STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Recap: (S05E07) Erigah

Did someone say “indelible Breen bounty”? Star Trek: Discovery season 5’s seventh episode, “Erigah,” was written by M. Raven Metzner and directed by Jon Dudkowski.

A message recorded by Moll (Eve Harlow) offers a “special offer” on courier services. The broadcast is emanating from the Terran pod she and L’ak (Elias Toufexis) stole from the ISS Enterprise in “Mirrors.” The USS Locherer has the pod in a tractor beam. The USS Discovery arrives at the scene. In the Discovery halls, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) tells D. Nhan (Rachael Ancheril) that “special offer” means “S.O.S.” Moll was hoping for rescue by another courier.

Nhan says it’s good they got there first. She hands Burnham the confiscated Romulan scientist’s diary. Burnham orders translation. Nhan’s team has a Romulan. They encounter Cleveland “Book” Booker (David Ajala). Burnham says he isn’t meant to be there. Book insists that he might be able to get Moll to talk. Nhan points out that Moll nearly killed Book in “Mirrors.” She alludes to Discovery season 4’s “Rubicon.” Book states he’s trying to make amends.

Book in the Discovery halls in "Erigah."

Photo Credit: Michael Gibson /Paramount+

Burnham states Book has been instrumental. Nhan says that if they need his help, she’ll find them. Book leaves. Burnham tells Nhan he’s a good man. Nhan knows what Book means to Burnham. This is why Nhan went easy on him.

“Erigah”

Burnham and Nhan reach medical. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) reports L’ak will have to be beamed directly into a bio-bed. Furthermore, Moll refuses to be separated from him. They’re modifying a containment field to keep the couple together. Separating them could put undue pressure on L’ak’s system.

Moll and L’ak are beamed in. Culber approaches to administer something for the pain and examine L’ak. Moll demands to know his intentions. Burnham promises they’ll help, but Moll states Burnham’s responsible. The field is activated around Moll and L’ak. Culber informs Burnham that L’ak is fading. However, they don’t know Breen physiology well enough to do much beyond reduce pain. Culber brings up Dominion War research. This suggests Breen cell regeneration may occur in extreme cold. They’ll use confiscated Breen refrigeration equipment to convert a biobed into a low-temp ICU unit.

Discovery arrives via spore drive at Federation HQ. But Asha (Christina Dixon) reports that HQ is telling them to hold. Christopher (Orville Cummings) informs Burnham that Admiral Vance (Oded Fehr) is contacting them with a classified message. Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) takes the con.

Vance beams into the ready room. He informs Burnham that the refrigeration unit will be beamed to Discovery. Then, Discovery is to take Moll and L’ak as far from HQ as possible. Vance notes the situation is politically volatile. He plays a message they received from the Breen. They demand the fugitives. A Breen dreadnought is heading their way. Federation President Rillak is elsewhere, where she’ll remain.

Days of Breen and Thunder

Moll and L’ak cannot be handed over. They might reveal the existence of the Progenitor’s tech to the Breen. Burnham asks if they’re planning on lying to the Breen after Discovery has jumped away. Vance says the Breen are too smart for games. But if the fugitives are elsewhere, it may limit risk to HQ. Burnham makes a convincing argument for confronting the Breen now. Vance concedes but says Moll and L’ak will remain on-board Discovery.

At HQ, Burnham, Rayner and Vance meet with Ni’var President T’Rina (Tara Rosling). Rillak has delegated her to lead negotiations. Intelligence on the Breen has been limited post-Burn. However, T’Rina reports unrest since the Breen Emperor’s death. Now, six Primarchs wrestle for Imperium control. Rayner asserts Breen don’t understand diplomacy. T’Rina holds fast. If the approaching faction seeks power, there must be something enticing enough to make them reconsider.

Rayner recalls the last time Breen entered Federation space. Vance says they won’t be caught off guard this time. He says they’ve called ships for defense. Something doesn’t add up: the Breen needn’t come to HQ in order to demand the fugitives. Starfleet must learn more.

T’Rina notes Saru is on a mission near Breen space. His reports suggest Breen unrest comes from a succession dispute.

