Star Trek Discovery's Spock Retcon Makes Sense

Screen Rant

Star Trek Discovery Producers Promise Spock Retcon Will Make Sense

By Emily Donn

Published Jul 23, 2017

The producers of Star Trek Discovery promise that the newly revealed connection between Commander Michael Burnham and Spock will make sense.

The familial connection between Mr. Spock and Commander Michael Burnham will make sense, Star Trek: Discovery's producers promise. Comic-Con is a time when secrets and information are revealed about some of the biggest titles in film, television, and comic books. All weekend long there have been casting announcements, plot revelations, and new trailers, giving fans a ton of information about their favorite and most anticipated entertainment.

The new trailer for Star Trek: Discovery - as well as the show's panel - revealed a ton of new information: the first real footage of Sarek, Harry Mudd, and Captain Lorca was seen; some plot information - including the possibility that Commander Michael Burnham might have helped inadvertently start a war with the Klingons - were revealed; but perhaps the biggest reveal of all is that Burnham has a rather close connection to original series character Spock. She and he are half-brother and sister.

Spock has never mentioned a sister before, specifically one that is not Vulcan. But the show's official Twitter account revealed that Discovery EP Alex Kurtzman has promised the connection will be explained and that Spock and Burnham's relationship will make sense within the canon, eventually.

Regarding why there's never been any mention of Spock's half-sibling, Michal Burnham before, EP Alex Kurtzman said... #SDCC2017— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) July 22, 2017

"We're aware. You'll see where it's going, but we are staying consistent with canon." #SDCC2017— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) July 22, 2017

It has been previously revealed that Burnham has connections to Vulcan; she is the first human to attend the Vulcan Learning Center and the Vulcan Science Academy. Now that information makes a lot more sense. Even if she is 100% human, her mother Amanda went to live on Vulcan with her husband Sarek, so Burnham would have been raised by her mother and step-father on his homeworld.

Burnham's relationship to both Spock and Sarek is something of a retcon - since she has never been mentioned before. However, Spock not talking about his family is a long established trait. He never mentioned Sarek being his father to his best friend Captain Kirk until he absolutely had to. And he has another half-sibling - Vulcan brother Sybok - who again was not mentioned until Spock had no other choice. So it is very much in character for Spock to go years without talking about his half-sister, even if she is also a Starfleet officer like him.

The new trailer showed this connection will be an important factor, showing Burnham talking to Sarek. While the Vulcan ambassador had a tense and difficult relationship with son Spock, it seems like he is closer to his step-daughter. And while Burnham is not without emotions, she does seem to be skilled at the vulcan ability to apply logic to whatever situation she is in. While human, she clearly learned quite a lot living on Vulcan and with Sarek as her step-father.

Star Trek: Discovery premieres September 24 on CBS, before moving to CBS All Access for further episodes.