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Written by William Satterwhite

July 22, 2016, featured | news.

From the very beginning, creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision for the world of Star Trek was an optimistic view of an Earth where humans had reached the pinnacle of understanding, a societal maturity where differences are not simply tolerated but embraced. A major part of this, from the very beginning, has been a diversity not only in major players but also supplementary characters. What follows here is a rundown of 10 non-starring black characters from the broad scope of the Star Trek universe who, each in their own way, represent the Star Trek vision.

Note- Only characters who are human or humanoid aliens virtually indistinguishable from humans were considered for this list.

Richard Daystrom

Imagine for a second a television show establishing that one of, if not the, most brilliant scientist in the world was a black man responsible for not just one, but two, of the greatest technological creations known to man. In 2016 with someone like Neil deGrasse Tyson well known as a foremost scientific mind this might not seem like a big deal but this isn’t 2016- this is March 1968; no one has ever seen Planet of the Apes , Lyndon Johnson is running for President, Robert Kennedy isn’t and both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Bobby Hutton are still alive (in less than a one full month all of these statements would be flipped).

Dr. Richard Daystrom, played by the legendary William Marshall, is introduced in season two of the original Star Trek series as creator of the computer system that helps run ships like the Enterprise and whose new system is capable of running a ship by itself, sans crew. While the latter creation doesn’t quite work out in the end, showing a black man as one of, if not the, greatest scientific mind in the world in the turbulent 60s was an obvious way to show Roddenberry’s dream for the future realized.

One of the few alien characters on this list, Guinan, portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg on Star Trek: The Next Generation , was an El-Aurian, a race of “listeners” scattered by The Borg. Serving as a bartender on the Enterprise, Guinan developed friendly relationships with many members of its senior staff, particularly Captain Picard. She also had great sense of style when it came to fabulous hats.

Captain Clark Terrell

In command of the starship Reliant in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan , Captain Terrell has the unfortunate luck of running into the vengeful Khan Noonien Singh. Simply described by his First Officer Chekov as a strong man, Terrell, played by the great Paul Winfield takes his own life instead of acting as as a pawn to take another’s.

Lily Sloane

Considered a legend in space exploration within the Star Trek mythos, Doctor Lily Sloane is another example of the Star Trek universe taking great care to show black scientific leaders playing a crucial role in the humanity’s reach for the stars. Played by Alfre Woodard in the Star Trek: The Next Generation film First Contact, Sloane is an aeronautical engineer who works on the development of the first warp drive on Earth.

Commodore Stone

Even before the original Star Trek series gave us a pioneering black scientist in it’s second season with with richard Daystrom, the first season episode “Court Martial” gave us another pioneering black Star Fleet official. In early 1967, the same year the United States Navy would see its first black Captain (Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., also to be the Navy’s first black admiral a few years later), classic actor Percy Rodriquez portrayed Commodore Stone, a top ranking Star Fleet officer who oversees the court martial of Captain Kirk.

Emory Erickson

Played by actor Bill Cobbs, Emory Erickson is another one of the Star Trek universe’s examples of great black scientists. Developer of the molecular transporter, Erickson appeared on Star Trek: Enterprise where he was shown to be something of a surrogate father to Captain Jonathan Archer, both having lost the corresponding figure in their lives.

Kasidy Yates-Sisko

As the name implies, Kasidy Yates-Sisko becomes the wife of Captain Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . Introduced by Sisko’s son Jake and portrayed by actress Penny Johnson, the multi-faceted relationship between Yates and Sisko is another example of Star Trek guiding the way in a world of sci-fi where fully developed relationships between a black and a black woman are few and far between.

Calvin Hudson

An old friend and Starfleet Academy classmate of Benjamin Sisko, Calvin Hudson was an experienced officer and leader who could inspire trust in his cohorts. Unfortunately that trust was misguided as Hudson, portrayed by Bernie Casey on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , was a double agent working with the rebellious Maquis.

Captain Silva La Forge

While perhaps slightly more prevalent than black romantic relationships in the world of sci-fi, fully developed black familial relationships in sci-fi are unfortunately also a rare sight. With Geordi La Forge a key featured member of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew, we are allowed to see the exploration of his family relationships and the stresses of being in a military/service type family as both his mother and father are members of Starfleet.

The mother Silva stands out as Captain of her own ship, though it is in this capacity that she becomes lost in action. Notably, this role was the fourth time that the late actress Madge Sinclair played the on-screen mother of LeVar Burton.

Another standout from the initial Star Trek run, Don Marshall’s Lt. Boma represented another example of Star Trek being bold in its portrayal of black characters in the 60s by being just that- bold- as he engages in an episode long back and forth with Spock as the latter suffers through a trial of leadership while rescuing Boma and his shipwrecked crew.

Shown to be a highly competent and forceful officer, Boma was actually intended to be a recurring character but scheduling conflicts served to rob this character of an even greater role in the annals of Star Trek lore.

William Satterwhite is the creator of the superhero webcomic Stealth and a freelance designer, internet consultant and illustrator living in Douglasville, Ga. His professional website can be found at www.williamsatterwhite.info .

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Actress | Moonlighting

Inez Edwards is known for Moonlighting (1985), Family Matters (1989) and Talkin' Dirty After Dark (1991).

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Science Division Officer (Frame of Mind - Tapestry) Klingon (Birthright, Part I & II) Klingon Pilgrim (Rightful Heir)

69. Iona Morris

Actress | X-Men

Iona Morris was born on May 23, 1957 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. She is an actress and director, known for X-Men: The Animated Series (1992), Robotech: The Movie (1986) and Megazone 23 (1985).

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) Umali (Workforce Part I & II) Star Trek: The Original Series (TV Series) Little African American Girl (Miri)

70. Jajube Mandiela

Actress | Red Lights

Jajube Mandiela was born and raised, and is based, in Toronto, Canada. Best known for 8 seasons as Chantay on Degrassi, she also voiced Pristine on Crash Canyon and appeared in Disney's Jump In! and feature film Red Lights. On stage, her acting highlights include Blue Planet and El Numero Uno (Young...

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series) Holo Officer #2 (Die Trying)

71. Ito Aghayere

Ito Aghayere is a Nigerian, Canadian, American born in Alberta, Canada. She is an actress, known for Star Trek: Picard (2022), Carol's Second Act (2019) and Logan Lucky (2017). She graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and received her Master of Fine Arts ...

Star Trek: Picard (TV Series) Guinan (Mercy - Monsters - Watcher)

72. Jamillah Ross

Actress | Polar

Jamillah Ross is known for Polar (2019), Slumberland (2022) and Firestarter (2022).

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Vulcan officiant (in The Broken Cricle)

73. Janelle James

Actress | Black Monday

Janelle James is a New York- and Los Angeles-based comedian who can be seen on The Comedy Lineup on Netflix, Black Monday on Showtime, and Abbott Elementary. James has toured with Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, and David Cross among others, and runs the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival (now the Janelle ...

Star Trek: Lower Decks Katrot (Empathological Fallacies)

74. Janet MacLachlan

Actress | The Thirteenth Floor

Janet MacLachlan was born on August 27, 1933 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for The Thirteenth Floor (1999), Tick, Tick, Tick (1970) and Tightrope (1984). She died on October 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Star Trek: The Original Series (TV Series) Lt. Charlene Masters (The Alternative Factor)

75. Jasmine Akakpo

Actress | Dave

Jasmine Akakpo is known for Dave (2020), Queen Sugar (2016) and Reasonable Doubt (2022).

Star Trek: Picard (TV Series) Titan Ensign (No Win Scenario)

76. Jasmine Pierce

Writer | Saturday Night Live

Jasmine Pierce is known for Saturday Night Live (1975), Lucky Hank (2023) and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014).

Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II (TV Series) Lieutenant Uhura / Uhura

77. Jayne Dineo

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series) Discovery Sciences Crewmember (Terra Firma, Part 1)

78. Jenifer Lewis

Actress | The Princess and the Frog

Jenifer Lewis is one of Hollywood's most familiar faces, with more than 300 appearances in film and television. Dubbed a "national treasure" by TV Guide.com, Jenifer stars on the hit show Black-ish (ABC), where her hilarious portrayal of "Ruby Johnson" earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics ...

Star Trek: Lower Decks (TV Series) Bartender (An Embarrassment of Dooplers)

79. Jennifer Gatti

Actress | Star Trek: The Next Generation

Jennifer Gatti was born in Manhattan, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), The Young and the Restless (1973) and Vice Principals (2016).

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) Libby (Non Sequitur) Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Ba'el (Birthright Part I & II)

80. Jenna Z. Wilson

Actress | Island Prey

Jenna Z. Wilson was born on January 6, 1981 in Long Beach, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Island Prey (2001), Carver (2015) and Beckinfield (2010).

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) Dancer (Homestead)

81. Jenny Lumet

Writer | Rachel Getting Married

Jenny Lumet was born on February 2, 1967 in New York City, New York, USA. She is a producer and writer, known for Rachel Getting Married (2008), The Mummy (2017) and The Man Who Fell to Earth (2022). She has been married to Alexander Weinstein since May 2, 2007. They have one child. She was ...

Producer Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Star Trek: Discovery Star Trek: Picard Writer Star Trek: Short Treks Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Star Trek: Discovery

82. Jenny Itwaru

Actress | xXx: Return of Xander Cage

Jenny Itwaru is known for xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), The Invisible Man (2020) and The Handmaid's Tale (2017).

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series) Star Fleet Bridge Crew (The Wolf Inside)

83. Johnetta Anderson

Actress | Rebel Highway

Johnetta Anderson is known for Rebel Highway (1994) and Girls in Prison (1994).

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) Holographic bar patron

84. Jessica Boss

Actress | PostDates

Jessica Boss is an American actress of Nigerian descent. In high school, Jessica was on track to become a medical doctor. That all changed when she had to choose between taking art or theater as an elective class. Since she could only draw stick figures, she decided to take theater, and to her ...

Star Trek Bridgeport Cadet (uncredited)

85. Joan Pringle

Actress | Original Sin

Joan Pringle was born on June 2, 1945 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for Original Sin (2001), The White Shadow (1978) and The Lost City (2022). She is married to Vernon L. Bolling. She was previously married to Teddy Wilson .

Star Trek: Enterprise (TV Series) Rianna Mayweather (Horizon)

86. Joni Bovill

Actress | Better Call Saul

Despite being born the daughter of a poor sharecropper and a maid, Joni Bovill went on to become the first in her family to graduate from college. The multi-talented Mississippi native is best known for her recurring role as Ida in Amazon's hit show, Bosch, where she appeared in all seven seasons. ...

