So, the mid-season finale of Star Trek: Discovery (lovingly referred to as DISCO now, thanks to some awesome crew shirts) has aired. And fans have to wait almost 2 months for the next episode. Time to ponder, rehash, and theorize on possible plot twists. If you haven’t seen episode 9 yet, don’t read any further. And I highly recommend watching CBS All Access’ After Trek as well.
I have absolutely loved this season so far. The characters have depth and are completely unpredictable. They seem more human and fallible. The actors are incredible. The sets and special effects are summer blockbuster-worthy. It seems bigger and better than just a TV show. And the writing has been exceptional, as each episode seems to get better. Each episode begs to be discussed and dissected.
This isn’t Roddenberry’s bright utopia… yet. The crew of the Discovery NCC-1031 (hint to Section 31?) is led by Captain Lorca, a mysterious man with a past that begs to be told. And the ship holds an unique, new technology for travel.
There are so many shocking plot twists and mysteries, that fan theories are inevitable. And a whole lot of fun. One that sticks out the most to me is Lorca’s obsession with Michael and her safety. My guess is that he knew her parents or had something to do with what happened to them on that station decimated by Klingons.
I love reading other fan’s theories as well. I suspected Ash Tyler was more than just a Klingon prisoner with PTSD as soon as he was introduced. But the best and most talked about theory right now is best explained here and here. Tyler is most likely Voq in disguise. Voq’s absence from the show lines up when Tyler showed up. He’s most likely a sleeper spy with plans to steal the Discovery technology. And I can’t wait to see what happens with Lorca’s tribble when Tyler enter’s his ready room.
The last episode also left us with a major cliffhanger, as the Discovery arrives in an unknown destination after Lorca messes with the jump coordinates just as the spore drive initiates. Did you catch this detail? I didn’t, as so much was already going on. I plan on a re-watch of the season soon, to catch more details. After all, the series has been full of easter eggs, especially in the Captain’s “museum.”
Did the ship arrive in a different quadrant? A different time? A different (Mirror?) universe? January can’t come soon enough.
I love reading fan theories. Star Trek certainly has the most intelligent fan base. The comments in some of the articles I’ve read are better than the articles in reference to science, canon, and minute details.