Star Trek: Discovery episodes

Star Trek: Discovery is the sixth live-action Star Trek TV series, which began airing in 2017. The series is set ten years before TOS, and focuses on the character of Michael Burnham. The series is mainly set on the USS Discovery, featuring the crew of the ship, but the first two episodes took place on the USS Shenzhou, and Klingon characters also feature prominently in the series.

In most territories the series was available only via streaming services, available on Netflix in most of the world, CBS All Access (itself also available via Amazon) in the USA, and Bell Media services in Canada (including the Space TV channel).

This page lists and details episodes of the series - The description section for each episode is how CBS describe them in publicity releases. For a more general overview, details of behind the scenes coverage, and tie-in products, see my Discovery guide page.

Season 1

This fifteen-episode season was released in two parts, with the first nine episodes released weekly from the 24th of September 2017. The series then pauses over the festive period, and resumes in January 2018.

1.01: The Vulcan Hello

• Description: While patrolling Federation space, the USS Shenzhou encounters an object of unknown origin, putting First Officer Michael Burnham to her greatest test yet.
• Release date: 24th September 2017.
• Writer: Bryan Fuller and Akiva Goldsman, story by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman.
• Director: David Semel.
• Notes: This was the only episode of the series to air on regular TV in the US, broadcast on the CBS Network to launch the series.
• Coverage: Announcement, teaser trailer, title and ship reveal, alien make-up test, setting and character details, new launch date, Fuller stepping down from showrunner role, behind the scenes video and logo update, music preview, Sonequa Martin-Green casting, trailer, stills, and poster, launch date and poster, transporter room still, Comic Con posters and stills, props promo videos, Comic Con Torchbearer display, Comic Con trailer, stills, and poster, Comic Con exhibition concept art and costumes, stills and motion poster, Entertainment Weekly photoshoot, character posters, L'Rell official photo and behind the scenes photos, Kol official photo, Klingon and Shenzhou concept art, promo videos and Torchbearer beauty shots, TV spot and set photos, character promo videos, billboards and TV spots, voiceover teasers, Variety photoshoot, TV spots, TV spot, motion poster, and design details, clip and stills, clips, TV spot, behind the scenes photos, billboards and motion poster, set tour videos and details, title music preview video, TV spot, props video, set photos, title, TV spot, behind the scenes photos, and motion poster, set photos, behind the scenes videos (sets/locations, Burnham), representation at the premiere, behind the scenes videos (costumes, Sarek, Georgiou), stills and clip, and motion poster, behind the scenes photos and press kit images, opening titles, review, clips, Shenzhou set photos and costume concept art, starship concept art and prop photos, concept art, unused Cliff Eidelman soundtrack, behind the scenes photos, worker bee renderings, alien makeup/design.

1.02: Battle at the Binary Stars

• Description: Face to face with Klingon vessels, the USS Shenzhou prepares for the possibility of war if negotiations fail. Amidst the turmoil, Burnham looks back to her Vulcan upbringing for guidance.
• Release date: 24th September 2017.
• Writers: Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts Story by Bryan Fuller.
• Director: Adam Kane.
• Coverage: review, stills and clips, concept art, USS Edison renderings.

1.03: Context is for Kings

• Description: Burnham finds herself aboard the USS Discovery where she quickly realizes things are not as they seem, including the mysterious Captain Gabriel Lorca.
• Release date: 1st October 2017.
• Writers: Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts, and Craig Sweeny. Story by Bryan Fuller, Gretchen J. Berg, and Aaron Harberts.
• Director: Akiva Goldsman.
• Coverage: Lorca still, bridge tour video, trailer, stills, clips, stills and clip, review.

1.04: The Butcher's Knife Cares Not For the Lamb's Cry

• Description: With tensions and stakes high as Starfleet continues in their efforts to end the war with Klingons, Burnham begins to settle in to her new position aboard the USS Discovery.
• Release date: 8th October 2017.
• Writers: Jesse Alexander and Aron Eli Coleite.
• Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi.
• Coverage: Trailer, stills and clips, review, tardigrade cutout.

1.05: Choose Your Pain

• Description: While on a mission, Lorca unexpectedly finds himself in the company of prisoner of war, Starfleet Lieutenant Ash Tyler and notorious intergalactic criminal, Harry Mudd.
• Release date: 15th October 2017.
• Writer: Kemp Powers. Story by Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts, and Kemp Powers.
• Director: Lee Rose.
• Coverage: Trailer, stills and clips, review, concept art, behind the scenes photos.

1.06: Lethe

• Description: The USS Discovery crew is intrigued by new addition, Lt. Ash Tyler. Sarek seeks Burnham's help, rekindling memories from her past. Admiral Cornwell questions Lorca's tactics.
• Release date: 22nd October 2017.
• Writers: Joe Menosky and Ted Sullivan.
• Director: Douglas Aarniokoski.
• Coverage: Trailer and stills, clips, review.

1.07: Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad

• Description: As the USS Discovery crew attempts to let loose at a party, an unwelcome visitor comes aboard bringing about a problematic and twisted sequence of events.
• Release date: 29th October 2017.
• Writers: Aron Eli Coleite and Jesse Alexander.
• Director: David M. Barrett.
• Coverage: Trailer, stills and clips, behind the scenes photos and video, review, behind the scenes photos.

