Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series)

Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad (2017)

Sonequa Martin-Green: Michael Burnham

Photos 

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Burnham : Personal log, Specialist Michael Burnham, stardate 2136.8. Despite my fears to the contrary, I seem to have found my place on this Discovery. An air of routine has descended upon the ship, and even I am a part of it. I've made friends. Well, one, at least. I take comfort in my work. This ship has quickly become the most important weapon in the Federation's arsenal in our war against the Klingons. And because of her, the tide has turned. Because of us, we are winning. Lieutenant Stamets' ability to pilot the ship's spore drive has given him access not just to all of space, but to unseen parts of his personality as well. As we perform our daily responsibilities, I confess I find some members of my fellow crew more interesting than others. Lieutenant Tyler has suffered so much, and still maintains such dignity and kindness. I find him... intriguing. But I fear my personal history interferes with my ability to forge relationships. I am among the others, but also apart. I wish sorely to step out of my comfort zone, yet don't know how. But tonight, I will face one of my greatest challenges so far. Tonight, we are having... a party.

• Ash Tyler : Burnham. Hey, Tilly. What're you up to?

  Sylvia Tilly : I'm leaving. You guys have fun.

  [she leaves] 

  Ash Tyler : Your friend's subtle.

  Michael Burnham : Inappropriately so.

• Michael Burnham : You are mad.

  Harry Mudd : No. I'm Mudd.

• [last lines] 

  Michael Burnham : Personal log. Just as repetition reinforces repetition, change begets change. I guess the truth is, we never really know what's coming. Sometimes, the only way to find out where you fit in is to step out of the routine. Because sometimes, where you really belong was waiting right around the corner, all along.

• Captain Gabriel Lorca : [on gormaganders]  Thought those things had been hunted to extinction.

  Michael Burnham : Hunting isn't the cause of its reduced numbers. It's primarily due to their mating practices, or lack thereof. They spend their lives feeding on alpha particles in solar winds. They're often so consumed by this task that they ignore all other instincts - including reproduction.

  Captain Gabriel Lorca : That's as depressing a trait as I've ever heard.

• Paul Stamets : Hugh and I fell in love after I told him to get lost. -... - I was in a wonderful café on Alpha Centauri, when, three seats down, comes this hideous humming. Have you ever heard someone try to hum Kasseelian opera?

  Michael Burnham : I can't say that I have.

  Paul Stamets : Well, I told him to stifle it or sit somewhere else. Instead... he sat right next to me. And he's been there ever since.

• Michael Burnham : The Klingons will pay a lot, to win this war. But there is one thing they would pay more for.

  Harry Mudd : Oh, really?

  Michael Burnham : Me. I murdered T'Kuvma, the Klingon messiah.

  Harry Mudd : That's absurd. I checked the officers manifest. You're a nobody.

  Michael Burnham : I'm not an officer. I'm Michael Burnham.

• Michael Burnham : Turns out you can con a con man.