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

Escaping from the brig while the ship is under attack, Burnham joins the captain in an audacious plan to end a battle rapidly escalating into war.

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

Voq faces a powerful challenge in his pursuit of T'Kuvma's agenda, while Michael discovers a possible solution to the ship's propulsion difficulties.

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

Michael uses her connection to Sarek to help locate him after he is wounded in an assassination attempt. Lorca deals with an unexpected visitor.