Top 10 Episodes of Star Trek: Discovery

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Alright, let’s dive into Star Trek: Discovery! This series has sparked a lot of discussion and has taken Star Trek in a new direction visually and narratively. It’s still relatively young compared to other entries in the franchise, but it has already delivered some memorable episodes. Here’s my take on the Top 10 Episodes of Star Trek: Discovery :

Top 10 Episodes of Star Trek: Discovery

1. “Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2” (Season 2, Episode 14): This is the epic and emotional climax of Discovery‘s second season. It features a massive space battle, a daring plan to send the Discovery into the future, and a heartfelt goodbye to the characters’ previous lives in the 23rd century. The episode is visually stunning and packs an emotional punch, particularly in its final moments as we’re left wondering what will happen to our crew now that they have traveled to an unknown future.
2. “If Memory Serves” (Season 2, Episode 8): This episode is a direct sequel to the original Star Trek pilot, “The Cage,” featuring the return of Talos IV and the character of Vina. It’s a nostalgic and cleverly written episode that ties Discovery to the established canon while also exploring the emotional journey of Spock and Burnham. The episode also provides further depth to the mystery of the Red Angel.
3. “The Sound of Thunder” (Season 2, Episode 6): This episode focuses on Saru and his relationship with his sister, Siranna, after returning to his home planet, Kaminar. It delves into Kelpien culture and the nature of the Great Balance, revealing a dark secret about their society. Doug Jones delivers a powerful performance, and the episode is both exciting and thought-provoking. It also marks a major change for Saru moving forward.
4. “Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad” (Season 1, Episode 7): A fun and inventive episode featuring the return of Harry Mudd, played with delightful villainy by Rainn Wilson. The Discovery is trapped in a time loop, and Mudd is determined to steal the ship and sell it to the Klingons. The episode is a clever and suspenseful thriller with a dash of humor. It’s also a showcase for the entire crew to work together to solve a complicated problem.
5. “An Obol for Charon” (Season 2, Episode 4): This episode features the Discovery encountering a mysterious sphere that infects the ship with a virus. The episode is a tense and emotional exploration of mortality, as Saru believes he is about to die and the crew works to save both the sphere and their ship. It gives us further development of the relationship between Saru and Burnham, as well as the rest of the bridge crew. Also, we get the fan-favorite moment of Reno and Stamets meeting and interacting.
6. “Forget Me Not” (Season 3, Episode 4): After arriving in the 32nd century, the crew travels to Trill to help Adira connect with the memories of past Tal symbiont hosts. This episode dives deep into Trill culture and provides a powerful and moving story about identity, memory, and acceptance. It also is one of the first major insights we get into this new, strange future for our crew.
7. “Terra Firma, Part 1 & 2” (Season 3, Episodes 9 & 10): These episodes feature the return of Emperor Georgiou to the Mirror Universe. It’s a dark and complex story that explores the nature of good and evil, redemption, and the consequences of one’s choices. Michelle Yeoh delivers a commanding performance, and the two-parter provides a fitting, if somewhat abrupt, send-off for her character, setting her up for her own potential spin-off.
8. “Unification III” (Season 3, Episode 7): This episode is a direct follow up to the TNG two-parter “Unification” parts 1 and 2, and it explores the legacy of Spock’s efforts to reunify the Vulcans and Romulans. Burnham travels to the planet Ni’Var (formerly Vulcan) seeking evidence to help solve the mystery of the Burn. The episode is a fascinating look at the future of these two iconic species, and a great example of how Discovery is able to build upon the established lore of the franchise.
9. “People of Earth” (Season 3, Episode 3): After arriving in the 32nd century, the Discovery crew encounters a vastly changed Earth that is no longer part of the Federation. This episode is a great example of how Discovery is exploring the consequences of the Burn and the state of the galaxy in this new era. It’s also a reminder that even in a utopian future, there are still conflicts and challenges to overcome.
10. “That Hope Is You, Part 1” (Season 3, Episode 1): This episode kicks off the third season and introduces us to the 32nd century through the eyes of Burnham, who arrives a full year before the Discovery. It’s a visually stunning and intriguing introduction to this new era, and Sonequa Martin-Green delivers a strong performance as Burnham navigates this unfamiliar landscape and meets the enigmatic Book.

Honorable Mentions: “Context Is for Kings,” “The Butcher’s Knife Cares Not for the Lamb’s Cry,” “Into the Forest I Go,” “Despite Yourself,” “Perpetual Infinity,” “There Is a Tide…,” “Su’Kal”.

Star Trek: Discovery has delivered some memorable and impactful episodes. Its willingness to experiment with new storytelling formats, its focus on serialized narratives, and its stunning visual effects have made it a unique entry in the Star Trek franchise. The fifth and final season aired in 2024.

Last update on 2026-01-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API