vulcan canada star trek

VULCAN TOURISM

& trek station, “this town is absolutely amazing. as a star trek fan this town was very exciting to see. everything has a star trek theme.”.

VULCON 2024

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VULCAN, ALBERTA

More info on o ur annual star trek convention.

ACCOMODATIONS

Merchandise, where to stay. where to eat., o ur collection of star trek goods.

• Canada Road Trips
• Canada Abbreviations
• Map of Canada
• British Columbia
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Northwest Territories
• Yukon Territory
• Canadian Experiences

Vulcan, Alberta Canada

Discover vulcan, alberta: the official star trek capital of canada.

Vulcan, a charming town nestled in southern Alberta, Canada, is a must-visit destination for Star Trek fans and history enthusiasts alike. Surrounded by the expansive Vulcan County, this town is conveniently located on Highway 23, midway between the bustling cities of Calgary and Lethbridge. As of 2021, Vulcan is home to 1,769 residents and boasts a unique blend of historical charm and Star Trek-themed attractions.

A Glimpse into the History of Vulcan, Alberta

The town of Vulcan was named by a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway, drawing inspiration from Vulcan, the Roman God of Fire. In keeping with this theme, the streets of Vulcan were originally named after gods and goddesses of the classical world, such as Juno, Mars, and Jupiter.

Vulcan was incorporated as a village on December 23, 1912, and later as a town on June 15, 1921. The town's resilience was tested in July 1927 when a major tornado destroyed many homes and the new curling rink. This event was immortalized when a photograph of the tornado approaching Vulcan was featured in the "tornado" article in Encyclopædia Britannica.

The first newspaper to serve the area, The Vulcan Review, was established in 1912 and published for one year. It was succeeded by the Vulcan Advocate in 1913, which continues to be published today as a member of Sun Media Community Newspapers, part of the Postmedia Network.

At one point, Vulcan boasted nine grain elevators, more than any other location west of Winnipeg, making it the largest grain shipping point of its time. However, due to the changing economics of the agricultural industry, these "prairie skyscrapers" were gradually dismantled. Today, only one wooden elevator, built in the 1980s, remains.

During the Second World War, a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan air force base, RCAF Station Vulcan, was located southwest of the town. Many of the old hangars still exist, and the runways can still be seen. Today, it operates as Vulcan/Kirkcaldy Aerodrome, with some of the old runways still in use. Vulcan also has a second airport, Vulcan Airport.

In 2015, the town council voted to form the Heritage Advisory Board Committee to manage the historical sites in Vulcan County.

Demographics of Vulcan, Alberta

According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Vulcan had a population of 1,769 living in 806 of its 876 total private dwellings. This represented a -7.7% change from its 2016 population of 1,917. With a land area of 6.28 km2 (2.42 sq mi), Vulcan had a population density of 281.7/km2 (729.6/sq mi) in 2021.

Climate of Vulcan, Alberta

Vulcan experiences a dry continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) characterized by long, cold winters and short, warm summers. This climate contributes to the town's unique charm and appeal.

Vulcan, Alberta: A Star Trek Haven

Today, Vulcan is known as the "Official Star Trek Capital of Canada". The town features a tourism building designed to resemble a landed space station, a statue of the original series Enterprise, and other Star Trek-themed attractions. These unique features make Vulcan a must-visit destination for Star Trek fans and those seeking a unique travel experience.

• Wikipedia - Vulcan, Alberta

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

The One Place ‘Star Trek’ Fans Need To Visit In Canada

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• History and Culture
• Pop Culture

On some days, you just want to say, “Beam me up, Scotty! There’s no intelligent life here.” And when those days arrive, Scotty’s transporter is waiting in Vulcan, Alberta, Canada, halfway between Calgary and Lethbridge . The Canadian Pacific originally named the town for the Roman god of fire, but the citizens had a better idea. 

In the 1970s, Vulcan needed to attract visitors, and they noticed that Star Trek fans were taking pictures with their Welcome to Vulcan sign. The earth-bound Vulcans found a space-time portal and achieved a mind-meld with Vulcan planetary ambassadors, they say. Eventually, the planet opened a permanent wormhole to bring Mr. Spock’s homeworld and the 22nd century from star 40 Eridani A to the Albertan plains. In response, the United Federation of Planets named Vulcan the Star Trek Capital of Canada. 

When the Canadian Pacific platted the town, the railroad named the streets for planets. Later, citizens changed the planetary names. Now, street signs bearing the Starfleet crest show the streets’ current and former names.

Because of its Star Trek Capital status, Vulcan is one of our best day trips from Calgary . (To see the god Vulcan, visit his giant statue in Birmingham, Alabama .)

The Voyage Of The Starship FX6-1995-A

We’re not die-hard Trekkies, and our vehicle can’t warp time. Even with those disabilities, we drove out of our way on a road trip to visit the Town of Vulcan on Alberta’s Highway 23. We arrived after dark, but no worries — the Starship FX6-1995-A and the Vulcan Tourism Trek Station are well lit. The darkness cloaked their surroundings, just as the Klingons cloaked their starships. Nighttime obscured the wormhole between the planet Vulcan and the town. 

Based on Star Trek V ’s pattern, the starship model is hefty at 31 feet long and 9 feet tall. It weighs five tons. The saucer is 15 feet wide. Including the base, the starship flies 19 feet high. (Of course, the town’s starship is tiny compared to the real Starship Enterprise .) Look for even tinier starships on the light poles.

Let’s decode the starship’s designation: FX6 identifies Vulcan Airport, just to the west of town. The ship landed in 1995. The “A” means that it was Vulcan’s first Trek-themed project. The starship’s landing pod on Klingon Way bears plaques with English, Klingon, and Vulcan greetings. 

Fans can pose as their favorite character at the billboard next to the starship. My husband preferred Worf, the Klingon. I preferred Capt. Kate Janeway. Some of the cutouts, especially Lt. Uhura’s, require fans to stoop or kneel. Don’t miss the flower tower solar panels above the billboard.

During daylight, pack a picnic and eat at the table below the starship. Unfortunately, the starship’s replicator is too tiny to make human-sized food portions. You’ll need to bring your own.

Enter Vulcan’s Spaceport Sent From Vulcana Regar

Whether the planet sent its spaceport from Vulcana Regar through the wormhole to Vulcan, Alberta, remains unknown. Earth accounts say the Vulcan Association for Science and Trek (VAST) built a replica on Earth, but is VAST a front for the actual Vulcans? Science fiction conspiracy theorists want to know.

Whichever is the truth, enter the Trek Station. Take your place at the bridge’s consoles or sit in the captain’s chair. William Shatner, George Takei, and Leonard Nimoy all have signed the chair. 

We know you’re dying to join Starfleet without going to Starfleet Academy. Good luck with that, but you can dress up in crew uniforms and pose with famous characters’ cutouts. Check out a Klingon bat’leth, which Worf sent through the wormhole. The captain’s chair and the bat’leth are only a sample of more than 800 Star Trek artifacts the Vulcans have preserved. 

More Trekkie Themes Beyond The Starship And Station

In 2010, Nimoy came to Vulcan to unveil Mr. Spock’s bronze bust . The pedestal includes Spock’s hand in a Vulcan salute. Before you visit the Head of Spock, buy a pair of Vulcan ears at the station. Take a picture with Spock in order to live long and prosper!

Look for portraits of Star Trek ’s medical staff in a mural. (No, Dr. McCoy isn’t saying, “He’s dead, Jim.”) The Latinum Loonie dollar store’s front displays a starship. Restock at Starfleet Supplies, also known as Wolfe’s Home Hardware .

Kathryn Elizabeth Larsen took Trek fandom to another level. Her gravestone in the Vulcan Cemetery is shaped like a communicator and reads, “A Trekker who’s gone to the Final Frontier.”

It’s only logical: Eat the poutine at Mama’s Pizza & Pasta .

Set Your Phasers To “Fun” During Spock Days

Ambassadors from multiple homeworlds use Vulcan’s transporter during Spock Days . Everyone is welcome. Starships join terrestrial vehicles and animals in a parade. Humanoids play games and eat in the street festival. Enjoy a barbecue contest, car show, and poker run. Feast on Vulcan’s food offerings in the Taste of Vulcan . When weather permits, watch a fireworks show. Look for Star Trek celebrities who have beamed down for the festivities. 

Pro Tip: Somehow, the Tin Man of Oz has crashed the Star Trek universe. Did Scotty get his beams crossed? Even after what must be a bewildering experience, the Tin Man manages to run a triathlon each year. Join him in the annual Vulcan Tinman Triathlon . 

Movie and television history attract interest from travelers of all ages. Consider:

• 8 Classic Hollywood Movie Locations To Visit In Los Angeles
• 6 Iconic Movie Locations You Can Visit In Real Life
• 7 Iconic Places You Can Visit From Popular Sitcoms

Roxie Yonkey is an author and travel writer who specializes in road tripping. She wrote the Kansas ultimate bucket list book, 100 Things to Do in Kansas Before You Die , and is a contributing author to the book Midwest Road Trip Adventures .

Before becoming a travel writer, Yonkey was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor, and a public relations manager for destination marketing organizations. She has won numerous awards, including Midwest Travel Network's Rising Star Award in 2020.

Yonkey loves to follow the open road wherever it takes her. Follow more of her adventures at RoxieontheRoad .

RoadsideAmerica.com Your Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions

Attraction:

Vulcan, Alberta , Canada: Starship Enterprise

A large, impressive replica of the original series Enterprise with its own unique service number. A plaque on the ship -- in English, Vulcan, and Klingon -- explains why it's here.

Results 1 to 3 of 3...

Visitor Tips and News About Starship Enterprise

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters . Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip .

Once in Vulcan, we arrived at the visitor's center, which had a large Starship Enterprise in the front and all sorts of Star Trek stuff inside. Greetings in English, Klingon and Vulcan languages are around the base of the Starship Enterprise statue.

Afterwards, we drove around the town and there were other Star Trek-related signs and things. It was actually a lot of fun...

The Starship - FX6-1995-A spaceship is one of the world's larger roadside attractions. It is a replica of the original Starship Enterprise.

The starship Enterprise, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, has landed in Vulcan, Alberta. You can have your picture taken dressed as a Star Trek character, buysouvenirs, and otherwise disport yourself in Trekazoid splendor in Canada. There's a plaque on the ship in English, Vulcan, and Klingon!

A 5-story, Trek-inspired Vulcan Tourist Information Centre is on Centre St., adjacent to the starship replica.

Nearby Offbeat Places

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road .

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

Create Your Own Bizarre Road Trips! ... Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Alberta Latest Tips and Stories

• Feature: Tyra: World's Largest Dinosaur , Drumheller, Alberta
• Pinto McBean Statue , Bow Island, Alberta
• Gopher Hole Museum , Torrington, Alberta
• Two Giant Chairs in a Pile , Calgary, Alberta
• Outlaw: Canada's Wall Street Bull , Calgary, Alberta

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Bloodstained Tomb of Nina Craigmiles , Cleveland, Tennessee (Apr 8-14, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

• Travertine Hot Springs , Bridgeport, California
• American Giants Museum , Atlanta, Illinois
• Muffler Man - Soda Jerk , Macon, Illinois
• First Sonic Drive-In Sign , Stillwater, Oklahoma
• Giant Armadillo , Schertz, Texas

More Sightings

Miscellaneous

• Submit a Tip
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Trip Planning Caution : RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Attraction status, hours and prices change without notice; call ahead!

Credits, Media/Business Inquiries © Copyright 1996-2024 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. All rights reserved. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors.

100+ Things to Do in Calgary

Accommodations Overview

Hotel Packages

Plan Overview

Official Visitor Guide

Facebook Messenger

Deals Overview

Calgary Attractions Pass

Locals Overview

Best Things to Do Outdoors

Submit an rfp.

Ready to make Calgary the host for your next event?

Submit your RFP

Client Portal

Access to your secure Meetings & Conventions Calgary portal.

Login My Portal

Become a Local Champion

Help us bring Calgary's vision to life.

Partners Home

Sports Overview

Travel Trade Home

Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station

Alberta Frontier

What's great.

Live long and prosper in Vulcan, the 'Star Trek Capital of Canada'

Farmland dominates the view when driving through the vast spaces of the Canadian Prairies, so chances are you’ll remember the tiny town with a visitor’s center shaped like a space ship and a welcome sign greeting guests in three languages: English, Klingon and Vulcan.

There are fields and phasers in Vulcan, Alberta , population less than 2,000, which happens to share its name with the home planet of Mr. Spock, the beloved pointy-eared character on “Star Trek.”

The coincidence — and the town’s savvy decision to take advantage of it — has proven to be a boon for the community and its tourism industry, with a brand new “Star Trek” museum, an annual Spock Days Convention and a replica of the starship Enterprise drawing thousands of visitors to the town one hour’s drive southeast of Calgary.

Leonard Nimoy, the original Mr. Spock, has visited, as has the son of “Star Trek ” creator Gene Roddenberry and Walter Koenig, who played Chekov in the original series.

“It’s a great attraction for tourists,” Vulcan Mayor Howard Dirks told NBC News. “Prairie towns are prairie towns and without some kind of a hook to bring the tourists in, such as ‘Star Trek,’ you really don’t have a tourist trade.”

'Town was dying' Vulcan, which celebrated its centennial this month, was named after the Roman god of fire more than 50 years before the first episode of “Star Trek” ever aired. Even after the series inspired a huge following, the farming town took little notice of its connection with the sci-fi favorite until it fell on hard times in the late 1980s.

“Our town was dying,” said Pat Wisener, who owns the Vulcan Funeral Home and played a key role in the various efforts dedicated to revitalizing the community.

“During that time, a lot of people were closing up businesses. The hotel on Main Street was boarded up because the owners had just walked away ... Main Street was looking pretty desolate.”

Desperate to turn things around, Wisener and others were intrigued that visitors would drive up and pose for photos with a concrete sign that simply said “Vulcan” at the town’s entrance. They soon found they were “Star Trek” fans and made it their mission to lure more.

But some residents found the idea of aligning the fortunes of Vulcan — once famous for having “more grain elevators than any other location west of Winnipeg,” according to Vulcan Tourism — with a TV show highly illogical.

“Our community was not in that head space. They were in the farmer head space and so when we mentioned this futuristic, science fiction thing, they were not totally in support of it,” Wisener said.

Still, officials decided to boldly go with a “Star Trek” theme and haven’t looked back. (Other towns have also discovered the show's appeal:  Riverside, Iowa , bills itself as the the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk.)

