How 'Star Trek: Discovery' Referenced 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'
11/09/2017 04:42 pm EST
The Needs of the Many
Burnham states that "The needs of the many are worth fighting for." Tyler extends the thought, saying that those needs are "worth dying for" but adds that "so are the needs of the few." Burnham finishes with the question, "Or the one?" before the two share a kiss.
That exchange mimics one between Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Burnham's surrogate brother, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Early in the film, while discussing who should command the Enterprise on its mission to Regula I, Spock tells Kirk, "Logic clearly dictates the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few," to which Kirk replies, "Or the one?"
Later in the film, Spock repeats this philosophy as a means of explaining why he must sacrifice himself to save the crew of the Enterprise.
The Needs of the Few
It's interesting that Burnham should bring up this same philosophy while speaking to Tyler. Does this mean that the saying is something that she and Spock both learned from their Vulcan father, Sarek? Is it a common truism shared frequently in the Star Trek galaxy? Or a specific aphorism used frequently on Vulcan? Or are Burnham and Spock simply of like minds?
Whatever the case, it is a welcome reference to one one of the most popular entries in the Star Trek canon.
New Star Trek: Discovery episodes become available to stream Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS All Access.
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