Star Trek Discovery — Series 4 Episode 9 — Rubicon — A Review

20th May, 2022.

To paraphrase Orwell?

Even as I write, vegetables are flying overhead, trying to kill me.

That could make more sense, couldn’t it?

What I actually mean?   Is simply that — at the moment — I’m cooking dinner.

Chips are doing, vegetables boiling, fish is gently grilling.

Once I’ve done that, I’ll be watching episode nine of Star Trek Discovery’s fourth series: and letting you know what I though, by tomorrow night.

Right now?

I’m going to put food on plates.

~≈🚀≈~

Episode 9 — Rubicon — opens with the traditional summary of previous episodes.

Then shifts.

To show us Book Booker and Ryan Tarka (David Ajala and Shawn Doyle) hidden out in an asteroid: arming Tarka’s isolytic weapon.

The only weapon powerful enough to destroy the Dark Matter Anomaly’s controller.

Back on Discovery?

Captain Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) has something to show Maru (Doug Jones.)

She’s received a message from Book: he’s had her messaged, complete with the news the DMA is a mining operation … but is still intent on using the weapon.

As Saru gently reminds her?   Book has left them no choice in the matter.

Neither has Admiral Vance (Oded Fehr).

He’s is VERY well aware that he has to order Captain Burnham to catch the rogue pair: and to bring them back alive.

The admiral’s ALSO aware that Michael — as Book’s lover — and Saru — a friend of Book — are both emotionally involved: in a way that may cause problems.

His only option?   Is to order the Discovery into action … but make sure the Captain is monitor by Federation security.

In the shape of an old friend … 

~≈🚀≈~

21st May, 2022.

So … what did I make of Rubicon … ?

What did I think?

We could possibly argue a lot of things about Rubicon: that it’s good bad or indifferent.

But, speaking the night after I watched it?

What I saw was a well done episode: but a well done episode that I found largely forgettable.

Yes, it’s exciting, and sees a certain amount of conflict between members of the ship’s crew.

That’s welcome, I think.

Many have accused Discovery of being a little too lovey dovey, at times: something that — as I recall — was also thrown at Star Trek: The Next Generation.

It’s something that Rubicon does try and remedy: showing us Bryce and Rhys (Ronnie Rowe and Patrick Kwok-Choon) arguing the rights and wrongs of Book’s actions.

The episode itself?   Its very well played, produced and written: and it was nice to see Rachael Ancheril back — however temporarily — as Commander Nhan.

But … ?

I have to say that I found Rubicon somewhat forgettable: good, but forgettable.

That won’t stop me watching the next episode, The Galactic Barrier.

I’ll be doing that next Friday: the 27th May.   And issuing my review on Saturday.

I’ll see you then!

Rubicon.

★★☆☆