Star Trek: Odyssey (TV Series short) Praetor Yeshva / Procounsel Yeshva

87. Jordana Blake

Jordana Blake is known for The Handmaid's Tale (2017), Star Trek: Discovery (2017) and Riot Girls (2019).

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series) Betarian Girl (The Butcher's Knife Cares Not for the Lamb's Cry)

88. Joy Brunson

Actress | This Is Us

Joy Brunson is the Founder and CEO of The Joy of Acting Studio based in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Spelman College with a degree in Women's Studies, focusing on the performative nature of the Black female body. Inspired by her love of golf and mentorship, Joy created the non-profit ...

89. Judyann Elder

Actress | Seven Pounds

Judyann Elder graduated from Emerson College in Boston as the first recipient of the Carol Burnett Award in the Performing Arts. She began her professional career in New York off-Broadway as a founding member and resident actor with the Tony Award-winning Negro Ensemble Company. She originated ...

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Lt. Ballard (The Offspring)

90. Joyce McCoy

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) Mari (Random Thoughts) Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) Terran Slave (Through The Looking Glass)

91. Joyce Agu

Stunts | Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

Joyce Agu was born on July 4, 1960. She is an actress, known for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) and The Bold and the Beautiful (1987). She is married to Uchenna Agu .

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Ensign Gates / Dead Body Star Trek VI: the Undiscovered Country Excelsior Crewmember (uncredited)

92. Kandyse McClure

Actress | Battlestar Galactica

Kandyse McClure is a Canadian actress born on March 22, 1980 in Durban in South Africa. She graduated from West Vancouver Secondary School in 1998. She is an actress, known for main roles in TV series Battlestar Galactica (2004), Hemlock Grove (2013), and from the movies Carrie (2002) and Seventh ...

Star Trek: Picard (TV Series) Mira

93. Karen Robinson

Actress | Narc

Karen Robinson was born on February 28, 1968 in Leslieville, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is an actress, known for Narc (2002), Schitt's Creek (2015) and Lars and the Real Girl (2007).

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series) Trill Leader Pav (That Hope Is You, Part 2 - Forget Me Not)

94. Karole Selmon

Karole Selmon is known for Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), The Soloist (2009) and Wacko (1982).

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Yareena (Code of Honor)

95. Kelli Dawn Hancock

Actress | Shameless

Kelli Dawn Hancock was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. She is an actress, known for Shameless (2011), Star Trek: Picard (2020) and The Rookie (2018). She was previously married to Asante Jones .

Star Trek: Picard (TV Series) Officer Stauss (Watcher)

96. Karen Washington

Actress | Zombie Nation

Karen Washington is known for Zombie Nation (2004), Blood Sugar Rising (2020) and The Un-Adventurers (2020).

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) Qomar dignitary (Virtuoso) Star Trek: Enterprise (TV Series) Civilian ceremony attendee (These Are the Voyages...)

97. Kiara Groulx

Actress | Odd Squad

Kiara Groulx is known for Odd Squad (2014), Star Trek: Discovery (2017) and The Bold Type (2017).

Star Trek: Discovery (TV Series) Rose (New Eden)

98. Keisha Tucker

Stunts | Black Panther

Keisha Tucker was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in the suburbs. She is known for Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Keisha is always training and working on honing her skills. With her determination and passion for performing, there will be much more to come as this rising...

Star Trek: Picard (TV Series) xB (Nepenthe - Stardust City Rag)

99. Kelli Kirkland

Actress | Little Fockers

Kelli Kirkland was born in New York, USA. She is known for Little Fockers (2010), All About Steve (2009) and Dexter (2006).

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) Rinna (Favorite Son)

100. Kim Floyd

Stunts | Catwoman

Kim was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 17th to parents James and Margarett Floyd. She relocated to Los Angeles, California to pursue her acting career. Before moving to California, Kim worked in politics in Washington DC on Capitol Hill. She is the niece of former US Secretary of Defense...

Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series) T'Pel (aka Kimber Lee Renay) (Bliss)

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8 Strong Black Leads In The ‘Star Trek’ Universe

It's not just that these shows gave us black characters, but they are dynamic and complex., share the post, share this link via, or copy link.

Celia Rose Gooding plays Cadet Nyota Uhura on “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Source: Albert L. Ortega / Getty

W hen Nichelle Nichols appeared on television screens in 1966 in “Star Trek: The Original Series,” she changed the trajectory of the American space program. Gracing the cover of Ebony in January 1967, the legacy magazine called Nichols the “most heavenly body” in the new science fiction series.

Her role as Lt. Commander Nyota Uhura left an impression on many, including my dad and uncle. Two little Black boys living in the Gowanus projects in Brooklyn, tuning into “Star Trek: The Original Series,” gave them a glimpse into the possibility of a new world beyond the concrete jungle they called home.

More: ‘Woman In Motion’ Nichelle Nichols Best Known As Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura Dies At 89

Fast forward 20 years plus one, my dad passed along his love of “Star Trek” to my brother and me. We faithfully watched “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” featuring the internet’s favorite uncle LeVar Burton as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge. We devoured every episode of “The Next Generation” and later “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”

Star Trek’s strong Black leads offered complex portrayals, not forced representation

It’s not just that these shows gave us Black characters, but they are dynamic and complex. Newer iterations of “Star Trek ” provide even more robust storylines with diverse human and alien characters, making creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision come to life in previously unimaginable ways.

Each year it seems like some segments of various fandoms lose their minds with the introduction of strong Black characters. But this Trekkie is quite pleased to see rich storytelling led by characters who look like me.

Recognizing the importance of strong Black leads in the “Star Trek” universe felt particularly important on the first “Star Trek” Day after Nichols passed away . Through her work with NASA, Nichols paved the way for Black actors across the Star Trek universe and real-life astronauts. This year’s live stream event includes a special tribute to Nichols.

Celebrated each year on Sept. 8, Star Trek Day is an opportunity for fans to stream and engage with one of the most formidable franchises in science fiction history. The day marks the airing of the “Star Trek: The Original Series” pilot episode “The Man Trap.” Now 56 years later, the franchise spans movies, TV shows and animated series.

And while countless Black actors appear in “Star Trek” movies and animated series, including Dawnn Lewis, Paul Winfield, Alfred Woodard and Bernie Casey, this article is just focusing on the live-action series.

Here are eight phenomenal Black characters in the Star Trek Universe.

Nyota Uhura

Lt. Commander Nyota Uhura first graced the television screens across the country when “Star Trek: The Original Series” aired in 1966. Pioneered by Nichols, Uhura has been played by Zoe Saldaña in the rebooted “Star Trek” movies.

Celia Rose Gooding recently stepped into the role in “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” The 22-year-old Broadway actress shines as Cadet Nyota Uhura. Set ten years before the original series, the first season of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” digs deeper into Uhura’s earlier years.

Despite being a younger crew member, Uhura makes some outstanding contributions as she finds her way in Starfleet. Gooding takes Uhura’s brilliance to a whole new level. Did you know the character speaks 37 languages?

Dr. Joseph M’Benga

Booker Bradshaw originated the role of Dr. Joseph M’Benga in the original series. M’Benga takes on a more prominent role in “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and has a great story arc involving his daughter Rukiya. Babs Olusanmokun currently plays him .  

Michael Burnham

Played by the fantastic Soniqua Martin-Green, Captain Michael Burnham is one of the most fascinating “Star Trek” characters. Burnham has a personal connection to the iconic Mr. Spock, which is explored in season two.

A central character in “Star Trek: Discovery,” Burnham’s backstory reveals her connection to two legendary “Star Trek” characters. Orphaned after a Klingon attack, Burnham is raised on Vulcan by Ambassador Sarek and his wife Amanda Grayson, making her Spock’s adopted older sister. She is not a traditional captain by any means, offering a complex example of a person in leadership with the fate of multiple worlds at stake.

Cleveland “Book” Booker V

  Another great character from “Star Trek: Discovery,” Cleveland “Book” Booker V steps into the storyline after a significant shift in the series. Played by David Ajala, Book is an empathic marauder for the greater good, righting wrongs and always ready to throw down for a good fight. He and Captain Burnham develop a strong bond throughout season three, which is put to the test in this most recent season.

Joann Owosekun

Lt. Commander Joann Owosekun is another member of the excellent “Star Trek: Discover” cast. She is a fierce fighter in hand-to-hand combat, with a fantastic ability to hold her breath for an extended period.

The Sisko Family

Captain Benjamin Sisko and his family deserve an article all of their own. But for the sake of this list, they are grouped here as the Sisko family. We first meet then Commander Benjamin Sisko and his adolescent son Jake in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”

Avery Brooks has played many roles, but Captain Sisko will forever remain one of my favorites. Brooks’ brought a new flavor to Starfleet, often cooking homemade meals for his son, partner and other crew members. Captain Sisko’s family-oriented character gave us special appearances from the late Brock Peters as his father, Joseph Sisko. The elder Sisko ran a creole restaurant in 24th-century New Orleans and had no problem making his son and grandson help out when they were back on earth.

Source: Ron Galella / Getty

Captain Sisko’s nurturing relationship with his son Jake, and the positive depiction of Black fatherhood , often stand out as well. Jake, played by Cirroc Lofton, respected his father greatly and wanted to see him happy. This led to his playing matchmaker with a freighter captain, Kasidy Yates, played by Penny Johnson Jerald.

Between home-cooked meals and family baseball games, the Sisko family is the “Star Trek” gift that keeps on giving. But don’t get it twisted. Captain Sisko is one of the fiercest —and arguably the best—captain in the “Star Trek” universe. Brooks’s acting was superb throughout the series, but his monologue at the end of “In the Pale Moonlight” is a masterclass.

Geordi La Forge

  LeVar Burton was already a household name from his role in “Reading Rainbow” when he stepped into the shoes of Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” An engineering whiz, La Forge eventually becomes chief engineer of the Enterprise under Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Born blind, La Forge wore a special visor that enabled him to see. In later movies, his visor is upgraded to special ocular implants.

Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty

Worf, son of Mogh

Actor Michael Dorn had the honor of playing the first Klingon in Starfleet’s history. During the original series, the Klingon Empire was a nemesis of the Federation. By the time “Star Trek: The Next Generation” airs, Klingons and the Federation have maintained a certain level of peace. Lt. Commander Worf, son of Mogh, was orphaned after the Khitomer massacre and raised by a human couple.

