{"id":7816,"date":"2021-05-07T08:00:05","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T15:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/?p=7816"},"modified":"2021-04-26T10:56:39","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T17:56:39","slug":"mark-watches-discovery-s01e15-will-you-take-my-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/2021\/05\/mark-watches-discovery-s01e15-will-you-take-my-hand\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Watches &#8216;Discovery&#8217;: S01E15 &#8211; Will You Take My Hand?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In the fifteenth and final episode of the first season of <i>Star Trek: Discovery<\/i>, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s official: I love this show. Intrigued? Then it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time for Mark to watch <i>Star Trek<\/i>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><b>Trigger Warning: For brief discussion of torture, PTSD\/trauma<\/b><\/p>\n<p>What an ACCOMPLISHMENT, y\u00e2\u20ac\u2122all. This season&#8230; holy shit. One giant interconnected story, all of it centered on Burnham from the Battle at the Binary Stars to the end of the Federation-Klingon War, culminating in a poetic, beautiful ending in which Burnham learns that you can survive <i>and<\/i> uphold your principles at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>LET\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S TALK, I NEED TO YELL.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I loved that the first scene in this episode wasted no time in showing us how completely uncomfortable it was going to be to have Georgiou as captain. Michelle Yeoh simply dominates every goddamn moment of this characterization, too. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s playing Terran Georgiou pretending to be Prime Georgiou except not, because she doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hold back when giving orders or interacting with the crew. And unsurprisingly, Burnham just HAD to bait her further. Please know that if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t watch the video of me watching this, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll miss me GIGGLING WITH DELIGHT AND TERROR as I witnessed this all unfold.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>I am also realizing that during the confrontation Burnham had with Georgiou in the hallway, Georgiou basically gave away the ending of this episode. Her criticism of Burnham amounted to the claim that Burnham couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t follow through on her actions, which is why she failed at the Battle of the Binary Stars. YET LOOK WHAT TRANSPIRES IN \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Will You Take My Hand?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Burnham follows through on the promises she made to uphold the values of Starfleet.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>HEY. GEORGIOU\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S INTERROGATION OF L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122RELL. Holy shit, y\u00e2\u20ac\u2122all. Like&#8230; I knew Terran Georgiou was more willing to be violent. I knew she hated all humans. WHY DID I NOT ANTICIPATE HER USING VIOLENCE AGAINST L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122RELL. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s interesting, too, because the show frames the scene as one worthy of <i>extreme<\/i> horror. There is nothing valiant about what Georgiou does, and even more important is the fact that Georgiou\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s technique serves no purpose. L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Rell would never have given up the information that Georgiou wanted. Torture wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t going to work! Starfleet has outlawed torture for a reason!!!!<\/li>\n<li>There was a writing reason for that choice, too, since the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153better\u00e2\u20ac\u009d option wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just <i>literally<\/i> better in every way, but it was also IMMENSELY PAINFUL! Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s make everything hurt by having Burnham and Tyler be on a mission together right after Burnham said she would be letting go of Tyler!!!!!!!!!<\/li>\n<li>Let us all join in a moment of silence for the scene where Tilly \u00e2\u20ac\u0153meets\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Georgiou. One of THE funniest things in this whole season, oh my GOD. Tilly went from 100 to 0 in like four seconds. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never seen someone deflate like that, oh my GOD.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>I said this on video, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m repeating it in the review, too: I <i>love<\/i> worldbuilding through marketplaces. I love it so much I did it in my own fantasy book, and getting to construct the market at Obreg\u00c3\u00b3n for <i>Each of Us a Desert<\/i> was a high I am constantly chasing in new things I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m writing. I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve spoken about this before, but if not: THIS IS HOW I LEARN MORE ABOUT PLACES I TRAVEL TO. I go to supermarkets and stores and malls and shopping centers! They genuinely fill me with joy! (Interestingly: I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really like American malls\/shopping centers, but I think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also because if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been in one mall here, they aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t all that different from one another.) So getting to see Qo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122noS for the first time on this show <i>through<\/i> the outpost was a delight. I loved all the food. The languages. The different cultures and species. The fact that the weapons trade was done in the open spoke volumes to what was acceptable in this society! (Same with the fact that gormaganders are eaten very, very casually there, too.) The bar itself was so fascinating, too, in that the writers <i>did<\/i> use some tropes we often see in sci-fi worldbuilding for worlds like this, but then what the <i>characters<\/i> do in it made it seem refreshing.