Kiona Jones is a Sci-Fi Features Article Writer from the United States, When Kiona isn't creating online content on the latest TV shows or movies, they love nerding out on all things Star Trek. They've also published work on Attack of the Fanboy, Film Daily, Wealth of Geeks & The Nerd Stash.
When the crew of Star Trek: Discovery traveled into the future, Zora was the ship’s AI guide in navigating the new world. She went on to become one of the most important characters on the show. More than that, though, she became an essential part of the crew. Her emotional attachment to them wasn’t always the healthiest. In season 4, episode 7, “…But to Connect,” Zora actually refused a direct order from Captain Michael Burnham, in an attempt to protect them from the harm of trying to defeat the Dark Matter Anomaly. In trying to keep them safe, though, she slowed down an important mission and put them in greater danger.
It’s certainly not a problem that The Next Generation ever faced with Data. But a new show brings unique complications. Seeing how new characters handle their own problems is part of the fun of being a fan. Zora had a capacity to love that she expressed through sentimental gestures, as well as by remaining dependable through a wild variety of high-stakes drama.
Anyone who watched the Star Trek: Discovery short “Calypso” wasn’t surprised at the wealth of personality Zora carried. She was so charming that she nearly managed to romance a human soldier named Craft who had been lost in space. She used the tools at her disposal to connect with him in the time they spent getting to know each other. More importantly, however, they were two beings trapped in time, looking to alleviate their loneliness. They got to dance together like Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in the 1957 film Funny Man, before he finally made his way home.
The short left many fans wondering how Zora ended up in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Luckily for them, Star Trek: Discovery eventually revealed how she came into existence. Zora was an independent computer system that merged with the USS Discovery’s complex system, the Sphere, in season 3, episode 4, “Forget Me Not.” She then started developing sentience and emotional experiences. This turned her into an essential to the crew’s survival in the 32nd century.
Zora’s Sentient Development
Granted, Star Trek doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to advanced technology. Whole episodes have been created around Starfleet’s misuse becoming everyone else’s problem. One example was when Section 31’s Control went rogue in Discovery and killed a bunch of people – including crewmember Airiam. So in a way, Zora’s sentience was a blessing. She had all the capabilities of a complex computer system, plus she wasn’t beholden to the whims of power-hungry officers.
She might have struggled to manage her emotions at times, like in season 4, episode 6, “Stormy Weather.” But Zora eventually got the hang of doing what humans and other sentient beings do all the time: succeeding under emotional distress. The crew of the USS Discovery helped her find a healthy balance between feeling and knowing. In “…But to Connect,” Zora described herself as:
[...] The sum of the Sphere's life and the entirety of the Discovery's systems, logs, missions and history.
She went on to explain that she’s “more than the sum of those parts.” While she never developed a physical body, Zora's heart grew as much as anyone else’s with the help of her friends.
Zora’s Relationships
Zora remained on good terms with all of her teammates throughout Star Trek: Discovery. Why wouldn’t she? She provided information, helped them survive tricky situations, and even comforted them when they got upset. She’s the best friend anybody would want, but that not everyone is lucky enough to receive. Similar to Data’s cat Spot in The Next Generation, she was an unlikely hero that no one saw coming. Still, she favored some characters more than others.
Ensign Adira’s boyfriend, Gray Tal, was only with the USS Discovery for a short period of time. But while aboard, he was one of the first people to notice Zora struggling with her feelings. So, he introduced her to the simple fun of playing games and using them to center herself emotionally. Meanwhile, Zora’s gentle companionship with Michael gave them both new perspectives. The sentient AI allowed the captain to let her hair down and open up a little. In return, Michael helped Zora create a family tree using her memories with the crew. She wasn’t just learning how to make moments with her found family. She was also learning how to cherish them.
How Does Zora's Story End?
Zora’s beautiful arc through Star Trek: Discovery and the depth of her relationships made her tragic ending difficult to accept. Saying that many fans just didn’t take it well feels like an understatement. Zora was loyal, kind, and always willing to help – even at her own expense. Starfleet should have showered her with accolades for all that she did for the USS Discovery and the Federation. Instead, she was relegated to spending over a thousand years alone on one of those infamously mysterious red directive missions, with only old movies for company.
