Star Trek: Discovery - 5 Burning Questions Going Into Season 3
At the end of its second season, Star Trek: Discovery did what could be considered a "soft reboot." The titular vessel sailed into a wormhole, sending it 930 years into the future and causing it to be stricken from the Starfleet canon we know. But while the Season 2 finale answered a lot of questions about the series, more questions have taken their places for Season 3.
What Does the Star Trek Universe Look Like in 3188?
A leap forward of almost a millennium is obviously going to result in many changes, especially with the revelation that the Federation has collapsed in that time. Going to the farthest forward point in Trek canon so far means the show isn't beholden to including or excluding anything from previous series. Will typical enemies like the Klingons, Romulans and Cardassians exist in the far future? How does 32nd century technology compare to what we've already seen? And with the fall of the Federation, will scarcity and economy take control again?
What is "The Burn"?
In the final trailer for Discovery Season 3, new character Book tells Michael Burnham about a mysterious event called "The Burn" that happened years ago. In it, according to him, "the galaxy took a hard left," leading to the disappearance of Starfleet and the universe that the season will take place in. It's obvious that "The Burn" has to be big enough to cause the largest institution in the universe to disintegrate. But is it a cataclysmic event on the scale of the Romulan genocide seen in Star Trek: Picard, or a more nefarious inside job aimed to destroy the Federation from within?
Who Will Be Discovery's Captain?
Unlike other Star Trek series, Discovery has an issue retaining captains. At the end of both seasons so far, the appointed captain left the chair for one reason or another. While Commander Saru eventually stepped up, the Kelpien's position as permanent captain is far from guaranteed, especially with the presence of Michael Burnham aboard the ship. Actors Sonequa Martin-Green and Doug Jones said in the series New York Comic-Con @ Home panel that this season will focus on the two jockeying to lead the Discovery, so it should be the central conflict within the crew.
What's the Status of Stamets and Culber?
Discovery's "it couple" had a rough go of it in Season 2. Though Hugh Culber was killed by Ash Tyler in Season 1, his partner Paul Stamets found his spirit preserved in the mycelial network. When Culber came back, he was seemingly a different person, including in his relationship. Eventually, Stamets was ready to move on from the Discovery with several new opportunities, only to be caught in the plan to send the ship into the future. In their final scene of Season 2, Culber monologued to an unconscious Stamets about his feelings for him, saying, "I'm your family. Wherever we go from here, we go together." Perhaps Season 3 will allow "Culbets" to rediscover each other.
Will Discovery Ever Go Back to the 2200s?
The Season 2 finale established that Discovery's mission was a one-way trip, a sacrifice play to make sure the malevolent A.I. Control would not destroy the universe. But with the mission accomplished, there's some question as to if the crew will now want to try to get back to their own time, especially with the time travel technology of the Red Angel suit in their possession. The biggest indicator of at least some success in a jump back is Philippa Georgiou. Though she is currently onboard Discovery, the Mirror Universe character is planned to lead a Section 31 spin-off series at some point, meaning she'll almost certainly have to make her way back at some point.
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 Grey, Tig Notaro as Chief Engineer Reno, Ethan Peck as Spock and Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou. Season 3 premieres October 15.
Source: www.cbr.com