Warning: This Article Contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery’s Series Finale - “Life, Itself”
Summary
The series finale ofStar Trek: Discovery, “Life, Itself”, explains what happens toStar Trek: Discovery’s main characters after the series ends.Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 10, “Life, Itself” was quickly reconfigured from justDiscoveryseason 5’s finale intoDiscovery’s series finale after Paramount+ ended the show’s run. Principal photography forStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5 had been completed, soadditional scenes were created for “Life, Itself” as an epilogue toStar Trek: Discoverythat helps clarify what happens to Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), Cleveland Booker (David Ajala), and Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman).
Star Trek: Discovery’s epilogue serves as a proper send-off for Burnham, Book, and Tilly, but doesn’t mention what has happened to the rest ofStar Trek: Discovery’s main charactersin the decades since the events ofStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5. While the rest ofDiscovery’s characters aren’t name checked in the epilogue,Star Trek: Discovery’s series finale still offers insight as to what happens to the crew of the USS DiscoveryandStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5 antagonist, Moll (Eve Harlow), after the search for the Progenitors' technology is over.
Star Trek: Discovery Showrunner Answers The Series Finale’s Burning Questions
Screen Rant interviews Star Trek: Discovery showrunner Michelle Paradise about the biggest questions left behind by the series finale.
10Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green)
Admiral Michael Burnham Leaves A Lasting Starfleet Legacy
Star Trek: Discoveryis, first and foremost, the story of Michael Burnham’s redemption, so it’s fitting that Burnham is also the focus ofStar Trek: Discovery’s epilogue. About 30 years afterStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5,Admiral Michael Burnham lives a contented, comfortable life with her husband, Cleveland Booker, on Sanctuary Four. Burnham and Book have a son,Captain Leto Burnham(Sawandi Wilson), who arrives at the Burnham-Booker home to escort Admiral Burnham to the USS Discovery. There, Admiral Burnham commands Zora’s (Annabelle Wallis) final mission: a Red Directive that sets up theStar Trek: Short Treksepisode “Calypso”.
FollowingStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5’s search for the Progenitors' technology,Captain Michael Burnham continues her Starfleet careerasCaptain of the USS Discovery. Michael and Book reconcile their strained relationship, committing to one another in a quiet moment away from the reception for Saru and T’Rina’s wedding. Burnham is entrusted with the infinity key that links to Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg), so Kovich can call on Burnham to command sensitive Red Directive missions, one of which is teased in a scene that would have closedStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5.
9Ambassador Saru (Doug Jones)
“Action” Saru Marries Ni’Var President T’Rina
Captain Saru grows over the course ofStar Trek: Discovery’s 5 seasons from a profoundly fearful character into a commanding presence, and in the end, displays thetalents of"Action"Saru, both in physical prowess and tense diplomatic negotiations. InStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, Saru becomes a Federation Ambassador, whereSaru’s empathy and origin as a pre-warp Kelpien are instrumental in how Saru approaches his duty to the Federation. As an Ambassador, Saru represents the voices of newer, smaller planets seeking entry to the Federation.
After two seasons of courtship, Saru’sStar Trek: Discoverycharacter arc comes to a close with Saru’s wedding to Ni’Var President T’Rina (Tara Rosling). Saru and T’Rina both respect each other’s lives of duty and service to their people, soSaru and T’Rina continue their services as Ambassador and President of Ni’Var, respectively, and presumably spend their lives together.
Saru received a Starfleet promotion to Admiral inStar Trek: Discovery’s finale, as confirmed by Admiral Charles Vance (Oded Fehr) at Saru and T’Rina’s wedding.
8Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie)
Rayner Remains Discovery’s First Officer
In the original plans forStar Trek: Discoveryseason 6, Commander Rayner was intended to continue as the USS Discovery’s First Officer, following up with the success of his teamwork between Captain Burnham. As it stands,Rayner’s character arc inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5 showed immense capacity for growth, especially when Rayner rightfully took the captain’s chair in Burnham’s absence within the Progenitors' portal. Having earned the respect of Starfleet under Burnham’s command, Rayner is likely to follow Burnham’s example and work his way back up to being a Starfleet captain after being dismissed at the rank of Commander.
