The protagonist of Star Trek: Discovery shares her feelings at the end of her journey in the iconic saga.
On the edge of the unknown and with the stars as her witness, Sonequa Martin-Green bids farewell to Star Trek: Discovery’s soulmate Michael Burnham. From her childhood, captivated by episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series to becoming the first African-American actress to lead a series in the franchise, Martin-Green takes us through her journey of self-discovery, trials and triumphs.
A flash of a star
The rise of Nichelle Nichols and LeVar Burton’s exploits on screen was an inspiration for Martin-Green; It was the fire that ignited his passion for Star Trek. Years later, when she took on the role of Burnham, she found herself grappling with the expectations of playing such a pivotal character in Discovery, navigating not only the fictional cosmos but the weight of heritage, a twelve-year absence.
Martin-Green admits that discovery leadership has placed a heavy weight on him, transcending professional boundaries and becoming personal. According to her, the need to be perfect, fulfill the role and meet the expectations was a constant burden, a challenge that, although it seemed insurmountable, she managed to find her true self above fear and pressure.
The legacy of the former
Reflecting on the giant shoulders on which she stood, from George Takei to Avery Brooks to Kate Mulgrew, Martin-Green faced not only the challenge of living up to these images, but also internalized racism and coming out syndrome. This journey of self-acceptance and validation made her realize not only the role of her predecessors in her path, but also her own worth and value in this astral universe.
When she first envisioned her journey on Star Trek: Discovery, Martin-Green knew the series as a vehicle for love, dedication and exploring the unknown. Human experience. His role as Michael Burnham is not just an adventure in unknown galaxies, but an intimate journey of growth, acceptance and ultimately performance.
As Star Trek: Discovery gears up for its fifth and final season, Martin-Green says goodbye to Michael Burnham, but not the character and the series’ impact on her and fans of this intergalactic saga. Burnham’s odyssey, characterized by challenge, redemption and leadership, is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of diversity and the limitless capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversity.
Sonequa Martin-Green’s farewell is more than just the end of a chapter on Star Trek. A celebration of learning, discovery, and most of all, an unbreakable connection to community, season after season joins Michael Burnham and the USS Discovery on a journey into the unknown. Despite its coming to an end, Star Trek leaves a trail of light in the Star Trek cosmos and in the hearts of fans.
Beyond discovery
Within the vast Star Trek universe, the franchise continues to expand with new series that capture the imagination of a new generation of fans. Among them, Star Trek: Picard brings us back to the legendary Jean-Luc Picard, facing new challenges and old enemies. Star Trek: The Lower Deck offers a humorous look at the daily lives of Starfleet’s least famous crew. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds centers on the exploration of new worlds and civilizations aboard the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain Pike. Together with Star Trek: Discovery, these series form the new vanguard of the saga, inspiring us to explore, dream and believe in a better future.
By including these series, the Star Trek franchise continues its legacy of exploration and adventure, preserving the ideals of hope and unity that have characterized Star Trek since its inception. With each new series, Star Trek continues to reinvent itself and continue to captivate both longtime fans and new audiences alike, cementing its place as the mainstay of science fiction entertainment.