<\/li>\n<li>Like the fact that Prime Georgiou is bisexual, which is casually confirmed and ruined my fucking life. RUINED.<\/li>\n<li>Actually, interesting meta-textual thing: This isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the first time a Terran character was portrayed as not-straight; that happened with Kira on <i>Deep Space Nine<\/i>. I mean, it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t as outright as this, but it was still there. And I recall having an issue with it, in part because there was so very little representation of queer folks within <i>Trek<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s universe. (Though <i>Deep Space Nine<\/i> went way further with it, of course. HI JADZIA.) I did not have the same issue here, and one detail helped me feel different: Georgiou is not the sole representation under that umbrella. There are other queer characters who are also good people, so it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel like the show is accidentally equating queerness with the Terran world. Instead, we get EVIL BISEXUALS and I am HERE FOR THIS. (I use the term \u00e2\u20ac\u0153evil\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to reference the character trope more than I am labeling Georgiou as evil herself, for the record. Though&#8230; damn. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pretty fucked up.) I still want Dr. Culber back, damn it. No\u00e2\u20ac\u201dNEED.<\/li>\n<li>Tilly got high.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>TILLY GOT HIGH.<\/li>\n<li>I am <i>still<\/i> reeling from the brilliant, thorny complications this script gave us by having Tyler on the mission with Burnham. After Burnham\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s emotional monologue in the previous episode, we must watch her deal with the fact that while Ash Tyler is now&#8230; well, Ash Tyler, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also still in possession of Voq\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s memories, making him extremely comfortable within the world of this outpost. He seamlessly folded himself into that game and I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even say it was like second nature to Tyler. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s&#8230; first nature? I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even know the correct term!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>On top of that, Burnham is dealing with the immense trauma she experienced when her parents were murdered by Klingons, which she had to <i>listen<\/i> to. So the setting of this mission is made all the more difficult for her! The very <i>sound<\/i> of Klingon laughter is a trigger for her.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>And yet, <i>Discovery<\/i> does an amazing thing with Burnham, and it was why \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Will You Take My Hand?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d felt so terribly exciting to watch. To say Burnham has been through a lot is an understatement, of course, and I understand now more than ever why this show began as it did. We needed to see that battle so that we would comprehend where Burnham was at in her journey of self-identity and self discovery. Perhaps more so than anyone (except maybe Cornwell?), she has a reason to utterly hate the Klingons because of what they did to her and her family, let alone the results of this war. However, even as Burnham is coping with Ash Tyler, even as she is remembering the death of her parents, Burnham is still able to observe <i>life<\/i>. She sees an outpost full of Klingons, yes; she knows that this culture wants the death of hers. However, she also can see that the people on Qo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122noS are just&#8230; living. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trading and playing games and working and doing all the things that living beings do all over this universe.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>It is in that epiphany that the endgame of this season is truly set up. When Tilly discovers that she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not carrying a drone but a hydro bomb, Burnham deliberately rejects the choice she made in the very first episode. The destruction of the Klingon homeworld would most assuredly end the war and guarantee the survival of the Federation.<\/li>\n<li>BUT IS THE PRICE WORTH PAYING?<\/li>\n<li>Burnham paid a price for defying Captain Georgiou. And shit, the collateral damage of that decision led indirectly to other deaths, too. This whole season has been Burnham grappling with the guilt and shame she felt for choosing survival over values, and on Qo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122noS, minutes away from an end to the Federation-Klingon war, <i>Burnham chose differently.<\/i><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Principles were ALL THAT BURNHAM HAD IN THE END. Oh my god I LOVE THAT.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>I also love that I was somewhat correct in guessing that the writers were setting up a parallel mutiny against Georgiou. Did it happen like I thought? ABSOLUTELY NOT.