Worf struggles with his place between his human companions in the Federation and his longing to be revered as a Klingon warrior by his peers. His character is all about duty and honor. But Worf’s idealism around Klingon virtues like honor also put him in conflict with the actualities of political life in his home world.

He later serves on Deep Space Nine under the command of Captain Sisko, where the Klingon officer really shines. Worf also has a lot of family strife, including issues with his younger brother Kurn played by “Candyman” actor Tony Todd. During his time on the Enterprise, he learns he has a son named Alexander, who is one-quarter human. Worf isn’t given the opportunity to be a father, opting to send his son to live with his adoptive parents. Both Alexander’s mother and his wife, Jadzia Dax, are murdered.

Worf’s house is disgraced at various points because he has no desire to play political games and believes in the sanctity of Klingon honor. He later becomes a member of the House of Martok, having served alongside General Martok while stationed at Deep Space Nine.

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Star trek's first female captain made history (twice).

Before Captain Janeway and Captain Burnham, the late actress Madge Sinclair played Star Trek's first female Captain, and she did it again in TNG.

Before Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), Star Trek 's first female Captain made history twice. Star Trek now boasts many female Captains, most notably Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager , Burnham from Star Trek: Discovery , and Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis) from Star Trek: Lower Decks . But the first female starship Captain in the franchise was actually seen in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

When Star Trek: Voyager launched in 1995, Kate Mulgrew received her due acclaim as the "first female Captain." But it really must be clarified that Mulgrew's Kathryn Janeway was the first female Captain to headline her own Star Trek series, which was a stellar and historic achievement. Subsequently, when Michael Burnham became Captain at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 3, she was hailed as the franchise's first Black female Captain, but this was also incorrect. But Burnham is the first Black female Captain to headline a Star Trek series, as Lower Decks ' Captain Freeman isn't the main character, an honor that goes to her insubordinate daughter, Ensign Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome).

Related: Discovery's Burnham Always Breaks 1 Big Star Trek Captain Rule

How Star Trek's First Female Captain Made History Twice

Preceding Captain Janeway by 9 years, Madge Sinclair portrayed Star Trek's first female Captain seen on-screen in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home , and she gets a dual honor as the first Black female Captain in Star Trek as well. Sinclair played the unnamed Captain of the USS Saratoga, which faced the Whale Probe attacking Earth that Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew placated by traveling back in time and bringing humpback whales to the 23rd century. Although Sinclair's Captain wasn't identified by name, the fact remains her presence is instantly historic and opened the door for the female Star Trek Captains who succeeded her.

However, Madge Sinclair made history a second time by returning as a different Star Trek Captain. Sinclair played Captain Silva La Forge, the mother of Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton), in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7. Thus, Sinclair became the first actress to portray Star Trek Captains in the 23rd and 24th centuries, although one can only conjecture if her two characters are actually related. Sinclair, who died in 1995, was a celebrated actress perhaps best known for playing the Queen of Zamunda opposite James Earl Jones in Coming To America, and she voiced Queen Sarabi alongside Jones' King Mufasa in The Lion King .

Star Trek Now Proudly Has Black Female Lead Characters

Madge Sinclair's historic contributions to Star Trek led the way for the franchise's current Black female lead characters. Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham is the centerpiece of Star Trek: Discovery since the show's inception. Meanwhile, Star Trek: Lower Decks features a Black mother/daughter relationship that's never been seen in Star Trek before, thanks to Ensign Mariner and Captain Freeman. Sinclair also paved the way to make Avery Brooks' lead role as Captain Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - the first Black lead of a Star Trek series - a reality.

Today, female Starship Captains and Admirals, the rank Janeway now holds on Star Trek: Prodigy , are a common sight, thankfully. But there is only one first Star Trek female Captain, and Black female Star Trek Captain, and that's Madge Sinclair. Captain Janeway, Captain Burnham, and Captain Freeman follow in her footsteps and can lay claim to a piece of Star Trek history in their own right, but it was Madge Sinclair's Captain of the Saratoga and Silva La Forge in TNG who led the way.

More: DS9's Secret Weapon Was Fixing Star Trek's Relationships Problem

Live Long and Prosper: A Celebration of Our Favorite Black Star Trek Characters

To celebrate star trek day, we’re highlighting the franchise’s most notable black characters..

Star Trek is one of the most beloved franchises in entertainment. From the moment The Original Series premiered in 1966, we were captivated by the USS Enterprise, its crew and the inner workings of Starfleet. As the universe expanded, it featured groundbreaking representation for Black characters. We’ve seen pioneering scientists, trailblazing explorers, inspiring ship captains, and mysterious time-bending aliens. As we celebrate Star Trek Day, let’s give some well deserved flowers to our favorite Black characters.

Lt. Uhura (The Original Series)

Any celebration of Black Star Trek characters must begin with Nichelle Nichols’ Lt. Uhura. There are Black women thriving as scientists, astronauts, pilots and doctors because of Nichols and Uhura.

Capt. Benjamin Sisko

Avery Brooks’ Sisko had a magnetism that made you feel like you would 100 percent follow him into battle. He had an elegant way of making the small moments feel just as important and impactful as the huge battles. Deep Space Nine’s different take on a Star Trek arc would not have worked as well with another person in command.

Lt. Commander Worf

Yes, I know he’s a Klingon. However, we are not about to celebrate Black Star Trek characters without honoring Michael Dorn’s exceptional work. The way he evolved Worf from a one note warrior to a compassionate friend and romantic husband was beautiful. He deserves all the glory the Klingon Empire has to offer.

Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge

Though he reaches the rank of Commodore, I want to talk about the Geordi that was Chief Engineer of the Enterprise in The Next Generation. He was a stone cold genius who had an answer for nearly every problem. LeVar Burton’s kindness was always evident in how La Forge loved his friends and would do anything to protect them and the Enterprise.

Dr. Richard Daystrom

As the creator of the computer system that runs the Enterprise and other advanced systems, we can safely say there would be no Starfleet without Dr. Richard Daystrom. In his short appearance, he left us desperate to know more about the scientists’s struggles. With new series expanding on the original timeline, this is a character we need to see get a deeper story.

No matter what timeline she’s in, or what wise words she’s imparting on us, Guinan is endlessly fascinating. The more we learn about her, the less we know. It’s hard to find a more perfectly cast character than Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan.

Capt. Michael Burnham

What makes Burnham so awesome is that she’s consistently defying Starfleet’s orders because she knows they’re kinda bullshit most of the time. She’s no one’s puppet and she refuses to apologize for that.

Ensign Travis Mayweather

Travis’ skills and loyalty are unquestioned, but he really became a legend when we got to meet the Mirror Universe version of him. He’s a badass who’s only concerned with his own ambitions. I wish we’d got a little more of that in the main Enterprise character.

Cadet Uhura

Strange New Worlds ’ Celia Rose Gooding simultaneously delivers a Uhura the audience knows from years of fandom, while also making the character fresh for a new audience. We get glimpses of the Uhura we know will dominate Starfleet, but it’s also clear she’s still learning her place on the ship and in the universe.

Dr. M’Benga

Doctors who are also warriors isn’t a new concept in the Star Trek universe, but M’Benga is a certified badass who is the Enterprise crew’s secret weapon. Every time we learn another one of his mysterious secrets, it makes us like him more. I need a buddy comedy of him and Chapel on various adventures.

Dr. Lily Sloane

Sure Zefram Cochrane gets all the credit for the first warp flight, but we all know Alfre Woodard’s Lily Sloane was probably doing a big chunk of the work. She showed how valuable she was while helping Picard fight the Borg, so you know she carried Cochrane’s drunk ass most of the time.

Emory Erickson

Inventor of the transporter, Emory Erickson is a man driven by tragedy and guilt. The brilliant Bill Cobbs portrayed him as someone who remembered a less idyllic Earth and never lost sight of the true mission of space exploration.

Lt. Commander Tuvok

Tuvok was Capt. Janeway’s best friend and most trusted advisor. As a Black Vulcan on a ship of humans, we often identified with his journey to keep his culture alive.

Lt. Uhura (Star Trek Kelvin Timeline)

Zoe Saldaña’s Uhura may be set in a different timeline than the others, but she perfectly fills the gap between the Cadet we meet in Strange New Worlds and the Lieutenant we know and love from The Original Series . She’s a leader who has no time for male egos and prideful Vulcans.

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How Sonequa Martin-Green became the first black female lead of Star Trek: 'My casting says the sky is the limit for all'

We talk to the cast and visit the set ahead of netflix's all-new reboot, 'star trek: discovery', with each episode rolling out as a weekly episodic show, article bookmarked.

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Star Trek pioneered diversity long before diversity was a hot-button issue. When the series first launched 51 years ago, its original crew featured black, Asian and, yes, females actors – not merely as eye candy – among its cast.

But an all-new reboot, Star Trek: Discovery , goes boldly where no Trek has gone before by placing two women of colour in command of a starship: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress Michelle Yeoh and Walking Dead’s Sonequa Martin-Green.

Trekkies have always been a passionate crowd, although even Star Trek: Discovery’s genial show-runner Aaron Harberts was caught off guard by the intensity of the internet trolls and haters. “It’s our job to reflect the world we live in; a world where more than half the population are women. Quite frankly, I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” argues Harberts when The Independent meets him and his cast.

If Yeoh brushes off the pressure – after all, the Malaysian martial-arts dynamo has quietly been shattering glass ceilings for the past four decades – then much of the burden falls to Sonequa Martin-Green taking centre stage as (arguably) Trek’s first black female lead (some fans point to Nichelle Nichols, who played Uura from 1966-91, as the rightful owner of that honour).

“My casting says that the sky is the limit for all of us. I think what we’re seeing now in our media is this push to diminish and to devalue and to make people feel that the sky is not the limit for them, that they are meant for the ground,” says Martin-Green, a force of energy so bubbly and exuberant, its hard to imagine she was chosen to play a human raised as a Vulcan. Not only chosen, but actively waited on; production halted until her Walking Dead contract ran out.

“So having me as the first black female lead of a Star Trek just blasts that into a million pieces. I am eternally grateful that the diverse casting of our show means that we are now a part of the conversation and hopefully a part of making the world a better place, as cliché as this sounds. Because I really believe it and think its vital for us all right now,” she says, the spectre of Trump lurking unspoken.

Not that she views her casting as a triumph for women alone. “I think it sends a message to any minority group that’s been disenfranchised. We all benefit when we can see a picture of ourselves in a position of leadership and I think that goes not just for women and people in minority groups – but for everyone to see that this is possible. I think that it will help people see the beauty of women in power and also the beauty of minorities in power, and to incite change.”

