The mirrors have it! The fifth episode of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 was written by Johanna Lee & Carlos Cisco and directed by Jen McGowan.
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Cleveland “Book” Booker (David Ajala)’s personal log, stardate 866282.9. He reflects on his mentor while looking at holograms of Moll (Eve Harlow). Meanwhile, Queen Grudge (Leeu and Durban) meows as she supervises. Book reasons that because he turned things around, Moll can too.
The USS Discovery arrives at the last known location of L’ak (Elias Toufexis) and Moll’s ship. Book arrives on the bridge, where Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) hands it off to Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman). Stamets explains that it initially seemed like the location held only a dispersed nebula and Moll and L’ak’s disappearing warp trail.
However, Tilly instructs Zora (Annabelle Wallis) to adjust the viewscreen. This reveals a wormhole leading to a pocket of interdimensional space. However, the entry is regularly opening and closing, probably because of the Burn.
Gallo (Natalie Liconti) reports there’s no way to know what’s happening inside the wormhole. Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) reports that they must use a shuttle. Christopher (Orville Cummings) is doubtful about the likelihood of maintaining communication throughout. Burnham declares she’ll go and bring Book. In the ready room, Rayner says the mission is too risky for the captain and volunteers himself.
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When Burnham denies this, Rayner suggests a security team. Burnham says their advantage is in Book’s ability to connect personally. She uses a phrase from Rayner’s culture to prove a point. He admits he’s concerned about taking the con. Burnham expresses her confidence in him.
“Mirrors”
The shuttlecraft departs from Discovery and approaches the wormhole. Book draws a parallel between himself and Moll and then compares the pair of couriers and him and Michael. Soon, they’re closing in on the wormhole entry. Book utilizes some fancy flying to make it through the aperture. The bridge crew, including Linus (David Benjamin Tomlinson) and Gen Rhys (Patrick Kwok-Choon), watch with bated breath. Christopher loses comms with the shuttle. Rayner orders comms boosted and initiates Yellow Alert.
On the shuttlecraft, Book has lost visual and audio. The shuttlecraft narrowly avoids debris, which Burnham observes is “not a good sign.” Soon, they discover what’s left of Moll and L’ak’s ship. But after that, they find the ISS Enterprise, which could have Moll and L’ak inside. Book notes the ship is battle-damaged. Burnham points out that crossing to the mirror universe has been impossible for centuries, so the Enterprise must have been there a while.
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Tilly arrives in sick bay and informs Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) that she needs access to the EPS grid to boost comms. Culber excuses himself. Tilly asks if everything’s okay, and he says it is. She tells him she’s always there if he needs to talk. But he’s interrupted by Stamets asking for a status update.
Elsewhere, Stamets and Adira (Blu del Barrio) are at a computer terminal working the aperture problem. Stamets notes that Adira is triple-checking their math. He assures Adira the chronophage wasn’t their fault. But they point out they’re the one who brought it aboard. Rayner arrives, and Stamets updates him.
Through a Mirror, Starkly
Stamets begins with technobabble. Rayner says he doesn’t need to know how the cake is boiled. Adira expresses surprise at the revelation inherent in the phrase. Stamets simply states the issue: the need to hold the aperture open. But they need more words than that. Stamets and Adira share a couple of imperfect plans. Then, Stamets quotes Rayner: “You’re not in this alone.” Rayner orders comms online ASAP.
Meanwhile, Book and Burnham arrive on the Enterprise‘s bridge. Burnham suggests using the ship system to track quantum signatures from the prime universe. This will allow them to hunt for clues and Moll and L’ak. Burnham attempts to use her Mirror counterpart’s access codes but finds herself locked out. She concludes Mirror Burnham must have been dead when the Enterprise arrived in this pocket dimension. Book recalls a method for hacking systems he used on a Tellurite ship.
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But Michael is distracted as Book stands at her brother Spock’s bridge station (on the USS Enterprise). Burnham confirms she never met Mirror Spock. Book’s method successfully allows Burnham to access the Enterprise systems. But they learn that the intermix chamber, several shuttlecraft and escape pods have ejected. They puzzle over why a Terran crew would abandon ship.
Both agree there must be a story there. Burnham’s scan has located Moll, L’ak and the clue in sick bay. As they move towards Moll and L’ak, Book and Burnham discuss that the scientists who hid the clue chose to beam it aboard this hidden, abandoned ship. They find hints that families were living in the teleportation bay.
Another Enterprise?
Book finds the story of the crew. The Terran High Council was killed after an attempt at reformation. Enterprise carried a mutinous escaped crew who hoped to make it to the prime universe. As Book reads, Burnham places a small device from her comm badge in a locket she’s found. Book discovers that Mirror “Action” Saru helped the crew escape. Burnham and Book hope the crew made it to the prime universe.
