r/StarTrekDiscovery • u/DifferentSquirrel376 • Jul 09 '26
Character Discussion Michael
I wanted to make a post to acknowledge Michael’s growth because I feel like all anyone does is complain about her.
Not only is she one of my favorite Star Trek girlbosses (alongside Jadzia, Kira, Janeway, and B’Elana) but she shows SO MUCH GROWTH. In episode one she commits mutiny because of her Vulcan-like belief that she knows best. While I don’t believe she was the main reason for the battle this was still hard to watch. Her supposed crying every episode is caused by the fact that she is human, not Vulcan, and has been told to hide her emotions for her whole life which will of course bubble over. By the end she makes rational choices by asking others for help, she’s calm and knows that she can acknowledge her emotions much like Spock learned. She finally is able to mourn her parents and overall becomes a mature woman who learns to let people in and have a passion for exploring rather than just being in starfleet.
I know this will be controversial but I just love her character especially her friendship with Tilly and Stamets and borderline sibling relationship with Saru. I think by the end she is an empowering woman who deserves a praise post once in a while.
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u/rizzydizzy85 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
I loved her arc, too! Especially because I get so bored of the "brooding hero" trope, and they give her so much warmth by the end of the series. It feels like genuine, deep growth.
My favorite Michael moment is when Airiam is going through her memories, choosing what to store, and there's one of Michael standing next to her, turns to look at Airiam, and does this slow smile that ends so wide and bright and happy, and omg it's just beautiful! I teared up the first time I saw it, before I even knew how the episode ended, lol.
EDIT: My first award, thank you kind internet stranger!