It should be noted that Martin-Green is the first black female first officer, rather than captain. There has previously been a female captain, played by Kate Mulgrew who made franchise history in 1995 when she was anointed as Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager; however, there has yet to be a black female captain.

Star Trek: Discovery is a prequel to Gene Rodenberry’s original series, set about 10 years prior in a world at war. An interesting experiment from Netflix, fans will not be able to binge on the series, each episode rolling out as a weekly episodic show.

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One of the most popular pop culture franchises in history, now returning to TV 12 years after the last Starfleet was cancelled, Harberts and fellow show runner Gretchen J Berg have plotted a very different course for Star Trek: Discovery .

“I believe this is the first time that it’s a serialised telling of a tale and an exploration of just one character [Martin-Green’s Michael Burnham] along the path of discovering what it means to be human and finding her individuality,” says Harberts. “Those stories have been well told in the movie spin-offs, but were impossible to do on TV where each episode was closed-ended.”

While visiting the Discovery set at Toronto’s Pinewood studios, plot-lines are shrouded in secrecy and many sets are off-limits, although we are allowed a peek inside the quarters shared by the crew’s first gay couple – Anthony Rapp’s Lieutenant Paul Stamets and Wilson Cruz’ Dr Hugh Culber.

“We don’t want to make a big deal about it. Its just treated as perfectly normal – which it should be,” says Harberts.

Trekkies have long been divided into Captain Kirk or Spock camps, and Martin-Green herself has always favoured Leonard Nimoy’s Spock from the original series. “Spock is my favourite in the canon. I loved what Leonard Nimoy did,” she says, reverently referring to the three original seasons as “ TOS ”.

Jason Isaacs, who plays Discovery’s war-mongering Captain Gabriel Lorca, is likewise a Trek fan from a different era, admiring Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard from the big screen versions of the late 1990s.

Unsurprisingly, the new cast all geeked out when Jonathan Frakes, who played Riker alongside Stewart in the early film versions, recently guest-directed an episode.

“I’d never met Patrick Stewart before and Jonathan was excited to introduce us at an event we were both attending,” recalls Isaacs, best-known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. “But Jonathan couldn’t come at the last minute so I wandered up behind the world famous silhouette, heard the echo of the magnificent voice, saw the mob of gorgeous well-wishers and... chickened out. So I still don’t know him.”

Born and raised in Alabama, Martin-Green marked her entry into TV nine years ago with a guest spot on an episode of Law & Order , a rite of passage for all New York-based actors, progressing onto episodes on The Good Wife , Gossip Girl and Once Upon a Time before making her name as The Walking Dead’s fiesty Sasha Williams.

“My parents, in particular my mom, were always supportive of my wanting to act but I don’t think either of them viewed it as a legitimate career until they saw me on Law & Order . I played a bisexual high school lacrosse player involved in the beat-down of a high school boy. So much fun,” laughs the actress who has a two-and-a-half-year-old son with husband, Kenric Green.

Its no accident that her captain takes a male name, Michael Burnham. “It is on purpose. It was Brian Fuller’s idea,” she says referring to the writer who conceived the Star Trek reboot, lobbying for a black woman at the fore, before falling out with CBS executives. “A lot of Brian’s female leads have male names. So I am named after my biological father and I love that because I think it really speaks to the gender fluidity. It’s a subtle yet powerful nod to that.”

Certainly Star Trek: Discovery presents a darker narrative. “It‘s grittier and raw in a way that the other iterations have not been. I think that’s one of the ways we’re going boldly where no-one has gone before,” she winks.

She’s excited to meet Nichelle Nichols, 84, who played Uhura on TOS .

“She reached out to me via social media and it will be a glorious day when we meet.”

If the reboot proudly promotes diversity and gender equality then Martin-Green admits her costume fits way too snugly, a common complaint among all previous female Trek cast.

“It’s tight, but its goood,” she says letting the vowel spread like syrup. “It makes you stand up straight so I appreciate it for that. They’re beautifully made and designed. Nor am I complaining about the lipstick after years of running around with zombies in the dirt.”

Empowered by the strong women in her family, she will tell you, “My mother and my older sister are heroes. Also God, right? Because he’s a woman too. He is all things; that’s what I believe.”

And lest you be wondering – yes, the new Star Trek crew do actually repeat the immortal line, “Live long and prosper”.

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ begins streaming on Netflix on 25 September

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Black Characters in Star Trek

Calling Up Justice is celebrating Black characters in Sar Trek! Star Trek has always been at the forefront of representation and diversity in popular culture, and the franchise has introduced a number of notable black characters over the years. From Lieutenant Uhura, the communications officer aboard the USS Enterprise in the original series, to Michael Burnham, the protagonist of Star Trek: Discovery, these characters have brought unique perspectives and added depth to the Star Trek universe. This list of Black Star Trek characters is a testament to the franchise’s commitment to representation, and celebrates the diverse range of experiences and stories that have been brought to life on screen.

• Lieutenant Nyota Uhura , played by Nichelle Nichols, in the original Star Trek series and subsequent movies.
• Commodore Stone , played by Percy Rodriguez, in the original Star Trek series episode “Court Martial.”
• Lieutenant Boma , played by Don Marshall, in the original Star Trek series episode “The Galileo Seven.”
• Lieutenant Shea , played by Carl Byrd, in the original Star Trek series episode “The Trouble with Tribbles.”
• Doctor Joseph M’Benga Played by: Booker Bradshaw, in the original Star Trek series
• Dr. Richard Daystrom, played by William Marshall , in the original Star Trek series episode “The Ultimate Computer.”
• Captain Terrell, played by Paul Winfield , in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
• The Captain of the Saratoga , played by Madge Sinclair, in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
• Worf played by Michael Dorn, in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Geordi LaForge played by Levar Burton, in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Captain Silva, played by Madge Sinclair , in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Guinan , played by Whoopi Goldberg and Isis J. Jones, in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Commander Edward M. La Forge , MD, played by Ben Vereen, in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Captain Tryla Scott , played by Ursaline Bryant, in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Conspiracy.”
• Fleet Admiral Cartwright Played by: Brock Peters , in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Conspiracy.”
• Kurn , played by Tony Todd, in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Captain Benjamin Sisko , played by Avery Brooks, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Kasidy Yates-Sisko , played by Penny Johnson Jerald, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Jake Sisko , played by Cirroc Lofton, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Captain Calvin Hudson , played by Bernie Casey, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Joseph Sisko Played by: Brock Peters, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Jennifer “Jen” Sisko Played by: Felecia M. Bell, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Julian Bashir Played by: Alexander Siddig, in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
• Tuvak played by Tim Russ in Star Trek Voyager
• Travis Mayweather , played by Anthony Montgomery, in Star Trek: Enterprise.
• Rianna Mayweather , played by Joan Pringle, in Star Trek: Enterprise.
• Dr. Lily Sloane, played by Alfre Woodard , in Star Trek: First Contact.
• Lieutenant Michael Burnham , played by Sonequa Martin-Green, in Star Trek: Discovery.
• Joann Owosekun played by Oyin Oladejo in Discovery
• Doctor Gabrielle Burnham , played by Sonja Sohn, in Star Trek: Discovery.
• Book , played by David Ajala, in Star Trek: Discovery.
• Guinan, played by Ito Aghayere , in season 2 of Star Trek: Picard.
• Ensign Sidney La Forge , played by Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, in Star Trek: Picard.
• Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, played by Celia Rose Gooding , in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
• Joseph M’Benga , played by Babs Olusanmokun, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
• Claudia Alick
• March 3, 2023

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Published Aug 19, 2022

A Look at Afrofuturism in Star Trek: Discovery

Examining the future presented in the hit Star Trek series with an Afrofuturistic lens.

StarTrek.com

At once a pedagogy, aesthetic, and cultural touchstone, Afrofuturism is at its core, the shared vision of an abundant Black Future. It’s a future rooted in liberation, innovation, and technoculture, with the Black diaspora front and center. Anchored by the speculative fiction of Octavia Butler and Samuel R. Delany, Afrofuturism is the expression of science fiction, fantasy, and a cosmic mythology that binds the Black diaspora.

Star Trek: Discovery invites us fearlessly into Earth’s Afrofuture through the undeniable Black Genius of Captain Michael Burnham . Starting with Season One, we’ll look at some of the most Afrofuturistic episodes of so far, from my point of view as a Black, queer, non-binary woman. This list was incredibly difficult, if not painful to make, and I quite honestly could write an essay about every scene that contains a Black person. However, my intention is to open up a reading of the series that might not have been obvious.

In this reframe of Star Trek: Discovery from an Afrofuturist view, I hope you gain a new perspective on this beloved show, and the endless possibilities it presents for our future.

"Coming Home"

Dr. Tracy Pollard and "The War Within, The War Without"

Season 1, Episode 14 (2018) Directed by David Solomon Written by Lisa Randolph

In the penultimate episode of Season 1, we get our first good taste of the incomparable Dr. Tracy Pollard — the Starfleet physician aboard the Discovery . Unquestionably capable of whatever is put in front of her, Dr. Pollard’s presence, assuredness, and perseverance make her a figurehead of Black Majesty in this Afrofuture. When this powerhouse Black woman takes over for the equally remarkable Afro-Puerto Rican physician Dr. Culber, we are situated in an Afrofuture that overrides a medical history of violent malpractice — history that weighs heavily on the relationship between Western medicine and the Black diaspora. This episode is a great display of the Afrofuturistic command that Black people have over health and wellness in the series. Through the formal introduction of Dr. Pollard's medical expertise, a foundation is laid for the death-defying Afrofuturism explored in later seasons through Dr. Culber and Cleveland Booker.

"Forget Me Not"

Dr. Pollard is extremely well-versed in the art of medicine, seasoned as a Lieutenant Commander, and comfortable in her position as an authority on technoculture. After the sudden murder of her colleague, she has stepped up as Chief Medical Officer through the tragedy and is assigned to oversee the surgical undoing of an experimental mutilation. Dr. Pollard can change lanes and develop new skills in the blink of an eye, as demonstrated by her successful rehabilitation of the first Klingon-Human hybrid.

When we see Dr. Tracy Pollard in this series, she is saving lives through impressive curative feats, making sense of medical anomalies, and managing a Sickbay plagued by constant overflow. Although we don’t spend much time with this character throughout the series, she is a shining example of Black Excellence and medical aptitude — a hallmark of the Afrofuture constructed throughout Star Trek: Discovery .

