Star Trek: Discovery season 1 episode 1 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

In a tense encounter, Commander Burnham and Captain Georgiou navigate a desert planet to aid an endangered alien species, leading to a confrontation with a mysterious Klingon artifact. Burnham's spacewalk to investigate triggers an accidental death of a Klingon, escalating tensions. Back on the U.S.S. Shenzhou, her warnings of a Klingon threat are initially dismissed due to her injured state. Burnham's suggestion to preemptively strike, drawing from Vulcan strategy, clashes with Starfleet's principles, leading to her being relieved of duty. The episode culminates with multiple Klingon ships appearing, signaling an imminent conflict.

Full Episode S01E01 Recap

### Scene 1: Klingon Ritual and Starfleet Ideals - **Location**: Unknown, then on Starfleet ship - **Characters**: Klingons, Starfleet Officers - Captain Georgiou and Commander Burnham - A group of Klingons speak in their native language and perform a ritual. - Starfleet officers discuss their mission's peacekeeping nature, with Captain Georgiou and Commander Burnham emphasizing Starfleet's principles. - Georgiou trusts Burnham with her life but acknowledges they are lost on their current mission. ### Scene 2: On a Deserted Planet - **Location**: Desert Planet - **Characters**: Georgiou, Burnham - Burnham and Georgiou discuss an approaching storm and navigate through a desert. - They aim to save an alien species, the Crepusculans, from extinction due to a drought caused by ambient radiation. - They plan to access water for the Crepusculans without violating General Order One (non-interference directive). - Georgiou expresses confidence in their navigation, revealing they were following their own footprints in a circle, a strategy to avoid detection. ### Scene 3: Encounter with the Klingon Object - **Location**: In space, near a Klingon object - **Characters**: Starfleet crew of the U.S.S. Shenzhou, including Saru - The crew investigates damage to an interstellar relay, suspecting it might be an act of sabotage. - Burnham leads a spacewalk to examine an ancient, intricately designed Klingon object. - She encounters and accidentally kills a Klingon, triggering a potential conflict. ### Scene 4: Flashback and Aftermath of the Encounter - **Location**: Starfleet ship, Burnham's flashback - **Characters**: Burnham, Sarek (in flashback), Starfleet crew - Burnham has a flashback to her childhood training under Sarek, emphasizing logic over emotion. - Back on the ship, Burnham insists that they encountered Klingons, but her claims are initially met with skepticism due to lack of evidence and her irradiated, concussed state. ### Scene 5: Escalating Tensions and Burnham's Plea - **Location**: Starfleet ship - **Characters**: Georgiou, Burnham, Saru, Starfleet crew - The crew prepares for a potential conflict with the Klingons. - Burnham, drawing on Vulcan strategies and her past experiences, urges Georgiou to strike first against the Klingons. - Georgiou and Burnham have a heated argument about the appropriate response, leading to Burnham being relieved of duty. ### Scene 6: The Klingon Threat Materializes - **Location**: Starfleet ship - **Characters**: Georgiou, Burnham, Starfleet crew, Klingons - The situation escalates as multiple Klingon ships appear. - Burnham, disobeying orders, tries to initiate an attack on the Klingon ship but is stopped by Georgiou. - The episode ends with the arrival of the Klingon fleet, setting the stage for a significant confrontation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What species is Captain Georgiou and Commander Burnham discussing in the beginning?

The Crepusculans.

Why are Georgiou and Burnham on a deserted planet?

To save the Crepusculans from extinction due to a drought.

What does General Order One refer to?

The non-interference directive of Starfleet.

What object does the crew of the U.S.S. Shenzhou investigate?

An ancient Klingon object in space.

What happens when Burnham encounters the Klingon object?

She accidentally kills a Klingon warrior.

What is the significance of Burnham's flashback?

It highlights her training under Sarek and the emphasis on logic over emotion.

Why is Burnham's claim about the Klingons met with skepticism?

Due to her irradiated and concussed state and lack of evidence.

What strategy does Burnham suggest to Captain Georgiou regarding the Klingons?

To strike first, based on Vulcan strategy.

What is the reaction of the crew to the potential conflict with the Klingons?

They prepare for a possible battle.

Does Captain Georgiou agree with Burnham's suggestion to attack first?

No, she disagrees and relieves Burnham of duty.

What triggers the escalation of the situation with the Klingons?

The arrival of multiple Klingon ships.

How does Burnham react to being relieved of duty?

She disobeys orders and tries to initiate an attack on the Klingon ship.

What is the state of the conflict at the end of the episode?

The arrival of the Klingon fleet indicates an impending significant confrontation.

What is the primary mission of the crew in this episode?

To investigate damage to an interstellar relay and help the Crepusculans.

What is the key theme in Burnham's interactions with Georgiou and the crew?

The conflict between Starfleet principles of peace and the necessity of defensive action.

Star Trek: Discovery season 1 episode 1

The Vulcan Hello