While on a mission, Lorca unexpectedly finds himself in the company of prisoner of war Starfleet Lieutenant Ash Tyler, and notorious intergalactic criminal, Harry Mudd. Burnham voices her concerns about the repercussions of the spore drive jumps on "Ripper."

Sonequa Martin-Green (Crewman Michael Burnham)
Doug Jones (Commander Saru)
Shazad Latif (Lt. Ash Tyler)
Anthony Rapp (Lt. Paul Stamets)
Mary Wiseman (Cadet Sylvia Tilly)
Jason Isaacs (Captain Gabriel Lorca)

Jayne Brook (Admiral Katrina Cornwell)
Mary Chieffo (L'Rell)
Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber)
Rainn Wilson (Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd)

Conrad Coates (Admiral Terral)
Emily Coutts (Lt. Keyla Detmer)
Julianne Grossman (Discovery Computer)
Patrick Kwok-Choon (Lt. Rhys)
Sara Mitich (Lt. Cmdr. Airiam)
Simon Northwood (Shuttle Pilot)
Oyin Oladejo (Lt. Joann Owosekun)
Christopher Russell (Lt. Milton Richter)
Kirk Salesman (Shuttle Klingon 2)
Tyler Evan Webb (Shuttle Klingon 1)

• This episode introduces main cast member Shazad Latif (Lt. Ash Tyler). He has been held captive by the Klingons for seven months, since the Battle at the Binary Stars. He previously served on the U.S.S. Yeager under Capt. Steven Maranville. The Yeager was destroyed in the battle.
  
• It is revealed that Lt. Stamets is in a relationship with Dr. Culber.
  
• "Ripper" nearly dies, and is ultimately set free by Burnham and Tilly.