. Zora locates a single planet on Denobula’s trade route 800 years ago that meets these conditions.

Discovery arrives via spore drive at the planet Halem’no. Scans have located a Denobulan-designed multipurpose weather tower. On the Discovery bridge, Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) wonders why it’s been disguised as part of Halem’no’s natural landscape. Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) reports on the local population: humanoid, pre-warp, pre-industrial and pre-electrical. Furthermore, scans have revealed planetary weather has worsened over time. They deduce that the tower could be a humanitarian effort, but one which cannot violate the Prime Directive.

Burnham says it’s good to see Adira on the bridge. Rayner swiftly fulfilled their request for more bridge time earlier in the day. Unfortunately, an unusual energy field surrounds the tower. This prevents in-depth scanning or beaming in. Burnham and Tilly will beam down.

Whistlespeak to Standard

In the ready room, Burnham listens to a recording of whistling. Tilly enters and Burnham explains that whistling is a part of Halem’nite communication. Zora translates the whistlespeaker (Molly Lewis) into standard. While they possess a verbal language for day-to-day interactions, the whistling is used to communicate across distances. Burnham states that the Halem’nites have three genders and prize personal connection. She continues to geek out about xenolinguistics.

Tilly says they could use Burnham at Starfleet Academy. Burnham says not to tempt her. Rayner contacts them and updates them on the concealed Starfleet tech they’ll utilize, including subcutaneous comms and a retinal tricorder. Tilly and Burnham beam down. Burnham notes that the Halem’nites believe they can commune with their god at the tower, so it’ll be well-protected. They begin their journey.

Burnham brings up Starfleet Academy again. Tilly reveals that one of her students is considering leaving the Academy for practice experience on a cargo ship. Furthermore, other cadets have left. Tilly says she’s not giving them what they need. They stop when they hear whistlespeak. The translator reveals it’s a ritualistic call-and-answer.

Aboard Discovery, Cleveland “Book” Booker (David Ajala) approaches Culber in the hall. Book wants to contact the counselor aboard the ship pursuing Moll and L’ak. Culber tells Book he needs to accept that he can’t do anything with that situation right now. He further advises Book to find an activity that’ll help him relax. Next Culber arrives in Engineering and asks Stamets to help him with a brain scan. Stamets agrees.

The Halem’nite Whistlespeak Cure

Meanwhile, Burnham and Tilly encounter the Halem’nites. The group allows Burnham and Tilly to join them. However, the Halem’nite who has addressed them (Marium Carvell) coughs heavily. She explains she recently spent a night in the dust storms. Burnham covers her ignorance of local customs by claiming she’s from another part of the planet.

They arrive at their destination and are greeted by Ravah (June Laporte). It is their whistle that has beckoned them. They promise water and food ahead. The coughing Halem’nite’s condition worsens. She is brought to the healing room. Clandestinely, Tilly and Burnham discuss how a sudden percussive wave could clear the dust from her lungs. But accomplishing this with Starfleet tech would violate the Prime Directive. Fortunately, the Halem’nites make a chiming sound using metal bowls and wooden sticks. This affects the dust and causes the sick Halem’nite to exhale the dust in her lungs. However, the sound also causes Burnham to fall unconscious.

When Burnham awakes, Ravah’s father, Ohvahz (Alfredo Narciso), is there to greet her. They are soon joined by Tilly and Ravah. Burnham brings up entering the tower. Ravah informs them that the only one who can enter is the winner of a ritual footrace. Burnham requests the opportunity for her and Tilly to take part in the race.

Photo: Gibson/Paramount+

The next day, many Halem’nites gather for the race. Ravah reveals they’ve been inspired to take part in the race by Burnham. However, many will not complete the grueling race. Ohvahz urges Ravah to reconsider. But their mind is made up: they want to take part in the race. Tilly tells Ravah that they remind her of her student.

Dust in the Whistlespeak

Burnham pulls Tilly aside as they’re clandestinely contacted by Discovery. Rayner states Tal has come upon something interesting. They explain that a historical regress of local weather patterns reveals there had been more towers in the past. Over time, the other towers failed due to their respective energy distribution matrices becoming unaligned. Tal continues that this is what’s transpiring in the weather tower that is their goal. It explains why they can’t beam inside. But Rayner reveals all towers have an auxiliary control panel in their vicinity. This would allow any of the failed components to be reset. The other towers also had nearby settlements. However, the failure of the tower resulted in the loss of each respective settlement.