Klingons and farmers In 1992, Vulcan began hosting an annual convention for “Star Trek” fans. It was all so new that people who wanted to buy tickets had to call Wisener — at the funeral home. He remembers answering the phone and often being greeted by “this big silence on the other end.”

Now known as “Spock Days,” the convention is the time of year when you might see Klingons walking down Vulcan’s streets — “other than that, we’re quite normal,” Dirks said. The festival also allows the town’s one hotel and two motels to lure guests with creative amenities, such as a “deluxe intergalactic breakfast!”

In 1995, officials unveiled the “Star Ship FX6-1995-A,” a 9-foot tall, 5-ton replica of the USS Enterprise, near the town’s entrance. Three years later, the Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station — a tourist information center shaped like a spaceship — opened its doors to the public.

Vulcan was declared the Official Star Trek Capital of Canada in 2009.

“’Star Trek’ is very much alive and well in this town and it plays a very big role in having people come visit,” said Devan Daniels, Vulcan’s tourism administrator.

The town’s newest attraction, Trekcetera — which Daniels called Canada’s first and only “Star Trek” museum — opened this month, displaying original costumes, props and set pieces from the newer series and movies.

All of the efforts have paid off: Some 30,000 people now visit Vulcan each year, Dirks said. Just a couple of thousand would visit in the late 1980s, Wisener estimated.  

Even Main Street has undergone a transformation, he added, attributing many of the positive changes to the “Star Trek” connection.

“There’s people and cars and traffic," Wisener said. "It’s come a long, long way.”

Vulcan (Alberta)

• 1 Understand
• 3 Get around
• 9.1 Hotels and Motels
• 9.2 Campgrounds

Vulcan is a town in Southern Alberta . It draws on its fictional namesake for its fame, billing itself as the "Official Star Trek Capital of Canada."

Understand [ edit ]

Incorporated in December 1912, Vulcan was named after the classical god, and its major roads were named after other classical gods and goddesses. It became a major grain shipment point, but changing economics sent that business elsewhere in Alberta, until the town was little more than a service hub for the surrounding farms.

Then somebody noticed the Star Trek connection. Nowadays, Vulcan is the largest Star Trek fan tourist draw in Canada.

Get in [ edit ]

Vulcan is on Alberta Highway 23, approximately 120 km southeast of Calgary and 95 km northwest of Lethbridge , near that highway's junction with Highway 534.

Get around [ edit ]

You probably drove into town, so getting around shouldn't be an issue.

See [ edit ]

There are Star Trek -themed murals throughout town, and some of the street lights have starship-shaped ornamental mountings.

• Bell Park , corner of Centre Street and 2nd Avenue South . Home of the Town Bell (rung to announce the beginning of curfew when the town had a Curfew Ordinance) and a bronze bust of Spock (commemorating Leonard Nimoy's visit to Vulcan in 2010).  
• 50.40599 -113.256015 1 Starship FX6-1995-A . A roadside attraction, believed to be the world's biggest Star Trek Enterprise replica. The attraction's dedication plaque includes text in some languages used in Star Trek , including Klingon.  
• 50.406351 -113.257744 2 Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station , 115 Centre St E , ☏ +1 403 485-2994 , [email protected] . Daily 9AM-6PM . The local tourist centre is housed in a building shaped like a Star Trek planetary surface base, and has a shuttlecraft parked outside. ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Vulcan & District Historical Society Archives & Museum , 232 Centre Street , ☏ +1 403 485-6716 , [email protected] . June-September: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM . Not Star Trek -themed. The museum has displays about Vulcan's communication, heritage, and medical history. ( updated Nov 2018 )

Do [ edit ]

• Vulcan Tinman Triathlon . Beginning of June. A family-friendly triathlon. ( updated Nov 2018 )
• Spock Days . Second weekend in June. All of the events you'd expect to see in a small-town fair, given a Vulcan twist. ( updated Nov 2018 )
• Vul-Con . End of July. The local Star Trek convention — celebrities, vendors, a dinner and dance, a Cosplay Parade through town. It's the big event of the year. ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Vulcan Golf and Country Club , 710 1st Street North , ☏ +1 403 485-2553 . A semi-private 18-hole course. ( updated Nov 2018 )

Buy [ edit ]

Star Trek memorabilia

Eat [ edit ]

• Amy's Restaurant , 120 Service Rd SE ( across the highway from the spaceship ), ☏ +1 403 485-2222 . 11AM-9PM . Western "Chinese" food, with some vegan options. ( updated Nov 2018 )
• Mama's Pizza & Pasta , 123 Centre Street E , ☏ +1 403 485-6367 . 11AM-9PM . ( updated Nov 2018 )
• New Club Cafe , 124 Centre Street , ☏ +1 403 485-2030 . ( updated Nov 2018 )

Drink [ edit ]

• The Great Full Cup , 133 Centre Street , ☏ +1 403 485-0050 . Coffee shop ( updated Nov 2018 )

Sleep [ edit ]

Hotels and motels [ edit ].

• Vulcan Country Inn , 110 Centre St , ☏ +1 403 485-2281 , [email protected] . Has coin-operatied laundry machines and an attached restaurant. ( updated Nov 2018 )
• 50.404262 -113.258602 1 Wheatland Motel , 115 2nd Street Southeast , ☏ +1 403 485-2211 , [email protected] . ( updated Nov 2018 )

Campgrounds [ edit ]

• Virginia Mitchell Memorial Park Camp Ground , 330 - 5 Street North ( Turn on 3 Avenue North from Centre Street ), ☏ +1 403 485-2417 . 16 campsites, with 30amp power, sani-dump, picnic tables, free showers, tap water, flush toilets, and playground. Fires permitted. Open May-Sept (contact Town of Vulcan to confirm). $25/night . ( updated Nov 2018 )
• Vulcan Municipal Park (Camp Ground) , 702 Elizabeth Street , ☏ +1 403 485-2417 . 10 campsites, with waste disposal, washroom, tap water, and a shared picnic shelter. No power. Open May-Sept (contact Town of Vulcan to confirm). 3 nights free, after that $10/night . ( updated Nov 2018 )

Connect [ edit ]

• 50.402748 -113.263692 1 Vulcan Municipal Library , 303 Centre Street , ☏ +1 403 485-2571 . M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 11AM-3PM . Computers and wireless internet access are available for use without a library card. ( updated Nov 2018 )

Go next [ edit ]

• Has custom banner
• Has map markers
• See listing with no coordinates
• Do listing with no coordinates
• Eat listing with no coordinates
• Drink listing with no coordinates
• Sleep listing with no coordinates
• Has routebox
• Southern Alberta
• All destination articles
• Usable cities
• Usable articles
• City articles
• Has Geo parameter
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

This story is over 5 years old.

I went to vulcan, canada, for a small-town trekkie convention.

ONE EMAIL. ONE STORY. EVERY WEEK. SIGN UP FOR THE VICE NEWSLETTER.

By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.

• Mirror Universe
• View history

The Vulcans , or Vulcanians , [1] were a warp-capable humanoid species from the planet Vulcan . They were widely renowned for their strict adherence to logic and reason as well as their remarkable stoicism.

In 2161 , their homeworld became a founding member of the United Federation of Planets . ( TOS : " Mudd's Women ", " Amok Time "; TNG : " Encounter at Farpoint ", " Data's Day ", " Gambit, Part II "; Star Trek: First Contact ; ENT : " Broken Bow ", " Zero Hour ", " Awakening ", " These Are the Voyages... ") Vulcans were known by the Borg as Species 3259 . ( VOY : " The Raven ")

• 1.1 Mirror universe
• 1.2 Alternate reality
• 2.2 Medical conditions
• 2.3 Hybridization
• 3.2 Education
• 3.3 Logic and emotions
• 3.4 Attitudes to deception
• 3.5 Spirituality
• 3.6 Romantic relationships
• 3.7 Food and drink
• 3.8 Holidays
• 3.9 See also
• 4 Science and technology
• 5 Individuals
• 6.1 Appearances
• 6.2 Background information
• 6.3 Apocrypha
• 6.4 External links

History and politics [ ]

In 2154 , T'Pol stated that Vulcans had evolved on Vulcan. ( ENT : " The Forge ") Roughly a century later , however, Spock theorized that the Vulcans might be descendants of the Arretans . ( TOS : " Return to Tomorrow ") According to Narek , the myth of Ganmadan dated back to before the Romulan and Vulcan ancestors first arrived on Vulcan. ( PIC : " Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2 ") In 2369 , evidence was discovered that several species including the Romulans , and therefore also the Vulcans, could be traced back to DNA that had been seeded on many planets by ancient humanoids 4.5 billion years ago . ( TNG : " The Chase ")

The Vulcans were once an extremely violent and emotional people (even by Earth standards) who waged almost constant warfare on one another. ( ENT : " Impulse ", " Awakening "; TOS : " Balance of Terror ", " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield "; VOY : " Random Thoughts "; SNW : " A Quality of Mercy ") Paranoia and homicidal rage were common. ( ENT : " Impulse ") They believed in a variety of gods , such as war, peace, and death . ( TNG : " Gambit, Part II ") As their level of technology increased, the Vulcans eventually reached a point where their violent nature threatened the extinction of their own species. ( ENT : " Awakening ")

Surak, father of Vulcan logic

In an effort to avoid this fate, a Vulcan named Surak developed a new philosophy , thereby igniting the Time of Awakening . Surak maintained that the root cause of all the problems on Vulcan lay in the uncontrolled outpouring of the people's emotions. His followers swore to live their lives by an ethical system devised by Surak and based purely on logical principles. Emotions were to be controlled and repressed. ( TAS : " Yesteryear ")

Although this new philosophy spread rapidly across Vulcan, a minority, many of whom were known as "those who march beneath the raptor 's wings ", rejected Surak's ideals. A destructive war began, including the use of atomic bombs , and among the victims was Surak himself. ( ENT : " The Forge ", " Awakening ")

Eventually, however, those who opposed logic left Vulcan and founded colonies elsewhere ( TNG : " Gambit, Part I ", " Gambit, Part II ") – most notably on the planet Romulus , where they founded what eventually became the Romulan Star Empire . ( TOS : " Balance of Terror ", " The Enterprise Incident "; TNG : " Unification I ", " Unification II ") At some point in history, the Romulans and the Vulcans engaged in a hundred-year-long war against one another. The war was instigated by the actions of a member of the Q Continuum . ( VOY : " Death Wish ")

Another group that rejected Surak's philosophy was known as the " V'tosh ka'tur ", or "Vulcans without logic". The V'tosh ka'tur believed in controlling emotions by allowing themselves to actively experience them rather than suppressing them. Some of these also left Vulcan, and took up a nomadic existence. ( ENT : " Fusion ") Many turned to crime, however, and subsequently sent for rehabilitation at facilities such as the Ankeshtan K'til Retreat . ( SNW : " Spock Amok ", " The Serene Squall ") A prime example of a V'tosh ka'tur was Sybok , who underwent failed rehabilitation at Ankeshtan K'Til for involvement in piracy before ultimately trying to use emotion rather than logic to find answers to the creation of the universe. ( SNW : " The Serene Squall "; Star Trek V: The Final Frontier )

First contact with Humans in 2063

The Vulcans conducted a series of survey missions to the Sol system , as early as 1957 . ( ENT : " Carbon Creek ") Vulcans were, in fact, one of the first species to develop warp drive , though a century passed between the first warp flight and the breaking of the warp 2 barrier . ( ENT : " First Flight ") T'Pol told Archer that Vulcans "don't share" Humans ' "enthusiasm for space exploration," but a Syrrannite on Vulcan later advised Archer that this may not have been true. ( ENT : " Fight or Flight ", " The Forge ")

The official First Contact between Vulcans and Humans came on April 5 , 2063 , when a Vulcan survey ship , the T'Plana-Hath , detected the warp flight of Zefram Cochrane 's Phoenix . The Vulcans met with Cochrane at his launch site on the day following the flight. ( Star Trek: First Contact )

Subsequently, the Vulcans offered their technological guidance to Humans, but were criticized on Earth for holding back their development. ( ENT : " First Flight ", " Broken Bow ") A century after First Contact, the High Command had become worried about Humans, who, like Vulcans, had had devastating wars, but after which had rebuilt and started traveling to the stars much faster. There were those on the High Command who wondered what Humans would achieve in the century to come, and did not like the answer. ( ENT : " The Forge ")

By the mid- 22nd century , Vulcan culture had strayed from the path that Surak had originally laid out for them, to the point that Surak's katra did not recognize it as the culture he had helped to create. They had ceased being explorers and the High Command, once devoted to that goal, had instead become involved in a conflict with the neighboring Andorians . ( ENT : " Awakening ", " The Forge ")

The Vulcan High Command used an ancient monastery at P'Jem as a secret listening post to spy on the Andorians until June of 2151 , when the listening post was discovered by the Andorians and a landing party from Enterprise NX-01 . Later, the Humans helped negotiate a peace between the Vulcans and Andorians over a disputed class D planetoid known to the Vulcans as Paan Mokar . ( ENT : " The Forge ", " The Andorian Incident ", " Cease Fire ")

Vulcans also became less tolerant of political and philosophical challenges towards the High Command's operations, notably engaging in purges of the Syrrannite group, who claimed that Vulcan society was no longer following the teachings of Surak. These tensions came to a head in a crisis called the Vulcan Reformation , which resulted in the overthrow of the High Command (and its leader, V'Las , who was secretly allied with the Romulans), as well as a restructuring of the Vulcan government including the dissolution of the High Command. T'Pau became a minister in this government. A less aggressive policy towards Earth was also adopted. ( ENT : " The Forge ", " Awakening ", " Kir'Shara ", " United ")

By the 21st and 22nd centuries, the Vulcans had also made contact with the Cardassians , Trill , Tholians , Klingons (as early as 2016 ), and scores of other races. ( DS9 : " Destiny "; ENT : " Broken Bow ", " Future Tense ")

As of the 23rd century , Vulcan had never been conquered in its collective memory. That memory went so far back that Vulcans could not conceive of a conqueror. ( TOS : " The Immunity Syndrome ")

By the 24th century , Vulcan remained one of the principal Federation members, and was deeply involved at all levels of that society. Vulcans were present in the Federation colonies found within the Demilitarized Zone established between the United Federation of Planets and the Cardassian Union by the terms of the Federation-Cardassian Treaty of 2370 ; they were among the colonists' representatives during discussions with the Cardassians concerning terrorist attacks by the anti-Cardassian Maquis movement established in the Zone. At least one Vulcan, Sakonna , acted as a gun runner and interrogator for the Maquis and made use of her people's ability to mind meld in the latter role. ( DS9 : " The Maquis, Part I ", " The Maquis, Part II ")

