Summary

• Star Trek” Discovery season 5 delivers 10 top episodes, answering big existential questions and resolving character storylines satisfyingly.
• Discovery season 5 is a tonal shift into a quest adventure, introducing fan-favorite new characters.
• Here is how Star Trek: Discovery’s episodes rank against each other.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 was also its final season and delivered 10 of the best episodes of the series. Discovery season 5 wasn’t produced to be the final season, but after Paramount+ chose to end the series, it was fortuitous that Star Trek: Discovery season 5 already felt like a natural conclusion. Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the crew of the USS Discovery asked big, existential questions in pursuit of the ancient treasure of the Progenitors, and many characters’ storylines were resolved satisfyingly.

A sequel to the Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6 episode, “The Chase”, Star Trek: Discovery season 5 enjoyed a tonal shift into a quest adventure, as the USS Discovery pursued the literal power of creation via a series of elaborate clues that tested Captain Burnham‘s intelligence and heroic qualities. Discovery season 5 also introduced instant fan-favorite new characters in First Officer Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) and the villainous couple Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak (Elias Toufexis). Discovery season 5 revamped the Breen for the 32nd century and concluded with poignant romance and a flash forward to the ultimate destiny of the USS Discovery. Here’s how Star Trek: Discovery season 5’s episodes stack up against each other.

10 “Whistlespeak”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 6

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 6, “Whistlespeak”, is a throwback to a classic Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation-style story. Captain Burnham and Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) infiltrate the planet Halem’no for the fourth Progenitors’ treasure clue hidden in a weather tower built by Denobulan scientist Dr. Hitoroshi Creel. Tilly nearly dies in a ritual sacrifice before Burnham reveals herself to be an offworlder, challenging the Halem’nites to balance their religious beliefs with the knowledge they’re not alone in the universe.

Written by Kenneth Lyn and Brandon Schutz, and directed by Chris Byrne, “Whistlespeak” was a welcome exploration of a new culture by Star Trek: Discovery. Balancing Tilly and Burnham’s exploits on Halem’no, Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) struggled with his newfound spiritual awakening, and begins to form a bond with Cleveland Booker (David Ajala). There are more exciting hours of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 than the introspective “Whistlespeak”, but it’s also, pleasingly, one of the most fundamentally Star Trek episodes of Star Trek: Discovery.

9 “Under The Twin Moons”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 2

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 2, “Under the Twin Moons”, sends Captain Burnham and Captain Saru (Doug Jones) to the planet Lyrek in search of the first Progenitors clue hidden by Romulan scientist Dr. Vellek (Michael Copeman). The array of ancient defensive weapons on the graveyard planet calls back to Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes like “The Arsenal of Freedom”, and brings out the action hero in Saru, appropriately dubbing the Kelpien “Action Saru”.

The joy of “Under the Twin Moons” is the final team-up of Burnham and Saru.

Written by Alan McElroy and directed by Doug Aarniokoski, “Under the Twin Moons” turns out to be the last hurrah of Saru as a member of the USS Discovery’s crew. Saru becomes a Federation Ambassador in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 and becomes betrothed to hs love, President T’Rina (Tara Rosling). The joy of “Under the Twin Moons” is the final team-up of Burnham and Saru as Michael would end Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 2 by naming Commander Rayner as the USS Discovery’s new First Officer.

8 “Jinaal”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 3

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 3, “Jinaal” is the series’ final voyage to Trill in search of the second Progenitors clue hidden on his homeworld by Trill scientist Dr. Jinaal Bix (Wilson Cruz). As Captain Burnham and Cleveland Booker endure Jinaal’s dangerous test for his clue, Ensign Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) says goodbye to their romance with Gray Tal (Ian Alexander). Meanwhile, Commander Rayner meets with the USS Discovery’s personnel, with discouraging results.

“Jinaal” is a showcase for the talents of Wilson Cruz.

Written by Kyle Jarrow and Lauren Wilkinson, and directed by Andi Armaganian, “Jinaal” is a showcase for the talents of Wilson Cruz, who relishes portraying a character very different from the compassionate Dr. Hugh Culber. Saru also struggles with his new position as Ambassador and learns the perils of mixing politics with his personal life. “Jinaal” has multiple fascinating and entertaining character beats and deepens the audience’s understanding of several Star Trek: Discovery characters.

