Uncharted Horizons: The Epic Journey of Michael Burnham to Command the Starship

Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) has overcome adversity to become a member of the esteemed team of Star Trek captains. How did she manage to rise above her troubled past? Developing a redemption storyline is a common occurrence in any franchise. Audiences are captivated by characters who make poor choices, strive to make amends, and emerge stronger on the other side. Star Trek: Discovery first introduced Michael Burnham when the United Federation of Planets was on the brink of war with the Klingon Empire. Defying her superiors, she became a mutineer while advocating for violence as a means to achieve peace.

Throughout her career as a Starfleet officer, Burnham continued to face moral dilemmas. She often found herself standing alone in her beliefs, but her unwavering determination in the face of adversity is what ultimately qualified her to become a captain. Burnham never backed down when faced with challenges, yet at the same time, she learned the importance of carefully considering her options before taking decisive actions. This was a difficult lesson for the headstrong young officer, but a necessary one for her growth as a character.

Michael Burnham, the Mutineer

In Star Trek: Discovery, Burnham's background is revealed as being adopted by Sarek and Amanda Grayson, the parents of Mr. Spock. The revelation is twofold: she is Spock's foster sister and a human raised on Vulcan. Despite lacking Vulcan features, Burnham shares the same dedication to logic as her Vulcan peers. This doesn't overshadow her emotional human side, but rather adds another dimension to her character. In an effort to convince Captain Philippa Georgiou to take offensive action against a rogue Klingon ship, Burnham first tries reasoning with Georgiou, then resorts to emotional pleas. When all else fails, Burnham takes desperate measures by administering a Vulcan neck pinch to Georgiou and attempting to take command of the USS Shenzhou. This incident leads to Georgiou's death and leaves Burnham labeled as the mutineer responsible for sparking the war with the Klingons.

Michael Burnham Gets a Second Chance

Star Trek Discovery Michael Burnham

Six months later, Burnham was being moved between prison facilities when her ship was saved by the USS Discovery in season 1, episode 4, "Context is for Kings." As a result, she found herself temporarily stationed in Engineering alongside Ensign Sylvia Tilly and Commander Paul Stamets. Initially, it seemed like a fortunate coincidence. However, it was later revealed that Captain Gabriel Lorca had hidden intentions for accepting Burnham onto his science vessel. Collaborating with Stamets, Lorca was secretly working on developing the Displacement-Activated Spore Hub Drive, also known as the spore drive, utilizing ethically questionable methods involving a tardigrade named Ripper.

Lorca's expectations of Burnham were that she would be a wild child who enjoyed breaking rules simply because she could. Not only did Discovery viewers and other crew members anticipate her to be filled with anger, malice, and a craving for trouble, but even Lorca himself held this misguided belief. However, Burnham surprised everyone by revealing her compassion, respect for Starfleet, and genuine desire to do good. In reality, Burnham's actions were driven by her desperation to give her colleagues a fighting chance, rather than being the result of reckless criminal behavior fueled by a desire for chaos. In fact, it was her deep respect for Starfleet that compelled her to make a difficult decision, risking her own career, all in an effort to save lives. This marked just the beginning of her heart shining brighter than her past mistakes.

Michael Burnham’s Redemption Arc

Burnham's journey in Discovery has primarily focused on showcasing her in a more positive light through various impactful moments. She resolutely opposed the unethical exploitation of a sentient being, fearlessly championed her convictions even when faced with isolation, and consistently supported her crew. She humbly let go of her own ego and embraced trust in others. Moreover, she experienced profound love, first with Ash Tyler (Shazad Latif) and later with Cleveland Booker (David Ajala), demonstrating her willingness to be vulnerable.

Burnham’s journey has also revolved around significant milestones. She made tremendous sacrifices in order to safeguard the galaxy from Control, an AI system responsible for a threat assessment. Moreover, she played a vital role in unraveling the mystery behind the Burn, a catastrophic event that resulted in the destruction of innumerable Starfleet officers' warp cores. A pivotal moment occurred in season 3, episode 13, "That Hope is You (Part II)," where Burnham systematically dismantled the formidable Orion crime syndicate by eliminating their leader, Osyraa (portrayed by Janet Kidder). This bold and efficacious triumph ultimately led Burnham to assume the role of captain, signifying the continuation of her extraordinary narrative. However, her journey did not end there. Subsequently, she propelled the USS Discovery crew beyond the Galactic Barrier, venturing into uncharted territory and truly exploring where no one had ventured before.

Many viewers argue that Burnham is a Mary Sue, believing that she faces no consequences and does as she pleases. However, her character development showcases how her actions affect others. She is forced to confront the impact of her mutiny on Starfleet, even if she was justified in her actions. Additionally, her interactions with individual crew members constantly serve as reminders of the consequences of her choices, both positive and negative. Burnham seldom escapes moments of self-reflection, where her flaws are brought to her attention.

Similar to previous captains, Burnham confronts her own mistakes even after attaining the captain's chair. Her journey to becoming a captain is riddled with imperfections, challenges, and significant obstacles. The key is her perseverance through the most difficult trials, emerging as an improved version of herself. She earns the title of captain by developing into a strong leader and bearing the weight of immense responsibility. However, she becomes one of the finest captains in Star Trek by skillfully utilizing her strengths and placing trust in her team to keep up with her.