Star Trek: The Original Series Reveals When Spock’s Father Can Appear In Strange New Worlds

Ambassador Sarek (James Frain) isn't expected to appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but Star Trek: The Original Series set a canonical timeframe for when Lieutenant Spock's (Ethan Peck) father can appear in the Star Trek prequel. The highly anticipated Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 premieres July 17 on Paramount+. Strange New Worlds season 3 continues the genre-bending voyages of Captain Christopher Pike's (Anson Mount) Starship Enterprise, where Spock plays a central role.

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' timeframe, Spock and Sarek are not on speaking terms. Star Trek canon established that by the time Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard) and Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson (Jane Wyatt), came aboard the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series season 2's "Journey to Babel," Spock and his father had not spoken to each other in 20 years. This is due to Sarek's disappointment that Spock chose to join Starfleet instead of the Vulcan Science Academy.

Amanda Grayson (Mia Kirshner) appeared in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5, "Charades," but there's less of a chance of Spock's father beaming onto the Starship Enterprise. However, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has challenged Star Trek canon already, and there are ways for Sarek, who hasn't been seen since Star Trek: Discovery season 2, to appear. Alternatively, there is also already a rough date for when Strange New Worlds could introduce Sarek in Star Trek canon.

Star Trek: The Original Series Set A Timeframe For Sarek Appearing In Strange New Worlds

Here's When Sarek Can Appear

In Star Trek: The Original Series season 2, episode 10, "Journey to Babel," which was Sarek and Amanda's first appearance, Spock's mother said that he hasn't visited them on Vulcan in four years. "Journey to Babel" took place in 2268 in Star Trek's timeline, so four years prior is 2264 - the year before Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) takes over the USS Enterprise from Captain Pike. This means Sarek has a window to potentially appear towards the end of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' run, if the prequel continues until Kirk replaces Pike as Captain of the Enterprise in 2265.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 takes place in 2261, which is the centennial anniversary of the founding of the United Federation of Planets. Strange New Worlds doesn't follow the one season = one year formula of the 1990s Star Trek series, and time is more elastic. Indeed, Strange New Worlds season 3 will have a time jump, moving the timeline forward from the cliffhanger ending and resolution of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2.

Paramount+ greenlit Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, which is in production now. What happens in Strange New Worlds season 4 is top secret, as are the events of Strange New Worlds season 3. Given that there's no guarantee that Strange New Worlds will continue past season 4 due to the uncertainty surrounding Paramount Global's sale to Skydance Media and how it will affect Star Trek's future, it's also possible that a Sarek appearance could be in the cards for Strange New Worlds season 3 or 4, regardless of Star Trek's canon or timeline.

Star Trek: Discovery Got Around Spock & Sarek's Original Series Canon

Sarek & Spock Were Both In Star Trek: Discovery Season 2

Star Trek: Discovery seasons 1 and 2 were set from 2256-2258, a few years before Star Trek: Strange New Worlds begins, and the former flagship Star Trek on Paramount+ series found a way to feature Ambassador Sarek and Lieutenant Spock. Star Trek: Discovery's first two seasons were notorious for breaking canon by reimagining the Klingons and introducing anachronistic technology like the USS Discovery's spore drive, but Sarek and Spock's estrangement was maintained by Star Trek: Discovery.

Star Trek: Discovery, which retconned Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) as an adopted member of Sarek's family, used Michael as the 'middle man' of sorts between Spock and Sarek. In Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Lt. Spock was emotionally damaged by an encounter with the Red Angel, and Burnham helped her adoptive brother recover. While Sarek was in Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Burnham and Amanda Grayson interacted with Spock in lieu of Sarek, thereby preserving Star Trek canon.

Star Trek: Discovery season 2's premiere, "Brother," even included a meta commentary on the series bringing in Spock and Sarek, when the Vulcan Ambassador told Burnham, "I had not expected to see Spock again." It's very possible Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could also dance around Spock and Sarek technically not speaking to each other while still featuring a comeback of Spock's father.

How Else Spock’s Father Can Appear In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Spock Doesn't Have To Be Involved

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could also potentially introduce Ambassador Sarek while never having him and Spock interact. One way for Sarek to return involves Sybok, who was reintoduced in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 7, "The Serene Squall." Sybok (Lawrence Luckinbill) debuted in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier as the previously unheard-of older brother of Spock (Leonard Nimoy), who was a criminal on a mad hunt for the God of Sha Ka Ree. Strange New Worlds shockingly revealed Sybok's whereabouts over 25 years before Star Trek V.In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' timeframe, Sybok is a prisoner of a Vulcan rehabilitation center, and his warden is T'Pring (Gia Sandhu). It's possible for Strange New Worlds to bring in Ambassador Sarek, who could visit his eldest son. Strange New Worlds' retcon revealed that Sybok was imprisoned under the name Xaverius, and he was married to a space pirate named Captain Angel (Jesse James Keitel). Perhaps Xaverius' true identity is revealed, and Sarek comes to see Sybok, as well as speak with T'Pring about her broken engagement to Spock. Sybok must also eventually escape prison, which could happen in a future Strange New Worlds episode.Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' mid-23rd century galaxy is tumultuous, with the Gorn and the Klingons as recurring threats. There are ample ways to involve Ambassador Sarek in Strange New Worlds and still maintain canon by not having him speak to Spock. Strange New Worlds continually takes risks with the form and content of its episodes, including comedy, drama, action, and even Star Trek's first-ever musical. If Star Trek: Strange New Worlds wants Ambassador Sarek to appear. there are ways to include the legendary Vulcan and still keep him away from Spock.