There ’s nothing quite like finding a bit of pop refinement you connect with on a intuitive level . This connection can manifest in dissimilar ways , whether it ’s connect to a fictitious character on screen door or a real - animation individual with whom you share your obsession . No matter what , being a rooter can show you that you ’re a part of something larger than yourself , even when it feel like you ’re alone in the universe .
This is the human relationship countless rooter have with Star Trek . The franchise inspires unattackable feelings of belonging among its devotees , in all probability because those sentiments are profoundly ingrained in the series themselves . InStar Trek : Discovery , streaming now on Paramount+ , Captain Michael Burnham and her gang must tend on one another as they push to prevent a astronomic terror . Burnham ’s charge up narration in theseason - four trailersays it all : “ Wherever we come from , whatever our experiences , we ’re all in this together . ”
To celebrate Discovery ’s return , I asked fans over email about the ways the series , and the Star Trek franchise at large , reminds them they ’re not alone . Here ’s what they had to say .
Illustration:Ramóna Udvardi // G/O Media Studios
Kellan, the ‘Thrifty Trekkie’
Kellanis an avid Star Trek cosplayer who creates incredible DIY costumes and looks on a budget . They explained to me how the craft earmark them to bond with the dealership ’s role as well as other Trekkies .
Every character I choose to cosplay is one I concern to somehow , and through the process of creating their costumes I get to reflect on where I see myself in their journey . When I find confident in a costume I ’ve made , I am less timid about connecting to other buff , either online or at conventions . … realize the character someone is cosplaying as is a quick fashion to start up a conversation and get to know each other .
Kellan also share what Star Trek ’s recent treatment of sexuality indistinguishability has mean to them .
Photo: Creighton Thompson
I am so glad to finally have trans and non - binary representation in Discovery ! … I perfectly jazz when Gray said , ‘ I ’m still me , I ’m just more me , ’ when Adira was incertain of his identicalness after he had join to his symbiont . This resonated with me as if he was come out for the first sentence and embracing his truthful self . Similarly , when Adira states their right pronouns , I have a go at it that moment .
Michael Todd Cohen
Michaelis a writer and editor who grew up watching Star Trek : The Next Generation . Revisiting a finicky episode in adulthood helped him manage with the loneliness that comes with losing a married person .
In the months that follow my husband ’s expiry , I did n’t hump where to find solace . Alone in an flat , … I came to one of my favorites , ‘ Yesterday ’s Enterprise , ’ and settled in to see a intimate story . Instead , I view myself reflect . In the sequence , beloved crew member Tasha Yar — senselessly kill on an away missionary station yr before — appears back on the ship ; the result of a clip breach . … Tasha should n’t be there . Yet , it ’s inconceivable to [ Captain ] Picard to let her go .
How many times did I wake , groggy with dream - visits from my husband ? … finally Tasha , like my husband , vanishes into the past . The time rift is sealed . Nearly everyone on the crew draw a blank the visit . Anyone who has experienced loss knows this fear : block their face , their laugh , their spirit . … How do we keep loved 1 with us when they are already give out ? In the closure moment of the episode , Guinan sit opposite Geordi La Forge in Ten Forward . Her eye forgather his . ‘ Tell me about Tasha Yar , ’ she says .
Photo: Adrian Frandle
We remember , together .
Reenu Bhatia
Reenu is a senior marketing psychoanalyst working in renewable energy . When I asked her how she link up to Star Trek : Voyager ( her favorite Trek avatar ) she told me she regain common ground with Chief Engineer B’Elanna Torres .
I most admire her character reference ’s growth at the beginning of the serial where we watch her transition from being a member of the Maquis to being a well-thought-of Voyager gang member contributing in the effort to observe a way back to the Alpha Quadrant . Watching B’Elanna ’s fibre development is a reminder that every single homo is struggling in their own way to bump a way to jibe in . … At the end of the day , whether you are human , Klingon , Talaxian , or Species 8472 , be kind to each other because we are all just trying to figure out our niche in life .
A newcomer to Discovery , Reenu assure me she also connects with Michael Burnham and her background as a human who was raised as a Vulcan .
Photo: Reenu Bhatia
We see her battle between heart vs. system of logic . Being a first - generation Native American - American , I pertain to the struggle of navigating how I accommodate into both civilisation . Behind many determination I make , I find myself battling between my Indian value and American value and wondering if I ’ve made the ripe decision .
Shenikwa, Creator of Black Alert Podcast
Shenikwa is a marketing and communications adviser who foundedBlack Alert Podcastas a safe space not only for Black Trekkies but for people of all ethnicity and community . She , too , interrelate to Michael Burnham on a personal level .
Seeing a disgraceful woman precede a sci - fi show , and now she is captain ? ! OMG . Michael Burnham is a trailblazer ; she is space Stacey Abrams ! … [ A here and now that resonated with me was ] the termination of time of year three when the admiral told Michael [ comparing her to his daughter ] , ‘ She did n’t do affair the ripe mode . She did it her direction . And it worked . ’ I ’ve never identify with women or people that light in line . mouth up and speak out . Well - behaved women seldom make chronicle .
Shenikwa also explain how Black Alert podcast has become a source of camaraderie for herself as well as the show ’s listeners .
Photo: Shenikwa
We ’ve interviewed a few role player from Star Trek : Discovery , but one special interview was life changing . Wilson Cruz [ who portray Dr. Hugh Culber ] discussed how being emotional and vulnerable was a sign of strength . I induce so many DMs on Twitter after that episode was released , because we ’re in the middle of a pandemic and multitude are hackneyed , depressed , and feeling so many emotion . It was comforting to get word Wilson acknowledge that ; it gave so many of our listeners an sound recording ‘ hug ’ so to speak .
By G / O Media Studios for Star Trek : Discovery
Michael BurnhamStar TrekStar Trek : VoyagerTrekkie
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