3 reasons why Star Trek fans accept Sybok over Michael Burnham

As a long-time Trekkie who has followed Star Trek through its highs and lows, I must admit that the introduction of Michael Burnham as the main character in Discovery left me with mixed feelings. While I appreciated the attempt to create a complex and flawed heroine, the execution fell short for me.

Star Trek: Discovery had the opportunity to create an innovative continuation of the beloved franchise, captivating us with fresh and lively tales. Regrettably, it became another prequel that many didn’t anticipate, which might have been acceptable but the show seemed determined to alienate long-time fans. Unfortunately, due to misguided leadership, talented actors like series lead Sonequa Martin-Green suffered the consequences of public disapproval.

Initially, it was Michael Burnham who took center stage in the franchise; she was the leading character. Although her name may seem less than appealing, there was still a glimmer of optimism. This was because Sonequa Martin-Green, following her successful stint on The Walking Dead, was highly sought after. Thus, they secured a genuine talent for their latest Star Trek series. Why not, right? However, the character development left much to be desired and she was burdened with numerous myths and canon-breaking connections that irked fans.

In simpler terms, introducing a previously unmentioned sister for Spock, who is human, seemed like the new series was trying too hard to emulate another successful series. This move felt more like someone inserting themselves into the story, rather than something natural or in line with Star Trek’s established lore, and it fell flat, resembling poor fan fiction more than authentic Star Trek content.

Critics found it unpopular; they dismissed it, and it continues to be one of the most disliked expansions in the series. So, what was wrong with it? Our very own Rachel Carrington noted that this isn’t the first time Spock encountered the plot twist about a “long-lost sibling.” That earlier revelation received more favorable reception, but why? It seems likely that Michael Burnham’s race and gender may have incited some biased critics, who were eager to criticize the character solely because of the actress playing her.

Although it’s regrettable, such incidents do occur. While some people were undoubtedly upset that a black woman was in the limelight, there are legitimate criticisms about the connections between the characters and Spock that resonate with many. This, in turn, helps explain why Sybock is less reviled than Michael Burnham.

1. It felt unnecessary to tie the characters together

Introducing Michael Burnham as Spock’s adopted sister seemed rather forced and ill-fitting to the original characters. The emotional connection between them, particularly considering where her character stood at the end of season five, felt incongruent with who Spock is known to be. Additionally, there are tangible differences that make this pairing questionable. For starters, she’s human and has distinct physical requirements compared to a Vulcan like Spock.

Humans are weaker, less gifted intellectually, and have a different sleep and food cycle. Thrusting a child onto Vulcan makes little sense from a story idea, as Spock’s family would have to bend over backward to make Michael Burnham not only survive but thrive on Vulcan. That was the point, however, that she was such a gifted person that she hung with Vulcans on every level. This really irritated fans because that’s not how science works. That’s like writing a story where a human outruns a cheetah. It doesn’t work.

Not only was she on Vulcan, but her behavior also resembled that of a Vulcan, which didn’t seem right. It was either an attempt to imitate them poorly or a form of misappropriating their culture. After all, Vulcans behave the way they do because they suppress emotions we humans can’t understand, so it’s inappropriate for someone to mimic their behavior in this manner.

If they hadn’t insisted on linking her to Spock’s past and instead created a fresh background for a new character, things might have been more seamless. Being tied to Spock’s history restricted her creative growth, which became apparent as the series progressed. As they distanced her from those early season traits, she evolved into a much stronger character.

We’re not meant to like Sybok

Michael Burnahman and Sybok have a significant disagreement that needs to be addressed; it’s important to note that Sybok isn’t generally well-liked among fans. In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Sybok is portrayed as forming a cult. He resorts to violence and various methods to reach what he believes is the deity located at the heart of the universe.

The character is a villainous figure who performs cruel actions throughout the movie for his personal gain. He’s self-centered and isolating, making him a bad guy. Michael Burnham, on the other hand, was intended to be a relatable hero who grows through hardships to become a better person. However, her portrayal in the first season left many viewers disinclined towards liking her.

Since she is the central character, her actions are crucial. However, when someone causes their captain’s death and gets arrested for treason, they can hardly be seen as anything but a villain themselves. After all, treason isn’t something that just happens accidentally; it requires deliberate intent. She intentionally committed this act, not “accidental treason.” It’s hard to root for someone who betrays such trust in such a significant way.

She exhibits the same degree of self-serving behavior as Sybok, yet one is labeled a “villain” and the other a “hero.” However, they both act according to their desires, prioritizing their goals above all others. It’s misleading to chronicle a villain’s backstory, give them a heroic persona, and then feign astonishment when your protagonist is met with rejection.

Sybok wasn’t the tentpole character of an entire franchise

No matter what you may think of either character, the original Sybok was a minor character in one film. Michael Burnham was the star of her own series. The need for one character to be better written over the other is clearly there. To the credit of Star Trek V’s writers, Sybok isn’t a poorly developed character by any means. Yet, we didn’t need a tremendous amount of backstory or overly convoluted plotlines involving him.

Originally, the role he was given offered around 30 minutes of screen presence in a group setting, after which the story would wrap up. However, Burnham might receive approximately 30 minutes of screen time per episode. To succeed, Burnham’s character needed to be well-written to avoid immediate dislike. Moreover, her background story had to withstand scrutiny and remain consistent when examined for any extended period.

Connecting her with Spock hindered her character development significantly. Linking Sybok to Spock was the most effective means of generating substantial conflict within such a short timeframe (90 minutes). A renegade Vulcan, however, didn’t seem essential for the series to flourish. In fact, since the second film in the franchise, the antagonists have been exceptionally terrifying. They were deeply personal, and personal conflicts are what truly resonate with audiences.

11, a random Vulcan, simply wouldn’t carry the same weight or intrigue as “Spock’s brother.” The disadvantage lies in the fact that this character would be heavily dependent on Spock, potentially restricting their own development over five seasons. Given Spock’s significant role in the franchise, it might not be feasible to introduce a new character who constantly needs to reference him.

If you bring up Spock, it’s likely that people will show greater interest in him compared to other characters. He’s arguably the most iconic figure from Star Trek, and fans consistently express a desire for more Spock-centric stories. This is much like attending a family gathering where everyone seems to focus their attention solely on your more successful and well-liked sibling.

Introducing Spock into any discussion tends to eclipse the other characters, making them seem less prominent. This isn’t an issue when dealing with a villain, but it poses a significant challenge for the fresh identity representing the franchise.

2024-09-29 04:23

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