We saved this one for Christmas Day because we wanted to spread a little good cheer on this special day! Paramount has officially scrubbed the maligned and controversial Star Trek: Discovery from canon, setting it in an alternate timeline that doesn’t impact the prime story fans have loved for decades.
Not only has Paramount officially canceled Star Trek: Discovery, it utterly erased it from the broader Star Trek canon. For many fans, especially those weary of the series’ controversial direction, this decision is a welcome relief that promises to restore the beloved continuity of the Star Trek universe.
Star Trek: Discovery debuted with high expectations, but over its run, it faced significant backlash from segments of the fanbase. Criticisms ranged from drastic changes in the portrayal of iconic species, such as the Klingons, to deviations from established timelines and character arcs. The early seasons set the series in the past, but inconsistencies soon emerged, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
A Klingon in Star Trek: Discovery – YouTube, Star Trek
One of the most contentious issues was the redesign of the Klingons. Traditional fans were taken aback by the new aesthetic, which diverged sharply from the established look seen in Star Trek: The Original Series and subsequent iterations like Strange New Worlds (which is a spin-off of Discovery…which makes the choice all the more confusing).
This departure was not only disruptive to longtime enthusiasts, it also disrupted the visual continuity that’s a hallmark of the Star Trek franchise.
In an unexpected move, Paramount utilized the final episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks to address the controversies surrounding Discovery. According to Giant Freakin’ Robot (GFR), Lower Decks officially confirmed that Discovery exists in an alternate universe, separate from the main Star Trek timeline.
Alex Kurtzman speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Star Trek: Discovery”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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This revelation effectively erases the Alex Kurtzman created series from the prime canon, ensuring that its divergences no longer impact the overarching narrative.
The explanation provided involves a fascinating sci-fi concept.
There’s a rift surrounded by a Schrödinger possibility field that remaps matter into alternate-reality versions from the multiverse. This event transforms the main timeline Klingons into those seen in Discovery, clearly delineating between the two universes. Consequently, while Lower Decks remains canon and part of the prime timeline, Discovery is relegated to an alternate reality, mitigating its previous inconsistencies.
This strategic erasure is not Paramount’s first attempt at maintaining continuity. Lower Decks has previously addressed and rectified longstanding continuity issues, such as the 50+ year debate over the appearance of the Orions. By reaffirming Lower Decks as canon and aligning it with the main timeline, Paramount reinforces the integrity of the Star Trek universe.
Despite starting as a Discovery spin-off, Strange New Worlds continues to uphold the traditional look of the Klingons.
With the cancellations of both Discovery and Lower Decks, alongside the conclusion of Star Trek: Picard, Paramount is shifting its focus to new projects that promise to enrich the Star Trek universe without disrupting its established canon.
“Vaulting Ambition” — Episode 112 — Pictured: Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Photo Cr: Ben Mark Holzberg/CBS é 2017 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.
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The upcoming release of Star Trek: Section 31—a streaming film starring Michelle Yeoh—is set to premiere on January 24 exclusively on Paramount+. As a direct spin-off from Discovery featuring a character from an alternate universe, it’s likely that Section 31 will also exist outside the prime canon, allowing Paramount to explore new narratives without affecting the core timeline.
William Shatner as James T. Kirk in Star Trek Generations (1996), Paramount Pictures
The decision to cancel and erase Star Trek: Discovery from canon ultimately serves the greater good of the Star Trek franchise. By removing a divisive element, Paramount is paving the way for a more cohesive and beloved universe that honors the legacy of its storied past. For fans who long for consistency and respect for the original material, this move is a cause for celebration.
Now they just have to make a show that Star Trek fans like…
Are you happy to see Star Trek: Discovery erased from canon? Sound off in the comment section below and let us know!
