“People of Earth” is the 3rd episode of the 3rd season of the TV show “Star Trek: Discovery” and follows “Far From Home“.

Note. This article contains spoilers about “People of Earth”.

After repairs, the USS Discovery is ready to start its new journey. A years old message sent by one Admiral Senna Tal is a Federation trail leading to Earth, but upon arrival, the crew is greeted with hostility. The arrival of a group of what looks like pirates with their leader Wen (Christopher Heyerdahl) demanding dilithium complicates the situation.

After two introductory episodes, the third season finally begins what’s supposed to be its story-arc directed by Jonathan Frakes. Saru (Doug Jones) already mentioned the ideals of the Federation, and in this episode a central theme is their contrast with the isolationist tendencies that emerged after the dilithium catastrophe called the Burn.

It’s easy to see the clash between Earth, surrounded by the future equivalent of a wall, and the group led by Wen as an allegory of current divisions. In the 32nd century, just like today, there are people who want to keep their wealth, sometimes obtained by exploiting others, for themselves cutting out those who are seen as others. Especially the moment in which we discover who Wen really is says a lot about how much the perception of others counts in the consideration we have of them and in the consideration they may have of us.

The introduction of the character of Adira (Blu del Barrio), with the surprises it brings, is linked to the search for the fragments of the Federation that still exist. There’s no doubt that we will find out more about her (in the episode they refer to Adira always in the feminine).

“People of Earth” has the merit of having the flavor of an episode of Star Trek that has a good mix of moments about the protagonists, reminding us among other things the time spent in the 32nd century by Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), in a story which gives a strong direction to the season. Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt wrote the script for this episode and also for some others this season. The fact that they seem to understand Star Trek offers hope.

After two episodes in which there were beautiful landscapes but plots that were too trite and had little to do with Star Trek, honestly this one is a relief. In a show of often dark tones, also in the developments after the dilithium catastrophe, it’s good to see the representatives of the Federation at their best, trying to build bridges and not walls.