Prepare yourself for the continuing adventures of “Action” Saru (Doug Jones)! Star Trek: Discovery season 5 episode 2, “Under the Twin Moons,” was written by Alan McElroy and directed by Doug Aarniokoski.
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Captain’s personal log, stardate 866274.3. Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) reflects on the “big questions” in light of the previous episode’s revelations regarding the Progenitors. Originally introduced in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3’s “The Chase,” these ancient aliens are behind all sentient life in our galaxy. Saru enters and admits he was also contemplating a hologram of the Progenitors. The USS Discovery is still in drydock, undergoing repairs after the incident on Q’Mau. It’s Saru’s last day aboard Discovery. Burnham hasn’t chosen his successor. But before departing for Lyric, Burnham has been summoned by President Rillak (Chelah Horsdal) for an official matter.
It is a hearing for Captain Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie). Also attending is Admiral Vance (Oded Fehr). Rillak asks if Burnham agreed with Rayner’s decisions in the previous episode. Burnham resists answering. Vance urges her to testify. Burnham admits she disagreed with Rayner, and the disagreement re-sparks immediately. Rayner refuses to apologize for his decisions. He continues that he’s being punished for political reasons because he’s voiced skepticism regarding official decisions.
Vance silences Rayner. Rillak calls for a break. Vance calls Burnham aside and thanks her for her candor. He continues that Rayner can’t get out of his own way. Burnham states that Rayner is a gifted officer. Kovich will be monitoring the project from HQ. Vance alludes to the addition of Book to Discovery’s manifest and asks if it’ll be an issue. Burnham assures him it will not. Vance is relieved to retain Book’s worthy services.
“Under the Twin Moons”
In his quarters, Cleveland “Book” Booker (David Ajala) addresses Queen Grudge (Leeu and Durban) regarding the impending mission. A holographic mouse toy enters, controlled by Burnham. She informs Book that he’s impressed Vance. Burnham catches Book up. The Progenitor’s power (or a clue towards its location) is on Lyric, which is where they’re heading. Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) is examining a schematic found in the Romulan scientist’s journal.
Meanwhile, Book will review footage of Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak (Elias Toufexis) for any additional intel. The topic turns to Saru and Book reveals his nickname: “Action” Saru. Book apologizes that Grudge didn’t like the toy. Burnham says she got it for him. She commands Discovery to activate the spore drive.
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In Discovery’s observation lounge, Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) explains that a once-every-seven-years double solar eclipse hints at the location for which they’re searching. Adira (Blu del Barrio) notes that Lyric is an M-class planet, currently uninhabited but a burial ground for an extinct species. Before the Romulan scientist used it as a hiding spot, the location had been unexplored for a century. Furthermore, Moll and L’ak’s whereabouts are currently unknown. Burnham asks Tilly to thank the cadets for letting her be borrowed for this mission.
Saru asks why they’re beaming in so far from their destination. Tilly explains that an electromagnetic field surrounds their target location. They’ll have to walk the rest of the way. Burnham reminds them the planet is a sacred space. Burnham and Saru beam down to the forest below.
Necropolis & Thieves
Saru scans for Moll and L’ak and finds no sign. But they find a large pyramid at the location where the shadow of the twin eclipse would fall. In sickbay, Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) welcomes Book back to Discovery. Culber asks Book how he’s doing. Book says he’s “trying to make sense of it all, figure out what’s next.” Culber recounts what they know about Moll and La’ak. They use hybridized tech from a variety of species, they’re confrontational, Moll is human and L’ak’s an unidentified species.
Zora (Annabelle Wallis) presents Book with the footage of Moll and L’ak’s ship escaping in the previous episode. Book’s assessment: they’re in love and having fun. But they’re also dancing on the cliff’s edge. He suggests they give them a cliff and see if they jump.
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On Lyric, Saru reveals he already knew about his nickname. Burnham asks if Book came up with the diminutive. Saru reveals it was coined by Jet Reno (Tig Notaro). Next Saru and Burnham reflect on their shared experiences and respective evolutions over the course of their relationship. Burnham brings up her search for a new Number One. Saru’s advice: Burnham is a force, and she’d be aided by someone who stands their ground.
But Burnham has to interrupt him when she spots skeletons. They are unburied. But what killed them? They spot ruins nearby.