The Vulcans' tradition of exploration continued; in the 24th century, a Vulcan ship was the first to make formal contact with a Gamma Quadrant civilization, upon encountering the Wadi . ( DS9 : " Move Along Home ") The Vulcans were at the forefront of exploration in the Gamma Quadrant, encountering the Rakhari and finding the remains of the Hur'q civilization. ( DS9 : " Vortex ", " The Sword of Kahless ") In the 24th century, the Vulcan ministry of security was known as the V'Shar . ( TNG : " Gambit, Part II ")

By 2369, the Vulcans had a saying known to the Federation: " We're here to serve. " ( DS9 : " Captive Pursuit ")

Despite the enmity between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire, some Vulcans attempted to forge a more cordial relationship with their cousins, ultimately hoping to reunify the two cultures. Many of these efforts met with little success. ( TNG : " Unification I ", " Unification II ")

Mirror universe [ ]

History turned out much differently for the Vulcans of the mirror universe . When the Vulcans made first contact with Earth of this universe in 2063, Zefram Cochrane shot the first Vulcan to publicly set foot on Terran soil, believing his vessel to be the vanguard of an intended invasion. The Terrans stormed the T'Plana-Hath and studied Vulcan technology. Eventually, the Vulcans were conquered by the Terran Empire . ( ENT : " In a Mirror, Darkly "; DIS : " Die Trying ")

By the 2150s , Vulcans were considered slaves to Terrans and not treated as equals. Vulcans later participated in a rebellion against the Empire in the 2250s . By 2267 , the half-Vulcan Spock had become first officer of a starship and eventually rose to the top of the Terran Empire itself. After the Empire was conquered by the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance , Vulcans served as slaves to the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. Using fans, several of them cooled the Intendant aboard Terok Nor . ( ENT : " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II "; TOS : " Mirror, Mirror "; DS9 : " Crossover ")

Some Vulcans, such as Tuvok , joined the Terran Rebellion . ( DS9 : " Through the Looking Glass ")

Alternate reality [ ]

In the alternate reality , the planet Vulcan was destroyed by a Romulan named Nero in 2258 . Over six billion Vulcans were killed, with an estimated ten thousand survivors. After witnessing the atrocity, Spock noted in his log that the Vulcan species had become endangered . ( Star Trek ) Spock's prime reality counterpart founded a colony for the survivors, which, by the following year, had been settled and named New Vulcan . ( Star Trek Into Darkness )

Physiology [ ]

Scan of a Vulcan's DNA

Species which shared some physiological and behavioral traits with Vulcans were categorized as Proto-Vulcan humanoids . One example of this were the Mintakans . ( TNG : " Who Watches The Watchers ") In addition, Rigelian physiology was very similar to that of Vulcans. ( TOS : " Journey to Babel ")

Vulcans were generally similar to Humans in appearance, distinguished mainly by their pointed ears and upswept eyebrows. Their skin color was most commonly pale with a bronze or greenish tint, though some had brown skin. Vulcan physiognomy could resemble Humans of European , Asian , or African descent. ( Star Trek: The Original Series ; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ; Star Trek: Voyager )

Most Vulcans had straight, glossy black hair , though brown and/or curly hair was also possible. Vulcans had body hair similar to Humans, and some males could be very hirsute. Vulcan males were capable of growing facial hair , but most chose to shave it. ( TOS : " Mirror, Mirror ", " Patterns of Force "; Star Trek V: The Final Frontier ; VOY : " Year of Hell "; ENT : " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II "; Star Trek )

Vulcan teeth included anterior tricuspids , which could be protected from decay for decades by sealing them with a trifluorinate compound . ( ENT : " Dear Doctor ")

In contrast to their external similarities, Vulcan internal anatomy differed radically from that of Humans. For instance, their heart was where a Human's liver would normally be, ( TOS : " Mudd's Women ", " A Private Little War ", " The Omega Glory "; Star Trek Beyond ) and beat several hundred times per minute. ( TOS : " The Naked Time ", " Journey to Babel ") Vulcans also had no appendix . ( TOS : " Operation -- Annihilate! ") They did, however, have mitochondria . ( TNG : " Data's Day ")

A greenish bruise

Vulcan blood was copper -based and was copper- or rust-colored when deoxygenated in the veins and green when oxygenated, in the arteries, or when bleeding. Bruises and dermal abrasions took on a greenish color. ( TOS : " The Naked Time ", " Obsession ", " Patterns of Force "; DS9 : " Field of Fire "; VOY : " Repression "; ENT : " Shadows of P'Jem ", " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II ")

Vulcan body chemistry used little, if any, sodium chloride compared to that of Humans. ( TOS : " The Man Trap ")

Vulcans possessed a highly efficient respiratory system to extract the oxygen they needed from Vulcan's thin atmosphere . They were most comfortable in high temperatures. A Vulcan of advanced age could become more sensitive to lower temperatures. ( TOS : " The Deadly Years "; ENT : " The Forge ")

The Vulcan digestive tract was highly adaptable. Although alien foods , notably Human food, would occasionally disagree with a Vulcan, given time, their body could adapt to the alien food. ( ENT : " Unexpected ")

Vulcan hearing was very sensitive. ( TOS : " Return to Tomorrow ", " The Way to Eden "; ENT : " Singularity ") Vulcan females possessed a heightened sense of smell . ( ENT : " Broken Bow ", " The Andorian Incident ")

Having evolved on a planet which was mostly desert , Vulcans developed ways of surviving in desert conditions. For example, they could survive for several days without water and had inner eyelids which protected their eyes . ( TOS : " Operation -- Annihilate! "; ENT : " Strange New World ", " The Forge ")

Vulcans had a superior metabolism to Humans. Caffeine and sapotoxins had little effect on them. ( ENT : " Breaking the Ice ") They were also capable of surviving for long durations without food or sleep. Under stress, Vulcans could do without sleep for weeks. ( TOS : " The Paradise Syndrome ") Tuvok once claimed that, as a Vulcan, he was capable of going without sleep for two weeks, although, shortly after making this claim, he fell asleep in the command chair after having gone a little over ten days without sleep. ( VOY : " Muse ")

Vulcans were, on average, three times physically stronger than Humans, and had considerably faster reflexes. ( DS9 : " Take Me Out to the Holosuite ")

Vulcans were very sensitive to nitrous oxide gas , which rapidly rendered them unconscious. ( TAS : " The Practical Joker ")

Vulcans typically had a lifespan of two hundred years or more. Their aging was correspondingly slower; a Vulcan of age 65 had the appearance of a 20th century human in their late 20s, and was considered in their "quarter-life". ( ENT : " Broken Bow ", " Zero Hour "; TNG : " Sarek "; LD : " Empathological Fallacies ")

A medical scan of Soval's brain

A medical scan of Spock's brain

A medical scan of Tuvok's brain

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Vulcan physiology was the brain . The Vulcan brain was described by The Doctor as " a puzzle , wrapped inside an enigma , housed inside a cranium . " ( VOY : " Riddles ") Indeed, The Doctor has also noted how " the Vulcan brain never ceases to amaze me. " ( VOY : " Blood Fever ")

A Vulcan's brain was in direct control of most of the bodily functions, acting as a control unit for many organs. Despite this, a Vulcan body from which the brain had been removed was capable of functioning and even walking around (albeit in a zombie-like state) with a portable life support system. ( TOS : " Spock's Brain ")

Unlike most humanoid species, traumatic memories were not only psychologically disturbing to Vulcans, but had physical consequences as well. The Vulcan brain, in reordering neural pathways, could literally lobotomize itself. ( VOY : " Flashback ")

Vulcans learned to gain conscious control of many of these functions, allowing them to regulate their bodies to a high degree by simple will-power. When injured, a Vulcan could go into a trance-like state, using this ability to concentrate all of his or her energy on repairing the injury. ( TOS : " A Private Little War ") However, Vulcans did have certain levels of pain they were unable to suppress, forcing them to endure the experience. ( VOY : " Resistance ")

This trance could be self-induced and gave the physical appearance of near-death. It was similar, in principle, to Vulcan neuro-pressure techniques which could be used to relax the mind and body. ( TOS : " By Any Other Name "; VOY : " Riddles "; ENT : " The Xindi ")

The substance trellium-D acted as a neurotoxin to Vulcans, destroying the neural pathways which controlled their emotions. Treatment had to be provided quickly after exposure; otherwise, the damage was irreversible. ( ENT : " Impulse ")

The most famous aspect of the Vulcan brain were the inherent telepathic abilities, such as the mind meld . Vulcans were natural touch-telepaths. Though considerable training was required to utilize this ability to the fullest (like performing the fal-tor-pan ), simpler contacts did not require any concentration, training, or even conscious knowledge of the act. ( VOY : " Blood Fever ")

Vulcans called focal points in the bioelectric field of the brain qui'lari . ( DS9 : " The Muse ")

Stronger minds were capable of non-contact telepathic projection and scanning, usually over short distances, ( TOS : " The Devil in the Dark ", " The Omega Glory "; VOY : " Random Thoughts ", " Prey ") but sometimes even over interstellar distances. ( TOS : " The Immunity Syndrome "; Star Trek: The Motion Picture ; DIS : " Lethe " )

Another psionic ability of the Vulcan race was the telepathic suggestion or compulsion, consciously performed by Spock, ( TOS : " Dagger of the Mind ", " A Taste of Armageddon ", " The Omega Glory ") Sybok , ( Star Trek V: The Final Frontier ) Tuvok, ( VOY : " Repression ") and T'Pol, ( ENT : " In a Mirror, Darkly ") and unconsciously performed by Sarek. ( TNG : " Sarek ")

Although Vulcans did not, typically, allow themselves to experience uncontrolled strong emotions, they could sense them in others. ( ENT : " Fallen Hero ")

Vulcans were capable of performing a synaptic pattern displacement , or the transfer of one individual's consciousness into another. ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ; DS9 : " The Passenger ")

The psycho-suppression system responsible for the Vulcan suppression of emotions was located in the mesiofrontal cortex . ( VOY : " Meld ")

Approximately every seven years, adult Vulcans had to endure pon farr , the Vulcan mating period. It was marked by intense emotions and primal urges (known as plak tow , or "blood fever") that could kill the Vulcan if not satisfied. Physiological symptoms included elevated dopamine levels and fever . For such an orderly society of quiet sobriety, the madness which accompanied the outbreak of pon farr was an unavoidable evil. ( ENT : " Bounty ", " In a Mirror, Darkly "; TOS : " Amok Time "; VOY : " Blood Fever ")

Medical conditions [ ]

There were several diseases from which the Vulcan species suffered, including:

• Pa'nar Syndrome
• Tuvan Syndrome
• Bendii Syndrome
• Choriocytosis

Hybridization [ ]

Vulcans and Humans could not reproduce without medical intervention according to 2150s medical knowledge. ( ENT : " E² ", " Demons ", " Terra Prime ")

In 2155, Terra Prime extremists created a binary clone from T'Pol and Trip Tucker . The child, whom they called Elizabeth , had many genetic flaws due to the method of her creation and she died. ( ENT : " Demons ", " Terra Prime ")

In 2230, Spock was born on Vulcan to Sarek and Amanda Grayson . ( ENT : " Terra Prime "; TOS : " Journey to Babel ", " The Squire of Gothos "; Star Trek Beyond )

The Vulcan heritage in Vulcan-Human hybrids was dominant, with copper-based blood, pointed ears, and the full range of Vulcan abilities.

Society and culture [ ]

IDIC, the Vulcan national symbol

Six different Vulcan scripts

Vulcans were generally non-violent, but logic dictated that combat was sometimes necessary. Vulcans could and did use weapons and practiced martial arts called tal-shaya and Suus Mahna . ( TOS : " Journey to Babel "; ENT : " Marauders "; DIS : " Context Is for Kings ")

Vulcans considered death to be the completion of a journey. Therefore, they did not fear it happening; however, the loss of one's katra was to be avoided if possible, since the katra lived on beyond the physical death. ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ) They also practiced euthanasia for the infirm and elderly, and saw nothing wrong with practicing ritual suicide when they reached a certain infirmity with age. ( VOY : " Death Wish ") As they knew death was an inevitability, they believed that fear of death was ultimately illogical. ( Star Trek Beyond )

The government on Vulcan was a representative democracy . Individual political advancement was based on meritocratic principles. ( ENT : " Awakening ")

Although Vulcans were highly integrated into the Federation, in the 23rd century, some Vulcans viewed service in Starfleet to be less prestigious than attending the Vulcan Science Academy , ( TOS : " Journey to Babel ") though in the twilight years of that century, this apparently became much less of an issue. ( VOY : " Flashback ") Furthermore, among all the Federation members whose people served in Starfleet, Vulcans were the only ones to be accommodated with starships crewed entirely by their own species, such as the USS Intrepid and the USS T'Kumbra . ( TOS : " The Immunity Syndrome "; DS9 : " Take Me Out to the Holosuite ")

Vulcans played a game known as kal-toh . ( VOY : " Alter Ego ", " The Omega Directive ", " Endgame ")

Vulcans had a traditional funeral dirge . ( VOY : " Tuvix ")

Vulcans occasionally gave gifts . However, Vulcan custom did not include receiving a gift back from a recipient. ( Star Trek Beyond )

Vulcans possessed family names , although they were pronounceable by Humans only after many years of practice. ( TOS : " This Side Of Paradise ", " Journey to Babel ")

Many Vulcan females had names beginning with "T'" and particularly "T'P" ( T'Pol , T'Pring , T'Pau , T'Mir , T'Pel, T'Pan), but not all ( Valeris , Sakonna , Saavik , Selar ); many males had names beginning with "S" ( Spock , Sarek , Sybok , Surak , Stonn , Soval ); again, though, there was variation ( Tuvok , Lojal , Vorik , Taurik , Koss ).

Education [ ]

Naturally, the development of a Vulcan's lifelong devotion towards logic was encouraged at a very early age. Vulcan parents utilized careful and gentle methods to train their infants in primary logic. ( VOY : " Human Error ") Vulcan children learned, by example, how to detach themselves from their emotions as well, and it often aided in difficult childhood situations. ( ENT : " Fusion ", " Home "; TAS : " Yesteryear "; VOY : " Innocence ", " Gravity ") Despite logic being paramount in education, Vulcan children were allowed much freedom as well, and enjoyed a number of passions their controlled states allowed them to coordinate.