The Card Clue

Vance points out the current line’s Primarch wouldn’t need L’ak for succession. Why are they so motivated to capture Moll and L’ak? Rayner says if the Breen think they can win, they’ll attack. He suggests making themselves look better armed than they really are. T’Rina wonders if this will incite attack. Rayner snaps back. Burnham reminds him they’re on the same side. He cites a Romulan phrase denouncing the Breen. T’Rina counters: nothing can be gained from xenophobic comments. Rayner states the Breen’s version of the Prime Directive is genocide. Burnham orders him outside.

Next Burnham states that she believes Moll and L’ak have more concealed information. Vance tells her to get it. But he cautions her to keep Rayner in line.

Burnham approaches Rayner in the halls and he immediately continues his arguments. She says this seems personal to Rayner. He says he said what he needed to and apologizes for his tone. Burnham orders Discovery to prepare for the imminent arrival of the Breen.

Photo Credit: Gibson /Paramount+

In Discovery‘s halls, Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) approaches Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman). She’s returning to HQ to support her cadets. But Stamets states they need her on Discovery. The card from the previous episode bears a Betazoid logo and the words “The Labyrinths of the Mind.” Stamets wants Tilly and Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) to search for potential meanings while he analyzes the card’s composition. Tilly counters that the Breen are a significant threat. Stamets says the clue is their top priority. Tilly will help.

All About Erigah

In medical, L’ak is on the mend, but slowly. Burnham asks to speak with him and Moll. She informs them the Breen want them. Burnham asks their plan for when the Breen caught up. Moll says “winging it.” Burnham inquires if the Breen might accept something besides the progenitor’s tech to clear the erigah. L’ak says there’s nothing.

Burnham asks why a Breen dreadnought would be sent for him. Moll and L’ak are silent. Burnham pushes. Moll says to let them go fend for themselves. Burnham realizes the Primarch won’t kill L’ak. She wonders who he is and begins guessing various familial relations. What do the Breen really want? Moll and L’ak remain quiet.

Burnham says the Primarch wants the throne, which they can somehow secure. Then Burnham realizes L’ak is the bloodline. L’ak is the Emperor’s direct descendant. His uncle the Primarch wants him to secure his claim to leadership. But L’ak tells Burnham to spit in his uncle’s face. Burnham leaves.

Meanwhile, Zora (Annabelle Wallis) reports “Labyrinths” is a Betazoid manuscript. It was written in 2371 by Marina Derex, a scientist from Kovich’s list. However, only a few thousand copies were printed and it’s been 800 years. It’s unlikely they’ll find one. Furthermore, they’d need the original handwritten manuscript. If this still exists, Zora has no record of it. Tal asks Zora to search the crew manifest for anyone with manuscript experience. In the meantime Tilly compliments Adira for their performance in “Whistlespeak.” Zora reports Jet Reno (Tig Notaro) has expertise.

“All the Way to Reno (You’re Gonna Be a Star)”

Tilly and Tal approach Reno as she fine-tunes a weapons matrix. She explains they need accurate weapons if they end up battling the Breen. Tal wonders why everyone assumes battle is a foregone conclusion. Reno credits it to the Breen’s “truncheons, jackboots” and overall “faceless helmet vibe.” Tilly explains the latest clue points towards a rare manuscript.

Reno working on a panel on the hallway floor on Discovery.

Photo Credit: Marni Grossman /Paramount+

Reno admits she may have padded her resume. She explains that she used to move rare portfolios for a “shady antiquarian archivist.” Reno admits she smuggled before settling on her Starfleet career. Other gigs: “VIP shuttle pilot, deep Mercury welder, bartender.”

Tal says Reno “got around,” but then corrects, “but not like that.” However Reno confirms: “Oh, yeah. Like that.” Tilly turns back to the subject at hand. She asks Reno about “Labyrinths.” Reno hasn’t heard of it, and suggests some of the many possible resting places for the manuscript. Tilly says they can’t hit a dead end. Reno assures them they’ll locate it.

They’re interrupted by a “Code One Alpha.” The dreadnought has arrived. At HQ, Burnham informs Vance and T’Rina it’s the same ship they saw in the future in “Face the Strange.” There/then, it had seemingly destroyed HQ. Scanning doesn’t penetrate the dreadnought’s shields.