1.08: Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

• Description: The USS. Discovery is tasked with a high priority mission to planet Pahvo and learn the science behind the Klingon's cloaking technology.
• Release date: 5th November 2017.
• Writer: Kirsten Beyer.
• Director: John S. Scott.
• Coverage: Trailer and stills, clips, review, behind the scenes photos.

1.09: Into the Forest I Go

• Description: Bypassing Starfleet's orders, Lorca uses the USS Discovery crew's ultimate asset, the ship itself, in an effort to end the war with the Klingons once and for all.
• Release date: 12th November 2017.
• Writer: Erika Lippoldt and Bo Yeon Kim.
• Director: Chris Byrne.
• Coverage: Trailer, stills, stills and clips, behind the scenes photos, review.

1.10: Despite Yourself

• Description: While in unfamiliar territory, the USS Discovery crew is forced to get creative in their next efforts to survive opposing and unprecedented forces and return home.
• Release date: 7th January 2018.
• Writer: Sean Cochrane.
• Director: Jonathan Frakes.
• Coverage: Title and blurb, trailer, stills, clip, and behind the scenes video, more stills.

1.11: The Wolf Inside

• Description: As the crew continues their guise, Burnham undergoes a merciless mission in hopes of helping the USS Discovery return home. Tilly works on restoring Stamets' neurofunction.
• Release date: 14th January 2018.
• Writer: Lisa Randolph.
• Director: T.J. Scott.
• Coverage: Trailer and stills, more stills and clips, alien makeup/design.

1.12: Vaulting Ambition

• Description: Burnham heads to the ISS Charon with a special 'gift' for the Emperor. With the help of an unexpected source, Stamets gains clarity while trapped inside the mycelial network. Saru asks for L'Rell's help.
• Release date: 21st January 2018.
• Writer: Jordon Nardino.
• Director: Hanelle M. Culpepper.
• Coverage: Trailer, stills, clips.

1.13: What’s Past Is Prologue

• Description: Lorca plans to move forward with a coup against the Emperor, propelling Burnham to make a quick decision to save not only herself, but the USS Discovery.
• Release date: 28th January 2018.
• Writer: Ted Sullivan.
• Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi.
• Coverage: Trailer, stills, and clip.

1.14: The War Without, The War Within

• Description: Back on the USS Discovery, Burnham and the crew are faced with the harsh reality of the war during their absence. In order to move forward, Starfleet must use unconventional tactics and sources to take their next action against the Klingons.
• Release date: 4th February 2018.
• Writer: Lisa Randolph.
• Director: David Solomon.
• Coverage: Trailer and stills.

1.15: Will You Take My Hand?

• Description: With Georgiou at the helm of the plan to end the Klingon war once and for all, the USS Discovery crew struggles to fathom and tolerate her hostile tactics. Memories of past hardships are rekindled within Burnham.
• Release date: 11th February 2018.
• Writers: Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts. Story by Akiva Goldsman, Gretchen J. Berg, and Aaron Harberts.
• Director: Akiva Goldsman.
• Coverage: Trailer, stills, and behind the scenes photo, deleted scene, alien makeup/design.

Season 2

2.01: Brother

• Release date: 17th January 2019.
• Writers: Ted Sullivan, Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts.
• Director: Alex Kurtzman.
• Coverage: Behind the scenes video, first stills, trailer and stills.

2.02: New Eden

• Release date: 24th January 2019.
• Writers: Vaun Wilmott and Sean Cochran. Story by Akiva Goldsman and Sean Cochran. 
• Director: Jonathan Frakes.

2.03: Point of Light

• Release date: 31st January 2019.
• Writer: Andrew Colville. 
• Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi.

2.04: An Obol for Charon

• Release date: 7th February 2019.
• Writers: Alan McElroy and Andrew Colville. Story by Jordon Nardino, Gretchen J. Berg, and Aaron Harberts. 
• Director: Lee Rose.

2.05: Saints of Imperfection

• Release date: 14th February 2019.
• Writer: Kirsten Beyer. 
• Director: David Barrett.

2.06: The Sound of Thunder

• Release date: 21st February 2019.
• Writer: Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt. 
• Director: Douglas Aarniokoski.

2.07: Light and Shadows

• Release date: 28th February 2019.
• Writer: Ted Sullivan. Story by Ted Sullivan and Vaun Wilmott. 
• Director: Marta Cunningham.

2.08: If Memory Serves

• Release date: 7th March 2019.
• Writer: Dan Dworkin and Jay Beattie. 
• Director: TJ Scott.

2.09: Project Daedalus

• Release date: 14th March 2019.
• Writer: Michelle Paradise. 
• Director: Jonathan Frakes.

2.10: The Red Angel

• Release date: 21st March 2019.
• Writer: Chris Silvestri and Anthony Maranville. 
• Director: Hanelle M. Culpepper.

2.11: Perpetual Infinity

• Release date: 28th March 2019.
• Writer: Alan McElroy and Brandon Schultz. 
• Director: Maja Vrvilo.

2.12: Through the Valley of Shadows

• Release date: 4th April 2019.
• Writer: Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt. 
• Director: Doug Aarniokoski.

2.13: Such Sweet Sorrow

• Release date: 11th April 2019.
• Writer: Michelle Paradise and Jenny Lumet and Alex Kurtzman. 
• Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi.

2.14: Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2

• Release date: 18th April 2019.
• Writer: Michelle Paradise and Jenny Lumet and Alex Kurtzman. 
• Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi.