Summary
Sybok's return in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been teased, but certain things cannot happen with his character due to his role in Star Trek V.
In the new series, it is established in Star Trek V that Spock cannot successfully apprehend Sybok due to their long absence from each other. Additionally, Captain Kirk, unaware of Spock's half-brother until the events of Star Trek V, cannot make any appearances in the episodes featuring Sybok.
Sybok, the Vulcan half-brother of Spock, is set to make a return in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. However, there are limitations to what the show can do with his character due to his role in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. In "The Serene Squall," the seventh episode of season 1, it is revealed that Sybok, going by the name Xaverius, is currently being kept at a Vulcan rehabilitation facility. Although briefly shown in this episode, Sybok has not made any further appearances. Given what took place in Star Trek V, it is clear that certain storylines involving Sybok and his relationship with Spock and Kirk cannot be explored in Strange New Worlds.
Spock Can't Capture Sybok In Strange New Worlds
In Star Trek V, Sybok taunts Spock, claiming that they have finally crossed paths after many years. This taunt impacts Spock's ability to capture Sybok in Strange New Worlds. Although Sybok may eventually escape or be released from Ankeshtan K'til, Spock will always be unable to apprehend him. Sybok's statement suggests that Spock has been tirelessly searching for his half-brother, yet has continuously failed to find him. Despite Spock mentioning in The Final Frontier that he hasn't seen Sybok in ages, this does not exclude the possibility of their encounter in Strange New Worlds, which is set approximately 25 years before Star Trek V.
Upon spotting Sybok on the viewscreen, Spock immediately recognizes him and remarks that he resembles someone from his youth. In Strange New Worlds, Spock is still young and just beginning his journey to reconcile his Vulcan and human identities. Additionally, by the events of Star Trek V, Spock has already experienced death and resurrection. It is reasonable for Spock to refer to his time serving under Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) aboard the Enterprise as his youth, thereby leaving room for the young Spock to potentially interact with his half-brother.
Kirk Can't Be In Any Sybok Strange New Worlds Episodes
Spock's best friend, Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), has no prior knowledge of Sybok until the events of Star Trek V. Initially skeptical, Kirk is shocked when Spock reveals that Sybok is his half-brother. It is unknown to Kirk that Spock has a brother, and this fact cannot be altered by the events of Strange New Worlds. Spock keeps his personal life private and rarely discusses his past, so it is understandable that he would not mention his half-brother. Therefore, if Sybok appears in Strange New Worlds, Kirk will remain oblivious to his existence.
Since James Kirk has not yet become a regular character on Strange New Worlds, it should be easy to exclude him from episodes featuring Sybok. Sybok's brief appearance in "The Serene Squall" foreshadows his return, while his lover, Captain Angel (Jesse James Keitel), is still at large and likely planning to rescue him. Sybok, described as a "Vulcan without logic," never undergoes rehabilitation, suggesting that he escapes from Ankeshtan K'til at some point. While it is advisable for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to bring back Sybok as a character, caution must be exercised in how this is executed.