Commander Rayner’s redemption doesn’t come at the cost of Rayner’s personality; instead, by opening himself up to possibilities and other people’s opinions,Rayner comes up with creative solutions where all of Discovery’s crew can work together.To that end, Commander Rayner is a likely candidate to help usher in Starfleet Academy’s mentorship program, spearheaded by Lt. Sylvia Tilly.
It’s worth noting that Commander Rayner didn’t exact revenge for the Breen’s destruction of Kellerun by destroying the Breen dreadnought, but instead incited a Breen version ofStar Trek: Voyagerby banishing them to the galactic barrier.
7Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp)
Stamets Learns To Enjoy The Process
Commander Paul Stamets is already held in high regard as a"Scientific Luminary"who invented the USS Discovery’s spore drive, which was on the table as an alternative to warp drive in the 32nd century. To Stamets' dismay, Starfleet discontinues research into outfitting its future vessels with spore drives, instead putting resources into thepathway drive as a warp alternative. Believing his work no longer matters to the future,Stamets spendsStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5 devoted to the search for the Progenitors' technology,but reconsiders what it actually means to be remembered when the Progenitors' technology is classified like the spore drive was in the 23rd century.
Commander Stamets leavesStar Trek: Discoverywith more patience and kindness, largely thanks to Paul’s fierce bonds with his husband, Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz), and their child, Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio).Stamets' new scientific approach favors genuine curiosity and explorationinstead of hyper-focusing on practical applications.
Paul Stamets wasn’t among theStar Trek: Discoverycharacters who were name-checked in theStar Trek: Discoveryepilogue, but because the USS Discovery made one last jump, there’s a chance Stamets may have been aboard.
6Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz)
Culber’s Spiritual Journey Continues
Dr. Hugh Culber truly came into his own over the course ofStar Trek: Discovery, going from a minor character inDiscoveryseason 1 to an integral part of the USS Discovery crew inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 3, whenCulber took on the responsibility of maintaining the crew’s mental healthas the ship’s counselor.
Dr. Culber’s character arc inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5 focuses on Culber’s spiritual journey, which is still unresolved at the end ofStar Trek: Discovery’s series finale. If Hugh is part of aStar Trek: Discoverycontinuation, Culber’s research into the intersection of faith and science remains a potential thread to tug on, but it’s also fitting thatHugh Culber’s attempt to reconcile science and spirituality remains a mystery. With a newfound spiritual path, Hugh Culber is primed to continue guiding Starfleet officers in both clinical and spiritual health.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5’s Best Surprise Is Book And Culber’s Friendship
Friendship is vitally important in Star Trek: Discovery, and it’s been a joy to watch Cleveland Booker and Dr. Culber become friends during season 5.
5Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman)
Tilly Makes Starfleet Academy History
InStar Trek: Discoveryseries finale’s epilogue,Sylvia Tilly is the longest-tenured instructor at Starfleet Academy, and is still teaching new students. Professor Tilly doesn’t physically appear, but dialogue reveals that Admiral Michael Burnham is still in contact with Tilly in the decades since the main events ofStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5. Tilly’s status as an influential Starfleet Academy teacher is a strong hint thatTilly should be inStar Trek: Starfleet Academy,the upcomingStar Trekshow that continues the story of rebuilding Starfleet in the 32nd century with a whole crop of new cadets.
Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly begins her tenure as a Starfleet Academy instructor afterStar Trek: Discoveryseason 4, and returns to the USS Discovery to assist in the search for the Progenitors' technology inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5. With renewed confidence,Tilly goes back to Starfleet Academy ready to begin a mentorship programthat’s inspired by the beneficial one-on-one relationships between Captain Burnham and Commander Rayner, and Lt. Tilly’s own mentorship of Ensign Adira Tal.