Michael Burnham and "Such Sweet Sorrow"

Season 2, Episodes 13 & 14 (2019) Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi Written by Michelle Paradise, Jenny Lumet, and Alex Kurtzman

The crew of Discovery have been led on various missions throughout this season, signaled by the Red Angel, and the importance of all these events culminates in this brilliantly directed two-part finale. In order to save the collective, Burnham attempts to martyr herself, but tragedy is avoided by the Afrofuturistic trajectory of the story. Instead of another instance of Black suffering for the benefit of everyone else’s life, we see the collective respond, turning the burden of an unknown future into a mission of excitement and hope.

We see Michael Burnham comfortable in her Black Genius. It exemplifies an Afrofuturistic view of living where Black women are at the forefront of time-travel and technology. Burnham is diving into an Afrofuture that actually demands her arrival in order to exist.

"Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2"

In our current reality, Black people — women especially — are exhausted from constantly warning against dangers, revealing the truth, and defending against evil that other people claim doesn’t exist. This episode takes us far away from the pain of that persistence. We’re in a future that sees everyone waiting on the word of a Black woman, after volunteering to join her on what could be a lethal mission. We also get to experience the ‘strong Black woman’ trope slightly subverted, as climax and solution is pursued through Burnham’s triumph, with agency, and what could be suffering is alleviated by the faith and action of her community.

Michael Burnham’s intelligence is trusted implicitly when she comes up with a plan to stop the season's big bad, Control. Her community believes her judgement without question, and chooses to come with her into the future when it’s not necessary for them to do so. While the collective risks their lives for the betterment of hers, Michael Burnham takes a leap of faith that saves the Universe, and leaves us with a snapshot of Black Majesty that sits front and center in my Afrofuturistic read of this show.

"Such Sweet Sorrow"

Burnham, Book, and "That Hope is You, Part 1"

Season 3, Episode 1 (2020) Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi Written by Michelle Paradise, Jenny Lumet, and Alex Kurtzman

This is a landmark episode for consummate performer Sonequa Martin-Green, whose divinity as a Black woman is a gift to us every time she’s on-screen as Michael Burnham. Michael is alone in an unknown time, on an unknown planet, unable to contact her crew, but the lens on Burnham and her predicament is not one of trauma and terror. We watch her with both bated breath and surprising tranquility, knowing that impossibility is Burnham’s favorite thing to overcome.

"That Hope is You, Part 1"

Plummeting through space in a hyper-techno time suit, Michael Burnham crashes into the ship of Cleveland “Book” Booker. He attacks her, and in true Starfleet fashion, she defends herself, outperforming him in combat, but not giving up on diplomacy. Book is fairly dodgy until revealed as debonair — a complex character whose introduction gives us broader scope in an Afrofuturistic view of this show. Once introduced to the intuitive, self-sufficient, action-oriented, and highly empathetic Book, the audience gets to see Black Genius outside of the Federation.

And importantly, Burnham befriends the resistant Booker through a combination of her xenoanthropology skills, and the unspoken solidarity they have as members of the intergalactic Black diaspora.

Like many in our current society, Cleveland Booker is a Black man under surveillance, who finds his back against the wall, and has been made single-minded in pursuit of his own survival. Book’s very existence is the justification of his brilliance, something that is pertinent to an Afrofuturistic view of this show. Operating alone, Book had to root his identity in defense, fear, and manipulation, but when confronted with Burnham and the familiarity of her Blackness, we see his vision expand. Through Burnham’s demonstration of both fierce individuality, and unwavering faith in the collective, Book joins his individual experience of survival to the communal action of hope. Their union throughout the series is a stalwart display of Afrofuturism and Black Love.

This episode demonstrates Black womanhood as an answer to the question of existence. We see time and time again that the future isn’t able to move forward without the Black Genius of Michael Burnham. Her boundless faith in the collective culminates as a supernatural display of self. This balance of individualism, alongside the good of the whole, is something that defines Black culture and contributes indefinitely to the Afrofuturism of Star Trek: Discovery .

Owosekun, Dr. Culber, and "All In"

Season 4, Episode 8 (2022) Directed by Christopher J Byrne & Jen McGowan Written by Sean Cochran

This episode presents an Afrofuture where love is a force greater than reason, and where levity is inevitable, even when the stakes are high. Taking place in the middle of Season 4, Discovery and her crew are in pursuit of First Contact with an unknown species that has destroyed the entire nation of Kwejian where Book is from. We see another example of unspoken union within the intergalactic Black diaspora when Captain Burnham invites Lt. Commander Joann Owosekun with her on a trip to the Karma Barge. She chooses the remarkable Owosekun, not only to encourage her as a friend, but because in this Afrofuture, their shared Blackness means that Owosekun can both be trusted without question and survive anything. And because of the Afrofuturism already established in this series, we also know that this duo of Black women are not at the will of reason, possibility, or death. This reflection of real Black sisterhood in a fictional future is a tool of magical realism that we see frequently in Afrofuturism works.

"All In"

[ RELATED: Oyin Oladejo is Ready to Wow You ]

Following another framing device of Afrofuturism in speculative fiction, this episode takes real socio-economic issues and offers a futuristic solution. While Captain Burnham and Owosekun are on their mission, we see that Dr. Culber is overwhelmed by the burden of his workload, and in a time of massive loss, he needs to cope with the responsibility of his own resurrection. Dr. Culber’s experience of re-entrance mimics the stories of many Black people who survive suffocation by a system that relies on their downfall, and then struggle to carry the weight of everyone left behind. Black and brown people in reality are beaten by a culture of white supremacy, and those who survive are often haunted by fear of retaliation, or frozen by the potential of everyone who didn’t make it.

"Choose to Live"

After defeating death, Dr. Culber is faced with it at every turn, forced to question why he lives on when so many others can’t. The Afrofuturism of Star Trek: Discovery allows us to play out a different narrative than the real-life tragedy we’re familiar with. In real-life, Black and brown people are often crushed or consumed by capitalism and the labor myth, but because the Federation doesn’t rely on currency, an Afrofuturistic solution for Dr. Culber is possible.

Institutions that used to harm and exclude us are often anchors of our strength in an Afrofuturistic imagination, something that Star Trek: Discovery frequently confronts. In this Afrofuture, Dr. Culber can’t be undone by the pressures of labor because he works from a motivation of love, not profit or lack. The intention of his labor is for the good of the collective, and the intention of the collective is to uplift the individual. When Dr. Culber reaches out for help, he receives it from every angle.

It’s this commitment to both individual and collective liberation that truly allows Star Trek: Discovery to function as an Afrofuturist text.

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Mica Saint Evans (they/she) is healer, writer, performer, and life coach based in Marina Del Rey, newly committed to the Star Trek Family after starting with Strange New Worlds, and quickly inhaling all of Star Trek: Discovery, Lower Decks, and now Prodigy. It’s a joy to recognize myself as a black, queer woman in heroes like Burnham, Mariner, and Uhura. They can be found on Twitter @FirstTrekPod.

Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 1-4 are streaming exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., the UK, Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, Latin America, Germany, France, Italy, Australia and Austria. Seasons 2 and 3 also are available on the Pluto TV “Star Trek” channel in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. The series streams on Super Drama in Japan, TVNZ in New Zealand, and SkyShowtime in Spain, Portugal, Poland, The Nordics, The Netherlands, and Central and Eastern Europe and also airs on Cosmote TV in Greece. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

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Nichelle Nichols was my hero and a groundbreaking figure for Black women

The death of the Star Trek actor leaves behind a hugely important legacy both on the small screen and in space

N ichelle Nichols was my hero. Her death on Saturday at 89 was the passing of an icon who changed the world, and then kept fighting to make the future in our imaginations and in reality, a better brighter place for Black girls. When I was a kid around eight or nine, I would watch reruns of Star Trek and imagine myself as a space traveler. I even loved the fact that our first names were so similar. To me, she was the epitome of cool and I eagerly watched every moment she was on screen.

But because I was a kid, I didn’t really grasp how groundbreaking her work on the show was, as by the time I saw it, she was one of many images of Black womanhood. For me she was the one that resonated because I was fascinated by space, but of course I saw everyone from Diahann Carroll to Jackée Harry on screen. My world was one where images of Black womanhood were everywhere. It wasn’t that I thought racism didn’t exist, but the world in which Black women were only depicted as maids was never my reality. The media landscape that would have taught me that there was nothing for girls like me but servitude was changed by Nichelle Nichols.

When Nichols broke those barriers for Black women as Lt Uhura on the original Star Trek , I didn’t exist yet, and though I can study Jim Crow and can understand in the abstract how hard it was for her, I will never know the world that couldn’t stand the sight of her. But because of her, I feel no need to dim my light. And that’s true for so many Black women in America and around the world.

In conversation with the writer NK Jemisin after the news broke, we talked about how sad it is, and about Nichols’s impact on Jemisin’s career. “Without Nichelle Nichols I might have never been a writer, certainly not the kind of writer I am now,” she said. And that’s the thing about trailblazers like Nichols: they create an environment in which the path they opened is widened by those that they affected. Jemisin is widely regarded as one of the best writers of our generation, and though Nichols may not have realized what she wrought in the moment, I hope she knows in some beautiful afterlife that she helped make that possible.

We talked about her impact on us specifically, but we join Whoopi Goldberg, Mae Jemison and millions of others in grieving and gratitude. Though Nichols always gave credit to the Rev Martin Luther King Jr for talking her out of leaving the show, I am quietly convinced that Nichols stood her ground because she wasn’t going to let herself be forced out. She famously had no problem standing up to William Shatner on set when they butted heads. And in later years she advocated heavily for more diversity in the space program, telling ABC audio in a 2016 interview:

“Nasa recruited me, hired me to recruit women and minorities for the space shuttle program. And until that time there were no people of color even considered,” she explains, adding with a laugh, “and after that, we were all over the place!

“I interviewed quite a few young women that were interested in that and simply didn’t think they had a chance. And one interview with me and they knew they did.”

For decades after Star Trek ended, Nichols was known for being encouraging, strong, and razor sharp. She was funny and sweet, and her work was always a presence in any conversation about science fiction or media representation. She was a cultural force that no one could ignore even when she wasn’t technically the focus in a conversation about the importance of inclusion and diversity. Her impact on others ran so deep that she was cited as an example by academics, activists and anyone who knew anything about the world as it had been and wanted to make the world the best it could be.

It’s one of the reasons fans struggled with the idea that she would not always be available to meet at conventions or that she might need more support and protection as she aged. When the conservatorship was announced , it was a blow to many, but given what her manager was allegedly able to do to her finances, I can’t help but wish we could have shown up for her the way she showed up for all of us. I can only hope that at the end she knew she was loved and revered.

