Star Trek: Discovery - The Sanctuary

"The Sanctuary" introduces Michael (Sonequa Martin-Green) to Book's (David Ajala) home world of Kwejian which is under attack by Osyraa (Janet Kidder) and the Emerald Chain because of Book's role in the events from the previous episode. The takeaways from the encounter are that the Emerald Chain is a lot less impressive in action than in rumors (its flagship is beaten by the limited firepower of Book's courier vessel) and that Ryn (Noah Averbach-Katz) may prove to be a valuable ally for Discovery and the Federation. The disappointment of the Emerald Chain is a reminder to the underwhelming reality of Voyager's journey through the Delta Quadrant giving us new races such as the Kazon. Going where no one has gone before sounds great... until you need to fill it with interesting aliens.

Although they get far less screentime, there are a few subplots here which foreshadow large implications to the remainder of the season. One involves the continuing deterioration of Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) which looks to be the primary focus of the next two episodes. Another is the discovery that the Burn, the season's big mystery, began in the the Verubin Nebula and is connected, somehow, to a Starfleet distress beacon. There are also several character moments including Detmer (Emily Coutts) getting her groove back, Saru (Doug Jones) searching for the proper phrasing of his commands and making a bold call in helping Kwejian against the Emerald Chain (despite his orders), Tilly (Mary Wiseman) settling into her role as first officer, Book deciding his place is with Burnham aboard Discovery, and Nhan (Rachael Ancheril) and Stamets (Anthony Rapp) continuing their friendship.