I believe that if Lieutenant Valeris (Kim Cattrall) didn’t turn traitor inStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the Vulcan protégé of Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy) would have become First Officer of the USS Enterprise-B. Directed by Nicholas Meyer from a story conceived by Nimoy, 1991’sStar Trek VIwas a timely parable for the fall of the Soviet Union. InStar Trek VI, the Klingon Empire initiated peace talks with the United Federation of Planets, which was opposed by a cabal of conspirators that included Lt. Valeris.
1994’sStar Trek Generations, which followed upStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, opened with a prologue that introduced the USS Enterprise-B. The Excelsior Class successor toCaptain James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) USS Enterprise-A, the Enterprise-B was commanded by Captain John Harriman (Alan Ruck). However, Harriman’s Enterprise apparently had no First Officer aboard. Perhaps the new Number One wouldn’t arrive until Tuesday. Yetif circumstances had been different, it’s a safe bet Lieutenant Valeris would have become 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
Early inStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,Lieutenant Valeris met with Captain Spock in his quarters. Spock expressed his satisfaction at Valeris' rise to becomehelmsman of the USS Enterprise-A. But the legendary Vulcan had grander plans for his protégé. Spock told Valeris that this was his final voyage aboard the Enterprise, andhe intended Valeris to replace him. Even as a Captain, Spock routinely functioned as Captain Kirk’s First Officer. Valeris respectfully replied,“I could only succeed you, sir.”
At this point inStar Trek VI, Lt. Valeris was already part of General Chang’s (Christopher Plummer) conspiracy to assassinate Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner). But if she hadn’t let her fears of peace between the Klingons and the Federation overwhelm her logic,Valeris would have indeed replaced Spock.The USS Enterprise-A was decommissioned at the end ofStar Trek VI,but logic suggests the USS Enterprise-B would be Valeris' new assignment, becoming First Officer the way Spock was on theprevious Starships Enterprise.
Valeris Wanted Spock To Join Star Trek VI’s Conspiracy
Spock Would Never Have Turned On The Federation
The scene between Spock and Lt. Valeris in Spock’s quarters is fascinating inStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.Ostensibly, it’s about Spock assuring his protégé that she must have faith that peace between the Federation and the Klingons will last. However, Valeris was also trying to gauge her mentor about the possibility that Spock would join her conspirators. Valeris immediately realized that this was not possible, andSpock would never betray the Federation. Of course, Valeris knew she would be betraying Spock as well.
Valeris saw a dire future for the Federation in the painting if peace with the Klingons came to fruition.
Spock’s intimate scene with Lt. Valeris began with her asking about his painting of angels, which Spock explained was a depiction of the"expulsion from Paradise.“Valeris saw a dire future for the Federation in the painting if peace with the Klingons came to fruition. However, the one who was banished from"Paradise"was Lt. Valeris, who was arrested for treason, which ended her once-promising Starfleet career. If Valeris chose differently inStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, she might have known Spock’s “Paradise” asFirst Officer of the next Starship Enterprise.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Cast
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) is directed by Nicholas Meyer and follows the crew of the USS Enterprise as they negotiate peace with the Klingon Empire after an interstellar disaster. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and the original cast reprise their roles, facing political intrigue and uncovering conspiracies that threaten the prospects of peace. This installment is known for its thematic exploration of the end of the Cold War era.
Star Trek: Generations
Star Trek: Generations bridges the original Star Trek series with The Next Generation crew. Directed by David Carson, the film features Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) joining forces to stop a villain named Soran (Malcolm McDowell) from destroying a star system. The narrative explores themes of legacy and transition while introducing fans to a climactic crossover of iconic characters.
