What are your thoughts on Section 31?
Reactions to the recent announcement of Section 31 have indeed been varied. While many are excited to have Michelle Yeoh heading up the cast, there are fans who have expressed concern that the franchise may be taking a darker direction. After all, the character that Yeoh is playing, former Emperor Georgiou is, among other things, a murderer, right? Many are saying that the series will take a darker twist, where viewers are expected to route for the bad guy. On the other hand, many fans won’t consider that the franchise would ever turn their back on their optimistic portrayal of the future.
What’s likely, is that the new series will lie somewhere in the middle. And as fans are eagerly anticipating further news on cast, plots, cameos and anything else.
Current speculation and fan theories:
- Section 31 has access to technology that the rest of the Starfleet doesn’t and you can expect the organization’s weaponry to be far more advanced. After all, they aren’t bounded by any rules and can literally do as they please, or deem necessary. Fans first noticed that the Phaser Georgiou has in one of the original CBS photos is way more advanced than that of the Discovery models.
- There are a lot of themes that require some additional explanation to fully make sense. For example, how did the Klingon treaty work? Since Section 31 has been around this whole time, albeit out of watch, some purist fans are expecting, if not hoping that a lot of the old ground will be covered and the organization of Section 31 will be used to clear up a lot of cases that require explanation.
- Expect flashbacks. Show writers Erika Lippoldt and Bo Yeon Kim were writers for the recent Short Treks episode: The Brightest Star. A flashback of a younger Prime Georgiou was a central theme. Does this mean we can expect more flashbacks? The writers also were unable to reveal who the captain of USS Shenzhous was before Georgiou took over the reins. Does this mean we’re about to find out via another flashback? This would make sense. Mirror Georgiou will surely be naturally curious about her counterpart-self in the Prime Universe and will want to learn as much as possible.
- It’s unlikely that Section 31 will air until Discovery has ended. CBS All Access executive, Julie McNamara has revealed that there are no plans for them to rush to get it released.
Whatever the result, there can be no denying that Section 31 has captured the imagination of all Star Trek fans. Operating in the shadows since the beginning of Starfleet, relatively little is known about the organization. Only that it’s willing to bend the rules and do as it sees fit, in order to eliminate threats, at all costs. The mystery of Section 31 is well and truly about to be unveiled.