Emperor Georgiou Knew Burnham’s Star Trek: Discovery Captain Future Before Michael Did & I’m Not Surprised

It's no surprise that Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) knew Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) would become a Captain back in Star Trek: Discovery season 1. In the 32nd century, Michael Burnham is the most prominent Captain in Starfleet, who is hand-picked to solve whatever crisis the United Federation of Planets faces. Burnham's Star Trek: Discovery trajectory from promising First Officer to Starfleet's first mutineer to redemption and, finally, Captain of the USS Discovery, is something Emperor Georgiou predicted.

Michael Burnham was the farthest thing from a future Starfleet Captain in Star Trek: Discovery season 1. When Michael was released from prison and brought aboard the USS Discovery by Captain Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs), she was assigned as an unranked Specialist. The lowest on Discovery's totem pole, Burnham began her climb back to becoming a Commander. More importantly, Michael claimed the highest principles of Starfleet. Still, a part of Burnham doubted a Captaincy was in her future, but Emperor Burnham always knew better.

Emperor Georgiou Always Knew Michael Burnham Would Become Star Trek: Discovery’s Captain

"Captain Michael Burnham" Already Existed In The Mirror Universe

When the USS Discovery jumped to the Mirror Universe in Star Trek: Discovery season 1, the revelation that the alternate reality's Philippa Georgiou was the Terran Emperor was a shock. However, just as eyebrow-raising was Georgiou calling Specialist Michael Burnham "Captain Michael Burnham." At first, the Emperor thought Michael was her adopted daughter, as the Mirror Universe's Burnham was Captain of the USS Shenzou. Yet this was a clue towards Burnham's future in Star Trek: Discovery.

Related

Emperor Georgiou exited Star Trek: Discovery season 3 after she faced her past sins in the Mirror Universe. Before Georgiou passed through the Guardian of Forever (Paul Guilfoyle) and vanished, she told Michael that she always knew her destiny was to become a Captain. Indeed, that's exactly what happened at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 3.

After saving the Federation from Osyraa (Janet Kidder) and the Emerald Chain, and learning the cause of The Burn, Michael Burnham was promoted to Captain of the USS Discovery. Georgiou's prediction came true.

Georgiou Is Star Trek: Discovery’s Strongest Hint Toward Burnham’s Destiny As Captain

Emperor Georgiou Always Knew What Michael Burnham Would Become

After Captain Michael Burnham was made official, Star Trek: Discovery's executive producers and Sonequa Martin-Green revealed that the show's long-range plan was always for Burnham to earn her way to the Captain's chair. As such, Emperor Georgiou's presence in Star Trek: Discovery's first three seasons wasn't merely as a foil and ersatz mother figure, but as a mentor and guide. Georgiou's negative example and ability to test Michael's limits helped forge the future Captain that Burnham would become.

Having raised the Mirror Universe's version of Michael Burnham, Emperor Georgiou had a unique insight into the heroic Michael of Star Trek's Prime Universe. In hindsight, Emperor Georgiou knew that commanding a starship was Burnham's first, best destiny, and Philippa did her part for Michael to fulfill it. Although Emperor Georgiou never gets to see Captain Michael Burnham come to fruition, the seeds were there step-by-step in Star Trek: Discovery's first three seasons.