- While patrolling Federation space, the U.S.S. Shenzhou encounters an object of unknown origin, putting First Officer Michael Burnham to her greatest test yet.
- A Klingon is speaking in a large chamber full of other Klingons. He says that the Klingons have lost their way, and forgotten the Unforgettable, Kahless. He mentions the lighting of a beacon, and the need to reunite the Houses and save themselves from an impending threat: the Federation
Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) and Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) are on a desert planet attempting to locate a well that has run dry due to radiation from a meteor mining accident. Burnham predicts that an 89-year drought is imminent, and the non-humanoid species inhabiting the world - the Crepusculans - are facing extinction. Georgiou and Burnham's goal is to repair the well and have the USS Shenzhou pick them up undetected, thereby avoiding a violation of Starfleet General Order 1. After walking past a group of egg sacs and eventually locating their objective, Captain Georgiou discharges a type 3 Phaser into the well, allowing water to re-emerge from the well in a large geyser. The pair realize the gathering storm is preventing a transporter lock at their current location, so they begin to walk across the desert. Soon the Shenzhou is shown breaking through the storm clouds, and transports them up to the ship. A bird's-eye-view glimpse of the desert reveals that the captain used their footprints to create a Starfleet insignia visible from overhead, allowing them to be located. Georgiou says that Burnham had served under her for 7 years and wants her to have her own command.
The star-date is 1207.3, or May 11, 2256 in Earth terminology. The Shenzhou has responded to a signal from a damaged Starfleet relay and arrives in order to make repairs. The relay is located in a region of space in close proximity to a binary star system in a state of stellar collision, and the collision has created a large debris field. Science Officer Saru (Doug Jones) believes that the relay was intentionally damaged, since Starfleet always sends a ship to fix it. He picks up a signal from an anomaly in the debris field. First Officer Burnham convinces Captain Georgiou to allow her to approach the object with a Thruster pack, since the debris is too dense for a transporter lock or a shuttle-pod. She has 20 minutes before radiation exposure
Commander Burnham travels the two thousand kilometers to the anomaly without incident, but communication to the Shenzhou is disrupted. Burnham realizes it is not a normal part of the debris field, but an intricately designed, sculpture-like object. The object is centuries old and made of stone and metal alloys. She finds herself standing across from a Klingon. Burnham is attacked by the Klingon, and she manages to drive one side of the Bat'Leth through the Klingon's body, impaling the Klingon.
In the Klingons' chamber, the body of the warrior killed by Burnham, Rejac (Justin Howell), lies in a sarcophagus in the center. The anomaly investigated by Shenzhou is the "sacred beacon" placed by these Klingons. The sarcophagus closes, floats out of the chamber & comes to rest at a mausoleum-like area, which is open to space and already populated with many other sarcophagi.
Unconscious, Burnham recalls her childhood at the Vulcan Learning Center. There, a computer system quizzes her rapidly on various Klingon and Starfleet-related facts. She becomes overwhelmed by video of a particular Klingon attack and pauses the computer program. Her mentor, a Vulcan named Sarek (James Frain), lectures her on the importance of logic over emotion.
Commander Burnham wakes up in an anti-proton chamber, covered in wounds. Doctor Nambue (Maulik Pancholy) tells her three hours have elapsed since she was rescued from the object. Burnham recounts what happened earlier to Captain Georgiou, and Saru suggests that she is confused due to suffering a concussion. Georgiou believes her and locks on to what turns out to be a cloaked Klingon vessel. As soon as the weapons lock is initiated, the Klingon ship Decloaks.
The Shenzhou attempts to hail the Klingon vessel, but they ignore them. On the ship, the Klingons discuss a prophecy and reiterate the need to "light the beacon," now referred to as the "Light of Kahless." Rejac's brother, Or'Eq, is called to take his place, but he questions whether the plan will work - whether the other houses will come. Just then, a light-skinned Klingon, Voq, joins the room and volunteers to light the beacon. He is rebuffed by the leader, since he doesn't belong to a Great House. Voq assures him of his faith, placing his hand over an open flame, causing severe burns. This act seems to change the demeanor of the leader, and, when a report comes in showing movement on long range sensors fulfilling the prophesy, he hands over his Bat'Leth to Voq and names him Torchbearer.
On the Shenzhou, Saru shows Burnham the ceremonial hull of the ship, covered in the sarcophagus-like coffins. While Georgiou informs Admiral Anderson (Terry Serpico) of their situation, Burnham recommends attacking to the admiral, but is rebuffed.
Captain Georgiou is concerned that Shenzhou is currently the only line of defense between the Klingons and an Andorian colony. Their discussion is interrupted by an ear-piercing electromagnetic signal, along with a blinding light permeating through the ship. Burnham recommends an attack and Saru recommends retreat.
Burnham goes to open a subspace channel to Sarek. She wants to understand more about how the Vulcans handled the Klingons since their first encounter. Sarek cautions her that their solution is unique to them and will probably not be theirs. Further, he cautions her from letting the fact that Klingons killed her parents affect her judgment. Through the discussion, Burnham is convinced that some new leader is causing change within the Klingon Empire and will use a war with the Federation to unite their warring Houses.
Burnham goes back to the bridge and recommends to the captain that the Shenzhou attack the Klingon ship immediately, pointing out that the Vulcans have used pre-emptive strikes in the past to meet threats from the Klingons (Vulcans always fired first when they encountered a Klingon ship). Violence brought respect; respect brought peace. She asks the captain the give the Klingons a Vulcan hello. The captain demands Burnham not contradict her in front of the crew, noting the obvious influence of her past with the Klingons in her behavior. Burnham then seems to accept it, but then quickly disables the captain with a Vulcan nerve pinch. She goes out and takes command of the ship and lies to the ship about Georgiou. She orders an attack on the Klingon vessel.
She's able to order the weapons fired but, just then, Georgiou re-enters the bridge and countermands the order, drawing her Phaser. The beacon from the Klingon vessel diminishes entirely. Then, sensors pick up a series of warp signatures on an intercept course. Georgiou inquires if it is Starfleet arriving, but Burnham quickly realizes it is the Klingons, greatly outnumbering them.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content