Debuting in season 3, the Emerald Chain are perfectly positioned to return in Star Trek: Discovery season 5. When Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham led her Discovery crew mates into the 32nd century, they discovered a remarkably different galactic landscape. In lieu of Klingons, Gorn, Borg, or mysterious objects floating through space toward the ship's viewing screen, Star Trek: Discovery season 3's far-future villain was the Emerald Chain. A criminal syndicate led by the Orion menace Osyraa, the Emerald Chain ruled over its territory with tyranny, fear and oppression, leaving the depleted Federation powerless to stand against it.
Osyraa died in Star Trek: Discovery season 3, but season 4 confirmed an Emerald Chain remnant remained active, albeit a shadow of its former self. Nevertheless, the organization represents an ideal addition to the forthcoming Star Trek: Discovery season 5. Captain Burnham is yet to face a truly formidable antagonist, with Species 10-C and Tarka occupying moral shades of gray. Likewise, trailer footage for Star Trek: Discovery season 5 shows no hint of a new formidable nemesis for Burnham to butt heads with. Given how Star Trek: Discovery has already confirmed the Emerald Chain's continuing existence, the syndicate is the most logical adversary to fill that void in season 5.
The Emerald Chain Were The Perfect Enemies For Discovery’s Federation
The Emerald Chain's cruel leadership methods make the syndicate a perfect opponent for the Federation of Star Trek: Discovery's future. In the post-Burn 32nd century, the Federation had lost its way. Hidden behind a veil of secrecy, the Federation was not seeking out new life or civilizations, not boldly going, and not exploring strange new worlds. Discovery's arrival from the past served as a timely reminder of the original Federation before the Burn, and Burnham's crew successfully coaxed Starfleet back into action. The Emerald Chain epitomized everything the Federation should stand against, while also highlighting the evil that can rise in a galaxy where Starfleet refuses to act.
The landscape in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is very different, with the balance of power shifted back into the Federation's hands. Bringing the Emerald Chain back into play at this juncture would flip the script on season 3, with the Federation on the defensive, and the Emerald Chain underdogs taking sneaky, underhand measures to overthrow the establishment, making the villains more dangerous than ever. As a bonus benefit, Star Trek: Discovery bringing season 3's villains back for season 5 would give Burnham's generation the recurring original villain that has been missing since Star Trek: Discovery began - a modern equivalent to Klingons, Romulans, Borg and the Dominion.
The Emerald Chain Probably Also Wants Discovery Season 5’s Treasure
As confirmed by Star Trek: Discovery season 5 trailer footage, Kovich is sending Captain Burnham and the Discovery on a treasure hunt of sorts, hunting for some mysterious prize, while competing against other factions and couriers who seek the same goal. If the Emerald Chain still exists in Star Trek: Discovery, it makes sense that Osyraa's remaining cling-ons would attempt to track down the same item, perhaps as a method of restoring the Chain's former glory. Star Trek: Discovery season 5 naturally pits the Federation against the Emerald Chain in a rematch, and to ignore that opportunity would waste a potential goldmine of good vs. evil storytelling.