The Star Trek franchise has a long and complicated canon, with the newer additions muddying the timeline of events. When the original series premiered back in the 1960s, it was initially set to focus on Captain Christopher Pike as the man in charge of the USS Enterprise. However, he was later replaced with James T. Kirk.
Nonetheless, Pike became a part of the Star Trek canon thanks to his appearance in the original series and a more prominent role in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. However, given Pike’s fate in the original series, some fans have speculated that the entirety of the second season did not happen at all. Here is everything you need to know about the darkest Star Trek theory.
Dark Star Trek fan theory suggests Discovery season 2 was just a dream
When Gene Roddenberry first tried to launch the Star Trek universe, Christopher Pike was the captain of the USS Enterprise in the show’s initially unaired pilot episode. Footage from the episode was later repurposed for the first season episode The Menagerie.
In the two-part episode, Pike is captured by the Talosians, who can create illusions indistinguishable from reality. Pike is revealed to have suffered grave injuries to his body, which can only be undone via the illusions.
The character’s younger version, played by Anson Mount, appears in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. Given his appearance in the original series, fans speculated that the entirety of season 2 was a similar Talosian-induced illusion.
The theory is further supported by the difference in Pike’s characterization. The Pike from the original series is unfriendly and angry, while Discovery‘s version of the character is more charming and admired by his colleagues. As a result, the theory suggests that Pike never escaped the illusions and that season 2 was a dream.
Evidence suggests Star Trek: Discovery season 2 wasn’t a dream
While the fan theory is dark and fits into the tonality of the sci-fi franchise, it is ultimately not true. The fan theory seems to stem from the general fan reception of Discovery, primarily because it retconned several fan-favorite aspects of the original series.
The appearance of Pike in the show’s second season as the Captain of the Enterprise itself is a major retcon. However, Pike’s appearance in the series predates the injuries he would suffer, as evidenced by his appearance in the original series.
Moreover, Pike’s grim fate is a major plot point of the show’s second season, and it has yet to take place as per Discovery‘s timeline. Mount also reprised his role as Pike in the spin-off series Strange New Worlds, which sees him resume the command of the Enterprise, and he also interacts with a younger Kirk.
Ultimately, most of Pike’s stories in the newer shows take place before his appearance in the original series. Therefore, it is hard to argue that these appearances were illusions, proving that the entirety of Discovery season 2 wasn’t just a dream after all.
Star Trek: Discovery is currently streaming on Paramount+ (USA).
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