They arrive at sick bay. Moll and L’ak have used holograms to create doubles of themselves and evade attack. The pair enter, and a firefight ensues. Burnham hits the holo-emitter and reveals the real thieves. They attempt to communicate with Moll and L’ak. Burnham urges them to surrender. Book reveals he knew Moll’s father. But Moll dismisses her father as “garbage” and refuses to rot in a Federation brig. Burnham says they have no choice but to cooperate.
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But L’ak points out that while Book and Burnham have the shuttle, the thieves have the clue. Moll offers to allow them to replicate the clue, so long as they give Moll and L’ak a ride and set them free. But Burnham alludes to the fake poem stanzas from previous episodes. She reveals the locket and claims it’s the real clue. Burnham urges Moll to scan the locket and check its quantum signature.
Things begin getting tense. Burnham insists they can help. But Moll says they can’t help with a Breen blood bounty. Burnham realizes L’ak is Breen. She further realizes the Breen are pursuing the thieves. They hope the progenitor tech will convince the Breen to drop the blood bounty. Book asks Moll what she did.
Love’s Phasers Lost
A flashback shows a younger Moll making a delivery to a Breen space station. Moll isn’t intimidated by the Breen. Another Breen approaches, and Moll says he must be the one who wants to talk to her. She introduces herself facetiously. The Breen informs her they’re inspecting the dilithium she’s delivered, which is cut with impurities. Soon, the pair are fist-fighting.
Moll deduces L’ak’s identity from the insignia on his suit. He’s a disgraced royal. Moll offers to help him get revenge. L’ak is intrigued by the partnership. Back in the Enterprise sick bay, Moll refuses to tell Burnham her story. Burnham states that love is powerful and says not to allow it to take one down the wrong road. But soon, a firefight erupts once again. However, stray phaser fire causes automatic shielding to be engaged. The Mirror Ship’s Computer (Barnaby Carpenter) announces this sick bay lockdown.
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Burnham notes there should be security controls on the bridge. Book tells Moll he could use an extra pair of hands. He points out that they both want the same thing: to have their partners freed. Moll concedes but with a threat. Left behind in sickbay, Burnham and L’ak keep their weapons trained on one another.
Another flashback to Breen territory. L’ak approves Moll’s shipment. Moll flirts with L’ak. But L’ak tells her his uncle is coming down for an inspection. Moll flirts with him more. But L’ak acts like a normal Breen soldier when other Breen pass by. Nevertheless, despite his reticence, Moll convinces L’ak to remove his helmet for her. They see each other.
M’ak & Bookham
On the Enterprise, Book and Moll head to the bridge. Book tries to explain why Moll’s father never returned for her and her mother. Moll guesses Book has daddy issues. Furthermore, Moll is bitter about her father’s unfulfilled promises. She claims her father’s knowledge of the situation is irrelevant, as he’s dead. And then she declares that L’ak is all that matters to her.
Burnham and L’ak are exhausted in sick bay but still pointing their weapons at one another. L’ak says he doesn’t care what the progenitor’s tech is; it can eradicate their blood oath. Burnham tells L’ak the Federation is “all about second chances,” citing herself and Book as examples. L’ak asks if they did come in and if they’d be allowed to serve their time together. Burnham says she’d advocate for that. L’ak reveals he’d rather die than be separated from Moll. Burnham gets that.
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On the bridge, Moll grows frustrated with the Enterprise security systems. Book tells Moll that he loves Burnham, sharing their history as couriers. Book says Burnham was his first real friend, post-Moll’s father. He further assures Moll her father loved her. Book admits he hated his father for a long time, too. Moll says it isn’t working, and she needs to return to L’ak.
In a flashback, Moll and L’ak kiss among the crates in the Breen cargo bay. L’ak tells her to depart before the morning shift arrives. Moll tells her she’s leaving for Emerald Chain territory. She reveals she needs latinum to reach the colony her father promised for her. She offers to bring L’ak with her. Then, L’ak’s uncle, Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo), arrives. Soldiers flank him.
Mirror Violence
On the Enterprise, Moll resolves to short out the power. But the ship’s so old that it causes an explosion. L’ak is compelled to reach Moll, which leads him and Burnham to begin fighting. On the bridge, Book reports that they no longer control any ship’s system. This causes the shuttle to be flung away. The ship’s computer warns of impact in eight minutes as they drift towards the pocket dimension aperture.
Book declares that they need to get Burnham and L’ak. Moll reveals he stays on the bridge while she and L’ak figure something out on their own. But Book says he won’t allow anything to happen to Burnham or Moll. Book explains that he lost everything when Kweijan was destroyed. While Moll’s father may have been a bad dad, he was a good mentor to Book. Book considers Moll family.
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Book puts down his phaser. Moll seizes it and states she could kill him. Book hopes she’ll make a different choice. She tells Book to go with her. In sick bay, Burnham and L’ak continue to battle. Burnham says they need to stop. She acknowledges L’ak’s love of Moll but says this isn’t the way. L’ak threatens her if she doesn’t move. But Burnham incapacitates him and seizes the clue when he tries to do so.