4Ensign Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio)
Adira Inspires Starfleet Academy Changes
ThrouhgoutStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5,Ensign Adira Tal spends more time on the bridge of the USS Discovery,and finds newfound confidence on their own after breaking up with boyfriend Gray Tal (Ian Alexander) inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 3, “Jinaal”. The influence of Trill symbiont Tal is less apparent as Adira figures out an independent identity, but still sometimes shines when Adira dispenses nuggets of wisdom.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the teenaged Adira follow Tilly to theStar Trek: Discoveryspinoff.
Lt. Sylvia Tilly cites working with Ensign Tal as a primary inspiration for spearheading Starfleet Academy’s new mentorship program, sothere’s a wide open space for Adira Tal to visitStar Trek: Starfleet Academyas an example of Tilly’s successful mentoring. WithStar Trek: Starfleet Academyaimed at a younger demographic, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the teenaged Adira follow Tilly to theStar Trek: Discoveryspinoff.
Why Star Trek’s “Incredibly Optimistic” Next Show Is Set In Discovery’s Timeline Explained By Executive Producer
Star Trek executive producer Alex Kurtzman explains why Starfleet Academy, the next Star Trek series, will be set in Discovery’s 32nd century era.
3Cleveland Booker (David Ajala)
Book Ensures Kwejian’s Memory Lives On
At Saru and T’Rina’s wedding, Cleveland Booker reveals to Michael Burnham that Book’s sentence was commuted, freeing Book to offer his services as an independent contractor or courier to whomever he pleases. Electing to remain with Michael,Book and Grudge accompany the USS Discovery’s future missions for the foreseeable future.
InStar Trek: Discovery’s epilogue, Book is comfortably married to Admiral Michael Burnham. Book and Michael’s son, Captain Leto Burnham, is named for Book’s nephew who perished when Kwejian was destroyed by the DMA inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 4. Leto is a Starfleet captain like his mother, but is"his father’s son"in temperament. Book acts as steward for the wild creatures of Sanctuary Four, whereBook planted the Kwejian World Root obtained from the Eternal Gallery & ArchiveinStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, episode 8, “Labyrinths”.
2Moll (Eve Harlow)
Moll Receives A Special Federation Assignment
At the end ofStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, Moll is in a difficult place, having lost her Breen paramour L’ak (Elias Toufexis) and any potential power Moll might have gained within the structure of the Breen Imperium after L’ak’s death. Because Moll killed Breen Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo),Moll may actually have a price on her head that forces Moll to seek political asylum with the Federation, despite the bad taste Moll has clearly expressed for the Federation.
Seeing potential in Moll, the Federation’sDr. Kovich (David Cronenberg)has a special assignment in mind for Moll. No further details were given about Moll’s special assignment, but because Kovich is the 32nd century identity forStar Trek: Enterprise’s Agent Daniels,it’s likely that Moll will be recruited as a time agent under Kovich’s orders. That may set up the possibility of Moll appearing in the upcomingStar Trek: Section 31movie orStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.
1The USS Discovery Bridge Crew
Where Do Star Trek: Discovery’s Bridge Officers Go?
While not often consideredStar Trek: Discovery’s main characters, several members of the USS Discovery bridge crew have nonetheless become close to our hearts overDiscovery’s 5 seasons.Star Trek: Discoveryseason 5 introduced several new 32nd century bridge officers who would likely remain on the USS Discovery ifStar Trek: Discoveryhad been renewed for season 6.Here’s where the original Discovery bridge crew members are at the end ofStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5:
Tactical
Remains on USS Discovery
None ofStar Trek: Discovery’s main characters are in the same emotional place at the end ofDiscovery’s series finale as they were whenStar Trek: Discoverystarted.Important events on a galactic scale and the USS Discovery’s leap into the 32nd century weren’t just brushed off,but remain a part ofStar Trek: Discovery’s characters, who were fundamentally altered by their incredibly transformative experiences. The generally positive endings of these characters' journeys over the course of 5 seasons are emblematic ofStar Trek: Discovery’s own journey towards optimism and hope, resulting in a lasting legacy forStar Trek: Discoveryoverall.