“Extradition Orders”

Somehow, L’ak’s heritage and claim to the throne must be leveraged to make the dreadnought leave peacefully. The Breen Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo) contacts HQ and demands the fugitives. T’Rina introduces herself and says she’s authorized to lead negotiations. The Primarch says no negotiations. He demands the fugitives. T’Rina states they’re receiving medical attention. She continues that time is necessary to draft and approve “extradition orders.”

The Primarch gives her one hour. Burnham questions “extradition orders.” T’Rina says it was preferable to claiming Tribble infestation. She says Burnham has an hour to determine how the info on L’ak can be leveraged to convince the Breen to leave.

Meanwhile, in Discovery’s engineering lab, Stamets works with Zora to hunt for systems where the card’s material might have originated. He has little luck narrowing his search. Book arrives and tells Stamets he wants to help. Stamets shares the nature of his hunt with Book, who joins in.

Burnham approaches Rayner in the HQ halls. She asks him what he knows about Breen leadership structure. Rayner denies knowledge but asks why she asks. Burnham shares the info about L’ak and explains she’s attempting to use the intel to their advantage. She points out that Starfleet knows little about the Breen’s culture. But she asserts that Rayner’s reaction earlier demonstrates that he knows more than he’s letting on. Her research revealed Rayner’s homeworld, Kellerun, was used as a Breen outpost. Rayner says that was a long time ago. He doesn’t like to talk about it.

Memories of Kellerun

Burnham asks if Rayner ever had any run-ins with Ruhn. Rayner says a different Primarch controlled Kellerun. He recalls the Breen’s arrival. Then he recounts how they used it as a munitions resupply site, devastating Kellerun’s natural resources. Death abounded. While the population resisted, Rayner was the only survivor of his family. He concludes Breen cannot be negotiated with when they want something.

Burnham says they must get Ruhn to believe they can offer him something he’d prefer to Moll and L’ak. She suggests Rayner has given them a way. Before leaving, she thanks him for talking.

In Discovery’s halls, Reno recalls many book connections. But now they’re dead. She asks if there are any further details. Tal suggests it could be a one-of-a-kind. Reno says this means Derex would seek to preserve it since it’s a clue. She suggests they try the Eternal Gallery and Archive. A “bank, but it protects knowledge,” the Archive is a neutral organization that welcomes all worlds. Many planets have items housed there. But the Archive’s location changes to keep its contents safe. Reno asks if they mentioned a metal card. She says it might be a library card, as metal cards are how the Archive grants access. They all wish each other good luck as Tal and Tilly depart with this essential information.

In medical, Culber informs L’ak he’s stable. L’ak says Breen are nothing like humans. Culber says he believes however different, there’s common ground. He points out Moll. L’ak says Moll loves him because of their differences.

The Other Primarch

The field reactivates. Moll says they need the tech. L’ak says the Federation won’t turn them over, but they’ll be stuck in a brig. He urges her to escape. She can steal a shuttle and beam him aboard. L’ak says he can get them to lower the shields, but Moll won’t like it.

At Federation HQ, T’Rina, Vance, Burnham, Rayner and others hail the Breen. The Breen are informed they’re ready to hand over the fugitives. A cadre of Breen beam in. They demand the prisoners. T’Rina asserts they have time left in their hour and want to use it for conversation. The Breen aren’t down. But T’Rina reveals she speaks the Breen’s language. Next, the Federation offers dilithium in exchange for the erigah’s removal. Switching to English, the Primarch says the only way to repay an erigah is blood. He threatens them.

T’Rina states she will accept an offer from another Primarch for the prisoners. Having L’ak by any Primarch’s side will create a claim to the throne. Weapons are drawn. Rayner uses his knowledge of the other Primarch to convince the Breen present they have indeed arranged a deal. T’Rina points out HQ can’t be attacked by the Breen. It would risk L’ak’s survival.

Meanwhile, in Discovery medical, Moll demands Burnham as L’ak fiddles with the biobed. L’ak begins screaming. Culber drops the field. L’ak has intentionally overdosed. But L’ak tells Moll to go. After some fighting, Moll stuns Culber. But then Nhan arrives.

