grimorie | [instant reactions] Star Trek Discovery 1x14 - The War Without, The War Within (Reply)

This show. Seriously, this show, I honestly never know where it’s going next!

In bullet points:

Cornwall and L'Rell, that scene was amazing, and you can see the seeds of the Klingon respect for strength coming through. The Klingons have to be defeated to get them to stop, which is a very Klingon thing. And also, right now, the Klingons are divided and fractured. Warring about everything, leaderless. And, as Mirror!Voq said, the way to inclusion and peace are a united Klingons. Bring them under one leadership, who can guide the Klingons away from this honor-less warfare.
I like how the show is treating Emperor Philippa. I like how the show doesn't forget that the Emperor is a terrible, terrible person. Of course the Emperor is going to do her best to sow a bit of discord here and there but she's focused on doing that to Michael and then Sarek.
Also, I knew they were going to do something with the Emperor the moment Cornwall and Sarek started talking about her uncanny resemblance to Captain Philippa but boy did I not expect that to pay off soon, and how. Cornwall, is also in her own way, devious. She has to be. (Cornwall's been through a lot).
I love the moment when Tilly and the others move to sit with Ash, and I might have squeaked and said: 'That's my Starfleet!'.
And, of course, Michael won't be able to forget that Voq|Ash almost killed her. It was a more personal betrayal for her, but I did like that Michael still tried to offer Ash some insight in how to go on and live. Michael couldn't and shouldn't be expected to be Ash's personal crutch, and I don't think he'll be struggling alone, I feel like Tilly and the other crew will be there to help him along.
They referenced Captain Archer!