Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery was all about war and redemption, and while that was a blast to watch from start to finish, the series' co-showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen J. Berg won't be heading down that path again. At least, it doesn't sound that way, as the two have shared what Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery may be about. Harberts and Berg said the age-old debate behind science and spirituality could rear its head in the series as the bulk of Federation space looks to rebuild following the Federation and Klingon war. According to Harberts...
Chapter 1 of this novel was war, and right now, we're thinking about Chapter 2. One of the themes we continue kicking around is the conflict between science and spirituality, and that's something that we're very interested, particularly after you finish a war. How do you rebuild yourself? What's required for that? What we're most excited to do is to continue thematic exploration and philosophical exploration and debate, and these characters are perfectly primed to carry storylines like that. That's one thing that we're thinking about.
The Star Trek franchise has always been heavier on science than religion, but the conclusion of Season 1 does put Star Trek: Discovery in an interesting position. The war is over, but the Federation's grasp and ideals throughout the galaxy have likely been severely hampered after the Klingons waged war on Federation outposts and hubs for the better part of a year. With the Federation likely having lost its grip on several planets after outposts were destroyed, that preference for science and logic over spirituality may have lost its hold on several planets, which could pave the way to some alternative thinking.
Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery possibly having some sort of religious theme is an interesting decision, considering the franchise's creator Gene Roddenberry was an atheist. Religion did not find its way into Star Trek plots often, and when it did, science usually prevailed over any spirituality. The franchise did loosen up religious references a little bit starting with Star Trek: The Next Generation and featured more imagery and information on alien religions, but the Federation itself has always been pretty secular. With that in mind, whatever exploration Star Trek: Discovery does of these themes, one would imagine it won't play out well for the spirituality side of things.
Of course, Aaron Harberts and Gretchen J. Berg told ET Online this is just one of the themes the two are kicking around for Star Trek: Discovery Season 2, so it sounds as though nothing is set in stone. Additionally, Season 1 of the series was able to have a couple themes play out through various arcs in the serialized drama, so it's not as though the entirety of Season 2 will necessarily be a battle of science and spirituality. If that is the case, at least fans not too excited for that journey can at least get excited for a chance to see Spock!
Star Trek: Discovery will return to CBS All Access for Season 2, although no official release date has been given at this time. For some dates on when to watch great television premiering in 2018, head on over to our midseason premiere guide.
