Star Trek: Discovery's season 5 review - a thrilling final voyage

Star Trek: Discovery's fifth and final season is soon launching into the final frontier, marking its last voyage with a bang, and let me tell you - it's a wild ride from the get-go.

This season, our beloved series doesn't just trek through space; it sprints, taking us on an Indiana Jones-esque treasure hunt that even the most seasoned Starfleet officers would envy. And guess what? The treasure, the point that this season is centered upon, is a clever nod to a certain Trek series episode that had me doing that glorious Leo DiCaprio meme where I found myself pointing at the TV and exclaiming something among the lines of "YES!"

It's the kind of internal continuity that makes you tip your hat to the showrunners, honestly.

But let's not get too caught up in the nostalgia, because there are plenty of new thrills. Captain Burnham is on a personal quest this season, wrestling with the essence of leadership and the tough choices that come with the captain's chair while still giving us that glorious, big smile of hers that we love so much.

The introduction of Captain Rayner, who I admittedly found myself annoyed at for a while there, throws a fascinating wrench into the works, challenging Burnham and crew with new perspectives and sparking dynamic action sequences that, while lacking a bit in the "danger" department and hitting us with more of a "they'll get out of this, they always do - the plot armor is strong with them" vibe, still dazzle us with their visual flair. Needless to say, this new and final season is still absolutely gorgeous and very true to the Trek vibe.

The air of farewell that comes from the first four episodes doesn't bog down the storyline with too many teary goodbyes - instead, it amps up the action. We've got chases, we've got former allies turned formidable foes, and we've got Captain Burnham and Book navigating the complex spaceways of their relationship, post-breakup. It's the soap opera of space that we've all secretly loved about Trek from the start, now with more alien romances and moral quandaries than ever before.

But keeping in line with its previous seasons, Discovery still struggles to give its background characters the spotlight they deserve even amidst the high stakes and personal dramas. It continues to be a missed opportunity that could very well keep Discovery from achieving the legendary status of its predecessors in the Trek Pantheon for many fans, though I know it won't be the case for me. I, myself, relate too entirely with key elements of characters like Captain Burham and Tilly to let the "what could have been" moments with background characters undermine my experience and feelings towards this truly excellent series.

As we embark on this final season, it's clear that Star Trek: Discovery isn't just taking a victory lap; it's passing the torch with pride. Since its debut, the Star Trek universe has expanded in exciting new ways, and Discovery has undeniably played a pivotal role in that renaissance. Now, with the series drawing to a close, it's unfortunately time to bid farewell to a show that, while it may have had its ups and downs, boldly took the franchise where it hadn't gone before.

Star Trek: Discovery is more than just a show - it's a bridge to the future of the franchise and its final season ensures it goes out with not just a whimper, but a warp-speed bang. So, here's to Discovery, its crew, and its fans. May we all find new worlds and new adventures in the vast universe of Star Trek.

Catch the fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery on April 4th, only on Paramount+. You won't want to miss this.