As parents, Vulcans never restricted their children from real life. Doing so only hindered their ability to develop their own identity. A Vulcan parent's attachment to their children could not be described as an emotion. They were part of the parent's identity and the parent was incomplete without them. ( VOY : " Innocence ")

Children at Vulcan nursery schools danced. ( TOS : " Whom Gods Destroy ")

When they were older, they learned in skill domes . The Vulcan Learning Center employed these. ( Star Trek , DIS : " The Vulcan Hello ", " Battle at the Binary Stars ")

A Vulcan program suitable for young children which taught basic problem solving skills was available at Deep Space 9 's school in 2370 . ( DS9 : " Whispers ")

The Vulcan Science Academy and Vulcan Medical Institute were two notable post-secondary institutions.

Logic and emotions [ ]

Contrary to stereotype, Vulcans possess strong emotions. They use meditation as a way to suppress those emotions. For instance, emotions like remorse, relief, joy, and embarrassment were all displayed by Spock when he thought Captain Kirk was dead and then saw him alive. ( TOS : " Amok Time "). Indeed, Vulcan emotions were far more intense, violent, and passionate than those of many other species, including even Humans. ( TNG : " Sarek ")

It was this passionate, explosive emotionality that Vulcans blamed for the vicious cycle of wars which nearly devastated their planet. As such, they focused their mental energies on mastering them. The essence of their logical society was in arriving at the truth through logical process. Emotions were illogical, thus making them impure, and deterrent to truth. Vulcans were born with the same emotions that afflicted their violent ancestors, but continual mental conditioning generally gave them the impassivity they sought. ( TAS : " Yesteryear ")

Though not all could arrive at the ultimate pure logical state, the exacting process of mental control gave Vulcans enough to conform to the ideals of Vulcan society. The ultimate level of logical thought was achieved through the attainment of kolinahr , which was said to purge them of all remaining emotions. ( Star Trek: The Motion Picture )

Attitudes to deception [ ]

Vulcans were renowned for their honesty, and indeed it has been claimed that "Vulcans could not lie ." However, they would do so for what they perceived as logical reasons, though they rarely referred to their dishonesty as "lying." ( TOS : " The Enterprise Incident "; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan ; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country ) For instance, an elder denied the existence of technology and spies at the monastery at P'Jem in order to protect an ongoing surveillance operation. ( ENT : " The Andorian Incident "). Also, T'Pol's second foremother directly lied to another Vulcan, telling the commander of a rescue party that her crewmate had died in a crash, so that he could remain on Earth to "study" Humanity. ( ENT : " Carbon Creek ")

In 2259 of the alternate reality, Spock managed to deceive Khan Noonien Singh into transporting armed torpedoes aboard the USS Vengeance , as Khan believed they still carried members of his crew . Khan wasn't aware that Spock had anticipated his betrayal and removed Khan's crew from the torpedoes with the intent to detonate them and cripple the Vengeance . When Khan stated that he'd know if they weren't his, Spock assured him that " Vulcans do not lie " and that " the torpedoes were his ". This demonstrated that Vulcans, while still technically telling the truth, didn't always necessarily tell the entire truth if it was to their advantage. ( Star Trek Into Darkness )

Tuvok at one point stated, when responding to Seven of Nine questioning him as to whether Vulcans were capable of lying " we are capable of telling lies. However, I have never found it prudent or necessary to do so. " ( VOY : " Hunters ")

Spirituality [ ]

The Vulcans held a number of spiritual beliefs. Their religious system was polytheistic . They also believed in the katra , the soul and consciousness of a person, which could be transferred psionically prior to death. ( TAS : " Yesteryear "; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan ; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ; TNG : " Gambit, Part I "; ENT : " The Forge ", " Awakening ")

Meditation was a central component of Vulcan life. The Vulcan Sh'vhal type ship of the late 24th century was known to feature a dedicated meditation chamber that the crew could use alone or in small groups. ( LD : " wej Duj ")

What little is known about Vulcan religious beliefs indicates that, beginning prior to the "Time of the Awakening", they were polytheistic. Surak 's teachings became the primary focus of Vulcan spirituality/mysticism, but, as late as the 23rd century, it was still not unheard of to find Vulcans honoring the traditional gods. There were, however, no demons in Vulcan literature. ( TAS : " Yesteryear "; TNG : " Gambit, Part I "; VOY : " Heroes and Demons ")

Romantic relationships [ ]

Vulcan wedding ceremony

Vulcan ceremonial wedding grounds, circa 2260s

When Vulcan children came of age, having sometimes been betrothed to childhood companions by age seven, underwent the pon farr , the link compelled them to follow through with full marital rituals, which cemented their relationship. ( TOS : " Amok Time "; ENT : " Breaking the Ice ")

It was traditional for the female to propose marriage by presenting a necklace to the male. She may signal her intention to do so by wearing ritual mating colors on an auspicious date, such as the anniversary of a first courtship event . ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ")

If, for whatever reason, the female did not wish to go through with the marriage, then the ceremony of koon-ut-kal-if-fee ("marriage or challenge") was invoked. The male fought for the right to keep his mate against a challenger of her choosing. The female became the property of the male who won the contest, unless he chose to release her. The koon-ut-kal-if-fee was a fight to the death. ( TOS : " Amok Time ")

As of 2266 , hearsay held that Vulcan men treated their women strangely. ( TOS : " The Naked Time ")

According to Spock, it was "undignified for a woman to play servant to a man that is not hers" as his reason for throwing food (from Nurse Chapel) against the wall. ( TOS : " Amok Time ") Yet, a century earlier, T'Pol brought Jonathan Archer food and blankets in sickbay, and in an alternate timeline, tended to him as a nursemaid ( ENT : " A Night in Sickbay ", " Twilight ").

Vulcan wedding ceremony, ca 2260s

Touching each other with both the middle- and the forefinger was a custom practiced by married couples and was part of the Vulcan marriage ceremony. ( TOS : " Journey to Babel "; VOY : " Bliss "; ENT : " Home ") It could also help to calm down male Vulcans during pon farr . ( Star Trek III: The Search for Spock )

Food and drink [ ]

Although not always, most Vulcans were primarily vegetarians . They also did not touch food with their hands unless wearing special gloves. ( ENT : " Broken Bow ", " Home ") The v'tosh ka'tur were a major exception, however. ( ENT : " Fusion ")

Vulcans were fermenting wines , notably Vulcan port , during the 21st century. ( DS9 : " The Maquis, Part I ")

Guests in a Vulcan household were expected to rise before sunrise to prepare the morning meal. ( ENT : " Home ") Plomeek broth was considered a traditional Vulcan breakfast. ( ENT : " Unexpected ")

Holidays [ ]

See also [ ], science and technology [ ].

• Vulcan starships
• Vulcan starship classes

Individuals [ ]

• List of named Vulcans
• List of unnamed Vulcans

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

A list of all appearances of Vulcans (excluding the regular appearances of Spock , Tuvok , and T'Pol ):

• " Amok Time " (Season Two)
• " Mirror, Mirror "
• " Journey to Babel "
• " The Savage Curtain " ( Excalbian recreation only) (Season Three)
• " Yesteryear " (Season One)
• " The Time Trap "
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
• Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• Star Trek Into Darkness
• Star Trek Beyond
• " Encounter at Farpoint " (Season One)
• " The Last Outpost "
• " Coming of Age "
• " Symbiosis "
• " Conspiracy "
• " The Outrageous Okona " (Season Two)
• " The Schizoid Man "
• " A Matter Of Honor "
• " The Dauphin "
• " Shades of Gray " (footage from "The Dauphin")
• " The Ensigns of Command " (Season Three)
• " Yesterday's Enterprise "
• " Captain's Holiday "
• " Ménage à Troi "
• " Qpid " (Season Four)
• " Ensign Ro " (Season Five)
• " Unification II "
• " Unification I "
• " The First Duty "
• " Imaginary Friend "
• " Suspicions " (Season Six)
• " Gambit, Part I " (Season Seven)
• " Gambit, Part II "
• " Lower Decks "
• " Preemptive Strike "
• Star Trek Generations
• Star Trek: First Contact
• Star Trek: Insurrection
• Star Trek Nemesis
• " Emissary " (Season One)
• " The Nagus "
• " The Forsaken "
• " The Maquis, Part I " (Season Two)
• " The Maquis, Part II "
• " Crossover "
• " Through the Looking Glass " (Season Three)
• " Shakaar "
• " The Visitor " (Season Four)
• " Homefront "
• " Bar Association "
• " Rules of Engagement "
• " Shattered Mirror "
• " For the Cause "
• " Broken Link "
• " Trials and Tribble-ations " (Season Five)
• " Rapture "
• " Behind the Lines " (Season Six)
• " Favor the Bold "
• " Valiant "
• " Image in the Sand " (Season Seven)
• " Afterimage "
• " Take Me Out to the Holosuite "
• " Prodigal Daughter "
• " The Emperor's New Cloak "
• " Field of Fire "
• " Caretaker " (Season One)
• " Persistence of Vision " (illusion only) (Season Two)
• " Alter Ego " (Season Three)
• " Fair Trade "
• " Blood Fever "
• " Darkling " (hologram only)
• " Day of Honor " (Season Four)
• " Extreme Risk " (Season Five)
• " In the Flesh " ( Species 8472 posing as Vulcan)
• " Counterpoint "
• " Gravity "
• " Bliss " (illusion only)
• " Repression " (Season Seven)
• " Flesh and Blood " (hologram only)
• " Body and Soul " (hologram only)
• " Renaissance Man "
• " Endgame "
• " Broken Bow " (Season One)
• " The Andorian Incident "
• " Breaking the Ice "
• " Shadows of P'Jem "
• " Fallen Hero "
• " Carbon Creek " (Season Two)
• " Shockwave, Part II "
• " Dead Stop "
• " The Seventh "
• " Cease Fire "
• " First Flight "
• " The Expanse "
• " Impulse " (Season Three)
• " Twilight "
• " Home " (Season Four)
• " The Forge "
• " Awakening "
• " Kir'Shara "
• " In a Mirror, Darkly "
• " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II "
• " Terra Prime "
• " The Vulcan Hello " (Season One)
• " Battle at the Binary Stars "
• " Choose Your Pain "
• " Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum "
• " Into the Forest I Go "
• " The Wolf Inside "
• " The War Without, The War Within "
• " Will You Take My Hand? "
• " Brother " (Season Two)
• " Light and Shadows "
• " If Memory Serves "
• " Project Daedalus "
• " The Red Angel "
• " Perpetual Infinity "
• " Through the Valley of Shadows "
• " Such Sweet Sorrow "
• " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 "
• " Unification III " (Season Three)
• " That Hope Is You, Part 2 "
• " Anomaly (DIS) " (Season Four)
• " Choose to Live "
• " All Is Possible "
• " ...But to Connect "
• " Rubicon "
• " The Galactic Barrier "
• " Rosetta "
• " Species Ten-C "
• " Coming Home "
• " Q&A " (Season Two)
• " Maps and Legends " (Season One)
• " The End is the Beginning "
• " Nepenthe "
• " Broken Pieces "
• " Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1 "
• " Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2 "
• " The Star Gazer " (Season Two)
• " Farewell "
• " The Next Generation " (Season Three)
• " Disengage "
• " Seventeen Seconds "
• " No Win Scenario "
• " Imposters "
• " Dominion "
• " Surrender "
• " The Last Generation "
• " Second Contact " (Season One)
• " Much Ado About Boimler "
• " Veritas "
• " Kayshon, His Eyes Open " (Season Two)
• " Mugato, Gumato "
• " An Embarrassment Of Dooplers "
• " wej Duj "
• " First First Contact "
• " The Least Dangerous Game " (Season Three)
• " Hear All, Trust Nothing "
• " The Stars At Night "
• " Twovix " (Season Four)
• " In the Cradle of Vexilon "
• " Something Borrowed, Something Green "
• " Empathological Fallacies "
• " A Few Badgeys More "
• " The Inner Fight "
• " Old Friends, New Planets "
• " Kobayashi " (hologram) (Season One)
• " Supernova, Part 2 "
• " Strange New Worlds " (Season One)
• " Spock Amok "
• " The Serene Squall "
• " Ad Astra per Aspera " (Season Two)
• " Charades "
• " Under the Cloak of War "

Background information [ ]

The Vulcans were the first alien species created for Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry . ( " The Andorian Incident ", text commentary , ENT Season 1 DVD special feature )

^  The term "Vulcanian" has been described as an " Obsolete term meaning a native of the planet Vulcan. The term 'Vulcan' has come to mean both the planet and the native of same. " ( Star Trek Concordance , p. 248) The origin of the term from a production standpoint dates to 1966 , when NBC prepared a twelve-page booklet, entitled "Advance Information on 1966- 67 Programming: Star Trek ", which described the series' regular crewmembers. The description of Spock mentions that his father was a native of "Vulcanis," and his people were known as the "Vulcanians". ( The Star Trek Compendium , p. 25) As a result of early "growing pains" in the writing staff, the term "Vulcanian" was used sporadically (and sometimes interchangeably) during the first season , where it was heard in " Mudd's Women ", " Court Martial ", " A Taste of Armageddon ", " This Side of Paradise ", and " Errand of Mercy ". The Bajorans suffered similar "growing pains" when they were briefly known as the "Bajora" during their early appearances. The name "Vulcan" itself, in reference to the people, was first heard in " The Naked Time ". See also: Vulcanian expedition and Vulcanian Scientific Legion of Honor .