Nichelle Nichols gave us the future – what we make of it is up to us. But we were lucky to have had her, to have been graced for as long as we were with her spirit and love. Perhaps the best way we can honor her is to strive as she did to make the world better, to remake our future into something utopian where the real Black Girl Magic is Black girls’ dreams coming true without having to battle so hard to be seen as human and worthy of respect and care. Nichelle Nichols was the hero that we needed, and hopefully we can all live up to the gifts she gave us.

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‘Star Trek’ Makes History With First Ever Black Female Director

Star Trek has always had a diverse cast from George Takei who is Japanese and Nichelle Nichols who is African-American. And, now, the popular TV series has Hanelle Culpepper, its first Black female director in the franchise's history of more than 50 years.

Later, she worked as an assistant to a couple of established directors and then for the Sundance Institute. She was also in the prestigious American Film Institute and was selected by NBC’s diversity program. Culpepper’s big break came when she was offered to direct an episode of Parenthood starring Robert Townsend and then 90210 , both of which aired in 2012. She later directed various episodes of other TV shows including Criminal Minds , The Flash , Gotham , and more, and even was nominated for an Image Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 2015.

The path she has traveled has led her to make history as the director of several episodes of Star Trek: Picard , which features Sir Patrick Stewart reprising his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard.

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6 Major Black ‘Star Trek’ Characters Who Were Scene Stealers

Star Trek is a science-fiction franchise spanning comics, books, film and television. These are some of the main Blerd figures from the Star Trek saga.

Nyota Uhura

Nyota Uhura is a character in Star Trek: The Original Series , Star Trek: The Animated Series , the first six Star Trek films, the 2009 film Star Trek , and its 2013 sequel Star Trek Into Darkness .

In 2266, Uhura (played originally by Nichelle Nichols and later by Zoe Saldana) began her Starfleet career as a communications officer aboard the USS Enterprise with the rank of lieutenant in the command division.

In the following years of that vessel’s historic five-year mission, she was transferred to the operations division where she proved to be a proficient technician and was considered by Captain Kirk to be a capable and reliable bridge officer, manning the helm, navigation and main science station when the need arose.

Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

In  Star Trek: The Next Generation , which aired from 1987 to 1994 and was the basis of four Star Trek movies, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge is the chief engineer of the Starship Enterprise.

In  Star Trek: First Contact , La Forge (portrayed by LeVar Burton) and the Enterprise-E travel back in time to the 21st century to stop the Borg from preventing mankind’s first warp space flight. The inventor of the warp drive is a financially motivated, white alcoholic named Zefram Cochrane who lives in Bozeman, Montana. La Forge has to hold his hand to get him to launch the  Phoenix  and make “first contact” with the Vulcans.

5 Replies to “6 Major Black ‘Star Trek’ Characters Who Were Scene Stealers”

Another would be Paul Winfield in the episode "Memory Alpha." He wasn't a regular character/cast member, but it was memorable. He played Darkmok, a Tamarian. The Tamarians spoke only in metaphor. To let Picard know that he was willing to discuss, he would say something like, "Darmok with arms wide open." Picard had to learn his language to communicate. One of the most ingenious and best episodes of ST: TNG and the late Paul Winfield was brilliant in the guest starring role.

I would second adding the great actor William Marshall as the genius "Richard Daystrom" from the original series whose Daystrom Institute is mentioned often in later episodes of Star Trek. And you can't exclude Paul Winfield from one of the highest rated episodes of TNG, "Memory Alpha. This story about the importance of communication among people is on every list of top 10 episodes.

Yeah seriously this list is waaaay too short and I can't fathom how they didn't include Whoopi Goldberg.

…but what about the amazing Tony Todd! Not only as "Kurn" but his INCREDIBLE performance as Jake Sisko in "The Visitor!"

What? Clarence Williams III as the colds Jem Hadar ever Omet'iklan.

Agree on all counts.

Comments are closed.

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Star Sonequa Martin-Green Looks Gorgeous While Celebrating 5 Seasons as 1st Black Female Captain

Sonequa Martin-Green broke ground in 2017 as the first Black female captain in the beloved Star Trek franchise. Now, she’s making the rounds to promote and celebrate her fifth and final season as Captain Michael Burnham. See the 39-year-old’s gorgeous style and how she’s honoring her groundbreaking character.

On April 29, Martin-Green chatted with Zakiya Carr Johnson during a screening of Star Trek: Discovery in Washington, D.C. The Russellville, Alabama native spoke with the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer about the end of the hit Paramount+ series and how race influenced her experience .

Earlier in April, Martin-Green explained how she first navigated internalized racism regarding her role. “At the time, I thought, ‘This is all about hope.’ Hope is at the center of this franchise,” she said, according to CBS News . It’s our responsibility to keep that moving forward. People can think what they want to think, but they need a chance to grow.”

The Walking Dead star elaborated on being the first Black female captain : “It was overwhelming at the time. And it was heavy, but God really blessed me with it, and I learned so much from it. I learned so much about who I am as a Black woman. And I learned that I don’t have to fight for my value or my worth because I definitely felt that way.”

Another element of being a Black woman in such a groundbreaking role involved the appearance of Martin-Green’s character . The Space Jam: A New Legacy actor knew she wanted her hair to be “1,000%” natural. With the showrunners in complete agreement, they created a plan to transition Martin-Green’s gorgeous hair from a straight “Vulcan bowl” to a “short ‘fro” to braids, according to her conversation with Ashley & Company . “We all understood, this is a big moment; this is the moment that you know television history is made,” Martin-Green explained.

Karl Urban Opens Up About ‘Star Trek’ Co-Star Anton Yelchin’s Tragic Death

Martin-Green took control of Star Trek: Discovery in more helpful ways than one. She eventually became an executive producer, helping shape the series to its conclusion in late May. Trekkies are eagerly anticipating the rest of season five. Martin-Green gave a hint to CBS News. She stated that the final season will be “bigger than we had ever done before.” She explained, “We love these characters. We love the people. We love the story,” perhaps implying a possible movie extension of the Star Trek: Discovery universe.

Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (episode)

• View history
• 1.2 Act One
• 1.3 Act Two
• 1.4 Act Three
• 1.5 Act Four
• 2 Log entries
• 3 Memorable quotes
• 4.1 Reception
• 4.2 Production timeline
• 4.3 Syndication cuts
• 4.4 Video and DVD releases
• 5.1 Starring
• 5.2 Also starring
• 5.3 Guest stars
• 5.4 Uncredited co-stars
• 5.5.1 Retconned references
• 5.6 External links

Summary [ ]

On an urgent decontamination mission to the planet Ariannus , the USS Enterprise encounters a Federation shuttlecraft reported as stolen from Starbase 4 . The vessel's life support systems are failing and the pilot may be suffocating in the lack of atmosphere . Captain Kirk orders the shuttlecraft to be brought aboard.

When the pilot emerges and subsequently collapses in front of Kirk and Spock , he displays a unique appearance: black on one side of his face and white on the other.

Act One [ ]

In sickbay , Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy surmise the alien's skin coloration to be a rare mutation of some kind. McCoy revives the pilot, who identifies himself as Lokai from the planet Cheron . Although grateful for the Enterprise 's rescue, he is combative when Kirk questions him about the theft of the shuttlecraft. Kirk plans to return him to Starbase 4 to face serious theft charges once the important Arrianus mission is completed.

En route however, Chekov reports that sensors have detected a highly sophisticated (and invisible ) vessel on an apparent collision course with the Enterprise . At the last moment before impact, the ship appears to disintegrate, but deposits its pilot on the bridge – similar in appearance to Lokai but with opposite skin-tone coloration. " Explain, Spock, " Kirk asks. " One of a kind? "

Act Two [ ]

The alien identifies himself as Commissioner Bele , the "Chief Officer Of The Commission on Political Traitors ," from Cheron, and informs Kirk that he has come to apprehend Lokai.

When Bele is brought to sickbay to see Lokai, the crew learns that Bele has been pursuing Lokai for a very long time: 50,000 Earth years as it turns out. Bele charges that Lokai led a revolt against the ruling order, but Lokai counters that Bele's people enslaved his on Cheron and continues to oppress them. Bele demands that Kirk surrender Lokai, while Lokai requests political asylum with the Federation . Kirk ends the bickering, giving Bele quarters and states his intention to fulfill his mission, then hand both of the aliens to Starbase 4 to have the matter settled. Bele is clearly not satisfied, but leaves sickbay. Kirk advises that Lokai get some rest, especially his vocal cords , as he will get a chance to practice his oratory when they arrive at Starbase 4.

Suddenly, the Enterprise is commandeered by an unknown source. Soon, Bele reveals on the bridge that he is controlling it, by using his mental powers to direct the ship to Cheron. When Bele proves impervious to phasers, Kirk, Spock, and Scott, are forced to activate the three-part self-destruct sequence in order to force Bele to relinquish control of the ship. The timer starts counting down from thirty seconds, and Kirk points out that once the countdown passes five seconds, the self-destruct sequence cannot be countermanded in any way.

Act Three [ ]

With only six seconds left before the Enterprise destroys itself, Bele reluctantly releases control of the starship, and Kirk issues the abort command to the self destruct at the last possible moment. With force having ceased to be an option, both Bele and Lokai attempt instead to enlist the sympathies of the crew while en route to Ariannus; Bele tries to win over Kirk and Spock, and Lokai appeals to the junior crew. Kirk submits a report to Starfleet Command for a resolution.

Starfleet's answer to Bele's request is received while he speaks with Kirk and Spock – and it is to deny that request. Since Cheron has no diplomatic treaties with the Federation, Starfleet cannot extradite Lokai without due process. Uhura also adds that the decision from Starfleet notes that they are confident that Bele will be allowed to return to Cheron with Lokai after the hearing is over. Bele fumes that Lokai has again deceived outsiders about his people's obvious inferiority to Bele's people. He explains that his people are black on their right sides, while Lokai's people are white on their right sides. Kirk and Spock try to persuade him that this difference is not significant, but he dismisses the suggestion.

The Enterprise arrives at Ariannus and begins the decontamination procedures. Once the decontamination mission to Ariannus is complete, Kirk orders to head to Starbase 4; however, Bele sabotages the self-destruct mechanism as well as directional control, rendering both of them inoperable, regains control of the ship, and forces it back onto course for Cheron.

