WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery’s series finale “Life, Itself”

I agree with the decision that Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) makes about the Progenitors’ technology in Star Trek: Discovery‘s series finale. Throughout Star Trek: Discovery season 5’s high-stakes chase for the “greatest treasure the galaxy has ever known”, reminders that the Progenitors’ technology can resurrect the dead imply that someone will be brought back to life before Discovery‘s final scene. The best candidate is Breen scion L’ak (Elias Toufexis), as Moll (Eve Harlow) is hellbent on acquiring the Progenitor technology to revive her love. Meanwhile, Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) acquires a cutting of Kwejian’s sacred world root, suggesting Book’s home planet can be restored.

Captain Burnham using the Progenitors’ technology to revive L’ak or Kwejian would have resulted in a predictable, but satisfying conclusion, so it’s interesting that Star Trek: Discovery‘s series finale, written by Kyle Jarrow and Michelle Paradise and directed by Olatunde Osunname, takes another route. Within the portal, Captain Burnham encounters a Progenitor (Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama) who is ready to make Burnham steward of the Progenitors’ technology. Michael is willing to help Moll by resurrecting L’ak, but the Progenitor warns that if reconstructed, L’ak will be a different person. Instead, Michael Burnham is encouraged to examine what Michael values, and use the Progenitors’ technology based on Burnham’s own morals.

Captain Burnham’s Decision Reflects A Core Philosophy Of Star Trek

Star Trek: Discovery Has Always Been About Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations

Captain Burnham decides not to use the Progenitors’ technology at all, because, as she explains, “We already have infinite diversity in infinite combinations.” The Progenitors created the diversity of species within the Star Trek universe as a gift to the galaxy, because they already celebrated the limited differences among their own people. As steward of the Progenitors’ technology, Burnham has the power to make life better, just as the Progenitors did, by adding to or changing life in the galaxy. It’s an enormous responsibility to be entrusted with single-handedly improving an imperfect reality, but Burnham has proven she can bear the weight.

Through Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Captain Burnham reckons with the difficulty of responsibility, the weight of insecurity, and the messy imperfections that could theoretically be rectified by using the Progenitors’ technology. The conclusion that Burnham comes to is a pillar of Star Trek‘s philosophy: we strive to connect with one another because of our diversity, not in spite of it. We make the world better by learning, understanding, and truly celebrating our differences. That’s been a tenet of Star Trek: Discovery from day one, so Burnham’s decision to let the Progenitors’ technology go makes a fitting end for Discovery, as Star Trek‘s most diverse show to date.

Star Trek: Discovery Completes Michael Burnham’s Character Arc Beautifully

Michael Burnham’s Journey Is About Self-Acceptance

With releasing the Progenitors’ technology, Star Trek: Discovery completes Michael Burnham’s character arc beautifully. Burnham has been fighting like hell throughout the whole series to prove herself worthy. Michael’s upbringing on Vulcan teaches her that she’s lesser, as a human, and Burnham’s burnt reputation as a violent Starfleet mutineer in Star Trek: Discovery season 1 reinforces the negative image that Burnham internalizes. Even after easily befriending roommate Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman), repairing fraught bonds with Commander Saru (Doug Jones) and Spock (Ethan Peck), or rehabilitating Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), Burnham still keeps fighting for acceptance. Even becoming Captain of the USS Discovery and saving the galaxy doesn’t bring Burnham peace.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 shows Michael Burnham that the fight has always been internal, and peace remains elusive because of Burnham’s desperation to prove herself to others. Captain Burnham’s greatest revelation comes in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 8, “Labyrinths”, when the clue crafted by Betazoid scientist Marina Derex forces Michael to look within, and accept the fear of failure that’s been holding Burnham back. An earlier version of Burnham would have gladly used the Progenitors’ technology to change the galaxy and be hailed as a redeemed hero, but after Discovery season 5’s trials push Burnham to do the hard work of self-discovery, Burnham doesn’t need others’ validation anymore.

Captain Burnham’s Decision Sets Up Star Trek: Discovery’s Epilogue

Admiral Burnham Changed Through Radical Acceptance

Captain Burnham’s decision not to use the Progenitors’ technology sets up Michael’s future in the epilogue of Star Trek: Discovery‘s series finale. The true payoff for all Burnham’s internal battles throughout Discovery isn’t acclaim or power, but the ease of simple joy at the Burnham-Booker household on Sanctuary Four. A Red Directive mission looms, but Admiral Burnham is fully present in each moment: sleepily joking with Book; joyfully hugging their adult son, Captain Leto Burnham (Sawandi Wilson); and expressing bittersweet regret for the fate awaiting Zora (Annabelle Wallis). Burnham’s peace exists not because the Progenitors found Michael worthy, but because Burnham’s internal validation is sufficient. Life, itself, is sufficient.

Star Trek: Discovery improves overall when Discovery focuses on its strength as a hopeful, progressive show that embraces the Star Trek paradigm of infinite diversity in infinite combinations, instead of being burdened with its temporal proximity to Star Trek: The Original Series. Captain Burnham, too, eschews the world that Burnham alone could create with the Progenitors’ technology, and instead radically accepts reality for what it actually is. There is beauty in diversity. There is strength in honesty with oneself. There is satisfaction in the journey. Star Trek: Discovery goes out knowing what it is on a fundamental level, and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.