Culber and Stamets speak with each other in Discovery's engineering section.

Photo: Gibson/Paramount+

Elsewhere aboard Discovery, Stamets and Culber have found no lasting effects from the events of “Jinaal.” Culber admits he was hoping there was a physiological cause. Stamets asks if he feels sick. Culber says that since Trill, he’s felt more connected and attuned to something beyond themselves. Stamets says what matters is that he’s okay. Given this fact, why not just enjoy his experience?

On Halem’no, Burnham approaches the Halem’nite who was suffering from dust inhalation. She shares memories with Burnham. Then she tells Burnham that she doesn’t need to go to the high summit to feel the presence of the gods. But Burnham says she’s dreamed of the race her whole life.

Ohvahz begins delivering a speech. The race participants accept small cubes that they swallow. This causes them to cough. These simulate and symbolize the experiences of a local religious figure, the “mother,” who endured the dust to be gifted rain by the gods.

The Mother Race

Credit: Gibson/Paramount+

Burnham and Tilly take part in the race, which is a challenging test of endurance. Sipping water from bowls provided throughout the path of the race results in disqualification. Burnham spots unusually colored moss. She notes radiation can encourage mutation. Burnham deduces the discolored moss suggests one of the panels might be nearby, leaking radiation. Tilly continues on the race as Burnham drinks. As Tilly continues, she nearly succumbs to her dehydration. However, Ravah encourages her. Only Ravah and Tilly still race. Elsewhere, Burnham follows the moss to the panel. She scans it and sends the information to Discovery. Soon Tal is talking them through rebuilding the motherboard without taking the panel offline.

Meanwhile, Tilly and Ravah have nearly reached the end of the race. Each is handed a bowl of water to carry. Ravah trips and spills: disqualification. But in spite of Ravah’s fathers’ summons, Tilly pours some of her water into their bowl. Together, they cross the finish line.

Elsewhere, Tal doubts themself on the bridge. Rayner calls them out for second-guessing themselves in the wake of the chronophage (see: “Face the Strange”). He insists that Tal is prepared for the bridge, and wasn’t responsible for the chronophage. Tal coaches Burnham through completing the panel reset. Success. Tal says Burnham will be beamed to the tower shortly.

Burnham gets in touch with Tilly, who has entered the temple with Ravah and Ohvahz. She is interrupted by a summons from Ohvahz. Ravah tells their father not to be sad. They promise that they and Tilly will speak with the gods and bring the rain. Their father says the sacrifice will bless Halem’no for seasons to come.

H₂Sacrifice

Tilly and Burnham simultaneously realize Tilly and Ravah are to be killed. But before Tilly can exit or be beamed out, the stone door of the temple closes behind Ohvahz. The walls? Solid tritanium. Rayner reports that the tower creates a vacuum inside the space where Ravah and Tilly are currently located. The tritanium prevents this vacuum from collapsing the room. Ravah asks with whom Tilly is speaking. Tilly claims she’s praying. But Tilly is sad: she led Ravah there. Ravah offers to pray with Tilly at the Serenity Wall.

Ravah lights a torch inside the chamber in Star Trek Discovery's "Whistlespeak".

Credit: Gibson/Paramount+

Burnham instructs Discovery to beam Burnham in if they can’t beam Tilly out. Rayner locates a control room near the tritanium chamber. However, Ohvahz is currently inside it. Rayner protests that if Burnham beams in, she’ll be in violation of the Prime Directive. Burnham accepts that she’ll have to answer for the violation. Inside the chamber, Tilly asks Ravah about the numbers on the wall. Ravah says they call to mind the five serenity prayers, which will help death be peaceful. They translate the numbers from Ancient Halem’nese.

The numbers symbolize the five original towers. Ravah explains that the sacrifice ensures the final tower remains in operation. But then they succumb to tears. Meanwhile, Ohvahz cries in the control room over the impending death of his child.

Then Burnham arrives. Ohvahz believes she is a vision. She insists the door be opened. Burnham tells Ohvahz that it isn’t sacrifice but technology that brings the rain. Ohvahz is skeptical. Inside the chamber, air is running out.

