Discovery gets caught in a time-loop.
As much as I rolled my eyes at the prospect of a time-loop concept being redone on another Trek show, there are parts of this that work well.
The plot involves a relatively lacklustre concept as an excuse for the looping, but it does serve as an interesting way to explore themes about structure and repetition in life, particularly in the situations involving a desire to take chances and make changes. I hope I was right in thinking we are not really meant to get caught up in the plot too much as the stakes are so implausibly high it's feels like a situation designed to observe characters and provide opportunities for exposition. Also the ending is very much a throwback to something from the original series and a lot lighter than the build up would having you expect. It is all fairly cinematic as it unfolds which is a big plus.
As good as Sonequa Martin-Green and Shazad Latif are, their romance doesn't really work for me. I need a bit more than two characters who happen to be attracted to each other. I like my screen relationships to develop out of something interesting and meaningful the characters go through that makes me want them to get together. For me so far, it has been as uninspiring most other Trek romances. Some of the scenes in the party leading up to it do not help, particularly with the crew acting like kids at a high-school dance. Given that it's so early in the show I'm guessing this romance maybe doomed to either failure or be a bit on-off. Either way, if they dedicate screen time to it, I need to care about it and so far I don't.
The standout performances by far are Rainn Wilson and Anthony Rapp who get the material that drives the episode forward and generates the best entertainment.
All visuals, effects and editing are excellent as always.