In notes that Costume Designer Robert Fletcher wrote about the various aliens in the film Star Trek: The Motion Picture , he included a description of the Vulcans. After pointing out the Vulcans were "from tv series", the brief continued as follows:

" Observed in the movie as Mr. Spock, others among crew, and the Masters on Vulcan planet scene. Unemotional, scientific people, their culture based on cold logic, reason and control. One of the Federation's most advanced races [....] Vulcans are mostly tall, slender, beautiful people, with strong sense of honor. Physically distinguished by upswept eyebrows and pointed ears. Their green blood is copper-based. "

Fletcher also imagined that, because their homeworld was rich in jade, the Vulcans made extensive use of that substance, such as with ruby jewellery and a red-colored giant statue is visible on the planet's surface, in the film. ( The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture , p. 133)

The depiction of Vulcans developed with the introduction of Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager , as he was the first black Vulcan main character. In developing the character of Tuvok, the series' creators tried to put a new spin on the long-established alien species. However, Executive Producer and series co-creator Jeri Taylor later stated, " Subsequently I have learned we were not the first. In the third feature there was a black Vulcan priestess, so it was clearly established there were different colors of people on Vulcan. " (Taylor's statement is not entirely true, as the black Vulcan priestess was actually in the fifth Star Trek film, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier .) When he was cast as Tuvok, actor Tim Russ was an expert on Vulcans, and, in fact, his expertise of portraying a member of the species got him the part. ( Cinefantastique , Vol. 27, No. 4/5, pp. 59 & 60) " People are always asking me how there could even be a black Vulcan, " said Russ, shortly after the start of VOY Season 1 . " If Vulcans are humanoids and other humanoids were the species they most often encountered, then logic would follow that because of genetic mutation and random selection, you're going to have different colors and different variations of the species at one time. So, Tuvok is a black Vulcan. " ( The Official Star Trek: Voyager Magazine  issue 2 , p. 20)

In a story idea that the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine writers had that eventually became the two-parter " Homefront " and " Paradise Lost ", the Vulcans were to withdraw from the Federation. The cause of this schism was to be their concern that the Federation was becoming too concerned with the Changeling infiltration at the cost of civil liberties. Starfleet was to assume incorrectly that the Founders had infiltrated Vulcan society. ( Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion  (p. ? ))

In developing the Vulcans for Star Trek: Enterprise , Brannon Braga noted " one of our goals with this series was to make the Vulcans interesting again. I think they've been taken for granted... I think the Vulcans in this era are very complicated and paradoxical and make good antagonists. " ( Star Trek: The Magazine  Volume 3, Issue 2 , p. 10) Regarding the depiction of crazed Vulcan crewmembers of the starship Seleya in ENT : " Impulse ", Braga once remarked, " I loved the idea of Vulcan zombies. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 151 , p. 29)

In the unproduced animated series Star Trek: Final Frontier , set in the far future, the Vulcans left the Federation at some point in the 25th century to discuss reunification with the Romulans.

In an ultimately unused line of dialogue from the script of Star Trek , Spock explained, " 'Cthia' is the stricture that binds our emotions... but few of us are that perfectly Vulcan. " [4]

For Star Trek Into Darkness , Vulcan ear prosthetics, in encapsulated silicone, were created by makeup artist David Snyder . A few changes were made to the Vulcan ears when compared to those from the previous film , Star Trek , on which Snyder had also worked. David LeRoy Anderson , the Makeup Department Head for Into Darkness , explained, " Our modifications were strictly mechanical, based on Dave's desire to make the application a little easier. Dave did a clay press of the existing sculpt and remodeled the ears to help mass-produce the pieces, and that gave us great edges. " The ears were applied by Snyder, using a cotton swab, and (at least in the case of Zachary Quinto as Spock ) a tiny amount of acetone. ( Cinefex , No. 134, p. 77)

Apocrypha [ ]

According to Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual (published in 1977 by "Star Fleet Productions, Inc."):

• Males height = 2.0 meters (6'6")
• Males weight = 70 kilograms (154.3 lbs)
• Females height = 1.7 meters (5'6")
• Females weight = 50 kilograms (110.2 lbs)
• Body temperature = 32.78 °C (91 °F)
• Heart rate = 242 bpm
• Blood pressure = 80/40

Vulcan blood vessels are more dilated than those of Humans. The larger blood vessels are the reason Vulcan blood pressure is lower. The dilated blood vessels and fast heart rate also play a key role in regulating Vulcan body temperature. A standard 91 °F body temperature is maintained by the internal cooling mechanism of fast blood circulation. ( Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual )

Vulcans do not have sweat glands, and cannot rely on evaporation as a means of cooling their bodies in the harsh heat of their planet's desert climate. Expelling heat through radiation is insufficient. Vulcans evolved an internal cooling mechanism. With an average body temperature of 91 °F, the high blood flow circulates cool blood throughout their body. ( Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual ) This systematic means of cooling gives credence to McCoy's comment "that green ice water you call blood." ( TOS : " The Paradise Syndrome ")

While " Little Green Men " implies that Vulcans were not warp-capable until at least 1947, in the novel Prime Directive they already possessed such technology in 1908: a Vulcan survey ship was responsible for the mysterious Tunguska event , redirecting a large meteor about to hit Western Europe – where it would have killed millions and done irreparable damage to Human civilization – so that it instead impacted in an area so remote that no Human deaths were recorded.

External links [ ]

• Vulcan at StarTrek.com
• Vulcan at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• 3 Ancient humanoid

Screen Rant

10 vulcan proverbs in star trek.

Star Trek's Vulcans prioritize logic above emotion. Here's a look at some fascinating and wise words from Earth's greatest interstellar allies.

• Vulcans prioritize a commitment to logic, valuing reason over emotion.
• Vulcan proverbs and customs highlight diversity, logic, and peaceful coexistence.
• Vulcan philosophy emphasizes unity, the acceptance of change, and the wisdom found in balancing logic and emotion.

Introduced as Earth's closest, first, and greatest interstellar allies, Star Trek ' s Vulcans are known for their advanced technology, logical mindset, and seemingly emotionless demeanor. Vulcan culture values intelligence and rationality, leading them to prioritize exploration and political success. Despite a stoic exterior, Vulcans form deep connections with others, placing great value on privacy and private contemplation. Vulcan's strong and co-founding presence in the United Federation of Planets highlights a respected standing in the galaxy. The Vulcan relationship with Earth is challenging, beneficial, and instructive, revealing a collection of wise insights and philosophical ideals .

The Vulcan proverbs from Star Trek's series and movies offer a glimpse into the values and beliefs that shape this enigmatic alien race. With their extraordinary abilities like touch-telepathy, exceptional hearing, and impeccable logic, Vulcans navigate the universe with a perspective far removed from humans. The contrast between Vulcan's emphasis on reason and Earth's curious impulsiveness creates an enjoyable and intriguing dynamic. Delving into the essence of Vulcan culture reveals a complex society that seeks to balance tradition with progress, making them a fascinating and essential part of the Star Trek universe.

Every Upcoming Star Trek Movie & TV Show

10 "live long and prosper", star trek: the original series season 2, episode 5 - "amok time".

The iconic Vulcan saying " Live long and prosper " was first uttered in Star Trek: The Original Series but frequently repeated in the franchise's later series and movies. This traditional farewell greeting is often accompanied by a one-handed gesture dubbed the Vulcan salute. The farewell was first spoken by Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in the TOS season 2 episode, "Amok Time," following the kal-if-fee (challenge) fight with Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner). Believing that he has killed Kirk, Spock addresses the Vulcan Priestess T'Pau (Celia Lovsky) and tells her that he " shall do neither " when she responds with the phrase in kind.

Leonard Nimoy based the famous Vulcan hand salute on a Jewish priestly blessing.

"Amok Time" is an important Star Trek episode offering a rare insight into Vulcan customs, culture, and tradition. It also reflects on the power of strong emotions as Spock experiences a charged combination of fear, anger, lust, and grief as events unfold. The phrase " Live long and prosper " has evolved into a timeless symbol of hope and goodwill , resonating throughout the Star Trek franchise and capturing the essence of Vulcan philosophy.

9 "Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations"

Star trek: the original series season 3, episode 7 - "is there no truth in beauty".

The Vulcan IDIC, which stands for " Infinite diversity in infinite combinations ," is a fundamental concept in Vulcan philosophy. Introduced in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode " Is There In Truth No Beauty? ", this emblem symbolizes the importance of diversity. The episode delves into themes such as the perception of beauty, tolerance, prejudice, self-worth, and telepathic ability, making the exploration of this core Vulcan value significant and impactful. The IDIC symbol, represented by a triangle over a circle, has become a recurring symbol throughout the Star Trek franchise , appearing in various episodes and even influencing the design of the Prime Timeline Spock 's Jellyfish ship in Star Trek (2009).

The IDIC serves as a reminder of the value of diversity and acceptance, reflecting the ideals upheld by the Vulcan civilization. Its presence in multiple Star Trek iterations demonstrates its enduring relevance and influence on the series' overarching themes. From its introduction as a key component of Vulcan philosophy to its portrayal in various forms throughout the franchise, the IDIC continues to serve as a symbol of unity and appreciation for differences across the galaxy.

8 “I am pleased to see that we have differences. May we together become greater than the sum of both of us.” - Surak"

Star trek: the original series season 3, episode 22 - "the savage curtain".

In the iconic Star Trek: The Original Series episode "The Savage Curtain," Captain Kirk and Spock become engaged in a study of good and evil. Upon their first encounter with the historical icon Surak (Barry Atwater), the Vulcan philosopher and scientist utters the profound phrase, " I am pleased to see that we are different. May we together be more than the sum of our parts ."

Promoting diversity, inclusion, and peace, the phrase celebrates differences and friendship.

This Vulcan quote encapsulates the core value of diversity and unity within the Star Trek universe , echoing the qualities of IDIC . Promoting diversity, inclusion, and peace, the phrase celebrates differences and friendship and rejects prejudice as petty, illogical, and small-minded. The sentiment is a fitting lesson from the 'father of modern Vulcan civilization,' operating to inspire and remind us of the endless possibilities that can arise when working harmoniously with others.

7 "In accepting the inevitable, one finds peace." - Tuvok

Star trek: voyager season 5, episode 5 - "once upon a time".

When an ion storm causes Star Trek: Voyager 's Delta Flyer shuttle to crash on a class M planet, leaving the away team stranded, the situation quickly escalates as the craft becomes submerged 3km below ground with the rocky chamber around them filled with toxic gas. With life support failing, Tuvok (Tim Russ) tries to comfort the critically injured away team member as the survivors' air supply dwindles. Lt. Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill) expresses disbelief at their predicament, musing that he never expected to be buried alive on an unknown planet. Meaning well, Tuvok suggests that "In accepting the inevitable, one finds peace," but the sentiment does little to ease the team's anxiety.

It reflects the logical and tranquil characteristics of Vulcan philosophy.

While Paris jests about preferring the familiar Vulcan saying " Live Long and Prosper ," Tuvok's attempt at solace underscores his stoic nature. Although the comment may fall short of providing immediate comfort, it reflects the logical and tranquil characteristics of Vulcan philosophy in challenging situations. Outside the dire circumstances they face, Tuvok's words hold a deeper wisdom that resonates with the composed demeanor of his species.

6 "Nothing Unreal Exists"

Star trek iv: the voyage home.

Shortly after Spock's resurrection on Vulcan , he undertakes an educational memory test and is presented with questions on various topics, including science, maths, and philosophy. When asked, " What is Kiri-kin-tha's first law ?" Spock correctly answers, " Nothing unreal exists. " This law, stemming from Surak's teachings, showcases the Vulcans' logical and analytical thinking, offering a simplified insight into the complex topic of metaphysics. It provides a foundation for understanding philosophical meaning and existence and showcases the impressive depth of Vulcan knowledge, wisdom, and reasoning.

The significance of Kiri-kin-tha's first law is revisited in Star Trek: Enterprise , season four episode "The Forge," where Arev (Michael Nouri) questions Archer about these guiding principles in the Vulcan desert. This retconned narrative twist in the franchise's timeline allows the prequel series to delve deeper into Vulcan cultural themes and build on the concepts introduced in previous iterations of the Star Trek universe.

5 "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few (or the one)." - Spock & Kirk k

Star trek ii: the wrath of khan and star trek iii: the search for spock.

One of the most iconic quotes from Star Trek , this phrase is closely tied to the heartbreaking scenes of Mr. Spock's death in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan . While it is synonymous with this moment, the phrase also appears in several of the franchise's other films. In this second movie, Spock sacrifices himself to repair the ship and save the crew from ongoing attack , ultimately succumbing to radiation poisoning. His final words to Kirk, emphasizing the logic behind his actions, set the stage for a recurring theme that extends into the next film, Star Trek III: The Search For Spock .

After Spock's resurrection, Kirk offers a different perspective on the phrase. When Spock asks Kirk why he sacrificed so much to help him, Kirk inverts the sentiment by stating that "the needs of the one outweighed the needs of the many." This quote reversal speaks to the ongoing struggle between logic and emotion seen throughout the franchise's various shows, particularly in Star Trek: The Original Series .

4 "One man can summon the future." - T'Pol / "One man cannot summon the future." - Spock

Star trek: enterprise season 4, episode 13 - "united" & star trek: the original series season 2, episode 10 - "mirror, mirror".

In a crucial moment to protect an operational alliance, Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) arranges to take the place of a Tellerite dignitary in a fight to the death with the Andorian Commander, Thy'lek Shran (Jeffrey Combs). First Officer T'Pol (Jolene Blalock) expresses concern for Archer's safety , but he argues that - of the three parties negotiating - his death is the only one that would not endanger the alliance. This fourth season episode of Star Trek: Enterprise hints at the early steps towards forming the United Federation of Planets .

Both instances exemplify the power of individuals in pivotal moments.

The sentiment is inverted in an episode from Star Trek: The Original Series , where Captain James T. Kirk attempts to convince the ruthless Mirror universe Spock of the futility of an illogical universe. Spock is dismissive, stating that " one man cannot summon the future, " but Kirk underscores the significance of individual actions in shaping the present. Both instances exemplify the power of individuals in pivotal moments within the Star Trek universe, reinforcing the idea that personal choices can greatly impact the course of events.

3 "Change is the essential process of all existence." - Spock

Star trek: the original series season 3, episode 15 - "let that be your last battlefield".

Captain Kirk and the USS Enterprise crew are inadvertently involved in a long-standing conflict between Lokai (Lou Antonio) and Commissioner Bele (Frank Gorshin) , a fugitive and his pursuer from the planet Cheron. This allegorical episode explores themes of racism and prejudice, revenge, hatred, and obsession - the two guest alien characters are too stubbornly caught up in their vendetta to notice the obliteration of their planet. Highlighting this idea and observing their driven visitors' intractable views and behavior, Spock remarks to Bele that " change is the essential process of all existence ." Bele is too focused on his task to capture Lokai, and the lesson goes unheeded.

With change comes progress.

It's an important observation of life , however, subtly acknowledging that with change comes progress. Though the sentiment seems at odds with the slow, stuffy perception of Vulcan tradition, it provides a clear perspective when considering the development and evolution of Vulcan culture and history in shows such as Star Trek: The Original Series and Enterprise .

2 "Without followers, evil cannot spread." - Spock

Star trek: the original series season 3, episode 5 - "and the children shall lead".

Captain James T. Kirk and the USS Enterprise crew face a formidable enemy that preys on their deepest fears to take over the ship and control their minds. With the help of a group of impressionable young children who follow the "Friendly Angel" known simply as Gorgon (Melvin Belli), a non-corporeal being from the Triacus, Kirk and Spock find themselves isolated and outnumbered on their own ship.

