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'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 3 Episode 7: Sect from 'Picard' has a MAJOR connection to Michael Burnham's past

The Qowat Milat played a key role in this episode's brush with Ni'Var, and brought back a major figure from Burnham's past

Spoilers for 'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 3 Episode 7

As the Vulcans and Romulans band together on Ni'Var, an ancient Romulan sect first introduced in the 'Picard' novel plays a major key in the 32nd Century. Closer to home, though, their representative is someone that Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) is all too familiar with - her mother, Gabrielle (Sonja Sohn). It's an emotional reunion – and one that is key to the restoration of the Federation in the future.

When Michael calls for a T'Kal-in-ket – a trial, of sorts, in which the truth is sought out - Ni'Var's representatives send for the most truthful people they know – the order of the Qowat Milat. Introduced in the 'Picard' novel, they made their first live-action appearance on the 'Picard' television series and leaned a member of their ranks to Jean-Luc Picard's (Patrick Stewart) cause in the form of Elnor (Evan Evagora). The Qowat Milash are known for their absolute candor and dedication to the truth, which is what made them key figures in ensuring peace between the Romulans and the Vulcans in the early days of their reunification. They're also known for attaching themselves to what they believe are lost causes, and fighting for them with all their might.

Michael, who knows her mother is lost somewhere in the 32nd Century and has been looking for her for well over a year, is shocked to discover that Gabrielle has instead found her - and has attached herself to what she believes is Michael's lost cause. Gabrielle has fully dedicated herself to the sisterhood of the Qowot Milat, despite not being a Romulan herself. Her dedication to absolute candor initially weakened Michael's position in the T'Kal-in-ket, as Michael was trying to cover up the fact that she wasn't sure she belonged in the Federation anymore. Ultimately, however, Gabrielle helped Michael open up to complete honesty, which in turn gave the Ni'Var representatives reason to trust in Michael – and by extension, the Federation.

The trial was vital in two ways - first in recovering important information that would reveal the origin of the Burn, a major factor in restoring the universe's trust in the Federation. The second major factor was gaining the trust of the Ni'Var, who had broken off from the Federation. With their trust regained, that's yet another planet that trusts the Federation once again, thanks to the efforts of Michael Burnham and her crew.

Gabrielle chose to stay on Ni'Var, but for the first time, Michael knows where to find her - she's just a spore jump away. It may have taken 900 years, but Michael and her mother have finally been reunited, and in the most unexpected of ways. 

The next episode of 'Star Trek: Discovery' airs on December 3, on CBS All Access.