Star Trek: Discovery season 5’s intergalactic treasure hunt could feature a hidden link to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). The story of Jean-Luc’s Starfleet career came to a satisfying end with Star Trek: Picard season 3, but the Picard legacy could continue long into the 32nd Century. The first trailer for Discovery season 5 shows Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg) offering Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) the chance to chase the “greatest treasure in the known galaxy“. It’s unclear whether this treasure is symbolic or a physical item, but it’s likely that whatever it is will provide a suitably high-stakes story for Discovery‘s final season.
It’s likely that the crew of the USS Discovery won’t be the only people seeking out this treasure, and Burnham may have to face off against all manner of rival treasure hunters. Star Trek: Discovery season 3’s Emerald Chain feels like a natural fit for Burnham’s treasure-hunting rivals. Another potential competition for Discovery‘s greatest treasure was introduced in Star Trek: Lower Decks, and it’s an organization that has a link to Admiral Jean-Luc Picard.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Could Have A Secret Picard Link
When searching out the greatest treasure in the universe, it could be beneficial to bring some archeologists aboard the USS Discovery. Outside Starfleet, Picard had a passion for history and archaeology and almost went into the field on a professional basis. Star Trek: The Next Generation established that there was a Federation Archaeology Council, members of which could be enlisted to help Burnham with her intergalactic treasure hunt. Picard once delivered a keynote speech to the Council, so their potential role in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 could establish a link to the iconic TNG character.
However, Burnham could also find herself in competition with an independent archeological group that has links to Picard. Introduced in Star Trek: Lower Decks, the Independent Archaeologists Guild was financed by Picard, and counted former Starfleet officer Petra Aberdeen (Georgia King) as one of its members. As some people within the Federation regarded the Guild as thieves in the 24th century, the 32nd-century iteration of the organization could be both a help and a hindrance to Burnham and the Discovery crew in their search for season 5’s treasure.
Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Can Continue Picard’s Legacy
Star Trek: Picard season 3 established that the Picard bloodline would continue via his son Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers). Over 700 years later, in Star Trek: Discovery‘s 32nd century, there could be a Picard descendant who’s following in the archeological footsteps of their ancestor. Teaming up Burnham with a roguish treasure hunter from the Picard family line could be a fun way to honor the legacy of Jean-Luc in Star Trek‘s far future. Originating in the 23rd century, Burnham has no knowledge of Picard, so there could be a fun dynamic in her being one of the few Starfleet officers in the 32nd century who hadn’t heard about the USS Enterprise-D’s adventures.
Crucially, introducing an organization like the Independent Archeologists Guild or bringing in a new Picard descendant would establish further connections to the Star Trek universe without overshadowing the stories of the Discovery crew. For all intents and purposes, the Discovery is the Federation’s flagship, so bringing in the 32nd-century USS Enterprise would undermine Burnham and her crew. Focusing instead on one of Picard’s extracurricular interests in a story all about treasure hunting would be a brilliant way for Star Trek: Discovery season 5 to build on the popularity of Star Trek: Picard season 3.