Realizing the children's pivotal role in the enemy's plans, Spock reminds Kirk that evil thrives only with the support of followers . It's a dark moment that highlights the predation of evil on innocents. This insight prompts them to strategize how to reclaim the Enterprise and defeat the Gorgon. The allegorical message of how evil spreads through cooperation, manipulation, and ignorance is a timeless and historically significant lesson that gains new perspective in light of the evolving Vulcan history depicted in later series.

1 "Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end." - Spock

Star trek vi: the undiscovered country.

In the 1991 movie Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country , Spock is confronted with the reality that his protégé, Lt. Valeris (Kim Cattrell) , is conspiring against the Federation to sabotage diplomatic negotiations and assassinate the Klingon Chancellor. Spock's statement that " Logic is the beginning of wisdom, Valeris, not the end " is a profound message that reflects the idea that knowledge and understanding go beyond mere logic. Spock's own diverse experiences and interactions with a mostly Human crew and multiple other alien species undoubtedly shape his perspective, offering an informed insight that wisdom involves more than analysis and reasoning.

Spock's unique background as a Vulcan-human hybrid has given him a deeper understanding of the complexities of wisdom. Despite the long-standing internal struggle between his logical and emotional sides, Spock recognizes the importance of embracing both aspects to achieve true knowledge. Themes of unity and diversity resonate throughout the Star Trek universe , emphasizing the value of different perspectives in finding solutions and ultimately achieving peace.

All Star Trek series (except Star Trek: Prodigy) are available to stream on Paramount+.

Star Trek I-X (movies) are available to stream on Max.

Star Trek: The Original Series

Star trek: voyager, star trek: enterprise, star trek: discovery.

• April 12, 2024 | Podcast: All Access Goes To Trill With ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ For “Jinaal”
• April 11, 2024 | Paramount Pictures Officially Confirms Star Trek Origin Movie For Its Upcoming Film Slate
• April 11, 2024 | Japan’s Prime Minister Invokes Star Trek In White House State Dinner Toast
• April 11, 2024 | Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Tries Too Many Connections In “Jinaal”
• April 10, 2024 | ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5 Preview Offers Intriguing Clues And The Return To [SPOILERS]

Recap/Review: ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Tries Too Many Connections In “Jinaal”

| April 11, 2024 | By: Anthony Pascale 50 comments so far

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 3 – Debuted Thursday, April 11, 2024 Written by Kyle Jarrow & Lauren Wilkinson Directed by Andi Armaganian

Strong performances and fun moments of lightness and lore make up for a mixed bag of stories jumbled into a single episode.

Yes, you can come on the mission… to the friend zone.

WARNING: Spoilers below!

“Connection isn’t a skill, it’s a choice.”

As Discovery preps to head to Trill for the next quest clue, the crew settles into their season positions. Culber and Book brief the captain on the adversaries, with new details on Moll thanks to Book recognizing a personal connection in the previous episode. Michael’s felonious ex is trying hard to get his life back, so he really wants in on the Trill landing party even though he isn’t Starfleet—as if that has ever stopped them before. Adira and Tilly have identified a Trill spots pattern on the map puzzle piece found last week, leading them to a 24 th- century Trill named Jinaal (episode title alert), and maybe his Bix symbiont is still around. Former Captain—now Commander—Rayner comes aboard, and Burnham orders her new first officer to get to know the crew whether he likes it or not. As for Stamets, he continues to be a bit lost, so he’s focused on trying to unlock the secrets in Dr. Vellek’s old tricorder, ignoring Adira’s clear discombobulation over seeing Gray again. It takes Reno going full “woo-woo a-hole” to snap spacedad out of it. So things are more or less running smoothly until they arrive on Trill, when Guardian Xi goes full Monty Python bridge-keeper . Thankfully, Michael answers the riddle quickly (it’s Betazed!) and she pops down to the Caves of Mak’ala with Adira, Culber, and (of course) Book… where they meet what may be the oldest Trill ever.

Kalzara Bix tells the gang she has been waiting nearly her whole life for a “worthy seeker.” For more questions, they can ask Jinaal directly via that Trill ritual we all remember from DS9. Culber steps up as a temporary vessel since “Emotionally overwhelming is what I do best.” Et voilà, Hugh is a whole new man, who immediately comments about how he really works out (someone has been tracking his Gram ). This very jaunty Culber-Jinaal says the next clue is nearby, and today is a great day for a walk, so he takes Burnham and Book with him. Upon their arrival at the canyon, Jinaalber opens up with some exposition about himself, Dr. Vellek, and four other scientists who found the Progenitor tech but decided it was way too dangerous to hand over to the Federation in the middle of the Dominion War. So they created a fun quest, planting a “path” of clues to be followed. He’s skeptical the 32 nd century is ready for the awesome power (despite Starfleet’s snazzy new uniforms), but Michael makes the case that the good outweighs the bad. BTW, they are being hunted by giant “Intronok” predators, so the quasi Trill recommends phasers ready. Once they arrive at the clue’s location, a plasma-spewing monster gets in their way… and Hughbix peaces out. Dude!

You two go ahead… I’ll just strategically hide behind you.

“We literally used to be connected.”

Back at Starfleet HQ the newly minted Ambassador Saru is settling into his new office with a little help from his Vulcan fiancé. They plan their wedding announcement before heading into a resource meeting, where he successfully argues for more allocations to the small worlds he represents, forging a compromise with others who are worried about the Breen (hmm). T’Rina’s aide Duvin takes Saru aside to say he is concerned about how the wedding announcement will impact delicate Ni’Var politics, but when the Kelpien brings this up with his beloved, she doesn’t take it well. “What would have given you the impression that I am in need of a caretaker?” she asks. Ouch. Navigating Federation diplomacy (and a starship) was a lot easier than understanding a Vulcan heart.

On the Disco, Saru’s replacement isn’t having it any easier. For some reason, temporary science consultant Tilly is organizing Rayner’s one-on-ones. He really doesn’t want to do them, but agrees for the sake of “crew cohesion” and gives everyone “20 words” to reveal something interesting about themselves. Cue the montage as we learn fun new tidbits for the folks at Memory Alpha to add to the pages for Rhys, Christopher, Linus, Pollard, et al. When Stamets shows up and actually shows some enthusiasm for the first time this season (he was able to crack Vellek’s PADD), Rayner practically ignores him and Tilly has finally had enough. She lets the new XO know he is being a giant… well she ran out of her 20 words so we will have to fill in the blank.

One person who misses out on this (not) quality time with Rayner is Adira. They are busy reconnecting with Gray on Trill, who is loving life as a trainee Guardian. Now that each of them has their own body, they realize they both have been growing apart and following separate paths. So season 5 gets its second breakup following Mike and Book… could T’Rina and Saru be next? Noooooo.

What do you mean, no diving?

“Analyzing is not the same as connecting.”

Back to the important stuff, Book tries his glowing forehead empathy connection but all he gets from the monster is that it’s “really pissed off.” Duh. In a replay of the action from last week, Book does some distracting under fire while Michael heads to the rock with the clue symbol on it to get the big prize. Things do not go as planned, and he gets hit. They are pinned down as a second monster shows up. But the creatures aren’t looking at the Starfleet duo as food, just protecting their nest of monster eggs. Aww. Time for Plan B. Michael again remembers her xenoanthropology and holsters her phaser, showing respect to the now calming Intronoks. Book does the same and communicates they just want to leave as they slowly back off… and soon enough they find Dr. Hugh Jinaal casually lounging on a rock, quipping, “I see you survived.” Michael sorts it out: He drew them to that nest after suggesting they arm phasers. By connecting instead of shooting, they passed another test. He was willing to let them die just to see if there was “goodness” in them, but they survived, so they win the prize: the clue and the second map piece, hidden under a totally different rock. Sneaky Trill.

After Culber gets swapped back he heads back to the ship to decompress from a big day of being possessed. Michael catches up to him in the lounge, where they contemplate the spiritual implications of the journey they are on, seeking the technology of the gods. Tilly is also there, and Rayner arrives to let her know he gets it—there is some value in showing respect to the people under his command. Oh and back at HQ, Saru apologizes to T’Rina for Kelpiensplaining Vulcan politics, and she’s totally cool about it, so they’re fine. Things wrap up in the Trill caves with Bix returning to the symbiont pool and Adira and Gray saying goodbye as well. But wait, what’s that? It’s Moll! Disguised as a Trill, she surreptitiously puts something onto Adira’s sleeve before the ensign beams back to the Disco. Dun dun duuun !

What about a four-shift rotation?

After two strong episodes, things are more mixed for episode 3. The blend of plot, character, and action was not as finely balanced, mostly due to carrying the load of four separate storylines. This kind of multi-POV storytelling has always been a challenge for Discovery , but there were some big highlights that kept the episode a winner overall. The MVP is Wilson Cruz, who finally got the opportunity to step out of his Hugh Culber and play a different character, a time-honored Trek tradition. His Jinaal was believably a unique individual, down to his speech pattern and gait, with a clear motivation. This storyline tied into all of the others with the not-very-subtle theme of connection; however, there was a more nuanced exploration for Culber and Burnham about the season’s bigger questions about science and faith that was more interesting. And the riddle for passage bit was a nice classic quest beat, evoking ancient adventures. The action sequences felt a bit repetitive after last week, but they made up for it with some fun as Sonequa Martin-Green and David Ajala again demonstrated their playful chemistry.

The Rayner storyline was also a high point.  He continues to be a great addition to the show, bringing all sorts of Jellico, Lorca, and even some Shaw vibes, but still being his own man (sorry, Kellerun ). Callum Keith Rennie and Mary Wiseman showed they have their own delightful dynamic. It may not have made sense for Tilly to act as HR for the ship (especially as she’s only on loan as a science advisor from the Academy), but all of these scenes were still refreshing as we got to add little bits of dimension to members of the crew from Linus’ pride over three clutches of eggs to Rhys lusting over the fine curves of old Constitution classes… and the gruff-off between Rayner and Reno was all too brief. But there was a point to all of this, showing welcome growth for both Rayner and Tilly and the rest of the gang too, although it is not clear why the new characters of Gallo and Asha had to sub in for Owo and Detmer.

Contemplating the meaning of life?… Or if he can skip leg day?

Things started going off the rails with the Saru and T’Rina storyline, which started to feel like an unnecessary distraction. Giving him this new post as ambassador is a good way to shake things up as well as to do some world-building for the show, something that may prove useful for the upcoming Academy series as well. But instead of Federation West Wing, things got more alien I Love Lucy with Ambassador Saru having some ‘splaining to do. Doug Jones and Tara Rosling did their best with the material but the rigmarole about their marriage announcement was low stakes at best, even if this bit about Vulcan purists is setting something up for later. As for the Gray and Adira storyline, it felt like this was mostly just going through the motions, but at least it established that Adira is now fully independent, confirming their new agency. Blu del Barrio’s performance was grounded, making all of this more relatable. But trying to balance these two extra storylines definitely did not help the episode when it came to pacing.

Even with all these character stories, there was some season plot development. We learned key bits about Moll, while L’ak remains a mystery, but that’s okay for now. The origins of the quest are also coming into focus with the story of the six scientists and a reasonable explanation for why they can’t just jump to the end. It feels like we will learn more about the other four scientists as we pick up more pieces of the map. And there was also a bit more worldbuilding as another hint of a coming Breen threat was mentioned. And dare we hope the mention of the Tzenkethi means we will finally see them in canon? Fans were rewarded with plenty of nods to lore, with the main plot structured around the Zhian’tara ritual from DS9’s “Facets,” and the addition of new Trill canon. Nods to Tongo and Bynars along with deeper cuts to Selay , Vavinit plants , cabrodine , Slug-o-Cola , bore worms , and more should have resulted in plenty of Rick Dalton meme moments , especially for Deep Space Nine fans. While it all seems like a lot, these were mostly Easter eggs to reward fans without turning into the dreaded “fan service.”

Now on the runway, Ambassador Saru sporting the new Diplomacy in Blue line.

Final thoughts

Even with all the juggling, episode 3 still was self-contained while carrying on the serialized story. While not as strong as the first two episodes, season 5 still remains entirely entertaining. The show has nicely pivoted with clearer themes, a fun tone, and better connections to lore while still servicing the characters and their emotional stories.

You can really taste the algae.

• A USS Locherer could be seen at Starfleet HQ, named in honor of camera operator J.P Locherer , who passed away in 2022.
• The previously unnamed bar lounge is called “Red’s,” possibly named for the Ferengi bartender, who got their first line in this episode.
• The Osnullus bridge officer’s name is Lt. Arev.
• Lt. Christopher confirmed that Lt. Commander Nilsson has been reassigned to the USS Voyager-J .
• Christopher also reassured Rayner his pet tribble (a gift from Nilsson) was neutered.
• The Trill canyon was shot at Lafarge Quarry , which Discovery (and Strange New Worlds ) have used before on a few occasions.
• Trill spots are as unique as human fingerprints, as are Saurian dorsal ridges.
• In addition to the Selay, the ambassador meeting also included a Facian .

The Selay ambassador is upset this committee doesn’t warrant those cool floating chairs.

More to come

Every Friday, the TrekMovie.com All Access Star Trek Podcast  covers the latest news in the Star Trek Universe and discusses the latest episode. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts ,  Spotify ,  Pocket Casts ,  Stitcher and is part of the TrekMovie Podcast Network.

The fifth and final season of  Discovery debuted with two episodes on Thursday, April 4 exclusively on Paramount+  in the U.S., the UK, Switzerland, South Korea, Latin America, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, and Austria.  Discovery  will also premiere on April 4 on Paramount+ in Canada and will be broadcast on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel in Canada. The rest of the 10-episode final season will be available to stream weekly on Thursdays. Season 5 debuts on SkyShowtime in select European countries on April 5.

Keep up with news about the  Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com .

Related Articles

All Access Star Trek Podcast , Discovery

Podcast: All Access Goes To Trill With ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ For “Jinaal”

Analysis , Discovery

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5 Preview Offers Intriguing Clues And The Return To [SPOILERS]

Discovery , Starfleet Academy

Mary Wiseman Really Doesn’t Want To Talk About Tilly Returning On ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’

Discovery , Magazine

Sonequa Martin-Green Talks About Exhausting Last Day On Set For ‘Star Trek: Discovery’

I really enjoyed this episode it had alot of character moments/growth and it was great to see the Trill again espicially gray as i miss his charcter.

Wilson Cruz was on fire this episode as he really pulled off the charcter of Jinaal.

Raynar is still a bit of a jerk but hopefully what Tilly said to him get through to him.

