The Legacy of Spock: Unveiling Star Trek Discovery's Ultimate Anti-Hero
Spock's actions concealed Discovery's existence, leaving Starfleet oblivious to Emperor Georgiou Imagine the consequences if Section 31's ruthless ruler emerges in the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Article Overview
The contribution of Emperor Philippa Georgiou in preventing the A.I. Control and her presence aboard the USS Discovery may have been intentionally erased from Starfleet's records in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Lt. Spock excellently ensured that all traces of the Discovery's events, along with any mention of Emperor Georgiou, were effectively eradicated from Starfleet records.
If Emperor Georgiou were to make an appearance in the 24th century era of Star Trek: The Next Generation, her presence would provide a distinct and contrasting viewpoint to the structured Starfleet of that period. Her merciless strategies could potentially prove beneficial to Section 31.
Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) held great significance in Star Trek: Discovery, but her role seems to have been erased from Starfleet's history during the time of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Following the USS Discovery's journey 930 years into the future at the conclusion of Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Starfleet classified information about the Crossfield Class ship and redacted its records under the command of Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) to protect his adopted sister, Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). As Emperor Georgiou traveled to the future with the Discovery crew, any mention of her involvement in halting the malevolent A.I. Control likely disappeared and eventually faded from memory.
In reality, the absence of Philippa Georgiou in TNG can be attributed to the fact that the character had not yet been introduced. However, this does not explain the lack of references to her in Star Trek: Lower Decks. Given the series' frequent allusions to past Star Trek events, it would be logical to mention Emperor Georgiou, if she were not forgotten. The absence of any mention or acknowledgement of Emperor Georgiou or the USS Discovery in Lower Decks suggests that Spock successfully wiped the events relating to the Discovery from Starfleet records.
Spock Redacted Discovery Knowledge So Starfleet Forgot About Emperor Georgiou
After the events of Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Spock, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), First Officer Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn), and Ash Tyler (Shazad Latif) informed Starfleet Command that the USS Discovery had been destroyed and all crew members were lost. Spock then insisted on a strict oath of secrecy, under threat of treason, to ensure that no one would reveal any knowledge about the events involving the Discovery. This would also include any reference to Emperor Philippa Georgiou and her transition from the Mirror Universe. Mirror Georgiou briefly impersonated her Prime Universe counterpart, Captain Phillipa Georgiou, and played a key role in Starfleet's triumph in the Klingon War of 2256-2257, but it is highly likely that her involvement in these events has been hidden from official records.
The Prime Universe version of Georgiou was killed by the Klingon T'Kuvma (Chris Obi) in the second episode of Discovery, and it is this version of Georgiou that Starfleet is most likely to remember.
What Happens If Section 31’s Emperor Georgiou Appears In Star Trek: TNG’s Era?
After erasing most, if not all, references to Mirror Philippa Georgiou from historical records, Starfleet likely overlooked her existence in the following decades. By the time the TNG era arrived, the USS Discovery and its obliteration had likely been reduced to a mere sidenote in Federation history. Spock specifically advocated for the removal of any mention of Discovery's spore drive, the very feature that distinguished the ship and contributed to its historic significance. Without it, the Discovery and its ill-fated crew transformed into just another tragic event in Starfleet's extensive chronicles. Any acknowledgment of Mirror Georgiou would only provoke unnecessary inquiries that Starfleet lacks the capability (or inclination) to address.
After the USS Discovery traveled to the 32nd century, Emperor Georgiou began experiencing painful flashbacks as a result of being displaced in time and dimension. To prevent her condition from killing her, Georgiou accompanied Commander Michael Burnham to Dannus V, where they encountered the Guardian of Forever. Georgiou passed the Guardian's test, granting her the opportunity to travel through a portal to a time when the mirror universe and prime universe were still aligned. Without any other information, it is uncertain where Georgiou will arrive in the Star Trek timeline, potentially including the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation in the 24th century.
Very little has been revealed about the upcoming Star Trek: Section 31 movie, leaving open the possibility of it taking place in any era of the Star Trek universe. The 24th century could be an intriguing choice for the film's setting, considering Georgiou's unfamiliarity with that time period. In the 24th century, Georgiou's personality and mindset would greatly contrast with the more structured Starfleet, but her unique perspective could prove valuable to Section 31 during this era. Just as she assisted Starfleet against the Klingons in Star Trek: Discovery, Georgiou could potentially help the Starfleet or Section 31 of the TNG era develop more ruthless strategies to combat their adversaries.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I find it intriguing that the legacy of Spock involves concealing the existence of the USS Discovery and the pivotal role of Emperor Philippa Georgiou in preventing the A.I. Control. Spock's actions in erasing all traces of the Discovery and Georgiou from Starfleet records create a sense of mystery and intrigue, hinting at a larger story yet to be fully revealed.
The idea that Emperor Georgiou's ruthless strategies could potentially benefit Section 31 in the era of Star Trek: The Next Generation is an exciting prospect. Her presence would provide a contrasting viewpoint to the structured Starfleet of that period, challenging the established norms and introducing new possibilities for storytelling. It would be fascinating to explore how Georgiou's methods and philosophies interact with the more diplomatic and peaceful approach of the Federation in the 24th century.
