The last fifteen minutes of the finale — which are genuinely moving — is not enough to save the final season of Discovery. But, in a way, it also stands as an example of everything good and bad about the show. Great ideas, heart in the right place, awful execution.*

When I discovered that this Season would be a 10-episode treasure hunt — a search for God-level technology left behind by the Progenitors — my reaction was mixed. On one hand, the Progenitors — the creators of most sentient life in the Universe — was an idea that deserved more attention than a single episode in Season Six of Star Trek Generation. On the other hand, I intensely dislike treasure hunt narratives, especially when the objective is so powerful that, like the Ark of Covenant in Raiders, it can only appear at the end of the story. I did hope that maybe, just maybe, they would do something bold and have the treasure hunt come to its conclusion five episodes in, with the rest of the season dealing with the Universe-shaking repercussions of the Progenitor’s tech. But, no. We follow a well-trodden track with a linear story that plays all the classics — a vaguely interesting time travel episode, an episode where a crew member is possessed (though willingly in this case), an episode where our hero is forced to confront her deepest fears and insecurities, even the classic the Gods are really aliens trope that Star Trek is so well known for. I would have given up if I didn’t like some of the characters.

The introduction of the Breen, also chasing after the Progenitor’s tech (though they don’t know what it can do), should be rich with possibility (given we know so little about them), but, no, we get another militaristic, hierarchical race who talk in dull cliches. The only splash of colour (except for Commander Rayner, who is great) are the couriers (thieves) Moll and L’ak (and only because L’ak has a personality. Moll starts well but is reduced to a cliche as the season progresses).

The cast does the best with what they’re given. Sonequa Martin-Green as Captain Michael Burnham is wonderful. She’s an inspirational leader who is heroic and kind and tough. Her relationship with “crabby” Commander Rayner is a highlight of the season. (I’m less enamoured with her and Book, but whatever). And I like Tilly and Saru and Stamets and Culber, all who get their moments and have changed so much since we first met them in Season One. But they all deserved a story — or even a set of standalone episodes like the good old days — worthy of their talents. Instead, they leave us with a damp squib of a season. One that doesn’t even reach the meagre heights of both Season Three and Four. (I liked Seasons One and Two, even if they also have flaws).

Oh well, we have another season of Lower Decks (sadly, the last) to look forward to. By far the best new iteration of Trek since the 90s.

*Yes, yes, a gross generalisation. Over five years, the show had several lovely moments and eye-popping set pieces, but more often than not, it let me down.