Whoops, forgot to write the wrap up for Season 5. Spoilers!
Discovery’s final season proved to be a mixed bag, starting with a disappointing run of episodes before finding its footing. The season’s "National Treasure" style chase plot provided a workable framework, though early episodes suffered from clumsy execution and Discovery’s persistent habit of trying to juggle too many storylines at once.
One of the season’s strongest elements was the antagonist duo of Moll and L’ak, whose relationship ranks among Star Trek’s best depicted. The show also continued to push boundaries with its visual effects, delivering some truly incredible sequences, particularly in the latter half of the season. Episodes that focused on a single storyline rather than trying to balance multiple plots worked best, with the time travel episode "Face the Strange" and the more traditional Trek-feeling "Whistlespeak" standing out as highlights.
The show struggled with character work – Commander Rayner’s arc felt unearned, and Book often seemed awkwardly inserted into plots just to give him something to do. Discovery also couldn’t quite shake some of its problematic tendencies: dwelling on trauma, adding unnecessary complications, and sometimes prioritizing action over substance.
The finale delivered a strong first 50 minutes but stumbled in bringing the series to a close. While the main plot wrapped up satisfyingly enough, the extended epilogue felt more like checking boxes than providing meaningful conclusions. It was a fitting end to a season that, while not Discovery’s strongest, had enough good moments to make it worthwhile – even if it didn’t quite stick the landing as a series finale.
Overall I think a little ahead of the previous season, and behind Season 1. I’ll give it a little credit for ambition and some good SF, and so it slots in just ahead of Lower Decks Season 4.
The very best of Trek (top 7):
- SNW Season 1
- PIC Season 3
- PIC Season 1
- SNW Season 2
- TNG Season 6
- DS9 Season 2
- PIC Season 2
Strong performers (next 10):
- PRO Season 1
- LD Season 1
- DS9 Season 5
- TNG Season 3
- TNG Season 5
- TOS Season 2
- DIS Season 2
- ENT Season 3
- TNG Season 4
- VOY Season 4
Mixed bag (middle 16):
- TOS Season 1
- DS9 Season 4
- LD Season 3
- LD Season 2
- DIS Season 1
- DIS Season 5
- LD Season 4
- ST Season 2
- DS9 Season 1
- ENT Season 4
- DIS Season 3
- ST Season 1
- VOY Season 5
- ENT Season 1
- VOY Season 1
- TNG Season 7
Not good (second worst 9):
- DS9 Season 3
- DS9 Season 6
- DIS Season 4
- VOY Season 6
- VOY Season 3
- TNG Season 2
- ENT Season 2
- TAS Season 1
- VST Season 1
Really just awful (the bottom 6):
- VOY Season 7
- VOY Season 2
- DS9 Season 7
- TOS Season 3
- TAS Season 2
- TNG Season 1
Now onto Lower Decks (already in progress) for another fifth season wrap up.