Concerning the Clue

At HQ, Ruhn offers to exceed the other Primarch’s offer. But T’Rina isn’t interested in a bidding war amid factions. Instead, she offers a third option. The other Primarch’s offer will be rejected. Ruhn will leave in peace. Burnham points out the spore drive would allow them to deliver L’ak to the other Primarch in seconds, should Ruhn attack. However, retaining L’ak means neither Primarch gains the legitimacy of the scion. Ruhn is free to claim his throne through battle.

Ruhn says that if any harm befalls L’ak, war will become unavoidable. T’Rina promises he won’t be harmed. They’re interrupted by a communication from Nhan. Burnham beams to Discovery medical. Moll’s escaped. Culber administers emergency treatment to L’ak. Burnham locks down Discovery. Nhan departs to find Moll. Culber says L’ak needs a Breen medic. Burnham promises to get him one and beams away.

Zora’s lockdown announcement is heard in Engineering. Per his question, Zora tells Book that Moll has escaped. Zora further reveals a login on deck 5. Book prepares to depart. Stamets insists the mission be prioritized. The clue is necessary. Book says it feels like they should be further along in their research. Stamets suggests the scientist could have used Betazoid abilities to psychically link between the clue to the place it came from. Furthermore, Book is an empath.

Book takes the card and activates his abilities. He sees a plasma storm. This is helpful. Book says he also feels: “eternity, eternal.” But he doesn’t know what it means. He returns the card to Stamets and leaves.

Primarch Family Values

In medical, L’ak’s condition is critical. Burnham beams in and tells Culber the medic is on the way. She continues that the Primarch will join them. The Breen beam in. Burnham says Moll is being detained elsewhere. Ruhn threatens them if L’ak dies.

Book convinces Moll in the Discovery hallways.

Photo Credit: Gibson /Paramount+

In the Discovery halls, Book and Nhan track Moll. Nhan admits she misjudged Book. Book says making amends is a process. They come upon Moll holding a crewmember at phaserpoint. Nhan tells her that L’ak misjudged dosage, and may be dying. Moll should be with him. Book urges Moll not to miss the chance to be there for L’ak.

A tearful Moll returns to medical and approaches L’ak. They share their goodbyes. L’ak dies. Ruhn asserts the Federation killed L’ak. Burnham denies this. The Breen aren’t listening. Meanwhile the Breen beam away from HQ. Four Starfleet ships arrive. Tensions rise in Discovery medical. Moll corroborates Burnham’s story. Ruhn says if he can’t use L’ak in life, he’ll be used in death. Moll says she goes where L’ak goes. She reveals they’re married, obligating Ruhn to take Moll along. Ruhn says she won’t be welcomed.

Burnham and Culber look on as Moll holds L'ak's body and the Breen standby in Discovery medical.

Photo Credit: Grossman /Paramount+

But Moll teases the Progenitor’s tech, promising the power to claim the throne by extension. However, they have to bring Moll. Ruhn says the Federation has 5 minutes to beam them over. At HQ, Moll is detained as T’Rina, Vance, Burnham, Rayner, Book and Nhan discuss the situation. Nhan notes that the Progenitor’s tech might be able to resurrect the dead: Moll’s motivation.

Black Alert

The team concludes Moll plans to use the tech to both get L’ak back and remove the erigah. Rayner observes they have a clue Moll doesn’t. Book says they can’t consider turning Moll over. Vance says they’re racing the Breen regardless of whether or not the Breen have Moll. T’Rina says little is lost by turning Moll over. By contrast, much could be lost by keeping her. They beam Moll to the Breen. Book tells Burnham it’s wrong before leaving. The dreadnaught departs.

In Discovery’s ready room Stamets, Tilly and Adira share what they’ve learned about the clue with Rayner and Burnham. Stamets says thanks to Book they know the library is located in a place with a lot of ionic activity: the Badlands. Burnham orders the crew to prepare to jump to the location.

Burnham pulls Rayner aside. She notes today must have been tough. But she says he did well. Rayner says he’ll never allow what happened to his planet to happen again. Burnham agrees: they’ll make sure of it. They beam to the bridge and soon move to Black Alert.

The first seven 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.