At the end of Season 5, episode 10, “Life, Itself,” Admiral Burnham sends Zora off with only a few details of her primary goals outside of something to do with the word "craft." Worse, Zora is told upfront that all the people she’s come to care about will cease to exist during her time away. Many Discovery fans argued that this abandonment was unnecessarily cruel to a fantastic character. Seeing her holo-projection shed a tear at the end of “Calypso” certainly didn’t help. Regardless, Star Trek: Discovery made the most of Zora while she was around. Maybe in another lifetime, she’ll get the happy ending she always deserved.
Anyone who watched the Star Trek: Discovery short “Calypso” wasn’t surprised at the wealth of personality Zora carried. She was so charming that she nearly managed to romance a human soldier named Craft who had been lost in space. She used the tools at her disposal to connect with him in the time they spent getting to know each other. More importantly, however, they were two beings trapped in time, looking to alleviate their loneliness. They got to dance together like Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in the 1957 film Funny Man, before he finally made his way home.
The short left many fans wondering how Zora ended up in the middle of nowhere in the first place. Luckily for them, Star Trek: Discovery eventually revealed how she came into existence. Zora was an independent computer system that merged with the USS Discovery’s complex system, the Sphere, in season 3, episode 4, “Forget Me Not.” She then started developing sentience and emotional experiences. This turned her into an essential to the crew’s survival in the 32nd century.
Granted, Star Trek doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to advanced technology. Whole episodes have been created around Starfleet’s misuse becoming everyone else’s problem. One example was when Section 31’s Control went rogue in Discovery and killed a bunch of people – including crewmember Airiam. So in a way, Zora’s sentience was a blessing. She had all the capabilities of a complex computer system, plus she wasn’t beholden to the whims of power-hungry officers.
She might have struggled to manage her emotions at times, like in season 4, episode 6, “Stormy Weather.” But Zora eventually got the hang of doing what humans and other sentient beings do all the time: succeeding under emotional distress. The crew of the USS Discovery helped her find a healthy balance between feeling and knowing. In “…But to Connect,” Zora described herself as:
Zora remained on good terms with all of her teammates throughout Star Trek: Discovery. Why wouldn’t she? She provided information, helped them survive tricky situations, and even comforted them when they got upset. She’s the best friend anybody would want, but that not everyone is lucky enough to receive. Similar to Data’s cat Spot in The Next Generation, she was an unlikely hero that no one saw coming. Still, she favored some characters more than others.
Ensign Adira’s boyfriend, Gray Tal, was only with the USS Discovery for a short period of time. But while aboard, he was one of the first people to notice Zora struggling with her feelings. So, he introduced her to the simple fun of playing games and using them to center herself emotionally. Meanwhile, Zora’s gentle companionship with Michael gave them both new perspectives. The sentient AI allowed the captain to let her hair down and open up a little. In return, Michael helped Zora create a family tree using her memories with the crew. She wasn’t just learning how to make moments with her found family. She was also learning how to cherish them.
Zora’s beautiful arc through Star Trek: Discovery and the depth of her relationships made her tragic ending difficult to accept. Saying that many fans just didn’t take it well feels like an understatement. Zora was loyal, kind, and always willing to help – even at her own expense. Starfleet should have showered her with accolades for all that she did for the USS Discovery and the Federation. Instead, she was relegated to spending over a thousand years alone on one of those infamously mysterious red directive missions, with only old movies for company.
At the end of Season 5, episode 10, “Life, Itself,” Admiral Burnham sends Zora off with only a few details of her primary goals outside of something to do with the word "craft." Worse, Zora is told upfront that all the people she’s come to care about will cease to exist during her time away. Many Discovery fans argued that this abandonment was unnecessarily cruel to a fantastic character. Seeing her holo-projection shed a tear at the end of “Calypso” certainly didn’t help. Regardless, Star Trek: Discovery made the most of Zora while she was around. Maybe in another lifetime, she’ll get the happy ending she always deserved.
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