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Because the solution to this is not in violence, nor is it in the Federation assuming they know what is best for the Klingons. I am still reeling from what Burnham comes up with because GUESS WHAT. THE KLINGONS NOW FEEL SUPER INTERESTING TO ME. Because Burnham correctly understood that L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Rell was trying her best to live up to the mission that T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Kuvma gave her: to unite the various houses of Klingon. Rather than commit an act of horrific violence to end the war, Burnham gave L\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Rell the most powerful bargaining chip imaginable, which will allow her to pursue unification. Does that mean the Klingons won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ever be a threat again? No, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a much, much better solution, one that involved NO loss of life, and ended the war WAY faster.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Y\u00e2\u20ac\u2122all. Georgiou is granted freedom. MEANING SHE CAN SHOW UP AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE. Oh god, what is she going to turj out like after living in this universe? Will she stay the same? GET WORSE?????? The possibilities are endless!!!<\/li>\n<li>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sad about Ash Tyler, but I think that\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand I say this not knowing what role he might play in the future\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthis was the natural end for his arc in this season. I remain sympathetic for what he went through, and I appreciate that the writers didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t negate what Burnham went through either. Her experiences with Tyler in this episode helped bring some closure, too. Both of them realized that he could prove valuable because of his unique situation, but on an emotional level, Tyler found a way to give Burnham space. Burnham found a way to see the real Ash Tyler beneath everything that happened. GOD THAT KISS WAS&#8230;. pain? Pain and hurt and oh my god, this story was so hard to watch, but I weirdly feel great about the end result? Tyler has an unbelievable journey ahead of him, but I hope time away can provide him healing, too.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Because this episode grants Burnham a path towards healing, too!!!!! SHE IS PARDONED. SHE IS REINSTATED AS COMMANDER. SHE AND HER CREW GET THE STARFLEET MEDAL OF HONOR, OF WHICH SARU IS THE FIRST KELPIEN TO EVER RECEIVE ONE. Oh my god???? Tilly is an ensign now??? THE COMMAND TRAINING PROGRAM????<\/li>\n<li>Burnham also earned a greater respect and admiration from Sarek, and seeing Sarek smile so openly at his daughter? Good <i>bye<\/i>. What a wonderful, wonderful moment.<\/li>\n<li>This season ends in the opposite place where it began. There was so much destruction and such a lack of hope because of the Battle at the Binary Stars. But here, <i>Discovery<\/i> heads out into the unknown for a mission that ISN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T military or defensive in nature. God, what does that mean for season two? What am I about to experience? Well, first up: THE <i>ENTERPRISE<\/i>. Piloted by Captain Pike!!! WHO ELSE IS ON THAT SHIP, I NEED TO KNOW. BADLY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This has been so, so fun, y\u00e2\u20ac\u2122all. I truly enjoyed this season, and it only got better and better. (Now bring back Dr. Culber, please.) Am I going to see a second season more focused on away missions? Standalone stories? Something else? I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know, but lord, I really, really can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wait to start season two. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll do a prediction post and some of <i>Short Treks<\/i> first, but hang tight!!!! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get there!!!<\/p>\n<p>The video for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Will You Take My Hand?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d can be downloaded <a href=\"https:\/\/markdoesstuff.com\/products\/mark-watches-star-trek-discovery\">here for $0.99<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><b>Mark Links Stuff<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/diversebooks.org\/cover-reveal-for-the-insiders-by-mark-oshiro\/\">My third novel (and middle grade debut) THE INSIDERS has been announced! Check out the cover reveal and pre-order links here.<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>&#8211; If you&#8217;d like to stay up-to-date on all announcements regarding my books, <a href=\"http:\/\/eepurl.com\/ey636\">sign up for my newsletter<\/a>! DO IT.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the fifteenth and final episode of the first season of Star Trek: Discovery, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s official: I love this show. Intrigued? Then it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time for Mark to watch Star Trek.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[713,614],"tags":[615],"class_list":["post-7816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-discovery","category-star-trek","tag-mark-watches-star-trek"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7816"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7816\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/markwatches.net\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<!-- WP Super Cache is installed but broken. 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