Act Four [ ]

Lokai begs for the Enterprise crew to intervene, and Bele berates him, for he believes he has finally caught him. They fight, but Kirk tries to defuse the situation for fear of destroying the ship, saying the bridge will be their "last battlefield." Bele returns control, since their fighting will destroy themselves with the ship.

The crew realizes that the Enterprise is near Cheron; but its sensors – much to Bele's and Lokai's shared horror and rage – reveal massive destruction of all Cheron's major cities and huge piles of unburied corpses – the entire population of Cheron has apparently mutually annihilated itself in a civil war . Consumed with mutual insane hatred and blaming each other for the resulting holocaust, Bele and Lokai fight on the bridge, despite Kirk's offer for them to live with the Federation. Kirk implores them to give up their mutual hatred of one another, since that destroyed their planet and their people. Lokai derides Kirk, accusing him of being an "idealistic dreamer," and flees the bridge, with Bele in pursuit. The pair then chase each other through the ship's corridors , each eventually finding their way to the transporter room and returning to the planet's surface to continue their fight…the last two sapient life forms on a dead planet. In Lokai's case, no Cheron native remains to try the accused criminal; his judges are all dead. In Bele's case, he has no fellow Commissioners remaining to report to; his superiors are also all dead.

Kirk sadly notes that, in the end, all they have left is their hatred of each other, answering in the negative to Uhura's question about whether Kirk believes the two last natives of Cheron's hate for each other was all they had ever had. Kirk decides to leave them there and orders that Sulu set course for Starbase 4.

Log entries [ ]

• Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2268

Memorable quotes [ ]

" We must therefore conclude that this alien is that often unaccountable rarity. A mutation, one of a kind. "

" When in doubt, the book prevails, Mr. Spock. "

" I'm grateful for your rescue. " " Don't mention it. We're pleased to have caught you. "

" You monotone Humans are all alike. First you condemn and then attack! "

" I'm very tired. " " And very evasive. Or, at least, not… fully responsive. "

" Explain, Spock. One of a kind? "

" You can no more destroy this ship than I can change color. "

" Begin thirty second countdown. Code zero-zero-zero-destruct-zero. "

" 30 seconds… 29… 28… 27… 25 seconds… 20 seconds… 15 seconds… 10… 9… 8…7…6 – " " I AGREE!!! "

" Mr. Spock, is this ship headed for Ariannus? " " Negative, Captain. The Enterprise is now moving in a circular course. " " And at warp 10, we're going nowhere mighty fast. "

" Disgusting is what I call them. "

" There was persecution on Earth once. I remember reading about it in my history class. " " Yes, but it happened way back in the twentieth century. There's no such primitive thinking today. "

" It is obvious to the most simple-minded that Lokai is of an inferior breed. " " The obvious visual evidence, Commissioner, is that he is of the same breed as yourself. " " Are you blind, Commander Spock? Well, look at me! Look at me! " " You're black on one side and white on the other. " " I am black on the right side. " " I fail to see the significant difference. " " Lokai is white on the right side. All of his people are white on the right side. "

" Change is the essential process of all existence. "

" I once heard that on some of your planets, people believe they are descended from apes. " " The actual theory is that all lifeforms evolved from the lower levels to the more advanced stages. "

" Yes, he will delay, evade, and escape again. And in the process put thousands of innocent beings at each others throats, getting them to kill and maim, for a cause which they have no stake in. But, which he will force them to violently espouse by twisting their minds with his lies, his loathsome accusations, and his foul threats. "

" What do you do? Carry justice on your tongues? You will beg for it, but you won't fight or die for it! " " After so many years of leading the fight, you seem very much alive. " " I doubt that the same can be said for many of his followers. "

" You're finished, Lokai! Oh, we've got your kind penned in on Cheron into little districts, and it's not going to change! You've combed the galaxy, and come up with nothing but monocolored trash, do-gooders, and bleeding hearts. You're DEAD, you half-white! " " You useless pieces of bland flesh… I'll take you with me, you half-black! "

" My people… all dead? " " Yes, Commissioner. All of them. " " No one alive? " "None at all, sir. "

" You band of murderers did this… " " You pyromaniacs! "

" Listen to me. You both must end up dead if you don't stop hating. " " You're an idealistic dreamer. "Bele. The chase is finished. " " He must not escape me! " " Where can he go? "

" Shall I alert security, sir? " " No, Lieutenant. Where can they run? "

" It doesn't make any sense. " " To expect sense from two mentalities of such extreme viewpoints, is not logical. " " But their planet's dead. Does it matter now which one of them was right? " " Not to Lokai and Bele. All that matters to them is their hate. " " Do you suppose that's all they ever had, sir? " " No… but that's all they have left. "

Background information [ ]

• The original story concept did not depict the aliens with bi-colored skin. Fred Freiberger recalled, " Gene [Coon] originally had a devil with a tail chasing an angel. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 74) Episode director Jud Taylor came up with the idea of bi-colored skin shortly before the episode began filming. His original suggestion was that they be half-black/half-white, one color from the waist up and the other from the waist down, but each wearing reversed color schemes. The central idea stuck, but the colors were finally separated along the vertical axis, rather than along the horizontal. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , pp. 399-400)
• This was the last episode Robert H. Justman worked on as co-producer. He resigned from the show's production team because of the program's declining quality and NBC 's harsh treatment of it. He was also disappointed that instead of making him the new producer, Gene Roddenberry hired Freiberger instead. Justman felt burned out and eager to get out of the show. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , These Are the Voyages: TOS Season Three ) He and Robert Sabaroff subsequently became joint producers, for NBC, of Then Came Bronson , which starred Michael Parks as James Bronson; the show lasted one season.
• Bele and Lokai both have brown hair on their heads, but their eyebrows are black and white to match their faces.
• This episode represents the last on-screen appearance of the hangar deck in the original series. The shuttlecraft itself makes one last appearance on the planet set of " The Way to Eden ".
• Effects footage from " The Galileo Seven " was re-used for all of the original episode's shuttlecraft shots. As a result, despite dialogue stating that the shuttlecraft had been stolen from Starbase 4 , the shuttlecraft tractor-beamed into the hangar deck was labeled Galileo NCC-1701/7. In the remastered version of the episode, the stolen shuttlecraft's front and sides markings were corrected to show Starbase 4 as its post. This CGI version of the shuttlecraft was labeled Da Vinci , after the noted Renaissance artist/scientist Leonardo da Vinci , and it had SB4-0314/2 as its new registry number.
• Gene L. Coon 's association with the series also ended with the production of this episode, as Robert Justman's did. As with all of his contributions to the third season, for which he was unable to use his real name due to contractual obligations elsewhere, the story was credited to one of his pen names, Lee Cronin .
• The reference book Inside Star Trek: The Real Story (pp. 197 & 399) attests that this episode was originally a first season story outline from August 1966 , titled " Portrait in Black and White ". The book additionally states that, by 1968 , NBC and Paramount were keen on using every available story idea, so Coon's outline was "taken out of the trash bin" and Oliver Crawford based a teleplay on it. However, documentation from the making of TOS reveals that these two episodes actually were, from a production standpoint, significantly different. A first draft script of "Portrait in Black and White", never mentioned in the book, was issued on 28 September 1966 , and was entirely different from the storyline of "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield". (Gene Roddenberry Collection at UCLA, Box 19, Folder 10.) They had different story numbers too – "Portrait in Black and White" was story #28, and "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" was #93. Also, in the writers' report dated 29 March 1968 , the latter was listed as a new story assignment in progress, whereas the former had been listed among TOS' few shelved teleplays in the writers's report dated 1 March 1968. (Gene Roddenberry Collection at UCLA, Box 35, Folder 15)
• This episode was filmed in early October 1968 .
• This episode features a close-up of the Enterprise model. Zoom shots from below and above the saucer section are used, representing some of the rare 'beauty shots' of the ship filmed during the series. (Episodes " Operation -- Annihilate! " and " Metamorphosis " have unique shots of the Enterprise as well). During the opening credits in the first scene, for example, the camera glides underneath the saucer to an extreme closeup of the saucer's phaser section and light. " That Which Survives " uses the same shot briefly when the Enterprise is shaking at warp.
• The self-destruct sequence from this episode is repeated exactly in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock ; however, in Search for Spock , it is Scott who gives the second command in place of Spock , and Chekov who gives the third command instead of Scott. ( The Star Trek Compendium 4th ed., p. 123) In this episode, the self-destruct is set for a 30-second countdown, whereas the film has a 60-second countdown.
• In this episode, the automatic double doors to the room where Lokai is talking to the junior crew members do not function as expected, but are held partially open, allowing Mr. Spock to eavesdrop from the corridor.
• The final chase scene depicting Lokai and Bele running through the corridors of the Enterprise is mixed with stock footage of burning cities filmed after World War II aerial bombing raids, as each visualizes the destruction of their shared home planet. Fred Freiberger stated, " We ran a little short on that show which is why it ended with a chase that went on forever. I thought it was a hell of a creative solution. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 74)
• The remastered version shows Cheron cities still burning from space.
• Bele 's totally "invisible" ship perhaps is the most noticeable effect of the biggest budget cut in the original series. ( The Star Trek Compendium , 4th ed., p. 123)
• The close-up of Chekov's hand operating the decontamination of Ariannus is a recycled shot of Kirk's hand from " The Doomsday Machine ". (It was also used as Spock's hand in both " Obsession " and " The Immunity Syndrome ".)
• The episode's director, Jud Taylor, included a unique effect in this episode. During the "red alerts," the camera zoomed in and out quickly on the blinking red alert signal, and moreover, it was tilted at an angle. According to several sources, among them The Star Trek Compendium , this effect allegedly paid homage to Frank Gorshin's role as the Riddler in Batman , even though Taylor never directed any episodes of Batman .
• In the third season blooper reel, several sequences from this episode are featured. In one, Frank Gorshin, who was also a talented impressionist, does a James Cagney imitation while on the transporter pad. In another, he and Lou Antonio collide forcefully as they are running through the corridors. ( The Star Trek Compendium , 4th ed., p. 123) In yet another, Gorshin initially pronounces his character's name "Belly," before correcting himself and pronouncing it as it was pronounced in the finished episode. Finally, footage of nude swimmers in a pool was inserted at the point where Kirk asks, " Could it be a Romulan ship , using their cloaking device ? " ( citation needed • edit )
• Both Bele and Lokai wear gloves throughout the entire episode, which freed Fred Phillips of the burden of having to make up the hands of actors Frank Gorshin and Lou Antonio .
• In some editions of Allan Asherman 's The Star Trek Compendium , this episode is incorrectly titled "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield."
• In the 1970s, the Mego toy company created a "Cheron" action figure doll, but unlike both Bele and Lokai's makeup and costuming, the doll had no hair, and its costume was entirely half-black and half-white, right down to the boots.
• The Sci-Fi Channel , the DVD, and the remastered version added some new scenes that were not in the original and VHS version. After Kirk makes his first log entry at the beginning of this episode, he asks Chekov about estimated time to Ariannus, tells Uhura to contact them to tell them that decontamination is to begin on arrival, and asks Scott if it will it present any danger. Then after the shuttle is brought to the hangar deck, there is a shot of the shuttlecraft docking with the Enterprise . Sulu then calls Kirk in the turbolift to inform him that hangar doors are closed. Finally, there is a shot of Kirk and Spock in the hallway before they meet with the guards.
• Several shots of the main viewer from the rear of the bridge are recycled shots that show Hadley in Chekov's position, but we hear Chekov's voice and see him in the closeup.
• The Cherons' names approximate the names of fire deities: Logi (not to be confused with Loki) in Norse myth and Pele in Hawaiian myth.

