Star Trek: The First Officer Spock Almost Picked

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In my opinion, if Lieutenant Valeris hadn’t betrayed her crew in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” she likely would have been promoted to First Officer on the USS Enterprise-B, given her relationship with Captain Spock. This film, directed by Nicholas Meyer and co-written by Leonard Nimoy, served as a relevant allegory for the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. In “Star Trek VI,” it was revealed that a group of conspirators, including Lt. Valeris, were working against peace talks between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets.

1994’s “Star Trek Generations”, a sequel to “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country”, began with a prologue featuring the USS Enterprise-B. This ship, an Excelsior Class successor to Captain James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) USS Enterprise-A, was under the command of Captain John Harriman (Alan Ruck). It seemed that Harriman’s Enterprise didn’t have a First Officer at the time. Maybe the new Number One wouldn’t join until Tuesday. However, had the circumstances been different, Lieutenant Valeris might well have served as the USS Enterprise-B’s First Officer.

Lieutenant Valeris Would Have Been First Officer Of USS Enterprise-B If The Vulcan Didn’t Turn Traitor

Spock Laid Out Valeris’ Starfleet Career Path

At the onset of “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” I found myself in Lieutenant Valeris’ shoes, stepping into Captain Spock’s quarters. With a hint of pride, he acknowledged my elevation to helmsman of the USS Enterprise-A. However, this esteemed Vulcan had loftier aspirations for his protegee. He confided that this was his last journey on the Enterprise and planned for me to step into his shoes. Even as a Captain, Spock often served as First Officer under the legendary Captain Kirk. I humbly responded, “I can only aspire to follow in your footsteps, sir.

In the stage of “Star Trek VI”, Lt. Valeris had already joined General Chang’s (Christopher Plummer) plot to kill Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner). However, if she hadn’t allowed her apprehension about peace between the Klingons and the Federation to cloud her judgment, Valeris would have undoubtedly taken Spock’s position. Since the USS Enterprise-A was retired at the end of “Star Trek VI”, it seems plausible that the USS Enterprise-B, given its subsequent assignment, could have been Valeris’ new post, with her serving as First Officer much like Spock did on previous Starship Enterprises.

Valeris Wanted Spock To Join Star Trek VI’s Conspiracy

Spock Would Never Have Turned On The Federation

As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I found the exchange between Spock and Lt. Valeris in his quarters during Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country particularly captivating. On the surface, it seemed like Spock was reassuring his protege that she should trust the lasting peace between the Federation and the Klingons. However, beneath this veneer, Valeris was subtly probing to ascertain if her mentor might side with her co-conspirators. Instantly, Valeris understood that such an alliance was out of the question for Spock. Indeed, it was clear as day that Spock would never compromise the Federation’s integrity, even if it meant going against his own beliefs. Of course, Valeris herself knew she would be betraying Spock in the process.

Spock’s private moment with Lt. Valeris started when she inquired about his artwork featuring angels, which Spock described as a representation of the “fall from Eden.” Upon seeing this, Valeris foretold potential turmoil for the Federation if an alliance with the Klingons was formed. Ironically, it was Lt. Valeris who was exiled from her own “Eden,” as she was apprehended for treason and saw the end of a promising Starfleet career. If Valeris had made different decisions in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, she could have shared Spock’s “Eden” as First Officer on the next Starship Enterprise.

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2025-05-02 20:29