Top 5 Easter eggs from Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, Episode 7

2. Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, Episode 7 Easter egg: The Trial of Michael Burnham

Technically, Burnham’s been tried on Star Trek: Discovery before. But this episode brings into focus everything she’s done to save the universe.

When the Vulcans refuse to provide the data on SB-19, the project purportedly behind the Burn, Burnham uses her Vulcan heritage and education to invoke T’Kal-in-ket—an old Vulcan tradition dating back to Surak, the founder of Vulcan logic.

The ceremony is a battle of wits that ascertains the need for scientific discovery. When faced with Romulan N’Raj (Oliver Becker), Vulcan-Romulan Shira (Stephanie Belding), and Vulcan council chair V’Kir (Emmanuel Kabongo), the ceremony becomes less about science and more about Burnham’s motivations. The people of Ni’Var no longer trust the Federation, so as their mouthpiece, Burnham is effectively put on trial.

Burnham faced insubordination charges in the first two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery. She started the Klingon war that resulted in the death of her captain and countless others. She was demoted in the previous episode of this season.

But Burnham also spearheaded the destruction of Control and safeguarded the sphere data. Thereby saving the future in which she is being challenged. These are throwbacks to the show itself and to who Burnham was and is as a person.

In the end, as Burnham’s need to discover the truth behind the Burn almost sparks a disassembly between the Romulans and Vulcans, she does the unthinkable—Burnham lets it go. If this act doesn’t make you love this character, then I don’t know what will.

But what does this mean for Burnham? She no longer belongs with her crew, but they are her family. Who can convince her to stay?

1. Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, Episode 7 Easter egg: Absolute Candor

Does that phrase ring a bell? It should, because Star Trek: Picard had a similarly titled episode where they introduced the Romulan sect of warrior monks, the Qowat Milat. They adhere to the principles of absolute candor and have a habit of attaching themselves to lost causes.

For the T’Kal-in-ket, Burnham is assigned an official advocate from this sect, and she is a welcome blast from the past.

Dr. Gabrielle Burnham (Sonja Sohn) was presumed killed in a Klingon invasion when Burnham was a child but was discovered to be alive and traveling through time in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. Burnham has been searching for her mother ever since she arrived in the future, and only now are they reunited.

Gabrielle takes her job seriously and is the one who puts on Burnham on trial. She uses the classic technique of listing all of Burnham’s faults to the council just so that Burnham can retort how she literally saved the universe. The plan works, and the President has enough faith in Burnham to provide her the much-needed data.

Gabrielle’s candor with Burnham ekes out her daughter’s fears. Burnham is carrying on a secret relationship with Book, and a year away from Starfleet has given her a new perspective. However, as Gabrielle points out, Burnham’s duties don’t need to come in the way of her happiness.

In the end, Burnham remains with her family, but Book seems to be on uneven ground.

With so many references and character development, I think ‘Unification III’ may easily be one of the best episodes of the entire show. We’ve tied up some loose threads, and the season feels like it’s finally taking off.

Which was your favorite Easter Egg on Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 7. Let us know in the comments.

New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 are available every Thursday on CBS All Access.