Far from Home

For me, this episode came down to the genuine heart displayed by the characters. Discovery has a terrific cast, and when they're given good dialogue and their relationships aren't being squeezed with a heavy hand to wring out maximum drama, the whole crew really shines.

What struck me in this episode, though, was how perfectly Saru embodied the values of both the Federation in-universe and the franchise on a meta-level. He was, as each circumstance called for it, decisive, commanding, sensitive, pragmatic, smart, nurturing, and unwavering in his principles. Doug Jones knocked it out of the park with a performance that celebrated both Saru's restraint and his honesty. He's a complex character who has undergone plenty of growth throughout the series, and even though he's only "acting" captain at this point, he's established himself as a match for the upper echelons of Trek captains.

Plus, I could watch Reno and Stamets arguing all day long.