Unveiling the Surprising Connection: Spock's Great Grandfather Shines in Star Trek: First Contact

Summary

The first Vulcan known to have initiated a handshake with a human was Solkar, Spock's great-grandfather. This act set in motion a chain of events that ultimately led to the establishment of the United Federation of Planets.

Solkar's position as Earth's inaugural Vulcan ambassador forms a potent bond between humans and Vulcans. Solkar's portrayal in Star Trek: First Contact offers a heartfelt homage to Leonard Nimoy's iconic Spock and underscores the importance of Vulcans within the Star Trek universe.

The iconic character Spock from Star Trek, played by Leonard Nimoy, did not appear in Star Trek: First Contact for obvious reasons. However, his great-grandfather does make an appearance at the end of the movie. Being Vulcans, Spock's family has a rich history with the Federation, dating even further back than his father Sarek, played by Mark Lenard. Therefore, it is logical to connect the family to the significant first meeting between Zefram Cochrane and the Vulcans, as depicted in First Contact. While it has never been explicitly confirmed on-screen, there is a compelling argument to suggest that Spock's great-grandfather was the first Vulcan to shake a human hand.

In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Sarek, Spock's father, is described as "son of Skon, son of Solkar." This line can be interpreted in different ways. The widely accepted interpretation is that Sarek's father is Skon, who in turn is the son of Solkar, making Solkar Sarek's grandfather. However, Who's Who in Star Trek 2 offers an alternative interpretation, suggesting that Solkar is actually Sarek's mother. This information appears only in this source. Solkar is later mentioned in Star Trek: Enterprise season 2, episode 12, "The Catwalk," as the first Vulcan ambassador to Earth, implying a connection to the events of Star Trek: First Contact.

Spock’s Great Grandfather Solkar Was The Vulcan In Star Trek: First Contact

Zefram Cochrane, the inventor of Star Trek's warp drive, encountered the Vulcan delegation when their passing ship detected the warp signature of the Phoenix. This encounter would eventually lead to the creation of the United Federation of Planets, with Humans and Vulcans as founding members. Serving as diplomats for the Federation were Sarek, Spock, and Spock's grandfather Skon. However, it was actually Spock's great-grandfather who initiated these events by meeting Zefram Cochrane in Montana on April 5, 2063.

In 2063, Solkar, the captain of the T'Plana-Hath, landed in Montana. As Spock's great-grandfather, he warmly welcomed Cochrane with the traditional Vulcan salute, setting in motion the events that would culminate in the formation of the Federation. It was fitting for Solkar to be the first Vulcan ambassador to Earth, as the initial contact between Vulcans and Humans was crucial. This allowed him to maintain a connection with Cochrane and the Earth government, initiating the process of guiding Humanity towards exploring the vastness of space. This connection between Solkar and Starfleet continued throughout three more generations.

What Spock’s Great Grandfather As The Vulcan In First Contact Means For Star Trek

Spock's great-grandfather, the first Vulcan Ambassador, highlights the deep disappointment that sparked a long-standing feud between him and his father, Sarek. Sarek was disheartened when Spock chose to join Starfleet Academy rather than following in his footsteps at the Vulcan Science Academy. Adding to this complexity is the introduction of Solkar in Star Trek: First Contact, another Vulcan explorer and ambassador. This means that Spock was the first in his family to study at Starfleet Academy instead of the Vulcan equivalent. Such circumstances intensified Sarek's disappointment and placed greater expectations on Spock, shedding light on their estrangement over the years.

Taking a step back, Solkar in Star Trek: First Contact serves as a heartfelt tribute to Leonard Nimoy's portrayal of Spock. Nimoy was the original Vulcan character in Star Trek and the first of his kind encountered by viewers at home. The fact that it is the Vulcans, specifically Spock's great-grandfather Solkar, who initiate humanity's First Contact is a poignant connection. It underscores the significant role of the Vulcans in the Star Trek narrative, as well as Leonard Nimoy's immense contribution to the franchise as a whole.

Is Spock’s Great Grandfather In Star Trek: First Contact Canon?

Michael Sussman, the writer of the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "The Catwalk," aimed to retcon the Vulcan Captain Solkar as Spock's great-grandfather. However, there is no evidence of this in the original Star Trek: First Contact script by Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore. In the closing credits of First Contact, the character is simply listed as Vulcan, played by Cully Fredricksen. Consequently, there is no reason why the character couldn't retrospectively be seen as Solkar, the first in the family line of Vulcan diplomats that leads to Spock. Although it is possible that the character is just another Vulcan, Sussman's retcon has a greater impact.

Star Trek: Enterprise indirectly suggests Solkar's involvement in the events of Star Trek: First Contact, and two pieces of extended Star Trek media, the Star Trek Customizable Card Game and Stellar Cartography: The Starfleet Reference Guide, definitively support Sussman's account. They state that Solkar is Spock's great-grandfather and the Captain of the T'Plana-Hath, confirming his role in shaking Zefram Cochrane's hand in Montana on that historic April evening. Until this information is officially confirmed on-screen, it remains up to the fans to decide whether Spock's great-grandfather is considered canon or not.