The Mind-Blowing Identity Twist: Unveiling Ash Tyler/Voq in Star Trek: Discovery

Ash Tyler (Shazad Latif) caused a major stir among the Discovery crew with his complex backstory, making him one of the most intriguing Star Trek characters. Initially, when Ash made his debut on Discovery, there were doubts surrounding his past. He claimed to have been held captive by the Klingons for seven months during the war. Despite this claim, Captain Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs) found it hard to believe when they met in season 1, episode 5, "Choose Your Pain." Ash later revealed that the Klingon Captain L'Rell (Mary Chieffo) was using him for her own needs.

Discovery skillfully portrayed Ash as an innocent Starfleet officer trapped in a difficult situation, until the shocking truth about his true identity was exposed in season 1, episode 11, "The Wolf Inside." Ash confessed to his girlfriend and fellow officer Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) that he was not in control of his body and believed his mind had been taken over by Voq, L'Rell's lover. As fans later discovered, he had been transformed into a sleeper agent as part of a Klingon plan to infiltrate Starfleet. Ash's revelation not only left the USS Discovery crew in disarray as they struggled to come to terms with the truth but also left viewers questioning his true nature from the very beginning.

The Real Ash Tyler

Star Trek has a long history of featuring undercover agents, and Ash wasn't the first character to undergo significant transformations for a greater political cause. In the Original Series, there was Thelev (played by William O'Connell), who posed as an Andorian delegate but was actually an Orion. His ultimate objective in the episode "Journey to Babel," from season 2, was to secure his people's access to dilithium, a crucial resource for their ships. Thelev's true identity remained hidden until Dr. McCoy conducted an autopsy on him.

However, unlike Thelev, Ash never willingly became a vessel for a Klingon warrior. In fact, he had no say in the matter at all. Voq, along with his lover and co-conspirator L'Rell, made the decision to transform Ash without his consent.

L'Rell & Voq

Ash Tyler, a vulnerable young man with valuable intel, was held captive by the Klingons. Originally hailing from Issaquah, a small city near Seattle, WA, Ash grew up without a father and tragically lost his mother during her first vacation in twelve years as a 3rd grade teacher. Despite his challenging past, Ash enjoyed the luxury of a lake house and a boat near Lake Shasta, CA, where he indulged in his passion for water-skiing. His hard work paid off when he earned a promotion to Lieutenant on the USS Yeager. Unlike Garak from Deep Space Nine, whose life was immersed in spy games, Ash Tyler led a seemingly ordinary existence. However, everything changed for him when he was captured by the Klingon Empire during the Battle of the Binary Stars in 2256. From that moment on, Ash's life would never be the same again.

Not only Ash's sudden appearance in Discovery was a cause for concern, but there were also other red flags indicating that things were not as they seemed. In the series premiere, L'Rell pledged her loyalty to Voq, but there was no sign of his return, and she did not perform the traditional Klingon mourning rituals for his passing. Moreover, when Ash and L'Rell reunited, there was a level of familiarity between them that raised questions. Ash was haunted by memories of the actions L'Rell had coerced him into for the sake of survival. In hindsight, all these subtle clues made sense. It became apparent that L'Rell used the choH'a' ritual to merge Voq's consciousness with Ash. The connection between L'Rell and Ash was less about her mistreatment of Ash and more about her romance with Voq.

It was a similar case with Ash's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms relating to his previous encounters with L'Rell. He was experiencing vivid recollections of a life he had never actually lived, gaining fluency in the Klingon language without actively learning it, and harboring romantic feelings for someone who had caused him immense pain. Describing L'Rell's relationship with both Voq and Ash as complicated would be an understatement. She and Voq were deeply in love with each other. L'Rell manipulated Ash's body in an attempt to resurrect Voq. She also conceived her son Tenavik with Voq, but Ash felt a sense of duty to protect and care for the child as a father figure. L'Rell was prepared to give up her life for Voq, only to use the same choH'a' that had initially condemned him to save Ash.

The Aftermath of a Sinister Plot

Star Trek Discovery Ash Tyler

Despite enduring immense suffering and being manipulated to doubt his own perception of reality, Ash Tyler should have been a broken individual for the duration of his time in Discovery. The consistent mistreatment and transformation into a potential menace not only posed a threat to the Federation but also jeopardized the well-being of honorable individuals like Michael Burnham and Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz). However, instead of succumbing to despair, Ash underwent a remarkable transformation, a narrative arc that could stand on its own.

While Ash grappled with the magnitude of the events that transpired, he compelled himself to journey to Qo'noS, the Klingon homeworld, in order to assist L'Rell in the fifteenth episode of the first season, titled "Will You Take My Hand?" This act served as a means for him to apply the knowledge he acquired while sharing consciousness with Voq in a constructive manner. Faced with a choice between harnessing the power of his trauma or succumbing to its overwhelming weight, Ash's decision exemplified his true character. His ability to discover such fortitude, following a trial that no other Star Trek character had ever encountered, was a testament to his remarkable strength.

Ash, a controversial figure in Discovery, initially began as a prisoner of war and later became Michael's love interest. However, the discovery of his hidden and unknown dark secrets added another layer to his character. The way he was utilized in the show was reminiscent of how Ben Wilkinson on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was revealed to share consciousness with the antagonist, Glory.

Following the reveal, the crew of the USS Discovery and Ash himself were left unsure of what to do next. Ash never intended to harm Michael, unintentionally cause the death of Hugh, or leave behind a damaged Starfleet while attempting to make amends as a sleeper agent. He was simply caught in the midst of a complicated situation, and in some ways, that is the most sorrowful aspect.

However, Ash's story goes beyond his hardships. It delves into his resilience and determination. He managed to reconcile with Michael and even reached a level of understanding with Hugh. Eventually, he rose to the position of commander within the secretive organization known as Section 31. Fans and Star Trek enthusiasts alike remain curious about Ash's true identity and why Voq selected him. Unfortunately, the answer may never be fully revealed. Nevertheless, it appears that he will make a comeback alongside the rest of the USS Discovery crew in season 5.