Ep 6. The Sounds of Thunder

Star Trek: Discovery season 2 episode 6, titled The Sounds of Thunder, takes viewers on a journey to the planet Kaminar, the home planet of Saru, the Discovery's Kelpien officer. The episode begins with the Discovery receiving a distress call from Saru's sister, Siranna, who informs them that the Kelpien's natural predator, the Ba'ul, have increased their attacks on their village. The crew feels obliged to respond, and Captain Pike orders the ship to Kaminar to investigate the situation.

Upon arrival, the crew discovers that the Ba'ul are responsible for culling the Kelpiens, and the Starfleet members decide to intervene. Burnham and Saru travel to the Kelpien village, where Saru reunites with his sister and his fellow Kelpiens, who have never seen humans before and are, therefore, frightened at first. Burnham and Saru then meet up with one of the Ba'ul, who they hope to convince to let the Kelpiens live in peace.

However, things don't go as planned, and the crew has to deal with the consequences of their actions. As they try to find a way to communicate with the Ba'ul, they begin to see Kaminar in a new light and learn more about Saru's species than ever before. The episode is both thrilling and emotional, taking viewers on a rollercoaster ride of action and discovery.

One of the highlights of the episode is the exploration of Saru's backstory, particularly his experiences as a child, which give viewers insight into the trauma and fear that define Kelpien culture. The show does an outstanding job of weaving in Saru's history with the current predicament of the Kelpiens, making for a poignant and powerful narrative.

Another standout aspect of the episode is the special effects and set design. The Kelpien village and their unique costumes are stunningly beautiful, and the Ba'ul are appropriately unsettling with their imposing black armor and glowing white eyes. The episode also captures the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Kaminar, making it feel like a real and vibrant planet.

The acting in The Sounds of Thunder is fantastic across the board, with Sonequa Martin-Green and Doug Jones delivering some of their best performances to date. Martin-Green's Burnham is confident and commanding as always, while Jones's Saru is vulnerable and complex, a character that viewers can't help but root for.

Overall, Star Trek: Discovery season 2 episode 6, The Sounds of Thunder, is an excellent entry in the series, with an emotional storyline, fantastic special effects, and standout performances from its cast. The episode continues to build on the show's overarching themes of diversity, inclusion, and the complexities of personal identity in a future society. Fans of the series won't want to miss this one.