- While grappling with the fallout of her recent actions, and what her future might hold, Burnham agrees to represent the Federation in an intense debate about the release of politically sensitive - but highly valuable - Burn data.
- Burnham is determined to solve the mystery of the Burn. She knows that she will not be at peace without it. Burnham has sex with Book. Meanwhile, Saru names Tilly as his acting first officer. Burnham tells Tilly that she had to go and find the black box. Tilly is not sure to take the position and asks Stamets, who is stunned. Tilly takes that as an indication that Stamets is not OK with working under Tilly. But the next time, Stamets gathers the entire Engineering crew, who pay their respects to Tilly and ask her to take the position of First Officer.
After studying several black boxes, Tilly confirms that there was a difference of one millionth of a micro-second between when they were impacted by the Burn for one ship. And a difference of seven millionth of a micro-second for the second ship. Burnham says that with 3 data points Tilly should be able to triangulate the source, but Tilly says that only works in 2D space. In 3 Dimensional space that leaves a very large area that cannot be explored in several lifetimes. Burnham believes she can find the source of the Burn with data from Project SB-19. Project SB-19 is supposed to have sensors all over the galaxy and would have an ideal first hand view of the Burn.. But strangely they have never shared any readings of their sensor network with anyone.
Vance tells Burnham that she cannot access the SB-19 data. SB-19 was developing a possible space travel alternative to Dilithium, which was running out even before the Burn. This was being developed by the unified Vulcan and Romulan people on Ni'Var (formerly the planet Vulcan). Ambassador Spock had brought the Vulcans and the Romulans together and made them realize that they were tribes of the same species, which ultimately led to peace several centuries after Spock's death.
The Ni'Varians believe SB-19 caused the Burn and do not want to give the data to the Federation. Ni'Varians believe that the Federation forced them to develop the technology and hence technically, led them to cause the Burn. Ni'Var left the Federation on this issue. Vance believes Burnham can convince the Ni'Varians otherwise since her brother, Spock, had begun the process of unifying the Vulcans and Romulans hundreds of years earlier.
Discovery travels to Ni'Var and is greeted by President T'Rina. T'Rina is honored to meet the sister of Spock but refuses to share any data on the SB-19. Burnham claims that they only need the data for scientific inquiry, but T'Rina is worried that the data has political and cultural contexts and will only serve to open old wounds. Ni'Var holds itself and SB-19 responsible for the Burn. At Ni'Var, Burnham invokes T'Kal-in-Ket, a Vulcan trial intended to verify her scientific claim to the SB-19 data. She is represented by her mother Gabrielle (Sonja Sohn), who was previously trapped in the future and has since joined the Qowat Milat, a sect of Romulan warrior nuns. The sect is known for their worship of Absolute Candour, and where instrumental in building trust between Vulcan and Romulans people during the early days of reunification. Gabrielle volunteered to be Burnham's advocate during the trial. Gabrielle tells Burnham that after her return to the future, she crashed on Essof IV and was rescued by colonists, who brought her to the Qowat Milat, who healed her.
Meanwhile T'Rina reveals to Saru that it was Federation's size and vastness that caused the shortage of Dilithium in the first place. This stretched member worlds to beyond their capacity and comfort.
The trial starts and Burnham argues her quest for truth. The chair of the quorum says that the data is sensitive, and the Federation cannot be trusted with it. While the other members are swayed that if there is a chance to prove that the Ni'var was not the source of the Burn, they should participate in the investigation. But they are also worried that the Federation will use the data to restart the experiments. Gabrielle makes Burnham confront her own intentions and sense of confusion about her destiny. Gabrielle says that Burnham rebelled against Georgiou and resulted in her death. She disobeyed Saru and now claims to represent the Federation. Gabrielle argues that the Quorum has no reason to believe Burnham or the Federation. Burnham argues that she saved the known Galaxy from Control and annihilation, and solved the biggest threats to the galaxy. But has no answer when Gabrielle says that Burnham doubts whether she belongs there. Burnham agrees that the stakes are much bigger now and she doubts herself. The debate leads to a split in the quorum. The Romulans want to share the data with Burnham and the Vulcans refuse. This leads to Burnham withdrawing from the trial, stating that Spock would not have wanted this.
Impressed by this, Ni'Var President T'Rina (Tara Rosling) gives Burnham the SB-19 data. Burnham decides to stay with the Discovery as this is her family.
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