The mysteries surrounding Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg) must finally be solved in Star Trek: Discovery season 5. The cryptic 32nd-century Starfleet official always seems to know more than anyone else about the big questions confronting the USS Discovery and her crew, and he clearly holds senior authority. Kovich is a man of secrets, however. While he reliably shares his encyclopedic knowledge to help Discovery's heroes, Kovich has already been shrouded in mystery for two full seasons.
Kovich presents himself as a soft-spoken intellectual, nondescript but for the enormous rectangular glasses he wears to make himself "look smarter." David Cronenberg lends Star Trek: Discovery compelling star power, and his understated performances offer no hint of the visceral spectacles that are his hallmark as a director and master of body horror. Each appearance of Dr. Kovich has proved memorable, from his interrogation of Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) in Star Trek: Discovery season 3 to his role in determining the individual rights of Discovery's sentient A.I., Zora (Annabelle Wallis), in Discovery season 4.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Must Solve The Mystery Of Kovich
Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is the perfect opportunity to answer the backlog of questions about Dr. Kovich. Discovery season 3 introduced the character as Starfleet's resident expert, a thought leader with undefined authority who mainly provided exposition. Star Trek: Discovery season 4 turned Kovich into a more participant, and the bespectacled doctor is clearly a top decision-maker with a demanding slate of undisclosed responsibilities. With the character established and two seasons of intrigue built up around him, Star Trek: Discovery season 5 can finally reveal Dr. Kovich's backstory, or, better yet, develop a story arc for him.
Star Trek: Discovery seasons 3 and 4 offer a few clues to the mystery of Dr. Kovich. In Star Trek: Discovery season 3's finale, "That Hope is You, Part 2," Kovich demurred to Admiral Charles Vance's (Oded Fehr) authority when Burnham asked them to stand down and let Osyraa (Janet Kidder) leave with her aboard the USS Discovery. So, Kovich's authority is civilian or, if military, is subordinate to the Admiral's in tactical situations. Discovery season 4 had Kovich consulting with Starfleet Academy, displaying penetrating insight into Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) from reading his file, deciding Zora's fate when she became sentient, and having responsibilities beyond the imaginations of the DMA task force.
Kovich Can Set Up Future Star Trek Shows
Star Trek: Discovery has set Dr. Kovich up to cross over to other Star Trek shows rumored to be in development. The franchise's 32nd-century universe, as yet largely unexplored and relatively free from canonical constraints, offers plenty of creative freedom, so there could be more Star Trek series to take place in that era. A possible purpose for Kovich could be akin to 32nd-century Star Trek's Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and he could be the linchpin as the connective tissue for Star Trek's world-building in the far future.
The secretive Dr. Kovich could fit well with the long-promised Section 31 Star Trek show since Kovich already has a relationship with Section 31's presumptive lead character, Emperor Georgiou. Star Trek: Discovery season 4, episode 4, "All Is Possible," also set the stage for Kovich and Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) to hold prominent roles in the upcoming series set at Starfleet Academy. Although, there's been no announcement yet on whether that new show will happen or be set in Discovery's 32nd century. It's paramount, however, Star Trek: Discovery season 5 delivers crucial answers about the enigmatic Dr. Kovich.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 is expected to premiere on Paramount+ in 2023.