Looking forward to the next episode and i hope we get to see the Tzenkethi.

“ it was great to see the Trill again espicially gray as i miss his charcter. ”

Wow, you don’t read that very often .

I enjoyed this one, but anyone else thinking animals that can cloak themselves are becoming a bit too common?

I think in this era, current showrunners meet and share an idea and are tempted to grab it for another show. Synths, Picard and Discovery. Copy and Paste Starships, Picard and Prodigy. From previous shows is more natural, but for current productions is amusing.

It was more of a “cut and paste” Trek story idea. They watched the Devil In The Dark..Oh yeah! they’re protecting the eggs! That’ll satisfy the dumb Trekkies.

See, using Dax here would have been perfect. Imagine it; Jadzia Dax finding the Progenitor tech with Vellek.

I feel this season they want to avoid all kind of risks. I would also would love to see Dax. But for sure, critics will complain about it.

Hitchcock said, “What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out” – I think this was a wasted opportunity to not reintroduce the Dax symbiont and give Discovery an intimate connection to the greater Star Trek universe. For those who say it’d just be fan service: how does the ISS Enterprise get a pass , but a Dax at the Trill pools is jumping the shark? Just saying, it wouldn’t have been dull. And yes, if a quahog can live for hundreds of years in the ocean, I think Dax can survive 1,000 years in Hugh Hefner’s former grotto.

An unnamed Romulan played by an unknown extra being given more importance than Jadzia Dax is weird…

I don’t think that’s weird. It speaks to a greater universe than just the named characters in the opening credits of those shows we know. Those on the periphery, they’re people too.

After the way Jadzia was unceremoniously killed off, though, she deserved better. This was a chance to increase her importance.

Add to that that by having her in Discovery in one form or another it would have really tied up several Trek series since she was also present during TOS twice; once as the host of the Dax symbiont at the time and again during Trials and Tribble-lations.

With the potential era of the initial investigation being the Dominion War it would’ve been awesome for Dax to be revealed as one of the scientists. It’s give her a stronger legacy than being killed by possessed Dukat.

Exactly. Having her literally take the secret to the grave would have been perfect.

I’d love to see Dax too, but I think it would have just been to unbelievable for Jadzia to have taken a sabbatical from DS9 during the Dominion War (and right after her wedding) to go on a secret mission with a bunch of scientists to set up an elaborate quest.

What about after the Dominion took over DS9? That is a large-enough window of time for her to have been off on such a mission.

I can’t see her leaving the Defiant at such a critical time.

Great episode. I really enjoy the new tone/vibe/pace of the show. The script as well. Big improvement from previous seasons.

We used to watch these relationship dynamics in almost every episode of Star Trek, but what I watched in this episode, reminds me STNG and DS9, with Discovery fast pace.

Really like these relationship/character growth balance between scenes. Great lines for Tilly, the writers nailed it giving all characters exactly what they needed.

Three great episodes. Can’t wait for episode 4.

Totally missed to add…great GREAT ending. They are wrapping up each episode nicely!

Didn’t we see Lt. Commander Nilson in a Twitter post?

After the exciting first 2 episodes, this one was a letdown.

I have to agree that this episode turned out to be a “mixed bag of stories jumbled into a single episode”.

Also, I’m still not liking the very unprofessional vibe of Discovery’s crew. That ship literally has no command structure as evidenced by Tilly’s example. It really destroys any feeling that they are even a Starfleet crew. But this is Discovery so whatever, I guess.

I hope the next episode is more coherent.

but they connect and feel and live their own truth so – like, that’s just your opinion man….

I can only speak from my experience, but when I was an Air Force officer, our unit’s general vibe was pretty similar to what we see on Discovery . I wouldn’t go so far as to say we had “no command structure” but things were pretty loose. As a matter of fact, we tended to get a bit annoyed when someone acted “too military”. I can give you an example: myself and another second lieutenant were walking into our wing HQ building when we passed a guy who had just “pinned on” first lieutenant. He demanded we salute him and we just kind of told him “c’mon, man” and went our way, because there’s just no real distinction between a second lieutenant and a first lieutenant. Broadly, lieutenants and captains (at least the ones a few years out from making major) tend to view each other as peers.

I guess I am too used to what has previously been shown on TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY and ENT as the standard of professional behavior on Starfleet ships, that the loose and casual office behavior on DSC seems out of place.

I Get it can be relaxed, as Will is relating.. but it’s not always one or the other. I woul like to see more nuance in all characters. Tilly doesn’t always need to be always funny and freewheeling. I’d like to see her be more professional. Most people in any walk of life aren’t one way all the time. But most of these are written as charactures and not actual people.

It’s a fair point about Tilly. She’s a lieutenant with limited experience and she’s telling off a superior officer in a way that would make even Will Riker blush. Imagine her meeting Captain Jellico…

I get it, although it could ebb and flow. One of the things Roddenberry supposedly didn’t like about the Gene Coon era of TOS was the characters’ loose, familiar attitude. During the brief period of time he actively worked on the third season, he insisted on changing all that. The characters are much more formal in season 3.

See I disagree with the review- I thought the episode balanced its four plot strands really well and it was a wonderful character focused episode. Each to their own, I guess.

This was a connector episode, and not a lot happens. I go back to.. when you only have 10 episodes, you better make best use of your time. This was a relationship stuff… it would help if it covered relationships I cared about, but it’s just overly emotive junk that isn’t interesting to me at all. Which is funny when you consider one of those relationships features a Vulcan. While I like Sara and T’rina as a couple, they are boring. Gray and Adira, it’s just a lot of awkward teen stuff. I get it.. they’re having trouble.. just way too much time spent on that. At least Stulber has chemistry.. Book and Burnham have chemistry. But this was a waste of an episode.

Gray and Adira were miscast physically. I’d like to explain that DSC is a big visual show. When there is a wide shot, both Gray and Adira seem too small and too far away. We get to see their acting talents in the scenes where they are in a two-shot or a medium-shot. In my opinion, Blu’s acting is MUCH better this year. Ian Alexander’s acting is just too small for me. It must be difficult to frame the shots he is in, due to his physical size, which is a testament to the show’s production challenges. When you see how athletic Culber is compared to Gray? It’s just too jarring for me. His character doesn’t grab your attention. Let me be clear: I’m beyond happy about the LGBTQ representation DSC is showing. I’m glad the LGBTQ community can see themselves on TV. FWIW, I notice the same things in SNW. Peck and Mount are very athletic buff actors. In a wide shot, they can tend to dwarf smaller actors.

Sorry was not a big fan of this one at all. So many cringy moments and it went back to the usual stalling with barely any real plot at all. I had so many problems with this one but happy others liked it.

But per usual it moved at a snails pace with a lot of mostly forgetful dialogue.

And when did Trill turn into the cave and quarry planet? It’s a very developed planet with cities and people living in houses. But the two episodes we seen of it on this show you would think Trill is one big national park or something.

I think Trill’s budget was spent on the cloaking monsters.

Yeah I think that segment ran a bit too long for me. I feel like the point about the cloaking monsters could have been made sooner and they could have spent their time on giving some screen time to others.

Overall, this episode definitely struggled with too many plot points. The individual pieces weren’t bad but together they didn’t always form a cohesive whole. I like Rayner as a character and I like his more professional take on being a Captain vs. Burnham’s more personal take. Neither is inherently wrong, just different. I feel Tilly etc are too quick to judge him. He clearly had a reason for his 20 words or less and I got what that was. Although I didn’t like that the background actors only got some throwaway facts told about them. Then again they usually don’t get that! Culber did a great job portraying Jinal. He really felt like a different person. Adira and Grey wrapped up which I think is a good thing. They are better apart than they are together. I am still not sure about Book’s loyalty to the ship and its crew. Glad Saru and T’Rina are moving forward and we are getting some more backstory to this time period.

Stalling is a great way to put it. I think it boils down to if you like the characters and relationships they’re focusing on. If you’re going to focus on character, it had better be compelling but it was pretty banal and uninteresting. Saru and T’rina are focused on a wedding.. seriously? Gray and Adira are having your normal teenager type trouble. Both sets of circumstances were so blah.. if this were the best they can do with portraying whats happening with young people, Academy is in serious trouble.

Yeah this one frustrated me a bit. I am fine with a character episode but the character work was too telegraphed (Gray browbeating the theme of the episode at the end and Stamet’s ongoing arc where he obsesses over his legacy were feeling especially contrived). At least the Rayner scenes worked for me and made for a better use of Tilly than usual.

…although if they lead to Rayner just embracing the tactic of being an emotional support First Officer, I’ll be annoyed. Butting heads with Tilly worked, I just am probably on the losing side of, “His POV is valid and they could all learn a little from him. Not every connection needs to come from laying bare emotional trauma and being super chummy.” Characters who keep a professional distance but have personal depths that shine through are compelling and a Trek staple.

I actually liked this episode better than the first two. It felt more like a story and less like a bunch of action setpieces strung together.

I’m afraid I have to disagree with our eminent reviewer where he says, “ It may not have made sense for Tilly to act as HR for the ship (especially as she’s only on loan as a science advisor from the Academy).” No, that’s EXACTLY why it makes sense for HER to be the one to let Rayner know his style won’t work with this particular crew. She won’t have to work with him in the future, so she’s the one who can tell him he’s being a jerk without poisoning their future relationship.

I REALLY liked it that the true test wasn’t “Can you hike this canyon” but rather “Can you empathize with the creatures who live in it?” Very Star Trekky!

I loved the Saru/T’Rina stuff, both her standing her ground when Saru tried to be protective, since she’s the PRESIDENT of a freaking PLANET, for heaven’s sake. And also her saying that conflict was inevitable and not to be feared.

Wilson Cruz! So good! More of him, please.

I thought Rayner’s twenty-words thing was a little over the top; it made him seem like a parody of a crusty old guy, rather than a real person. I don’t mind being emotionally manipulated by Star Trek, but the wires shouldn’t be quite THAT visible. :-)

So, how could Moll possibly have gotten to Trill long enough before the Discovery to go undercover as one of those red-robed people? She and La’k didn’t dig up the thingy that gave them the fifth line of the poem until long after Burnham and Saru did, so how did they even know to go to Trill, much less get there so fast? Doesn’t Discovery’s spore drive get them places MUCH faster than any other ship?

The one thing I really didn’t like was that the lighting in the canyon was so dark that I couldn’t SEE anything during that whole scene. I’m glad the dialogue told me enough about what was happening that I didn’t have to actually see it to know what was going on.

Very astute observations Corylea, and well stated as usual. Couldn’t agree more!

Aw, thanks so much!

Oh.. and the repeat of the Fal Tor Pan ceremony really was annoying. They really could have mixed it up q lot better. It felt like a cliche.

Engaged couple bickering over their wedding announcement… This is exactly the sort of thing that’s kept me tuning in to Trek for all these decades…

And I don’t care how exaggeratedly mean the Rayner character is written, there is no way in real life that a Lieutenant speaks to a Commander/superior officer the way Tilly did. Totally strains credulity.

Starfleet is different from modern militaries. Starfleet officers’ feelings aren’t so fragile that they get upset when a subordinate speaks impolitely to them.

I think TMP nailed how these interactions are supposed to go down and it avoids this perception of insubordination: “Permission to speak freely, sir?” Done and done. The answer is almost always going to be yes.

I thought this was a very strong episode…and I didn’t like the first two of the season at all!

The character dynamics almost all worked for me this time. Burnham seemed like a real person rather than a screenplay with limbs; Rayner was great; Culber, who I have loved even when this series was at its worst, was great. Heck, I even liked Tilly this week, which is not typical. I got some chuckles out of Saru stepping in it, too.

I’ve loved and defended Disco since day one, but I have to say I’m having a hard time getting excited about this season’s Big Hunt For The Puzzle Pieces. But I was thrilled to see Wilson Cruz get to really shine as an actor in this one.

I believe this is the standard now, and it’s very very low .. the story is starting to be so boring .. always the same cave .. everybody keep sharing their emotions in every scene .. and the stubborn unfriendly character destined to change.

If only there wasn’t the “Star Trek:” in front of the series title I would had bailed long ago.

I am really loving this season. The latest episode really took on a lot, but it delivered for me. The pacing was good for each story and keep the mystery alive. Loved the adventure on Trill. Wilson Cruze did an amazing job in the episode with his portrayal of Jinaal. I absolutely love the addition of Rayner – the opposites of Rayner’s tough command style and the way Discovery is – works for me. Already looking forward to the next episode.

Yes, a very scattered episode. The twenty-word bit with Rayner was a poor writing choice. I don’t see how someone would rise to Captain without listening to his senior crew.

I think the bar scene got across that he was astute in learning about his crews quickly. He just didn’t hold their hands and talk about how much of a family they all are.

Star Trek: Discovery Ends an Era With Season 5

The showrunners and stars on how they’re taking the disco to the final frontier one last time..

Seven years ago, Star Trek: Discovery debuted as the seventh Star Trek series in the illustrious and long-running science fiction franchise. Discovery, or Disco as it is affectionately known, was also the first Trek anything to debut on a streaming service. Its success made episodic Star Trek viable again after a 12-year dry spell, and now fans have a robust lineup of all kinds of Trek series on Paramount+ as a result.

But all starship missions eventually come to an end. So with Season 5 of Discovery, Captain Michael Burnham and her USS Discovery crew embark on their final adventure. We spoke to some of the creative team about what’s coming for Burnham, Book, Saru and more.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Images

From Season Finale to Series Finale

After the turmoil and complex resolution of the Dark Matter Anomaly story arc in Season 4, the fifth season opens with many Discovery characters contemplating both personal and professional change.

While showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise told IGN that they didn’t go into writing the season knowing it would be the show’s last, their instincts to create transition points for much of their ensemble ended up lending itself to a consequential final season.

“Alex and I talked about it,” says Paradise. “And this season we explore such big themes and such big ideas. And in some ways, it felt like if [the end] were going to happen, this was the right season for that to happen because it feels almost like an ending.”

While the showrunners didn’t find out that this was the last season of the show until they had already finished shooting the body of the season itself, the studio wanted to give Captain Burnham and the Disco crew a proper send-off. And so they let Paradise, Kurtzman, and the team fine-tune the Season 5 finale so that it could also serve as a series finale.

“The studio and the network were kind enough to allow us to go back and shoot some additional material so that we could wrap up the series itself,” continues Paradise. “So I feel like if people didn't know that, they would come in thinking that we had planned from the beginning to make [it] the final season. And it's exciting that the way it ends feels satisfying and fulfilling in that way.”