Burnham points a weapon at L’ak. But L’ak’s already been injured. Moll and Book arrive. Burnham says it was an accident. L’ak needs to get to Discovery. But Moll is enraged at the sight of his injury. Book informs Burnham that the shuttle is gone, so they must escape with Enterprise. Moll reassures L’ak.
Breen Business
In a flashback, Moll is beaten by the Breen guards as L’ak looks on. L’ak’s uncle states that L’ak has disgraced their family, who are vying for political status. He removes his helmet and asserts this to be “Breen.” L’ak asks why they can change their faces if both are not Breen. He says to deny half of their nature is to deny it all. But his uncle states that to hold form makes one “unfocused, inflexible and weak.” His uncle orders L’ak to execute Moll to redeem himself.
L’ak points the weapon at Moll. But he shoots the guards instead. His uncle advances on him. He shoots him too, but can’t kill him: L’ak was raised by him. Moll asks him to come with her as she escapes. L’ak explains the blood oath means they’ll never stop hunting him. “Us,” corrects Moll. “They’ll be hunting us.” She tells him nothing’s impossible and that they can do it. Moll says they’ll be happy together. L’ak concedes.
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In both timelines, L’ak tells Moll he loves her. L’ak doubts his likelihood of survival. Burnham says they should have power for the tractor beam on the Enterprise‘s bridge. Book brings the lights up on the bridge. They have four minutes until impact.
On the Discovery bridge, Christopher still can’t establish communication. But something’s happening at the aperture: a tractor beam emerges. It oscillates in a repeating pattern, sending the message “3-4-1-4.” Rayner smiles. He orders Stamets, Adira and Tilly to the bridge. Rayner explains they need to expand the aperture to starship size and hold it open. Adira asks if they’re going in. Rayner says no, their captain’s coming out.
Aperture Science
Rayner declines to explain how he knows this is the plan. He asks if it’s possible. Tilly says it would take an immense amount of power. Rayner offers a cask of citrus mash to whoever cracks the problem. Various possibilities are suggested and shot down. Rhys comes up with a workable plan. Rayner declares everyone gets citrus mash. He calls for Red Alert.
On the Enterprise bridge, Book reports no sign that their message has been received. Burnham says she must say something in case they don’t make it. Book tells her not to go there, but Burnham insists. She reveals he was one of the surprises from the time jumps in the previous episodes. She says it was nice, and they were happy.
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Outside the pocket dimension, Discovery executes its plan to widen and hold the dimension aperture open. Enterprise’s tractor beam contacts Discovery. They’re ready to go. Book suggests “Hit it,” but Burnham says that feels weird: “Let’s just fly.” The Enterprise begins to emerge from the aperture. Discovery’s crew identifies it and are perplexed. However, the Enterprise is pulled through before the aperture collapses on itself. Burnham successfully sends a message to Discovery.
But the Enterprise is preparing to fire. Burnham confirms a Terran War Pod with two life signs and sick bay equipment has launched. They jump to warp before they can be stopped. Rayner is assured that they can track the warp signature. Burnham promises Book they’ll find them.
Unknown, Vials
Burnham and Rayner walk the halls of Discovery together. Rayner reveals Burnham’s signal was an allusion to the poem she alluded to in the episode’s early scenes. Burnham compliments his work. She informs Rayner that Joann Owosekun (Oyin Oladejo) and Keyla Detmer (Emily Coutts) will head a team to bring the Enterprise to storage.
In the ship’s lounge, Rhys enjoys piano music played by Linus. Culber approaches Tilly at the bar. She says she feels like she’s been through a gormagander’s digestive tract. Tilly says she’s not the only one. Culber admits that the experiences he’s had—the Black Mountain—allude to the non-scientific vibes. Likewise, he says the quest for the progenitor’s tech is “so big.” But Culber admits he likes the unknown.
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By contrast, Culber says that Stamets hates the unknown. Culber says they’ve always been able to find answers together. But he doesn’t know how to talk about this with Stamets. Tilly says change can be hard, but it can also be freeing. She continues that the intellectual and the spiritual aren’t that far apart. Culber says he didn’t say “spiritual,” but Tilly replies that he kind of did.
In her ready room, Burnham examines the clue and a hologram of the progenitor. They also have the next clue: a vial of blue liquid. Book points out that the solution to each clue is a moral lesson. Burnham reveals that most of the Enterprise crew members made it to the Federation. “They had hope, and they found freedom despite impossible odds.” Burnham suggests that the lesson could be that they, too, can shape their futures.
The Search Continues…
Outside the viewport, the Enterprise departs. Book and Burnham take it in. Then, they agree that they were happy together. Stamets calls Burnham and asks for the vial. Where will it lead? Book and Burnham are looking forward to finding out.
The first five episodes of Star Trek: Discovery are currently available to stream on Paramount+. New episodes air on Thursdays.
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