Hello everyone. I hope you are all well. Today I am going to share my feelings and experiences about the twelfth episode of the first season of the Star Trek: Discovery series, “Vaulting Ambition”. I was really surprised while watching this episode, because the whole story progressed in a way where one mystery after another was revealed and at the last moment a truth came to light that made us think about the events of the entire season in a new way.
At the beginning of this episode, we see Michael Burnham and Captain Lorca sailing towards Empress Georgiou’s huge warship. Burnham still had a kind of hesitation on his face. Because he knows that the Georgiou he is going to stand in front of is not the Starfleet Captain Georgiou he knows, but a completely different cruel ruler. This mental stress seemed very real to me.
Michael Burnham’s character was extraordinary in this episode. Throughout the episode, he tried to control his emotions and manage the situation. On the one hand, he had to manage both sides, his own safety on the one hand, and the responsibility of getting the Discovery crew home on the other. Burnham's performance and her dialogues seemed to me to be one of the strongest parts of the episode.
The atmosphere of the episode became even heavier after seeing Empress Philippa Georgiou. Seeing Giorgio from the Mirror Universe made me think how much power can change a person's character. Although he is cruel, his weakness towards Burnham was sometimes visible. Michelle Yeoh's performance was truly extraordinary. The scenes became more vivid when his presence was on screen.
Captain Gabriel Lorca is the most mysterious character in this episode. From the beginning to the end, there was a kind of unease surrounding him. He always seemed to know more than the others. In many scenes, it seemed that he was hiding some big plan. When Burnham began to understand the truth towards the end, I was also surprised. The character we had been seeing one way for so long had another truth hidden within it.
On the other hand, there was another important story going on on the USS Discovery. Paul Stamets was still trapped inside the Mycelial Network. I found these parts very emotional. Especially when Stamets is confronted with the memories of Dr. Hugh Culber, the scenes are heart-wrenching. The depth of their relationship and Stamets' mental anguish are shown very beautifully. At the same time, the mystery of the Mycelial Network also begins to become clearer.
The character of Saru was also very important in this episode. This officer who always follows the rules seems much stronger here. He understands that Ash Tyler has big problems inside. That's why he seeks L'Rel's help. Saru's patience, leadership, and sense of responsibility impressed me in this episode.
The parts of Ash Tyler and L'Rel were also very important to the story. The mystery that has been building about Tyler's identity for so long begins to become clearer here. His inner conflict and mental breakdown were worth watching. L'Rel is also a character who cannot be easily called good or bad. She is loyal to her people, but she also has human feelings.
Although Tilly was not seen for much time in this episode, she was still present with the same positive energy as before. I liked her concern for Stamets and her sense of responsibility as a friend. Even in small moments, Tilly's character can make a place in the audience's mind.
The biggest strength of this episode was its storytelling. On the one hand, political intrigue, on the other hand, personal relationships, and at the same time, scientific mysteries—everything was beautifully blended together. No scene felt redundant. Every moment seemed to lay the foundation for the next big event.
The visual effects and set design also have to be said separately. The splendor of the Mirror Universe, the palace-like environment of Empress Georgio, and the spaceship scenes were truly extraordinary. While watching each scene, it seemed that the creators had worked with a lot of care.
Overall, Vaulting Ambition is one of the best episodes of the entire first season for me. As the characters develop, so do the mysteries that are revealed that make the audience's interest in the next episodes increase several times. Especially the surprise at the end made me even more excited to watch the next episode.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
My Rating: 9/10
After watching this episode, I felt that Star Trek: Discovery is not just a story of space exploration; it is also a story of faith, identity, power, and sacrifice. And that is why “Vaulting Ambition” will be a memorable episode for me.