History Recap / StarTrekDiscoveryS4E04AllIsPossible

* BothSidesHaveAPoint: The arguing over an exit clause comes with good points on both sides. T'Rina is right to be concerned that, posed with another existential threat, the Federation might become heavy-handed trying to safeguard everyone without concern to the individual members. Likewise, Rillak is right that allowing an unconditional exit clause would not only leave the Federation at a huge disadvantage in the future, but would encourage other worlds to ask for the same and tear the Federation apart.

* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: Kovich describes the entirety of the current class of Starfleet Academy this way: they're from all over the place and, due to the Burn reducing the Milky Way galaxy to a PointsOfLightSetting, many of them have basically zero experience with cross-cultural cooperation. This is certainly played out in Tilly's crew: we have a human teenager hosting [[TheNthDoctor a Trill symbiote]] with extensive Starfleet experience, meaning they're an ensign with the experiences of an admiral; a human from Titan who's never seen non-humans before; and Gorev and Harral, whose conflict has already been outlined. And, of course, there's Tilly herself, who was [[FishOutOfTemporalWater born a thousand years ago]].
* {{Realpolitik}}: Rillak and T'Rina are both held hostage to the political desires of their coalitions, so neither can budge on the conditions of Ni'var joining the Federation. Rillak arranges for Burnham and Saru to join as "observers" because she suspects they can cut through it and find an alternative.

* TitleDrop: Tilly's snowglobe has "All is Possible" written on the base.

* YoureNothingWithoutYourPhlebotinum: ZigzaggedTrope. The crew's phasers, tricorders and combadges need to be de-activated because they happen to use the same electromagnetic frequencies that the MonsterOfTheWeek does to track its prey. In a franchise that basically invented "{{Technobabble}}," Tilly must lead the crew to safety without the use of technology. That said, the tech becomes useful later in distracting the monsters.

* SaveOurStudents: The cadets are certainly motivated, but they aren't used to working with aliens and don't trust each other. Tilly, being a TemporalFishOutOfWater WideEyedIdealist of the old Starfleet fashion, is [[GotVolunteered volunteered]] as an ideal instructor.

* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: Kovich describes the entirety of the current class of Starfleet Academy this way: they're from all over the place and, due to the Burn reducing the Milky Way galaxy to a PointsOfLightSetting, many of them have basically zero experience with cross-cultural cooperation. This is certainly played out in Tilly's crew: we have a human teenager hosting a Trill symbiote, an ensign with the experiences of an admiral; a human from Titan who's never seen non-humans before; and Gorev and Harral, whose conflict has already been outlined. And, of course, there's Tilly herself, who was born a thousand years ago.

* MythologyGag: Tilly's combines elements of various team-building episodes in other ''Star Trek'' series. Elements of "The Galileo Seven", but with everyone sniping at each other while Adira and Tilly try and deal instead of everyone getting angry at Spock. There is also a bit of the Voyager episode "Learning Curve" thrown in when Tilly like Tuvok puts herself in danger while the others escape.

* TheBusCameBack: Dr. Kovich (Creator/DavidCronenberg) appears as a liaison from Starfleet Academy.

* ShoutOut: There's a call for a "Captain Imahara" of the U.S.S. ''Armstrong''. WordOfGod revealed that this is a nod to the late Grant Imahara of ''Series/{{Mythbusters}}'' fame, who was also a major ''Star Trek'' fan.

* FireForgedFriends: The cadets have no personal connection, and Taahz Gorev (the Tellarite) is personally hostile towards Harral (the Orion) because of the Emerald Chain, but crossing a deadly ice moon while being chased by monsters helps bring them together, with some help from Tilly.

* ShoutOut: Tilly’s plot is a version of “The Galileo Seven”, but with everyone sniping at each other while Adira and Tilly try and deal instead of everyone getting angry at Spock.
** There is also a bit of the Voyager episode "Learning Curve" thrown in when Tilly like Tuvok put themselves in danger while the others escape.
* ThreeLinesSomeWaiting: in addition to the above, there's a subplot where Book takes some psychotherapy sessions with Culber, and the two begin to bond.

* BizarreAlienSenses: The jellyfish monsters can detect electromagnetic radiation and use it to hunt prey, which conveniently lie on the same frequency as Federation technology. This necessitates going low-tech until the group can reach higher ground and signal for help.

* ImmuneToBullets: The monsters shrug off dozens of phaser shots.
* InternalHomage: Tilly being chased by the ice creature looks a lot like [[Film/StarTrek2009 a young James Kirk being chased by monsters on Delta Vega]].

* WeNeedADistraction: Someone has to draw the monsters off while the others signal for help. Adira offers to do the job, but Tilly is in charge and won't let anyone else do it.

* YouAreUselessWithoutYourPhlebotinum: ZigzaggedTrope. The crew's phasers, tricorders and combadges need to be de-activated because they happen to use the same electromagnetic frequencies that the MonsterOfTheWeek does to track its prey. In a franchise that basically invented "{{Technobabble}}," Tilly must lead the crew to safety without the use of technology. That said, the tech becomes useful later in distracting the monsters.

* PutOnABus: Tilly decides to take up a teaching position at Starfleet Academy.

** The Orion cadet's father was responsible for drafting the anti-slavery provision of the armistice offered by Osyraa last season.
* FireForgedFriends: The cadets have no personal connection, and the Tellarite is personally hostile towards the Orion because of the Emerald Chain, but crossing a deadly ice moon while being chased by monsters helps bring them together, with some help from Tilly.

* ComingInHot: The shuttle crashes on the ice moon after being disabled. The DisposablePilot bites the dust.

* FireForgedFriends: The cadets have no personal connection, but crossing a deadly ice moon while being chased by monsters helps bring them together, with some help from Tilly.