Summary
InStar Trek: Discovery’s series finale, Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) had the idea to start a mentorship program at Starfleet Academy, and severalDiscoverycharacters would make great mentors. With the end ofStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, the adventures of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery concluded. But that doesn’t meanStar Trekis finished withDiscovery’s32nd-century setting.The upcomingDiscoveryspin-off,Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,will take place in this far future,following a class of young cadets adapting to life in the Federation after the Burn.
After Captain Burnham and her crew ensured that the Progenitors' technology would never end up in the wrong hands, they all came together to celebrate the marriage of Ambassador Saru (Doug Jones) and Ni’Var President T’Rina (Tara Rosling).During the reception following the wedding, Tilly shared her Starfleet Academy mentorship idea with Burnham,saying that Burnham’s sometimes contentious relationship withCommander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie)gave her the idea. As an Academy instructor, Tilly is poised to have a significant role in Starfleet Academy, and she could recruit other members of the USS Discovery’s crew to act as mentors to young cadets.
Every Star Trek: Discovery Main Character’s Ending Explained
What happened to Captain Michael Burnham & the USS Discovery crew in the Star Trek: Discovery series finale, and where did they end up afterwards?
7Commander D. Nhan (Rachael Ancheril)
For cadets interested in security.
Before joining the crew of the USS Discovery, theBarzan Commander Nhanserved on the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). When Pike took over command of Discovery inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2,Nhan transferred to Discovery with her Captain, eventually becoming Chief of Security.Nhan traveled with Discovery to the 32nd century, and, after visiting her home planet of Barzan, she joined Federation Security.
Commader Nhan could act as a mentor at Starfleet Academy for any cadets interested in serving in security positions on a starship, while also recruiting young cadets for positions with Federation Security.Nhan’s strong sense of duty and no-nonsense attitude make her an excellent security officer,and she has had many unique experiences that she could share with Starfleet cadets.
6Cleveland Booker (David Ajala)
For unconventional cadets.
Cleveland Booker may not be the typical Starfleet instructor type, but he has had a fascinating history full of experiences that would make him a great mentor. Not only has Booker helped save the galaxy more than once, buthe has also made his fair share of mistakes and owned up to them.Throughout his time with Burnham, Book proves himself to be a good person, even if he doesn’t always agree with Starfleet or the Federation.
With his past as a courier,Book could offer a different perspective from those who have served in Starfleet for most of their lives.In the future glimpsed in the epilogue ofStar Trek: Discovery’sseries finale, Book has made a life with Burnham, helping her raise theirson who joined Starfleet. Burnham’s history likely contributed a lot to Leto’s (Sawandi Wilson) decision, but Booker surely served as a mentor to his son along the way, proving he has what it takes to help guide young cadets.
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5Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz)
For cadets interested in medicine.
Dr. Hugh Culber has already proven to be a great counselor, making him an obvious choice to serve as a mentor. As the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Discovery, Culber has encountered many strange and interesting medical cases.Starfleet cadets interested in pursuing a career in medicine would find Culber’s experience and insights particularly useful.
Along with his husband,Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp), Culber has already been a mentor and father figure to Ensign Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio), and he’s great at it.Culber’s compassion and care for his patients not only make him a wonderful doctor but would also serve him well as a mentor.After his spiritual awakening inStar Trek:Discoveryseason 5, Culber might be looking for a way to share his insights, and Starfleet Academy would be a great place to do that.
As an added bonus, Dr. Culber has literally died and come back to live, giving him a glimpse into an experience that happens inStar Trekmore often than one would think.
4Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp)
For cadets interested in engineering or science.
Dr. Culber’s husband, Commander Paul Stamets, would also make an incredible mentor — or even Academy instructor. As one of the scientific minds behind the creation of theUSS Discovery’s spore drive,Stamets is one of the smartest people on Discovery’s crew.He regularly comes up with out-of-the-box solutions to engineering problems and makes the seemingly impossible happen. Like Culber, Stamets has already filled the role of mentor for Adira and done it well.
While the Stamets ofStar Trek:Discoveryseason 1 may not have made a great mentor, Paul has since become much more personable and collaborative.Up-and-coming engineers could learn a lot from Stamets,and he likely wouldn’t mind a break from Discovery’s hectic engineering room. Stamets was disappointed after the spore drive technology was shelved in favor of the new pathway drive, and being a mentor at Starfleet Academy would give him another chance to establish his legacy.
Stamets' fellow engineer, Commander Jet Reno (Tig Notaro), would also make a fun mentor and an incredible guest lecturer.
3Ensign Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio)
For cadets who are still figuring things out.
Ensign Adira Tal has come a long way since they were first introduced inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 3. Soon after the USS Discovery arrived in the 32nd century,Adira participated in an inspection of the ship with the United Earth Defense Force.Adira was fascinated by Discovery’s ancient technology and, after befriending Commander Stamets, they were allowed to join Discovery’s crew.
Although Adira had a brilliant scientific mind, they sometimes struggled with their confidence, especially in social situations. With help from Stamets, Culber, Tilly, and the rest of Discovery’s crew, Adira slowly came into their own, eventually serving on the bridge.Adira proved instrumental in Discovery’s search for the Progenitors' technology in the show’s fifth season,and they have a lot to offer young cadets who may be going through the same struggles they recently overcame.
Blu del Barrio On Their Star Trek: Discovery Journey & Adira’s Future
Screen Rant interviews Blu del Barrio about Adira coming of age in Star Trek: Discovery, wearing a Breen costume, and their hopes for Adira’s future.
2Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green)
For cadets on the command track.
While Captain Michael Burnham will likely serve as the USS Discovery’s Captain for as long as she can, she would also make an excellent mentor. Burnham beganStar Trek:Discoveryas Starfleet’s first mutineer, butMichaelhas since become one of its most important Starship Captains, especially of the 32nd century.Not only does Burnham have years of incredible experiences under her belt, but she also has an obvious passion for Starfleet and the Federation.
Captain Burnham’s colorful background makes her uniquely qualified to serve as a mentor for young cadets, asshe knows what it’s like to make a mistake and bounce back.The epilogue at theend ofStar Trek: Discovery’sseries finaleoffered a glimpse of Burnham’s future, but she could have still served as a mentor sometime before becoming a decorated Admiral. Even if Burnham remains an active Starfleet officer, she could still pop in occasionally to offer cadets advice.
1Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie)
For old-school cadets.
Introduced inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 5, Commander Rayner’s gruff, and occasionally crabby, attitude was a breath of fresh air among the USS Discovery’s crew. In the aftermath of the Burn,Rayner served Starfleet during some of its darkest years, giving him a unique perspective to offer Academy cadets.As Captain Burnham’s First Officer,Rayner sometimes clashed with Discovery’s crew, but he proved himself a capable and experienced officer.
At Saru and T’Rina’s wedding reception,Rayner supported Tilly’s idea of starting a mentorship program, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she roped him into being one of the first mentors.Rayner would likely clash with Starfleet cadets the same way he clashed with Discovery’s crew. Not only would this be fun to watch, but it would help cadets learn how to interact with more seasoned Starfleet officers. It would be a shame for Rayner’sStar Trekstory to come to an end after only one season ofStar Trek: Discovery, so he will hopefully join Tilly onStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.
All five seasons of Star Trek: Discovery are available to stream on Paramount+.
Star Trek: Discovery
Cast
Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows a group of cadets as they embark on their journey to become Starfleet officers. Facing the challenges of friendship, rivalry, and romance, they confront a new enemy endangering the Academy and the Federation under the guidance of their rigorous instructors.
