Tonight marks the halfway point of the second season of Star Trek: Discovery with the seventh episode: “Light and Shadows.” We have gathered all the bits of Disco news you need to know to be up to speed for tonight and more. Tonight’s episode of Star Trek: Discovery will feature the debut of Ethan Peck as Spock, so naturally Peck has been making the rounds.

A beard with a purpose

Previews of his Spock have gotten a lot of attention for showing him with a beard. In an interview with TVLine, the actor revealed the facial hair has a purpose:

[Peck] sees Spock’s hair and beard as a hint at the youthful tumult going on inside him: “This is a time in Spock’s life when I think the deep inner conflict of human versus Vulcan really comes to the surface… so I think it’s an expression of his state of mind.” Yes, Peck is aware that Spock’s new look is “controversial,” but he doesn’t mind… adding that viewers will learn the reasoning behind it by season’s end: “People are gonna hate on it. People are gonna love on it, hopefully, too. But it’s done for a really remarkable reason that will be revealed by the end of the season.”

How Peck prepared for Spock

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Peck told them he drew a lot of inspiration from the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy:

I spent a lot of time with the original series and his performance. As I would review my lines, I would have an episode on and try to absorb the musicality of his voice and pay attention to what he did. I saw someone who had a great awareness of the emotional world around him. Spock’s often referred to as a computer, unemotional. But I think he’s deeply emotional; he just doesn’t interface with the emotion going on around him. He chooses very carefully how to engage with it and speak to it. Often, we may fall into hysterics, joy or anger over a given situation. He tends to see that but operates from a place purely from logic, which is quintessential Spock. There’s a wisdom to Spock, but I think with him comes emotional struggle and strife. That was what was on the page for me for Discovery. Somebody who’s having deep feelings in his life, and it’s shaping who he will become.

He also spoke about how he met with the Nimoy family to get a better sense of how Leonard played Spock:

It was really special. I found out the week before that I had gotten the job. I was overwhelmed. I was still in shock the following week. I was curious to meet them, and CBS arranged a time for us to get together. Leonard Nimoy’s children were so open, kind and welcoming. They were very there for me and curious about what my plans were for my preparation. We spoke about how Nimoy prepared. It was one of the first steps to feel worthy of doing this.

More hype for “Light and Shadows” from Airiam actress

This morning, Airiam 2.5 actress Hannah Cheesman shared a photo of her makeup process as she implored fans to tune in tonight.

Airiam 2.5, under construction! This was the beginning of a 2.5 hr (hmmm, fitting!) process, about 25 min into prosthetics. A daily ritual that saw me transform! … so come watch TONIGHT — ep 7 is happeninnnng! #airiam #startrek #startrekcbs #prosthetics @startrekcbs pic.twitter.com/0xNuwMS40B — Hannah Cheesman (@HannahCheesman) February 28, 2019

Martin-Green happy her role is encouraging girls to explore STEM

Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green has a featured interview and photo spread in the March issue of Essense Magazine, which was previewed online by writer Candice Fredrick. One of the subjects Martin-Green talks about is how she is proud that playing Science Officer Michael Burnham can be an inspiration to young girls:

Parents tell me their girls are interested in math, science and technology after watching the show. That’s incredible. It makes me want to work harder. It makes me more grateful…and the way to continue opening these doors is by continuing to do what we’re doing: telling these varied, interesting, compelling, ugly, beautiful, human stories.

Cast and crew celebrate season three pickup

Yesterday’s big news of CBS officially renewing Discovery for a third season was celebrated on social media by many from the cast and crew.

Actor Wilson Cruz offered up some hype for season 3, while throwing some shade to those who doubted the renewal was coming, which he got into more in another Twitter thread.

Ahem, Ahem… Let’s DO this! Come on SEASON 3! Y’all are NOT READY for what about to come at you!! 🤪🖖🏽 Also, I’m not going to say I told ya so… Ok, that’s a lie… I TOLD YA SO!#StarTrekDiscovery ⁦@startrekcbs⁩ https://t.co/15CQFwXikJ — Wilson Cruz (@wcruz73) February 27, 2019

Actor Anthony Rapp expressed his joy at the news, and his hope for even more seasons to come.

Very happy that with this announcement it’s official! The response to @startrekcbs season 2 has been phenomenal, and we are thrilled to get to continue bringing the @StarTrek universe to life with the telling of Discovery’s story in season 3. And hopefully beyond… https://t.co/X3bdW2s8An — Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) February 27, 2019

Doug Jones found a photo to express his feelings about it.

This is what a cast looks like when we hear a show we’re on just got officially picked up for a 3rd season!!! #startrekdiscovery@startrekcbs @StarTrekNetflix @CBSAllAccess @SpaceChannel @CraveCanada pic.twitter.com/d4YHuOvlpE — Doug Jones (@actordougjones) February 28, 2019

Actress Mary Chieffo offered her congrats to the Star Trek: Discovery family.

Writer and executive story editor (and co-showrunner for the Michelle Yeoh Section 31 series in development) Erika Lippoldt offered her enthusiasm for Michelle Paradise being bumped up to co-showrunner of Discovery.

More #StarTrekDiscovery coming your way! So excited to follow our fearless captain @michelleparadis toward new adventures 🚀 https://t.co/RZB86lzsIp — Erika Lippoldt (@gryphonmetal) February 27, 2019

Prop master Mario Moreira was happy to share the news of the renewal.

Art director Matt Middleton looks like he is eager to get back to work.

Good news for Trek fans. Let's get to it! https://t.co/2e8cA2zWRn — Matt Middleton (@MattMiddleton1) February 27, 2019

Composer Jeff Russo had his reaction to the writers’ room “301” whiteboard tweet, with his own musical version.

Discovery Season 2, Episode 7 debuts tonight

Star Trek: Discovery is available exclusively in the USA on CBS All Access. It airs in Canada on Space and streams on CraveTV. It is available on Netflix everywhere else.

“Light and Shadows” will be released on All Access on tonight at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT. It will air on Space at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT tonight. It will be available on Netflix tomorrow morning, Friday, March 1st, 2019.

Keep up with all the Star Trek: Discovery news at TrekMovie.