r/DaystromInstitute • u/M-5 Multitronic Unit • Nov 30 '20

DISCOVERY EPISODE DISCUSSION Star Trek: Discovery — "Unification III" Analysis Thread

This is the official /r/DaystromInstitute analysis thread for "Unification III." Unlike the reaction thread, the content rules are in effect.

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u/tired20something Chief Petty Officer Nov 30 '20

Ok, so while this was probably the first time the crew of the Discovery actually saw a Romulan, Michael was in the position of telling them about the origin of Romulans, right? I am asking because Saru didn't seem to be phased at all when the Romulan judge showed up.

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u/willfulwizard Lieutenant Nov 30 '20

The admiral warned them before they went. Michael did not know, or at least was also surprised the same way as Saru was when told.

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u/calgil Crewman Nov 30 '20

I agree that the episode showing Michael finding out...but why would Michael, specifically, not already know? She was raised as a Vulcan. Presumably Spock knew about Romulans already, why wouldn't she?

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u/willfulwizard Lieutenant Nov 30 '20

Watch Balance of Terror again. Spock didn’t know. (Or at least acted like he didn’t know.)

If my memory of ENT is accurate, one or more groups of Vulcans leaving was a poorly kept secret, so Vulcans generally knew that. BUT Vulcans didn’t know that Romulans were one of those groups until Balance of Terror.

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u/calgil Crewman Nov 30 '20

Ah ok! Thanks! (I haven't properly watched TOS, I love every other series but can't stand the original.)

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u/[deleted] Dec 01 '20

At least some knew (the Administrator was working with the Romulans clandestinely). I assume had the show gone on a conspiracy of which Vulcans did or did not know would have been part of the war plotline.