The Song

Burnham asks Tilly to see if Ravah can help reach Ohvahz. Ravah recalls a song their parents sang to them when they were young. They can’t remember the lyrics but recall the tune. Burnham listens to the hummed tune from the control room. She hums it to Ohvahz. He is incredulous that she knows the song. She explains that she can hear inside the chamber, also thanks to her technology.

Burnham tells Ohvahz that Ravah remembers their mother singing that song. But they’re currently dying. Ohvahz asks if Burnham is a god. She says she’s just a person from far away. Burnham continues that she wants to save Ravah and Tilly from meaningless death. She suggests a god may have sent her. But the rains will come regardless of the sacrifice. Burnham begs Ohvahz to let them live.

Ohvahz is convinced. He activates the door that opens the chamber. Burnham rushes inside. But Ravah isn’t breathing. A Discovery medical team beams into the chamber. Burnham tells Ohvahz that Ravah will be saved.

Discovery medical (led by Culber)administers emergencey treatment to Tilly and Ravah in the chamber.

Photo: Gibson/Paramount+

Later, Ohvahz looks at a hologram of Halem’no from space. Burnham recounts the history of the water towers to Ohvahz, including their Denobulan construction. She tells Ohvahz that while they fixed the water tower, it will need to be maintained regularly to continue functioning. Ohvahz asks if this means there are no gods. Burnham says there is still what you believe. She says that what they’ve shown him isn’t mutually exclusive from the tenets of the Halem’nite religion. However, there are also other races living across the galaxy.

Just for Yourself

Ohvahz and Burnham in the control center in Star Trek Discovery's "Whistlespeak".

Credit: Gibson/Paramount+

Ohvahz fears how his people will react to sacrifice discontinuation. Burnham says this is valid. However, her experiences have led her to believe some among the Halem’nites are ready to leave sacrifice behind. “Beliefs can evolve,” she tells him. “Denying that can cause almost as much chaos as the worst storm.” Culber approaches: Ravah awakens.

Tilly reveals she’s discovered the symbol that is scratched on the side of the vial. It’s a number Ravah showed her: five. The matching symbol reveals the next clue is in tower five. Meanwhile, Ravah returns to the land of the living. They are welcomed by their father. Ohvahz suggests “devotion” could include listening when the gods impart new information. The rains arrive.

In a shuttlecraft in Discovery’s docking bay, Book is playing video games. Culber arrives. He observes Book took his advice. Culber bought Book a replicated meal: his abuela’s recipe. Book thanks him and eats.

Culber admits he’s having a spiritual awakening. He says in spite of confiding in Stamets, he isn’t sure Stamets understands. Book asks, “So?” He states something isn’t “less meaningful when it’s just for yourself.” Book recalls Burnham coping with the idea. He shares the perspective that the self is one’s oldest friend. Culber observes that Book misses Burnham. Book confirms he’s working towards reunion.

The Next Clue

In Engineering, Burnham and Tilly place the fourth piece (from tower five) into the map. It came attached to a metal card with a Betazoid text inscription. Stamets is currently analyzing the card.

Tilly wonders what the scientist who placed the clue on Halem’no wanted them to learn. Burnham says they couldn’t have known the water towers would lead to Halem’nite sacrifice. Tilly notes technology is a massive responsibility. Burnham wonders if that may be the real message. When they find the Progenitor’s tech, they must be “so careful.”

They’re interrupted by a message from Lt. Christopher (Orville Cummings). Moll and L’ak have been found. Discovery is to spore jump to their coordinates immediately. As Discovery leaves Halem’no, a few final notes of whistlespeak can be heard.

The first six episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 are currently available to stream on Paramount+. New episodes air on Thursdays.

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Avery Kaplan

Avery Kaplan is the author of several books and the Features Editor at Comics Beat. She was honored to serve as a judge for the 2021 Cartoonist Studio Prize Award and the 2021 Prism Awards. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her partner and a pile of cats, and her favorite place to visit is the cemetery. You can also find her writing on Comics Bookcase, NeoText, Shelfdust, the Mary Sue, StarTrek.com, in many issues of PanelxPanel, and in the margins of the books in her personal library.