Drones of the Dead
Aboard Discovery, Adira says they’re happy Tilly has returned. Tilly has found her place teaching at Starfleet Academy. However, she’s facing a professional challenge, and maybe this fresh perspective will prove helpful. Adira brings up their relationship with Gray Tal (Ian Alexander). They say that they love him. However, this time apart has made Adira realize they like being alone. But a spike in Lyric’s EM field interrupts.
On Lyric, Burnham and Saru find a stone head. Tilly reports the spike and asks about anything weird. The head seems to open its eyes, which are revealed to be hovering, phaser-equipped drones. These are what killed the graverobbers. Burnham and Saru flee from the attacking drones. Beaming out is impossible due to the field, and the drones can’t be destroyed from orbit. One of the drones self-detonates, but is replaced with another.
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Burnham urges Tilly to come up with a solution, as the situation is dire. An urgent message from Federation HQ is pushed through: it’s Rayner. He urges them to consult historical data to determine what type of power source the planet’s inhabitants would have used. Rayner continues to coach them through the situation. They deduce the EM field is the power source for the drones.
On the surface, Burnham and Saru continue to flee from the detonating drones. Tilly informs them that they should be able to turn off the drones if they can locate their controls. Burnham realizes this must be in the statue head the drones came from. But Saru cautions that they can’t simply destroy it, or they risk a systemic chain reaction. He suggests an EMP. Tilly explains how to use their phasers to create one.
Action Saru
Burnham and Saru argue over who will distract the drones so the EMP can be placed. Saru’s superhuman speed and agility win out. But one of the drones still targets Burnham. Burnham places the charge. Drones attack them both. But both destroy their respective attackers. The phaser explodes. The drones are deactivated. Burnham and Saru reunite. Saru concludes the defenses explain why it served as the hiding spot.
On Discovery, Zora informs Stamets that his database search has over two million pattern matches for the image in the diary. Culber and Book enter. Book asks which station he can use to access “dark comms.” With this, he contacts L’ak and Moll. On Lyric, Burnham and Saru locate a stone with phaser marks. They conclude L’ak and Moll must have beat them there and eradicated an essential clue.
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Tilly reports the EM field is powering up again, with minutes until activation. Saru notices hints of iridescent bacteria in the scorched area. Burnham recalibrates for the UV spectrum and the words reappear. She translates the code and finds part of a Romulan poem. The clock is ticking but Burnham must find the missing stanza.
Meanwhile L’ak and Moll question Book on his angle. Book warns them that they should walk away, as they can’t compete with Starfleet. Moll questions Book’s identity and Book reveals his name, earning a reaction from Moll. They cut the transmission. Stamets can’t trace their location. Book leaves in a hurry.
Five Verses
Burnham and Saru speculate that based on historical Romulan facts, the final clue may be hidden. They move the statue aside and find the final stanza. L’ak and Moll have the wrong clue but will be back when they inevitably realize this. Burnham also finds a stone shape. Rather than destroy the clue, Burnham orders the stone to be replaced. They are beamed away just before the drones return.
Aboard Discovery, Tilly informs Burnham and Saru of Rayner’s involvement in their survival. Adira states there’s no sign of Moll and L’ak’s ship. Stamets arrives and Burnham hands him the stone, which has the same shape as part of the diary image he’s been working on. Zora creates a programmable matter version of the diary symbol. The stone fits into one of the symbol’s sections. Burnham concludes the five pieces must make a complete map. The poem is a clue towards the destination of the next piece.
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In theory, the location to which the map leads will hold the Progenitors life-creating tech. Without the missing verse, the poem seems to suggest Betazed. This is where Moll and L’ak must be heading. But with the fifth stanza restored, the clues actually point towards Trill.
Meanwhile, Book rewatches a recording of his conversation between Moll and L’ak. He asks Zora to age Moll’s image down to seven years. He recognizes her. Culber arrives and Book reveals he knows her. Book reveals Moll is the daughter of his mentor. He says this makes her the closest thing to family he’s got left.
The First Officer
In his quarters, Saru finishes packing as Discovery approaches spacedock. Burnham arrives to see Saru off. They share a tearful goodbye. Later, Burnham arrives in Vance’s quarters. Vance informs her of the outcome of Rayner’s inquiry: Rayner’s early retirement.
RELATED: Catch up with all of our Star Trek: Discovery recaps by clicking here.
Next Burnham approaches Rayner. She offers him the position of First Officer. The offer has Vance’s approval. Burnham states she got a second chance once, and this is his. Rayner accepts.
The first two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery are currently available for streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes on Thursdays.
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