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The Best Episodes of Star Trek: Discovery Season 1

Every episode of Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Star Trek: Discovery Season 1!

Binge this in 11h 17m•Peaking at 8.1/10

Follow the voyages of Starfleet on their missions to discover new worlds and new life forms, and one Starfleet officer who must learn that to truly understand all things alien, you must first understand yourself.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 12 - Vaulting Ambition
    8.1/10(5320 votes)

    S1:E12

    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.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Jordon Nardino

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  2. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 13 - What's Past is Prologue
    8.1/10(5121 votes)

    S1:E13

    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 U.S.S. Discovery.

    Director:Olatunde Osunsanmi
    Writer:Ted Sullivan

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  3. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 9 - Into the Forest I Go
    7.9/10(5566 votes)

    S1:E9

    Bypassing Starfleet's orders, Lorca uses the U.S.S. Discovery crew's ultimate asset, the ship itself, in an effort to end the war with the Klingons once and for all.

    Director:Christopher J. Byrne
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 10 - Despite Yourself
    7.8/10(5418 votes)

    S1:E10

    While in unfamiliar territory, the U.S.S. Discovery crew is forced to get creative in their next efforts to survive opposing and unprecedented forces and return home.

    Director:Jonathan Frakes
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 11 - The Wolf Inside
    7.8/10(4961 votes)

    S1:E11

    The crew continues their guise, and Burnham is ordered on a merciless mission to end the resistance in hopes of returning home. Meanwhile, Tilly works on restoring Stamets’ neurofunction.

    Director:T.J. Scott
    Writer:Lisa Randolph

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  6. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 3 - Context Is for Kings
    7.7/10(7255 votes)

    S1:E3

    Burnham finds herself aboard the U.S.S. Discovery where she quickly realizes things are not as they seem, including the mysterious Captain Gabriel Lorca.

    Director:Akiva Goldsman
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 2 - Battle at the Binary Stars
    7.5/10(7783 votes)

    S1:E2

    Face to face with Klingon vessels, the U.S.S. Shenzhou prepares for the possibility of war if negotiations fail. Amidst the turmoil, Burnham looks back to her Vulcan upbringing for guidance.

    Director:Adam Kane
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 7 - Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad
    7.5/10(6185 votes)

    S1:E7

    As the U.S.S. Discovery crew attempts to let loose at a party, an unwelcome visitor comes aboard bringing about a problematic and twisted sequence of events.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writers:Jesse Alexander, Aron Eli Coleite

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  9. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 14 - The War Without, The War Within
    7.4/10(4384 votes)

    S1:E14

    Burnham and the U.S.S. Discovery 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.

    Director:David Solomon
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 5 - Choose Your Pain
    7.3/10(6129 votes)

    S1:E5

    Lorca unexpectedly finds himself in the company of a prisoner of war, Starfleet Lieutenant Ash Tyler, and a notorious intergalactic criminal, Harry Mudd. Meanwhile, Burnham voices her concerns about the repercussions of the spore drive jumps on “Ripper.”

    Director:Lee Rose
    Writer:Kemp Powers

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  11. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 6 - Lethe
    7.3/10(5719 votes)

    S1:E6

    The U.S.S. 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.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writers:Ted Sullivan, Joe Menosky

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  12. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 1 - The Vulcan Hello
    7.2/10(8635 votes)

    S1:E1

    While patrolling Federation space, the U.S.S. Shenzhou encounters an object of unknown origin, putting First Officer Michael Burnham to her greatest test yet.

    Director:David Semel
    Writers:Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Fuller

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  13. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 4 - The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry
    7.2/10(6229 votes)

    S1:E4

    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 U.S.S. Discovery.

    Director:Olatunde Osunsanmi
    Writers:Jesse Alexander, Aron Eli Coleite

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  14. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 15 - Will You Take My Hand?
    7.1/10(4886 votes)

    S1:E15

    With Georgiou at the helm of the plan to end the Klingon war once and for all, the U.S.S. Discovery crew struggles to fathom and tolerate her hostile tactics. Memories of past hardships are rekindled within Burnham.

    Director:Akiva Goldsman
    Writers:Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts

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  15. Star Trek: Discovery Season 1 Episode 8 - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
    6.8/10(5152 votes)

    S1:E8

    The U.S.S. Discovery is tasked with a high priority mission to planet Pahvo and learn the science behind the Klingon's cloaking technology.

    Director:John Scott
    Writer:Kirsten Beyer

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Vaulting Ambition" is the best rated episode of "Star Trek: Discovery" season 1. It scored 8.1/10 based on 5320 votes. Directed by Hanelle M. Culpepper and written by Jordon Nardino, it aired on 1/21/2018. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "What's Past is Prologue".