For Sonequa Martin-Green, who stars as Captain Burnham, wrapping up the show was the culmination of an experience for the actress that she’ll always feel lucky to have had.

“My goodness, the journey of growth, the journey of evolution – you can parallel Burnham's life with my own, this time that I had as Michael Burnham and then as Captain Michael Burnham,” says Martin-Green. “My goodness, I'll never be the same again. And I am just grateful because I feel that God blessed me with an opportunity to act out some of the things that he was teaching me.”

Star Trek Face-Off: Who Is the Best Crew Member?

Pick a winner.

The Captain Conundrum

A starship operates only as well as its captain, which bodes well for both Discovery and Captain Michael Burnham, who is arguably hitting her professional stride at this point in aiding Earth’s re-entry into the Federation. Personally, it’s a little more complicated as she’s still wrestling with the open-ended separation from her partner, Cleveland "Book" Booker (David Ajala), after he chose to leave and help those impacted by the Dark Matter Anomaly last season.

“Stepping into Season 5, that relationship is fractured, and will it heal?” ponders Ajala. “Knowing these two individuals, I think they will put their best foot forward to try and make it happen. But there's still creases in the relationship. However, the two of them believe in each other. And so far as there's life in Book's body, he will always support all of Michael Burnham's endeavors. And likewise, she would do the same for him. So having said that, these two were just meant to be kindred spirits.”

Surprisingly, matters of the heart are also top of mind for Discovery Captain… err, First Officer Saru. But first, Doug Jones, who plays the Kelpien character, told us that rank issue is also complicated.

“I had reached captain status in Season 3, and I was captain of starship Discovery,” explains the actor. “And then in Season 4, with our special mission that we were on with the 10-C and exploring all that… I felt that I was needed and that Michael Burnham, with our brother/sister supportive relationship, that I would not be a captain, but be her Number One. Is it logical to keep two captains on the bridge of a ship? Can it go on forever? Should it go on forever? So Season 5 is an exploration of what else can Saru do.”

And what would any new position mean for the deepening relationship between Saru and the Vulcan President of Ni'Var, T’Rina? First introduced in Season 3, T’Rina has become an increasingly important part of Saru’s life.

“I have been courting the lovely President T'Rina this whole time, played by Tara Rosling, whom I adore,” says Jones. “And so, yes, that's evolving at the same time as the career. Can they evolve together? Can we find a blend in the two? That's our struggle, and that's our little issue to get through. It's kind of like a Hallmark movie.”

What's your favorite Star Trek show ever?

The Disco’s Crew Highs… and Cast Lows

One of the strengths of Disco has been its varied crew of characters with their own stories and arcs that have kept audiences invested in the show. One of the best relationships that has unfolded across all five seasons has been the partnership between Paul ​​Stamets and Hugh Culber, played by Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz.

In this last season, Cruz said their unique relationship continues to grow, but Culber will get his own solo adventure that will surprise long-time viewers.

“I'm excited for people to see a different, new side of Culber,” says the actor. “I can say that. He has definitely experienced a lot of insane things in the five seasons and Season 5 is definitely up there with it. So I'm excited for [fans] to see him in a new light.”

With Lt. Silvia Tilly, actress Mary Wiseman remains a little giddy about her character’s love for her Captain, Oh Captain Burnham, and an upcoming memorable away mission together.

“I'm excited for people to see Tilly go on a very special adventure with her best friend, Michael Burnham,” says Wiseman, while Blu del Barrio promises that, much like Culber, their character Ensign Adira Tal will get to experience a shift that will challenge how everyone sees them going forward.

“Adira [goes] on a mission that they would probably, maybe from the past seeing Adira since they joined the ship, would probably imagine anybody else on the ship being in that position before they were in that position,” says del Barrio.

Of course, series ending also mean some of the cast’s wish-list episodes or arcs will remain unexplored. While much has been covered by the cast over the past seven years, there are a few clear, if good-natured grievances to be aired about what might have been if Discovery continued to cross the galaxies.

“How is it that we did not get the musical episode!?” laughs Cruz, clearly referring to the Strange New Worlds musical episode from last year. “I'm pissed off, O.K.!”

“I did not ever get to have a mirror Universe Adira and I'm so sad about that,” adds del Barrio. “It breaks my heart!”

But as any true Trekker knows, never say never with any crew in the Star Trek universe…

For even more on the new season, check out our Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 review for Episodes 1-4.

In This Article

IGN Recommends

• More to Explore
• Series & Movies

Published Apr 10, 2024

A Brief History of the Progenitors in Star Trek

They designed life itself!

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains story details and plot points for Star Trek: Discovery 's "Red Directive ."

StarTrek.com

Captain Burnham's top-secret mission in the final season of Star Trek: Discovery has finally been revealed. But this time, the Discovery crew isn’t stopping a future-destroying A.I., or a lethal, extra-galactic force. Instead, they’re investigating the basic mysteries of why most species in the Star Trek universe look vaguely human.

As revealed in " Red Directive ," the search for technology used by ancient "Progenitors" sets-up a massive treasure hunt for the season. But, who are the Progenitors? What did Jean-Luc Picard know about the secrets of inter-species alien DNA? And how does all of this fit in with Gene Roddenberry’s earliest ideas for Star Trek ?

Here’s a brief history of the Progenitors, from the early 1960s, to the 24th Century, all the way to 2024, and the 31st Century.

The Real World-Origins of the Progenitors

"The Cage"

When the U.S.S. Enterprise first set out to seek out "new life and new civilizations," a huge swath of those alien lifeforms turned out to look a lot like human beings. And the primary reason for that, at least behind-the-scenes, was two-fold.

First, human actors are more affordable, and second, Gene Roddenberry wanted the classic Star Trek to avoid the sci-fi trope of "Bug-Eyed Monsters." And so, in one of the original 1964 pitch documents for Star Trek , Roddenberry floated the idea of "The Parallel Worlds" concept . The idea was that the format of Star Trek — from a writing and production standpoint — would generally deal with "...plant and animal life, plus people, quite similar to Earth. Social evolution will also have interesting points of similarity with ours."

Unlike a huge swath of science fiction on TV at the time, the promise of strange, new worlds, that were, in fact, populated by people , is something that set Star Trek apart, and was the cornerstone of what gave the series its humanist angle. But, the side effect of course, was an in-universe question — why were so many aliens humanoid?

The Old Ones, Sargon, and The Preservers

"The Paradise Syndrome"

The first two seasons of The Original Series are sprinkled with hints that, in the distant past, the galaxy was visited by super-powered aliens with technology far more advanced than anything in the Federation.

In " What Are Little Girls Made Of? ," we meet Ruk, an android built by "The Old Ones," an alien race capable of creating humanoid androids that were basically immortal. In " Return to Tomorrow ," the disembodied soul of Sargon, refers to humanity as "my children." While Dr. Muhuall says this idea flies in the face of evolutionary theory, Spock mentions the idea that aliens seeded life would "explain certain elements of Vulcan pre-history."

Then in Season 3, in " The Paradise Syndrome ," Bones and Spock tackle the question head-on. When they realize an ancient race of "Preservers" helped various humanoid species throughout the galaxy, the idea of an ancient alien race guiding and "seeding" a ton of humanoid species became less of a myth and more of a working theory. "I’ve always wondered why there were so many humanoids scattered through the galaxy," Bones says. To which Spock replies, "So have I. Apparently, the Preservers account for a number of them."

And then, the questions about an ancient humanoid species went answered. At least, until The Next Generation . 

"The Chase"

Directed by Jonathan Frakes and written by Ronald D. Moore and Joe Menosky, " The Chase " was a sixth-season episode of The Next Generation , which, according to The Next Generation Companion , was considered in the writers' room the most "Roddenberryesque" episode of TNG at that time. The story itself took cues from Carl Sagan's novel Contact , and posited that yes, ancient aliens not only seeded most of the humanoid species, but also hid a message in the DNA of all those species.

Captain Picard's interest in archeology comes in handy during the quest to locate all the DNA strands and reveal the message, which was also represented metaphorically by the ancient artifact known as the Kurlan naiskos .

At the end of the episode, representatives from the Klingon Empire, the Romulan Empire, the Cardassian Union, and the Federation, all witness the truth — an ancient Progenitor (played by Salome Jens) makes it clear that all the humanoid species in the galaxy don’t exist out of pure hubris, but instead, out of a kind of desire for legacy. "You are a monument, not to our greatness, but to our existence…. Remember us."

Ronald D. Moore pointed out that there's no reason to believe that the Progenitors from "The Chase" and the Preservers from TOS aren't one in the same. Though not explicitly stated in the script, he said, "But this could be them, and be internally consistent."

Discovery Brings It All Home

"Red Directive"

While The Next Generation established a canonical fact that TOS only danced around, that only answered the question of why . With Discovery Season 5, a stranger, and more complex question is getting broached — how ?

"The Chase" told us why there are so many humanoid species in the galaxy, but we had no idea how the Progenitors specifically pushed life to evolve on various planets toward the exact form of life we’re all so familiar with. As the crew of Discovery — and other forces — are in pursuit of this ancient tech, Star Trek is boldly speculating on one of the biggest questions of all time.

If there was a supreme intelligence behind the creation of life, what was their method? While these kinds of questions are somewhat mind-boggling in real life, what Discovery is doing now is what Star Trek has done all along: Ask provocative questions that are beyond what we know now, so that maybe, in the future, we’ll be better prepared.

We don’t know that the Progenitors exist in real science, but the "panspermia hypothesis," is a very real scientific concept. A friendly alien may not have consciously sparked life on Earth eons ago, but, in reality, it is possible that some building blocks for life itself may have come from the stars.

Get Updates By Email

Ryan Britt is the author of the nonfiction books Phasers on Stun! How the Making and Remaking of Star Trek Changed the World (2022), The Spice Must Flow: The Journey of Dune from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies (2023), and the essay collection Luke Skywalker Can’t Read (2015). He is a longtime contributor to Star Trek.com and his writing regularly appears with Inverse, Den of Geek!, Esquire and elsewhere. He lives in Portland, Maine with his family.

Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 1-4 are streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., the UK, Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, Latin America, Germany, France, Italy, Australia and Austria. Seasons 2 and 3 also are available on the Pluto TV “Star Trek” channel in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The series streams on Super Drama in Japan, TVNZ in New Zealand, and SkyShowtime in Spain, Portugal, Poland, The Nordics, The Netherlands, and Central and Eastern Europe and also airs on Cosmote TV in Greece. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

• Star Trek 101

StarTribune

Tv review: 'star trek: discovery' ends its disappointing voyage.

I have a soft spot for the original "Star Trek" series and believe "The Wrath of Khan" is a genuine classic. "Strange New Worlds," which debuted in 2022, is one of the best adventures in the franchise's history. But I'm no Trekkie. My attempts at a Vulcan salute would probably be interpreted as a gang sign.

So maybe a die-hard fan could explain to me why "Star Trek: Discovery" was such a hit. The series, which starts streaming its fifth and final season Thursday on Paramount+, never tries to wrestle the moral dilemmas with the same gusto that its predecessors did. Capt. Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) takes her cues from James Bond instead of James Kirk, never missing an opportunity to deliver a quip. There's more onboard romance on a "Love Boat" cruise. And the plot in the final episodes seems like a rip-off from "The Avengers," with the rather bland crew racing across the galaxy to locate puzzle pieces.

There are some clever references to past series during these last 10 episodes, but they're reminders that "Discovery" was never in their league. Let's hope the next "Trek" mission is a little more enterprising.

Also this week

'the incomparable mr. buckley'.

William F. Buckley Jr. was a prolific writer who churned out novels and columns for his National Review magazine with spitfire speed. But this "American Masters" edition is most interested in examining the late conservative as a creature of TV, one whose facial expressions were as lively as a Broadway musical. Clips of his series, "Firing Line," make you long for the days when political debate could be entertaining without turning into shouting matches. 8 p.m. Friday, TPT

'Two for One'

Hollywood hotshots are showing their support for Turner Classic Movies by curating some very special double features every Saturday through the end of June. The series kicks off with Martin Scorsese introducing "Blood on the Moon" and "One Touch of Venus," both from 1948. Future guests include Spike Lee ("A Face in the Crowd," "Ace in the Hole"), Patty Jenkins ("The Fisher King," "Synecdoche") and Steven Spielberg ("Jailhouse Rock," "Forty Guns"). 7 p.m. Saturday, TCM

'Dave Attell: Hot Cross Buns'

Nothing is taboo for the New York comic, whose latest special has him riffing on Jeffrey Dahmer, Cracker Barrel and the Jan. 6 riots. The uproarious insults come at such a fast and furious pace that Attell appears to run out of material, filling the last 10 minutes with some tooting on a recorder. Those elementary school instruments are even more annoying when the San Francisco audience joins in. Let's hope Attell keeps the music to a minimum when he appears at Treasure Island Casino on April 26. Netflix

'The Beautiful Game'

Bill Nighy stars as an enthusiastic soccer coach determined to make a good showing at the Homeless World Cup, despite the fact that his best striker never learned that there's no "I" in team. The action scenes aren't as riveting as the ones in "Bend It Like Beckham" or even "Victory," in which we come to believe that Sylvester Stallone could play goalie. But this movie shines when it focuses on the off-the-field interplay among the underdog players. Netflix

Neal Justin covers the entertainment world, primarily TV and radio. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin is the founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

• What are the financial pros and cons of retiring in Minnesota?
• Assisted suicide in Minnesota? Critics point to Canada as cautionary tale.
• Cause of Xcel's Prairie Island nuclear outage: Workers drilled through cables
• 'Golden Bachelor' couple announce they're divorcing
• Israel bracing for unprecedented direct attack from Iran in days
• New movie 'Civil War' is not a provocation but a warning

Uruguayan singer-songwriter Jorge Drexler is embarking on his first tour of Europe

The o.j. simpson case forced domestic violence into the spotlight, boosting a movement.

8 Twin Cities area grocery stores, ranked by affordability

Top 20 global concert tours from pollstar.

Modern ADU carriage house in St. Paul accommodates guests, hobbies and even a few Zoom calls

• TV to watch: Billy Joel offers concert for those of us who aren't big shots • TV & Media
• Justin: 10 TV shows about the Founding Fathers that are more fun than Apple's 'Franklin' • TV & Media
• Comedian Richard Lewis laid to rest in Roseville • TV & Media
• Neal Justin: 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' made it OK to feel lousy • TV & Media
• The 10 most promising TV shows of 2024 • TV & Media

© 2024 StarTribune. All rights reserved.