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Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 DVD Review

The fourth season of “Star Trek: Discovery” is entertaining but uneven.  

In the 13 episode fourth season of “Star Trek: Discovery,” Michael Burnham is now the Captain of the USS Discovery. As Starfleet Academy reopens and the United Federation Of Planets looks to expand, a crisis emerges in the form of a gravitational anomaly known as the DMA (Dark Matter Anomaly). The DMA starts destroying everything in its path including Book’s homeworld. An investigation is immediately launched into what this anomaly is (which is the season spanning arc). Was the DMA created by someone and can it (or they) be communicated with? Elsewhere in the season are arcs involving Gray getting a synthetic body, a Romulan wanting to free refugees, a scientist named Ruon Tarka, prisoners on an asteroid belt, the evolution of the computer program Zora, and Tarka and Book going rogue wanting to destroy the anomaly. 

Although there has been much to admire about “Star Trek: Discovery” (especially season 2), the series has never quite found its own identity as it has evolved so drastically from season to season. With season 4, the series feels like it’s trying to go back to basics as it feels reminiscent of “Star Trek: The Original Series” and even some of the TOS movies (namely one and four). In some respects this works particularly with the alien species aspects and the thematic exploration of communication and emotions, but there’s also some deeply frustrating storylines here. The Tarka and Book going rogue plot drags on and on and becomes so absurd from a storytelling perspective. Sure, it provides Book with a major arc and allows Burnham to struggle with her allegiance to Starfleet and her love of book, but the way it plays out is so far-fetched (especially considering how much is at stake). 

The best episode of the season (“All Is Possible”) is almost a side story and feels more like a potential spin-off than anything else. It involves Tilly and Starfleet Academy cadets and it’s a refreshing change of pace. Unfortunately, Tilly is often missing from this season which hurts the season as a whole. Yes, you still get fan favorite characters like Jett Reno (Tig Notaro), Saru (Doug Jones) and Kovich (David Cronenberg), but Tilly is the best character.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 16:9. Grade: A-. Note: this title is also available on Blu-ray 

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. Grade: A-

Extras:
* Deleted scenes for 3 episodes
* A nearly 3 minute gag reel.
* “Being Michael Burnham: The Captain’s Log”- A featurette on the character’s new journey as Captain. Interviews, video diaries, and set footage are included.
* “Creating Space” offers up a look at the sets, AR wall, and art direction.
* “Star Trek: Discovery: The Voyage Of Season 4”- An expansive 52 minute overview of the stories and character arcs of season 4 complete with interviews, episode clips, and set footage.
* Commentary by Michelle Paradise, David Ajala, Olatunde Osunsanmi, and Sonequa Martin-Green on “Coming Home.”

December 5, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Michael Burnham, Star Trek, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 DVD Review, Starfleet