Star Trek: Discovery's Rhys Is Starfleet's Next Great Captain

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, Episode 8 - "Labyrinths"

Summary Lt. Commander Gen Rhys proves himself as Acting Captain, successfully leading the USS Discovery against the Breen.

Discovery pays off Rhys' increasing importance as a member of the bridge crew.

Star Trek: Discovery continues to build up strong homegrown Captains, and Rhys shows he is a future leader.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 established that Starfleet's next great starship Captain is Lt. Commander Gen Rhys (Patrick Kwok-Choon). Written by Lauren Wilkinson & Eric J. Robbins and directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 8, "Labyrinths" brought Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery to the Eternal Gallery and Archive in the Badlands where the final clue to the Progenitors' treasure is hidden. The USS Discovery's Chief Tactical Officer, Rhys becomes the lynchpin of keeping the USS Discovery safe from the Breen's Sixth Flight led by Primarch Ruhn (Tony Nappo).

Your browser does not support the video tag.

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 8, "Labyrinths," Captain Burnham is incapacitated by the final clue, a book called "Labyrinths of the Mind" written by Betazoid scientist Dr. Marina Derex. Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) beams to the Eternal Gallery and Archive with Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) to help the Captain. Trapped in her mindscape. Michael faces her innermost fears with an avatar of Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) and proves herself worthy of the Progenitors' treasure. This leaves Lt. Commander Gen Rhys in command of the USS Discovery when Primarch Ruhn's Breen attacks the Archive, and Rhys rose to the challenge.

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.

Lt. Commander Gen Rys Is Star Trek: Discovery’s Next Great Captain

Rhys makes a fine Acting Captain

Close

Lt. Commander Gen Rhys was excellent as Acting Captain of the USS Discovery in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 8, "Labyrinths". Rhys followed his orders to keep Discovery safe from the Breen, with the challenge of being unable to cloak in the Badlands. Rhys gambled that the Badlands' plasma energies would scramble the Breen's sensors, and he ordered the USS Discovery into the storms. With Rhys in command, Discovery weathered the Badlands and successfully rescued Captain Burnham, Commander Rayner, and the away team, beaming them and the final Progenitors' clue safely aboard the ship.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 3, "Jinaal" revealed that Gen Rhys is a "ship-head" who loves 23rd century Constitution Class starships.

Rhys proving his mettle as a starship Captain pays off his increasing importance in Star Trek: Discovery season 5. Rhys was spotlighted in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, "Face the Strange" when his younger self joined Specialist Michael Burnham to confront Commander Rayner and Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) during the episode's time travel to the 23rd century. Rhys is a standout among the USS Discovery's bridge crew, and his performance in "Labyrinths" shows Gen is on track to become Captain of his own starship one day.

Patrick Kwok-Choon (@KWOK-ROCK) revealed on X that his wife was in labor while he was filming Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 8, which makes his performance even more impressive. Check out his post below:

Star Trek: Discovery Made 2 Great Captains Already

Discovery's Captain track record is excellent

Close

A revolving Captain's chair was a hallmark of Star Trek: Discovery's first few seasons, but the series was building up two great homegrown Captains. The first great Captain Star Trek: Discovery made was Saru (Doug Jones). The first Kelpien in Starfleet, Saru distinguished himself as First Officer and Acting Captain before he was formally promoted to the USS Discovery's center seat. Of course, Star Trek: Discovery is the story of Michael Burnham earning the Captain's chair, and "Labyrinths" delved into Burnham's inner fears of not being good enough and questioning who she is if she's not pursuing missions as Discovery's Captain.

Rhys is clearly ready to move up the command track and become a Number One.

It's actually curious that Captain Burnham didn't immediately consider Lt. Commander Gen Rhys to be the USS Discovery's new First Officer before selecting Commander Rayner. Rhys is clearly ready to move up the command track and become a Number One. Gen is obviously trusted to command the USS Discovery in Burnham and Rayner's absence, and he passes each test with flying colors. Perhaps Rhys distinguishing himself as Acting Captain in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 8, will lead to him becoming Captain Gen Rhys some day.

New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 stream Thursdays on Paramount+