Introduction

The Star Trek: Discovery series has sparked considerable debate regarding its place in the broader Star Trek timeline, particularly in light of its technological advancements. Is Discovery truly set in a timeline before Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) with Kirk’s Enterprise, and how do these changes impact our understanding of the Star Trek universe?

Separating Fact from Fiction

Firstly, it is important to recognize that Discovery and Stranger Things New Worlds (STNW) do not occupy the same timeline or universe as TOS. The show runners of Discovery have made a conscious decision to place the events of the show in a different temporal context. In an effort to maintain this separation, they have even instructed the cast and crew not to reference the original series or any connections to it, a practice reminiscent of certain plot devices used in other sci-fi franchises.

While the STNW show runners have attempted to claim that their series is a part of the same universe but a different timeline, the alterations and inconsistencies in both series are too numerous to ignore. The timeline of Discovery, which takes place in 2256 AD, introduces a level of modernity that may seem out of place when compared to the events of TOS, first aired in 1966.

Technical Comparisons

In terms of technology, while Discovery does feature advances such as its warp drive, this is not necessarily a significant leap forward. The warp drive is comparable to that used by Enterprise, which was a prototype and therefore was on the cutting edge of technology for its time. Even in TOS, Enterprise was not the most advanced starship in the fleet, despite being the flagship of Starfleet.

It is also worth noting that the Enterprise of Discovery is a prototype, much like other advanced technologies in development during its time. Historically, prototypes often exhibit bleeding-edge technology that may not be fully realized or dominant within the fleet for some time after their introduction. Therefore, the presence of advanced technology in Discovery does not necessarily mean this technology was uniformly or widely adopted across the entire Star Trek universe.

Retcons and Narrative Interpretation

The use of retcons (retroactive changes to previously established plot points) in Star Trek: Discovery is a common practice in the franchise. This technique is often employed to fix timelines, introduce new technology, or reconcile plot inconsistencies. For example, scenes in The Menagerie depict Pike’s Enterprise with technology that was later established in Star Trek: Enterprise as being more advanced.

It is natural for different storytellers to describe the same future with varying levels of technological advancement, based on their own experiences and the technologies available to them at the time of creation. A storyteller from 2017, describing a spacecraft of the 23rd century, would naturally incorporate technologies that were more advanced than those available in 1966. To expect otherwise would be to overlook the evolution of storytelling and the technological context in which it takes place.

Conclusion

The discrepancies in the timeline and technology of Star Trek: Discovery represent a deliberate and creative choice by the show’s creators. While these changes may lead to some confusion or controversy, they also serve to highlight the evolution of storytelling and how technology and narrative are intertwined. Understanding these dynamics can help audiences appreciate the complexity and richness of the Star Trek universe, embracing both its consistency and its innovative explorations.