Star Trek: Discovery - People of Earth

After an extended reunion between Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the crew of the USS Discovery, the ship, with Book (David Ajala) in tow, heads for Earth where they encounter a chilly welcome. It appears the Federation left Earth some time ago, and the planet has become isolationist in the extreme in hording and protecting a dwindling supply of Dilithium. An attack by raiders while Discovery is being investigated by the United Earth Defense Force provides an opportunity for Burnham to do what she does best and allow both sides in the ongoing conflict to get a taste of Federation-style diplomacy.

Along with Michael's return, and the crew seeing Earth (albeit on different than they remember in several aspects), the episode is notable for introducing Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio) as a Wesley Crusher-ish kid genius for the ship. Her subplot (which involves sabotaging the ship to look around and nearly getting everyone killed) is awkward, but not nearly as awkward as the idea that a human being could serve as a long-term host for a Trill (something previous Star Trek episodes had dismissed as impossible). We'll have to see just how she'll fit into the ship's operations going forward, as well as how much chaffing Michael makes easing back into the role of a Starfleet officer after spending a year free of rules and regulations.