In Review: Star Trek: Discovery (S4 – EP13) Coming Home

Synopsis: In Coming Home The DMA approaches Earth and Ni’Var. With evacuations underway, Burnham and the team aboard the U.S.S. Discovery must find a way to communicate and connect with a species far different from their own before time runs out.

The Story

Picking the story up from last week. The U.S.S. Discovery has curtailed their talks with The 10-C in order to prevent Book and Tarka from following through with their plans. However, time is of the essence as the 10-C’s DMA continues its approach to Earth and Ni’Var.

Meanwhile at Federation Headquarters. Evacuation plans are underway and Tilly finds herself having to order her Cadets to do a bit of growing up as they become an important part of the evacuation efforts.

Elsewhere, on Books ship, Tarka continues to follow through with his plans. However, Book who has had a change of mind figures out a way to break himself and Jett Reno out of their prison cell by using Grudge’s cat collar.

The Acting

Coming Home offers up some pretty strong acting performances from all the key players. Sonequa Martin-Green continues to impress as Burnham who continues to grow into her command. While Chelah Horsdal’s Federation President Laira Rillak continues to give Burnham her perspective.

We also get really strong performances from David Ajala, Shawn Doyle, and Tig Notaro as Book, Tarka and Jett Reno continue to try and talk things out. The final scene between Book and Tarka is brilliantly acted as Tarka realizes that Book’s change of heart was the right call. But it is Book’s scene with the 10-C at the end of the episode where he tells them that they need to clean up their act that steals the show.

Finally, we get to see the return of Tilly (Mary Wiseman) who has a fantastic scene with Admiral Vance (Oded Fehr) as they reflect on their lives while waiting to see if Burnham will come through for them.

Overall

Coming Home wraps up this years story arc in a satisfying way. I loved the final scenes where Burnham and the others are finally able to speak with the 10-C. The way in which President Laira Rilak describes the Federation as being many people but of one mind was really well put. As was Book’s talk with the 10-C as well.

I also liked that Book is given a form of community service in order to amend for his crimes. As it will hopefully allow the character to reunite with Discovery for season 5.

Overall. A real strong season finale.