WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery Season 3, Episode 13, "That Hope Is You, Part 2," now streaming on CBS All Access.

Star Trek: Discovery's latest outing takes incredible risks with the franchise that ultimately pays off. One of the best creative decisions in Season 3 is the increased presence of Dr. Hugh Culber after the character's death and resurrection in prior seasons. Season 3 shows him performing at the height of his abilities, proving to be one of the most caring and dedicated members of the crew. But towards the season finale he reveals that while his efforts have impressed others, he's yet to convince himself.

Coming back from the dead through the Mycelial Network was a traumatic, life-changing experience for Hugh, and he struggled his way back into active duty. Since then, he's gone on away missions, but they weren't too physically dangerous. He's been wonderfully aggressive in assuring the well-being of his crew, but in his eyes, he hasn't put his life on the line more than the rest.

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For Hugh, this meant he still wasn't worthy of his position and the trust placed in his abilities. Dr. Culber felt like an impostor, despite his clearly displayed competency and the vocal support of his crew. Knowing full well that Saru and Burnham were heading on an away mission that would almost certainly kill them, Hugh saw the opportunity he needed to test himself.

He was compelled to be a part of the away team exploring the ship at the source of the Burn so he could remind himself that he is just as capable of facing true danger as he had been before his first death. Of course, his husband Lt. Commander Stamets completely rejected Hugh's motivations and begged the doctor to stay.

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But Hugh wasn't deterred. He needed to do this — not just because was qualified, but because simply attempting would restore his own sense of worth. He may be placing himself in a lethal scenario, but insisting to be part of the away team was the first act Dr. Culber took for his own mental health.

However, the danger he was in put Stamets in an impossible situation, and emotionally compromised him during a dangerous moment for the Federation. Things only got worse when Burnham forced Stamets off the Discovery to keep him out of the Emerald Chain's hands. This left Saru, Hugh and a rogue Adira stuck in the core of the nebula with the clock ticking on their radiation exposure.

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But Culber rose to the occasion, not once letting the fear of his near-certain death cloud his judgment. In fact, the experience proved cathartic in more ways than one. Due to the holodeck malfunctions at play, Gray Tal, the previous Trill host, and Adira, Tal's deceased boyfriend, manifested holographically as opposed to being a mental projection Adira had been interacting with all season.

Before they could escape, the holodeck shut down and this tangible version of Gray disappeared. Dr. Culber saw a kindred spirit in that instant — someone lost like he was in the Mycelial Network. He vowed to Gray to find a way that he could be seen, and that act renews a spark within himself.

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Due to the heroics of the Discovery crew, Dr. Culber and the rest were safely evacuated. Stamets, Hugh and Adira were reunited, though not without the cost of Burnham losing Stamet's friendship for prior actions. But for Hugh, this mission was the crucible he needed to have confidence in his own abilities.

Streaming on CBS All Access, Star Trek: Discovery stars Sonequa Martin-Green as Commander Michael Burnham, Doug Jones as Commander Saru, Anthony Rapp as Lt. Commander Paul Stamets, Mary Wiseman as Ensign Sylvia Tilly, Wilson Cruz as Dr. Hugh Culber, David Ajala as Cleveland "Book" Booker, Blu del Barrio as Adira, Ian Alexander as Gray, Tig Notaro as Chief Engineer Reno and Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou.

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