Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Section 31 Although Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) is notably absent from Star Trek: Section 31, her lack of presence creates a significant void in the narrative of Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh). Burnham’s absence leaves a crucial gap in the storyline that Star Trek‘s inaugural streaming film struggles to address. Both characters originated in Star Trek: Discovery, where Michelle Yeoh first portrayed Captain Philippa Georgiou, serving as the commanding officer to Burnham aboard the USS Shenzhou. Yeoh later reprised her role as Georgiou?s Mirror Universe counterpart in the first season of Star Trek: Discovery.
Star Trek: Section 31 explores the fate of Emperor Georgiou after her departure from the 32nd century in Star Trek: Discovery, aided by the Guardian of Forever (Paul Guilfoyle). She finds herself in Star Trek‘s early 24th century, known as the “lost era,” where she swiftly takes control of an interstellar nightclub called the Baraam. However, Section 31 soon compels Georgiou to retrieve a formidable super weapon known as the Godsend, which originated from the Mirror Universe, a weapon she had previously commissioned for destruction.
As the narrative unfolds, Emperor Georgiou discovers that San (James Hiroyuki Liao), her teenage love, intends to utilize the Godsend to spearhead the Terran Empire’s assault on the United Federation of Planets. Star Trek: Section 31 delves into Georgiou’s evolving perspective as she confronts the ramifications of her past actions as the Terran Emperor. Yet, the film’s engaging action and drama cannot fully replace the essential counterbalance that Commander Michael Burnham provided during her time on Star Trek: Discovery.
The Impact of Burnham’s Absence on Georgiou’s Journey in Star Trek: Discovery
The Essential Balance: Michael as the Yin to Philippa’s Yang
In Star Trek: Section 31, there is no character that challenges Emperor Philippa Georgiou in the same way that Commander Michael Burnham did during her time on Star Trek: Discovery. This absence detracts from the storyline, as Georgiou’s transformative journey from a ruthless dictator to a protector of the Federation was significantly influenced by Burnham’s character. Burnham, embodying virtuous ideals and consistently sacrificing herself to uphold the Federation’s core values, inspired change in Georgiou, prompting her to reconsider her authoritarian tendencies.
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Understanding the Ending of Star Trek: Section 31 and Its Twists
Star Trek: Section 31 introduces a new threat to the Federation that Emperor Georgiou must confront. Here’s a breakdown of what the ending signifies.
As Emperor Georgiou reflects on her past, she realizes the extent of her transformation when the Guardian of Forever returns her to the Mirror Universe in Star Trek: Discovery season 3. Faced with a lifetime of malevolence, including the unforgiving Mirror version of Michael Burnham?who was once her adopted daughter?Georgiou renounces her former identity as the ruler of Terra. Burnham became the guiding voice, encouraging Georgiou to transcend her oppressive beliefs.
No character in Section 31 challenged Philippa’s beliefs or motivated her growth like Burnham did.
Star Trek: Section 31 ultimately lacks the compelling dynamic that characterized the relationship between Emperor Georgiou and Michael Burnham. No one in Section 31 challenges Philippa’s belief system or spurs her personal evolution in the same manner as Burnham. While Georgiou attempts to do the right thing upon discovering San’s survival and grapples with her responsibility concerning the Godsend, the film misses out on the rich philosophical dialogues and the intense confrontations that marked the interactions between Georgiou and Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery.
Exploring Alok Sahar’s Role as Georgiou?s New Counterpart in Section 31
Alok Sahar: A Potential Romantic Interest for Georgiou
In an attempt to provide a different dynamic, Star Trek: Section 31 introduces a new relationship for Emperor Georgiou that departs from her previously established mother-daughter bond with Michael Burnham. In this new narrative, Georgiou’s counterpart is Alok Sahar (Omari Hardwick), the head of Section 31’s Alpha Team. Alok serves as the primary operative involved in Georgiou’s integration into Section 31, and their interactions evolve significantly throughout the film. Although Georgiou often mocks other characters within Section 31, she demonstrates a level of respect for Alok, leading to a budding trust between them by the film’s conclusion.
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One of the heroes in Star Trek: Section 31 emerges as the long-awaited foil to the genetically engineered villain Khan Noonien Singh.
Star Trek: Section 31 teases the potential for a romantic connection between Emperor Georgiou and Alok Sahar. As a genetically engineered Augment from the 20th century, Alok is not intimidated by Georgiou, which contributes to their growing rapport. There are undeniable sparks between Alok and Georgiou, with both Michelle Yeoh and Omari Hardwick showcasing a strong on-screen chemistry. However, Star Trek: Section 31 frustratingly falls short in fully exploring their character development. While Alok and Georgiou present an intriguing pairing, they lack the compelling contrast that characterized the relationship between Philippa and Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery.
The Impossibility of a Reunion Between Captain Burnham and Emperor Georgiou
The Constraints of Georgiou’s Timeline in Star Trek
Unfortunately, the manner in which Star Trek: Discovery portrayed Emperor Georgiou’s departure from the series means that she and Captain Michael Burnham can never reunite. Season 3 of Star Trek: Discovery revealed that Georgiou was suffering from a terminal condition due to the stress of her transition from the Mirror Universe and her abrupt leap of 930 years into the 32nd century. The only remedy for her deteriorating health would require her return to an era in the Star Trek timeline where both the Prime and Mirror Universes remain aligned. Any return to the 32nd century, where Star Trek: Discovery is set, would ultimately lead to Georgiou’s demise.