7 “Erigah”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 7

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, “Erigah”, balances the tensions of a captured Moll and L’ak seeking to escape the USS Discovery with the arrival of the Breen, led by Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo), to Federation HQ. Commander Rayner’s revelation of the Breen’s invasion of his Kellerun homeworld turns out to be key in negotiating with the fearsome aliens. However, L’ak tragically dies in an ill-fated attempt to help Moll escape, and Moll, in turn, allies with the Breen to set up Star Trek: Discovery‘s endgame.

Star Trek: Discovery
season 5, episode 7, “Erigah”, brought back fan-favorite Rachael Ancheril as Commander Nhan.

Written by M. Raven Metzner and directed by Jon Dudkowski, “Erigah” is the final appearance of Elias Toufexis as L’ak, who is revealed to be the Breen Scion and crucial to the Breen civil war to determine a new emperor. Both a political thriller and a heartbreaking tragedy for Moll and L’ak’s love story ,”Erigah” firmly establishes the Breen as an existential threat to the United Federation of Planets, and one of Star Trek: Discovery‘s best adversaries.

6 “Mirrors”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 5

When Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5, “Mirrors”, sends Captain Burnham and Cleveland Booker into interdimensional space in pursuit of Moll and L’ak and the third Progenitors clue, they find more than they bargain for – namely the ISS Enterprise from the Mirror Universe. “Mirrors” features vital confrontations between Burnham, Book, Moll, and L’ak, establishing exactly what’s at stake for the ill-fated lovers. “Mirrors” also depicts how Moll and L’ak met in intriguing flashbacks that are also a revelatory download of information about the mysterious Breen.

“Mirrors” makes history by establishing L’ak as the first Breen to remove his helmet.

Written by Johanna Le and Carlos Cisco, and directed by Jen McGowan, Star Trek: Discovery‘s “Mirrors” cleverly utilizes Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ sets to bring the ISS Enterprise to life, and lays down new canon about the happenings of the 23rd century Mirror Universe. “Mirrors” also makes history by establishing L’ak as the first Breen to remove his helmet, showing us the true face of the aliens, at last. Crucially, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 5, ingeniously holds a mirror up to Burnham and Book, showing that they’re not destined for the same tragic fate as Moll and L’ak.

5 “Red Directive”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 1

Star Trek: Discovery‘s season 5 premiere, “Red Directive”, sees the USS Discovery team up with Captain Rayner’s USS Antares in pursuit of Moll and L’ak, who seek the ancient technology of the Progenitors. Captain Burnham and Rayner’s uneasy team-up leads them and Cleveland Booker to the desert planet of Q’Mau. Following a thrilling sand bike chase, “Red Directive” culminates with the awesome sight of the USS Discovery and the USS Antares protecting a settlement from an avalanche of sand.

As a Star Trek: Discovery season premiere, the narrative heavy lifting of “Red Directive” feels effortless.

Written by Star Trek: Discovery showrunner Michelle Paradise and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, “Red Directive” masterfully establishes the high stakes of Discovery season 5 and fist-pumpingly weaves in the canon of Star Trek: The Next Generation, name-dropping Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). As a Star Trek: Discovery season premiere, the narrative heavy lifting of “Red Directive” feels effortless and propulsively sets the table for the adventures to come in Star Trek: Discovery season 5.

4 “Labyrinths”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 8

For the final clue to the Progenitors’ treasure, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 8, “Labyrinths”, introduces one of the series’ most memorable locations: The Eternal Gallery and Archive. When Captain Burnham enters the massive intergalactic library hidden in the dangerous badlands, she becomes trapped in her own mindscape. With an avatar of Cleveland Booker as her guide, Michael must delve into her deepest fears and regrets to prove worthy of the final clue as the Breen seek to destroy the Archive.

Star Trek: Discovery
season 5, episode 8, “Labyrinths”, introduces Hy’Rell (Elena Juatco), who is only the third Efrosian (and first female) canonically seen in
Star Trek.

