Finally saw this, it was the usual mix of a lot of fun and strange, strange choices. God it's weird that they took Saru out of the makeup. It's SO FREAKIN WEIRD. And god love her but SMG sure was emoting during her little sit-down with Tilly. I want everyone to take it down a notch and be competent professionals like a good Star Trek crew.
Other than the bizarre "species swap!" thing I like the scenario, I like Book being Han Solo (with Grudge-bacca), I like the crew that's assembled on the planet (Saru, Cubler, Adira), I like the set-up for next episode. Saru telling Michael that she had to be the one to stay behind to convince Su'Kal had me about to throw my television out the window but for once in my life someone realized that actually, Michael was not the right girl for the job here -- even if it had to be Michael herself who realized it, it was such a breath of fresh air! And really so was Michael actually showing some quick thinking and doing something, when she pretended to be another program, although she couldn't keep it up for long.
I kind of think the writers put the Georgiou goodbye episode where they did just because they realized that if she was around this episode's whole plot wouldn't work -- this Orion chick is just no match. I'm glad that Tilly didn't overperform in the captain role, it's more plausible that way. Her banter was just awful to me, what Star Trek captain has ever showed their leadership capabilities by snarking? Yet how naturally did it seem like the Disco writers would think that would be how it worked for Tilly? But since it didn't work, I can at least hope that it was meant to be her insecurity talking, which is what it sure sounded like, "I'm not owned! I'm not owned!" style. I did like Book being on hand as an unofficial advisor she could consult without undermining her own authority, or something.
Going back to my Elderly Nerd comparison of this season with Star Control 2, I now feel I must reach even further back into the deepest lore of Ancient Nerdery and say it's actually looking more like the original, Starflight. It was the Dilithium Planet which reminded me. It seems, unfortunately, that the reason for The Burn of this show is nowhere near as interesting as that game's version of it -- but then, that was probably the best sci-fi plot twist I've ever seen outside of the Philip K Dick-level literary masters. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.