Star Trek: Discovery has been set in the 32nd century since season 3, but the series' strengths still come from its connection to its former 23rd-century Star Trek: The Original Series era. In Star Trek: Discovery's fifth and final season, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery embark on a quest to find "the greatest treasure in the known galaxy." Discovery's new mission comes on the heels of back-to-back victories over existential threats to the United Federation of Planets – wins Burnham and her crew achieved because of what Star Trek era they came from.
Star Trek: Discovery was originally a prequel set in the mid-23rd century a decade before Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the USS Enterprise's five-year mission chronicled in TOS. In fact, Michael Burnham's TOS ties run deep: as an orphaned child, Burnham was adopted by Ambassador Sarek (James Frain) and raised on Vulcan alongside her adoptive brother, Spock (Ethan Peck). Burnham joined Starfleet and rose to become First Officer of the USS Shenzhou under Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) before Michael's tragic mistake sparked the Klingon War of 2256-2257. Commander Burnham redeemed herself as a crew member of the USS Discovery, and Michael led her starship on a one-way trip 930 years into the future at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 2.