Written by Lauren Wilkinson & Eric J. Robbins, and directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, “Labyrinths” is a feast for the eyes, mind, and heart. Burnham’s inner journey showcases a powerhouse performance by Sonequa Martin-Green. Meanwhile, the confrontation with the Breen, with Lt. Commander Gen Rhys (Patrick Kwok-Choon) in command of the USS Discovery, ratchets up the tension effectively. Star Trek: Discovery‘s voyage to the final clue of season 5 is an all-time great journey within for Captain Burnham.

3 “Lagrange Point”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 9

“Lagrange Point” sees Star Trek: Discovery tackling the heist genre with spectacular results. Captain Michael Burnham leads an away team disguised as Breen to infiltrate the Breen dreadnought and steal the portal to the Progenitors’ technology. Meanwhile, Commander Rayner takes command of the USS Discovery, which is outmatched by the Breen’s massive starship. Rayner proves exactly why he was once a decorated starship Captain as he executes Burnham’s last-ditch effort to snatch the portal from the Breen.

“Lagrange Point” sets up Moll and Captain Burnam as the ultimate competitors for the Progenitors’ technology.

Written by Sean Cochran and Ari Friedman, and the final Star Trek: Discovery episode directed by Jonathan Frakes, “Lagrange Point” sets up Moll and Captain Burnam as the ultimate competitors for the Progenitors’ technology, and it also marks the welcome return of Ambassador Saru, who was absent from several Star Trek: Discovery season 5 episodes. “Lagrange Point” is a fantastic infiltration gambit containing action, tension, and even a pleasing amount of humor, and is a top-tier hour of Star Trek: Discovery.

2 “Face The Strange”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 4

When Moll plants a Krenim time bug aboard the USS Discovery, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, “Face the Strange”, sends Captain Burnham, Commander Rayner, and Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) careening through the USS Discovery’s past and future. “Face the Strange” is the first real test of Burnham and Rayner as Captain and First Officer, and they establish trust as they work together to solve their temporal dilemma. “Face the Strange” evocatively touches upon several important Star Trek: Discovery milestones to show how far the series has come.

Star Trek: Discovery
season 5, episode 4 teased the possible future for Zora (Annabelle Wallis) seen in
Star Trek: Short Treks
‘ “Calypso”, foreshadowing what was to come in
Discovery
‘s series finale epilogue.

Written by Sean Cochran and directed by Lee Rose, “Face the Strange” joyfully calls back to crucial characters and events throughout Star Trek: Discovery, like the late Lt. Commander Airiam (Hannah Cheesman). Best of all, Captain Burnham confronts her past self from season 1, making it clear just how much Michael has bettered herself throughout Star Trek: Discovery‘s 5 seasons. “Face the Strange” is a rip-roaring and deeply satisfying Star Trek: Discovery time travel yarn, and it’s one of the best episodes of the series.

1 “Life, Itself”

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 10

Star Trek: Discovery‘s series finale, “Life, Itself”, is filled with vaulting ambition, and meets it in grand fashion. “Life, Itself” concludes Captain Burnham’s quest for the power of creation as she outclasses Moll to access the Progenitors’ technology. Meanwhile, the USS Discovery beats the Breen with the help of Ambassador Saru. Matching its awe-inspiring revelations and emotional high-points, Star Trek: Discovery‘s series finale has multiple touching endings, including the reveal of Dr. Kovich’s (David Cronenberg) true identity, the wedding of Saru and T’Rina, and the romantic reunion of Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker.

Captain Burnham chooses to banish the power of creation in a decision that’s a bit pat and too abrupt, but ultimately feels right.

Written by Kyle Jarrow and Michelle Paradise, and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, “Life, Itself” delivered on the awe and wonder the hunt for the Progenitors demanded. To wrap up Star Trek: Discovery, the finale’s resonant coda flashes forward 30+ years to show an elderly Admiral Burnham and Cleveland Booker had a happy life together before Michael sends the USS Discovery on its final destiny, synching the saga up with Star Trek: Short Treks‘ “Calypso”. Filled with grandeur, heart, and as a celebration of Star Trek: Discovery‘s characters, “Life, Itself” is one of the best series finales in Star Trek, and an evocative and worthy ending to Star Trek: Discovery.