Star Trek: Discovery Proved Saru’s Vulcan Fiancée Should Be Federation President

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah".

Summary President T'Rina proves herself as a formidable negotiator, showcasing the steel required to lead the Federation.

Speculation arises about potential conflict between T'Rina and Burnham if she were President, adding depth to the story.

Saru's return and marriage to T'Rina could bring a happy ending to Star Trek: Discovery's final season.

The fiancée of Captain Saru (Doug Jones), President T'Rina (Tara Rosling), proves herself to be a strong candidate for Federation President in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah". Written by M. Raven Metzner and directed by Jon Dudkowski, Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah" sees President T'Rina negotiate with Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo) for the release of Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis). During her negotiations with one of the Federation's most fearsome enemies, T'Rina proves herself to have the steel required to lead the United Federation of Planets.

Currently, Laira Rillak (Chelah Horsdal) is President of the Federation in Star Trek: Discovery's 32nd century, but it's never been clear exactly how long a President's term lasts. Star Trek: Enterprise revealed that Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) served as Federation President for eight years between 2184 and 2192. This suggests that the length of a Federation President's term mirrors that of the President of the United States. With that in mind, President T'Rina could replace President Rillak at some point, forcing her to step down from leading the planet Ni'Var in Star Trek: Discovery.

Related Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Returning Cast & New Character Guide As Burnham seeks the universe's greatest treasure in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, she'll need help from a host of new and returning characters.

Star Trek: Discovery’s T’Rina Should Be Federation President

President T'Rina saved Federation HQ from the Breen Imperium.

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Ni'Var's President T'Rina negotiates for the safety of the entire Federation in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah", proving that she has the wider perspective required to be President of the United Federation of Planets. T'Rina's negotiation skills are so impressive that they even win over the gruff, Breen-hating Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie). T'Rina even learned to understand the grating machine noise that constitutes the language of Star Trek's Breen. President T'Rina puts the work in, and unlike President Rillak, is more open to the input of others.

Notable Federation Presidents Star Trek TV Show/Movie Jonathan Archer Star Trek: Enterprise Human President Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Efrosian President Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Jaresh-Inyo Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Anton Chekov Star Trek: Picard Laira Rillak Star Trek: Discovery

President Rillak's single-mindedness often put her at odds with Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin Green) in Star Trek: Discovery season 4. It's interesting to ponder, therefore, how different Discovery season 4 would be with President T'Rina instead of Rillak. T'Rina and Saru's love story would gain an added complication as her role as Federation President could have put her at odds with Burnham, placing Saru in the middle as a mediator. This would have given more depth to Burnham's clashes with the President in Discovery season 4, and would also have created new challenges for Saru and T'Rina's romance in season 5.

T’Rina & Saru’s Star Trek Future Explained

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 should end with wedding bells.

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Saru has been missing from Star Trek: Discovery season 5 due to Doug Jones' work commitments. However, he will be back later in the season, presumably for his marriage to President T'Rina, which could provide the happy ending for Discovery's final season. Beyond Discovery season 5, it's possible that both Saru and T'Rina could feature in the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy show. While the YA Star Trek spinoff will focus largely on its young crew, it will presumably feature returning Discovery characters to expand on events in the wider Federation.

It's been reported that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will start filming in late summer, 2024.

President T'Rina could also still run for President of the United Federation of Planets after the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 5. The UFP's electoral process has never been explored in much detail, so setting Star Trek: Starfleet Academy during an election year could be a smart way for the show to explore Federation politics through the eyes of its young crew. How this election would affect T'Rina's marriage to Ambassador Saru could also provide an interesting subplot for the Star Trek: Discovery spinoff, as it continues the story of Star Trek's 32nd century.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.