STAR TREK: DISCOVERY “The Wolf Inside” Review: Discovery’s Crew Becomes Untethered in the Mirror Universe

“The Wolf Inside”– Episode 111 — Coverage of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Photo Cr: Jan Thijs/CBS © 2017 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY “THE WOLF INSIDE” REVIEW

BY GEANNIE BASTIAN

Discovery’s Crew Becomes Untethered in the Mirror Universe

This week we pick up right back where we left off in the mirror universe. Here Michael is still trying to get along in command of the alternate Shenzhou. We were treated to quick work of execution by spacing in this universe, which will become a relevant plot point later.

Unaware of Tyler’s dual personality, Michael is conveying her worst fears to him, and the two mutually agree that they will keep each other tethered to their own reality. That relationship, therefore, is about to get complicated really quickly. As the show has been leading throughout previous episodes, we learn that Tyler is actually Voq, the most committed of T’Kuvma’s followers who has indeed apparently given up everything for the cause as was suggested. Like, his body and his mind, which he now shares with Tyler. 

And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the freaky elements of this episode.

Preserving Ideals in a World of Madness

Michael’s orders from the still unseen Emperor – more on this later – are to destroy “Firewolf” the Klingon leader of the alien rebellion against the Terran Empire. It should be a straightforward mission. Appear over the planet, fire weapons and annihilate the rebels. But of course, Michael is of our universe so she comes up with a better plan.

Although Lorca initially told her to continue with the mission as ordered in order to avoid blowing her cover and get the necessary information for their effort to return the Discovery back to its own universe, Michael convinces him that she and Tyler can lead a two-person mission to find out why and how the aliens in this universe with their strikingly different belief systems are able to come together under a set of shared ideals. The idea is that they may be able to use that information to ultimately end their war against the Klingons back home. Done right she insists, it could also ensure the safety of the rebellion here, the closest thing this universe has to a Federation. 

It’s a decent and apparently effective plan that seems to be go well initially. Michael gets Firewolf’s followers to lead her to him so that she can present her proposal to save his people. Finding that he is actually this universe’s Voq is unsettling, but even more unsettling for Tyler, she nevertheless clears the hurdle of convincing him of her intentions when he has Mirror Sarek mind meld with her. There he sees Michael’s history in our universe, including being raised as part of his family. Finally Michael convinces the Firewolf and the other rebellion leaders to agree to her plan. And then, Tyler happens. 

Seeing this Voq compromise his Klingon instincts enrages the warrior inside Tyler and releases his dormant personality, prompting him to launch an attack against the rebel leader. They are saved from immediate death only by Sarek who insists Michael’s intentions are good, despite Tyler’s sudden aggressive stance. Mirror Voq tells Michael that the alien coalition is bonded by their mutual enemy. Then they evacuate. 

Back on the Shenzhou, Michael discovers Tyler’s secret and his dual personality. As he gains more recall, he remembers that she is the one who killed T’kuvma and turns on her, intent to kill. Only an intervention by Mirror Saru, a slave in this universe to whom Michael showed respect, saves her and sees Tyler arrested. He’s set to be spaced, but Michael diverts him so he’s picked up by Discovery and arrested instead. She sends the needed data back with him, making for a fairly clean mission. 

But then, another ship, apparently cloaked, appears beside the Shinzhou and fires on the still evacuating rebels. It is the ship of the Emperor – who is, in fact, Georgiou. I mean, we suspected, but how awesomely awkward was that?

Saved by the Spores? 

Meanwhile, there is Stamets, who is still basically catatonic. The Discovery crew are assuming he – rather than Tyler – killed Culber under the influence of his condition. Meanwhile, Tilly convences Saru to let her treat Stamets rather than the doctors, because as she imparts to him “this is more a spore problem than a medical one.” 

Tilly finds that use of the spore drive has made changes to his brain, and that exposing him to the spores might be the only way to remap his brain properly. Tilly notes as they precede that spores bridge life and death. An interesting idea that seems destined to be useful more than once. 

The procedure seems well on its way toward working when Stamet’s autonomic nervous system suddenly crashes, and he is presumed dead. A short while later, as he remains in the spore chamber and Tilly looks on, he suddenly starts registering lifesigns and moves. But he’s still in his prior condition – or so it seems. In fact, we see him walking through the spore network, where he is met by his mirror self!

We’re still in the Mirror Universe, so I’ll see you next week, right back in the middle of the madness.