Reception [ ]

• Harlan Ellison thought this episode a terrible one with a weak message: " Roddenberry may have been a big-deal progressive, but I never heard of him giving a dime to the civil rights movement. Now I don't know what his personal attitude was, 'cause he was always talking about the perfectibility of mankind – which is bullshit – and talking about equality, but it was a very awkward kind of liberalism, as evidenced by that stupid episode where people are painted half white and half black – the kind of heavy-handed, wannabe liberal thing that embarrasses anyone who has true feelings about racism ". ( Vibe , Feb 1997)
• Producer Fred Freiberger stated that this was one of the episodes of which he was most proud. ( citation needed • edit )
• Armin Shimerman commented, " Most of Star Trek , whether it’s our show or the other shows, was intended to be a metaphor for social evils. In Gene Roddenberry’s first show, every episode was addressing some social inequality, racism being one of them. "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" with Frank Gorshin was one of the most powerful episodes of that series. Two sets of races were living on one planet, and their faces were each divided between white and black. One had black on the right side of their face, the other had white on the right side. It made no sense that one race should dominate over another simply because the colors were reversed. I remember being enormously affected by that episode as a young man. " [1]

Production timeline [ ]

• Story outline by Lee Cronin , titled "Down from Heaven", 11 March 1968
• Revised story outline, 22 March 1968
• First draft teleplay by Oliver Crawford , titled "Down from Heaven, Up from Above", 2 September 1968
• Second draft teleplay, 23 September 1968
• Final draft teleplay by Arthur Singer , titled "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield", 2 October 1968 , 3 October 1968 , 4 October 1968 , 5 October 1968 , 7 October 1968 , 8 October 1968
• Revised final draft script by Fred Freiberger , 10 October 1968
• Additional page revisions by Freiberger, 11 October 1968
• Day 1 – 4 October 1968 , Friday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bridge
• Day 2 – 7 October 1968 , Monday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bridge
• Day 3 – 8 October 1968 , Tuesday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bridge , Sickbay
• Day 4 – 9 October 1968 , Wednesday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Sickbay , Bridge
• Day 5 – 10 October 1968 , Thursday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Engineering , Corridors , Transporter room , Bele's quarters
• Day 6 – 11 October 1968 , Friday – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Bele's quarters , Turbolift , Bridge
• Day 7 – 14 October 1968 , Monday (Half Day) – Desilu Stage 9 : Int. Recreation room (redress of Briefing room ), Bridge
• Original airdate: 10 January 1969
• Rerun airdate: 12 August 1969
• First UK airdate (on BBC1 ): 27 January 1971
• First UK airdate (on ITV ): 1 July 1984

Syndication cuts [ ]

During the syndication run of Star Trek , the following scenes were typically cut from broadcast:

• Extra discussions about Bele's ship being invisible, followed by Kirk asking Chekov for magnification, to which Chekov replies that there is still no visual contact.
• Extended pause and reaction shots to Bele announcing his name when he appears on the bridge.
• A slightly longer exit of Bele, Kirk, and Spock exiting the bridge for the first time.
• An extra line spoken by Kirk, where he says that the conflict between Lokai and Bele is settled "at least for the present".
• An extended scene of McCoy examining Lokai in sickbay.
• More dialogue between Scott and Kirk about the ship being off course, Scott switching to auxiliary power , then Kirk calling him again to see if the ship is back on course.
• A more lengthy scene of Bele explaining that he has control of the ship, followed by reaction shots from the bridge crew.
• As a prelude to entering the destruct sequence, Kirk asks the computer if it is ready to copy the destruct order and then orders the computer to standby to verify the destruct order.
• The computer counting down from twenty five to twenty in the destruct sequence scene.
• An establishing shot of the Enterprise approaching Ariannus.
• Additional shots of the Enterprise orbiting Ariannus during the ship's "crop dusting" scene.

In an additional rare syndication cut, shown only on the Sci-Fi Channel , the destruct scene was heavily cut to show Kirk entering the codes and activating the sequence entirely by himself, without dialogue from Spock and Scott entering and confirming their own destruct codes.

Video and DVD releases [ ]

• Original US Betamax release: 1988
• UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 36 , catalog number VHR 2432, 7 January 1991
• US VHS release: 15 April 1994
• UK re-release (three-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 3.5, 24 November 1997
• Original US DVD release (single-disc): Volume 35, 23 October 2001
• As part of the TOS Season 3 DVD collection
• As part of the TOS-R Season 3 DVD collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

• William Shatner as Kirk

Also starring [ ]

• Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock
• DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy

Guest stars [ ]

• Frank Gorshin as Bele
• Lou Antonio as Lokai
• James Doohan as Scott
• Walter Koenig as Chekov
• Nichelle Nichols as Uhura
• George Takei as Sulu
• Majel Barrett as Nurse Chapel

Uncredited co-stars [ ]

• Majel Barrett as Computer Voice
• William Blackburn as Hadley
• Roger Holloway as Roger Lemli
• Jeannie Malone as Enterprise yeoman
• Frieda Rentie as Enterprise yeoman
• Dick Ziker as Enterprise sciences lieutenant
• Enterprise sciences crew woman (recycled footage only)
• Enterprise sciences lieutenant (recycled footage only)
• Enterprise security guard 1
• Enterprise security guard 2

References [ ]

50,000 years ago ; 20th century ; ability ; accusation ; alien ; " all hands "; anger ; animal ; answer ; ape ; apology ; apprehension ; Ariannus ; Ariannus Ministry of Health ; army ; authority ; bacteria ; battlefield ; benefactor ; billion ; black ; " bleeding heart "; blood ; bluff ; " Bones "; breed ; brig ; brother ; brown ; cargo ; case ; cattle ; chain ; Cheron ; Cheron cities ; Cheron native ; Cheron scout vessel ; chief engineering officer ; Chief Officer ; choice ; circular course ; Civil Rights Movement ; Class F shuttlecraft ; cloaking device ; Coalsack ; collision ; collision course ; color ; comb ; combat ; command frequency two ; commercial lane ; Commission on Political Traitors ( traitor ); commissioner ; conclusion ; Constitution -class decks ; contact ; cooperation ; coordinates ; corpse ; countdown ; course (aka heading ); courtesy ; creature ; crewman's lounge ; crime ; criminal ; cross-examination ; danger ; Da Vinci ; day ; deal ; death ; death warrant ; decontamination procedure ; deflector shield ; destination ; destruct sequence (aka self-destruct or destruct mechanism ); dignitary ; dignity ; directional control ; disciple ; discipline ; discussion ; district ; do-gooder ; due process ; Earth ; education ; enslaver ; equality ; estimated time of arrival ( ETA ); evasive action ; evidence ; evil ; evolution ; existence ; experience ; explanation ; extinction ; extradition ; fact ; family ; father ; fear ; Federation member ; flesh ; fool ; freedom ; frequency ; friend ; frustration ; genocide ; green ; grievance ; guest quarters ; guilt ; hailing frequency ; hangar deck ; hangar door ; hate ; hearing ; heart ; history ; history class ; home ; hospitality ; hour ; home ; hull breach ; Human ; humanoid ; husband ; idealistic dreamer ; image ; imagination ; individual right (aka right ); information ; instruction ; intergalactic treaty ; interrogation ; judge ; judgment ; just ; justice ; knowledge ; land ; lava ; " let her rip "; liar ; lie ; living creature ; logic ; love ; lower animal ; madman ; madness ; magnification ; maim ; "make one's case" ; malfunction ; maneuvering control ; master computer ; master race ; mercy ; memory bank ; Mendel, Gregor Johann ; Milky Way Galaxy ; million ; mind ; minute ; mission ; mission of mercy ; motive power ; murder ; mutation ; name ; natural disaster ; nostril ; nucleotide ; opportunity ; oppressor ; oratory ; orbit ; order ; organ ; oxygen ; peace ; permission ; persecution ; phaser ; planet ; plea ; pleasure ; " point of view "; political asylum ; potion ; pressure door ; prison ; problem ; product ; prognosis ; property ; punishment ; quality ; question ; race ; racism ; readout ; recreation room ; recuperative powers ; red alert ; regret ; representative ; rescue ; research ; result ; revolutionary ; Romulans ; sabotage ; sanctuary ; sapient lifeform ; savage ; scanning range ; science officer ; scope ; scout vessel ; security team ; self-discipline ; sensor ; sensor failure ; sentience ; shields ; skin ; skin pigmentation ; slave ; solution ; space ; space vehicle ; specimen ; speed ; spray tank ; spouse ; stakes ; Starbase 4 ; Starfleet Command ; Starfleet regulations ; stealth ; stimulant ; suffering ; suffocation ; suicide mission ; sun ; tear ; theft ; theory ; thief ; thing ; thinking ; thought ; thousand ; threat ; throat ; toast ; tongue ; " touch and go "; tractor beam ; traffic ; traffic system ; transfer point ; transporter mechanism ; transporter room ; trash ; treason ; treaty ; United Federation of Planets ; United Fleet of Planets ; universe ; utopia ; value ; vegetation ; viewing screen ; vindictive ; violence ; visual range ; vocal cords ; voice ; volcano ; Vulcan (planet) ; Vulcans ; week ; white ; will ; word ; year ; yellow

Retconned references [ ]

External links [ ].

• "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" at StarTrek.com
• " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield " at Wikipedia
• " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
• " Let That Be Your Last Battlefield " at the Internet Movie Database
• 3 ISS Enterprise (NCC-1701)