WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery’s series finale “Life, Itself”
Summary
I agree with the decision that Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) makes about the Progenitors' technology inStar Trek: Discovery’s series finale. ThroughoutStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5’s high-stakes chase for the"greatest treasure the galaxy has ever known",reminders that the Progenitors' technology can resurrect the dead imply that someone will be brought back to life beforeDiscovery’s final scene.The best candidate is Breen scion L’ak (Elias Toufexis), as Moll (Eve Harlow) is hellbent on acquiring the Progenitor technology to revive her love. Meanwhile, Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) acquires a cutting of Kwejian’s sacred world root, suggesting Book’s home planet can be restored.
Captain Burnham using the Progenitors' technology to revive L’ak or Kwejian would have resulted in a predictable, but satisfying conclusion, so it’s interesting thatStar Trek: Discovery’s series finale, written by Kyle Jarrow and Michelle Paradise and directed by Olatunde Osunname, takes another route. Within the portal, Captain Burnham encounters a Progenitor (Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama) who is ready to make Burnham steward of the Progenitors' technology. Michael is willing to help Moll by resurrecting L’ak, but the Progenitor warns that if reconstructed, L’ak will be a different person. Instead,Michael Burnham is encouraged to examine whatMichaelvalues,and use the Progenitors' technology based on Burnham’s own morals.
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Captain Burnham’s Decision Reflects A Core Philosophy Of Star Trek
Star Trek: Discovery Has Always Been About Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations
Captain Burnham decides not to use the Progenitors' technology at all, because, as she explains,“We already have infinite diversity in infinite combinations.“The Progenitors created the diversity of species within theStar Trekuniverse as a gift to the galaxy, because they already celebrated the limited differences among their own people. As steward of the Progenitors' technology, Burnham has the power to make life better, just as the Progenitors did, by adding to or changing life in the galaxy. It’s an enormous responsibility to be entrusted with single-handedly improving an imperfect reality, but Burnham has proven she can bear the weight.
We strive to connect with one anotherbecauseof our diversity, not in spite of it.
ThroughStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, Captain Burnham reckons with the difficulty of responsibility, the weight of insecurity, and the messy imperfections that could theoretically be rectified by using the Progenitors' technology. The conclusion that Burnham comes to is a pillar ofStar Trek’s philosophy: we strive to connect with one anotherbecauseof our diversity, not in spite of it. We make the world better by learning, understanding, and truly celebrating our differences. That’s been a tenet ofStar Trek: Discoveryfrom day one, soBurnham’s decision to let the Progenitors' technology go makes a fitting end forDiscovery, asStar Trek’s most diverse show to date.
Star Trek: Discovery Completes Michael Burnham’s Character Arc Beautifully
Michael Burnham’s Journey Is About Self-Acceptance
With releasing the Progenitors' technology,Star Trek: Discoverycompletes Michael Burnham’s character arc beautifully. Burnham has been fighting like hell throughout the whole series to prove herself worthy. Michael’s upbringing on Vulcan teaches her that she’s lesser, as a human, andBurnham’s burnt reputation as a violent Starfleet mutineer inStar Trek:Discoveryseason 1 reinforces the negative image that Burnham internalizes.Even after easily befriending roommate Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman), repairing fraught bonds with Commander Saru (Doug Jones) and Spock (Ethan Peck), or rehabilitating Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh), Burnham still keeps fighting for acceptance. Even becomingCaptain of the USS Discoveryand saving the galaxy doesn’t bring Burnham peace.
Star Trek: Discoverydoes an amazing job of highlighting the drastic change in Michael Burnham inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 4, “Face the Strange”, when Captain Burnham faces off againstDiscoveryseason 1’s Specialist Burnham.
Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5 shows Michael Burnham that the fight has always been internal, and peace remains elusive because of Burnham’s desperation to prove herself to others. Captain Burnham’s greatest revelation comes inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 8, “Labyrinths”, when the clue crafted by Betazoid scientist Marina Derex forces Michael to look within, and accept the fear of failure that’s been holding Burnham back.An earlier version of Burnham would have gladly used the Progenitors' technology to change the galaxy and be hailed as a redeemed hero, but afterDiscoveryseason 5’s trials push Burnham to do the hard work of self-discovery, Burnham doesn’t need others' validation anymore.
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Captain Burnham’s Decision Sets Up Star Trek: Discovery’s Epilogue
Admiral Burnham Changed Through Radical Acceptance
Captain Burnham’s decision not to use the Progenitors' technology sets up Michael’s future in the epilogue ofStar Trek: Discovery’s series finale.The true payoff for all Burnham’s internal battles throughoutDiscoveryisn’t acclaim or power, but the ease of simple joy at the Burnham-Booker household on Sanctuary Four. A Red Directive mission looms, but Admiral Burnham is fully present in each moment: sleepily joking with Book; joyfully hugging their adult son,Captain Leto Burnham(Sawandi Wilson); and expressing bittersweet regret for the fate awaiting Zora (Annabelle Wallis). Burnham’s peace exists not because the Progenitors found Michael worthy, but because Burnham’s internal validation is sufficient.Life, itself, is sufficient.
The Kwejian World Root is flourishing on Sanctuary Four, where Book planted the cuttings from the Eternal Gallery & Archive.
Star Trek: Discoveryimproves overall whenDiscoveryfocuses on its strength as a hopeful, progressive show that embraces theStar Trekparadigm of infinite diversity in infinite combinations, instead of being burdened with its temporal proximity toStar Trek: The Original Series. Captain Burnham, too, eschews the world that Burnham alone could create with the Progenitors' technology, and instead radically accepts reality for what it actually is. There is beauty in diversity. There is strength in honesty with oneself. There is satisfaction in the journey.Star Trek: Discoverygoes out knowing what it is on a fundamental level, and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.
