Star Trek Discovery Should Introduce Spock In Season 2

Caution: Spoilers ahead for Star Trek: Discovery

Star Trek: Discovery has just finished Season 1, but the journey is far from over - and in its next stage should definitely include Spock. Discovery wrapped up its maiden voyage with an almighty bombshell of a closing scene; while heading to Vulcan to pick up its new Captain, the Discovery received a distress call from none other than the U.S.S. Enterprise and its current leader, Christopher Pike. The episode ended with a final shot of the Discovery nose-to-nose with the Enterprise in a moment that had the Star Trek faithful foaming at the mouth.

Star Trek: Discovery has not been shy about referencing the franchise's illustrious and rich history, with Easter eggs referencing everything from Tribbles to Jonathan Archer. However, the show has been more reserved in alluding to the current status of the Enterprise and its crew. Given Starfleet's war against the Klingons, the Enterprise has almost been conspicuous by its absence and considering the presence of both Sarek and Burnham, references to Spock have been few and far between.

However, it appears these particular elements were being saved for Discovery's final act. With the Enterprise comes its first officer, Spock, who would have been serving on board under Pike at this time. While re-casting Spock could hardly be considered boldly going where no man has gone before, here's why Star Trek: Discovery should bite the bullet and reveal Spock on-screen in its forthcoming second season.

This Page: NOT Using Spock In Discovery Would Be A Cop-Out

NOT Using Spock In Discovery Would Be A Cop-Out

Star Trek - The Discovery and the Enterprise

The most prominent reason for Star Trek: Discovery to introduce Spock in Season 2 is that to not do so at this point would feel like a huge letdown. Discovery has been a critical success in its own right without ever relying too heavily on nostalgia and it certainly doesn't need the inclusion of famous legendary characters to be interesting or relevant. However, with the recent season finale bringing the Enterprise and the Discovery to within touching distance of each other, introducing the likes of Pike and Spock is the only logical next step. Any attempt to wriggle out of doing so now would feel like a complete cop-out.

Producers Aaron Harberts and Alex Kurtzman have been predictably coy on the topic of Spock and/or Pike turning up in Discovery, neither ruling out nor committing to the idea. The duo's comments since the finale aired do, however, confirm that the Enterprise will be a factor in next season's story. But what would be the point without the ship's most famous crew member? If Discovery's Enterprise storyline is resolved without any appearance of the pointy-eared scientist, not only would many viewers feel frustrated, but Spock's presence in the show would become more of an elephant in the room than it already is.

This is especially true when taking into consideration the telling glance between Burnham (Spock's adoptive sister) and Sarek as they discover the Enterprise is in trouble. Both characters are aware that Spock is on the ship and are visibly concerned that disaster may have befallen him. The scene sets up the question of "Is Spock alright?" and that will need to be answered in Season 2. Can a satisfying resolution really be reached without ever showing the character on screen?

Michael Burnham and Spock in Star Trek Discovery

Spock Can Address Star Trek: Discovery's Biggest Criticism

Star Trek: Discovery's debut season has received a largely positive response but perhaps the most frequent criticism aimed at the show has been its relationship with the franchise's established canon. Long-time Trek fans have taken issue with the physical design of the Klingons, the advanced technology on display and the softer characterization of Sarek. Harberts had previously promised that these continuity issues would be cleared up in Season 2 and both he and Kurtzman are now suggesting that the introduction of the Enterprise will facilitate this.

If fixing canon is the name of the game, then the introduction of Spock could prove very useful indeed, particularly with regards to Sarek and Burnham. Two of Discovery's most talked-about inconsistencies have been Spock never previously mentioning his adoptive sister and Sarek appearing far more emotional - and perhaps even "human" - than he ever did in the original series.

Bringing Spock into Discovery may go a long way towards answering these questions. Witnessing how the Vulcan interacts with Burnham could explain why he neglected to mention her over the past fifty years of big and small screen output. Furthermore, bringing Spock and Sarek together may allow Discovery to show the latter's more traditional, harsher personality and highlight a difference in how Sarek treats his children.

However, it should be noted that Spock once claimed in Star Trek: The Original Series ("Journey To Babel") to have not spoken to his father for eighteen years. As such, any meeting between Spock and Sarek in Discovery could risk creating another canon inconsistency.

Should Zachary Quinto Return As Spock?

Spock appearing in Star Trek: Discovery would be a huge moment for the show but would need to be handled with care in order to succeed. Kurtzman has already confirmed that the appearance of the Enterprise won't "overshadow" the Discovery in Season 2 and therefore the idea of Spock joining as a full-time cast member can be more or less ruled out. Any appearance by the Vulcan is likely to be either for a limited run of episodes or as a mere cameo.

Nevertheless, thoughts naturally turn to how Discovery could execute this milestone appearance. Zachary Quinto has already portrayed a young Spock on the big screen in the Kelvin trilogy and, given that the actor made his name in Heroes, may not be averse to reprising the role on television. It would certainly benefit Discovery to avoid the casting of a brand new actor and the inevitable controversy that would follow. Any timeline issues could also be sidestepped thanks to the general cohesiveness. However, if Spock's appearance in Discovery is brief, then a CGI reconstruction may be another viable option, similar to the resurrection of Grand Moff Tarkin in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. That said, whether a television budget could stretch to such effects would be the biggest potential stumbling block.

However they go about it, Star Trek: Discovery has written itself into a position where introducing Spock is seemingly inevitable and as long as the thrill of nostalgia doesn't overstay its welcome, the character's presence should help the show prosper in its second outing.

More: These Star Trek: Discovery Theories Turned Out To Be True

Star Trek: Discovery season 2 is currently without a release date. More news as it arrives.