Is Michael Burnham a Horcrux?

[mlbach]

So, early on in Discovery Sarek does a mind meld with her to save her life. Then it turns out that a bit of his kartra (sp?)--his soul-- was left inside her, enabling them to communicate over long distances and helps her save his life.
So does this make Michael Sarek's Horcrux?

 

[BillJ]

I have no idea what that even is?

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

If the Star Trek universe ever uses the word "horcrux" (from the Harry Potter universe) to mean a vessel holding a "soul", at least in part, then sure -- why not. Having said that, they never used the word horcrux to describe McCoy when he held Spock's katra...

...so I'm guessing the answer is no -- that is not a term that Star Trek uses for a person who carries another's katra.

If they want to use that word, then fine. Or make up some other term; that would be OK as well. However, until they do, then Burnham would be horcrux-like (referencing the Harry Potter term), but not called a horcrux.

 

[mlbach]

Well, of course, the muggles in the Federation would never use (or even know), the term "Horcrux"...

 

[DaveyNY]

I would imagine that the word "Vessel" would be the most logical Vulcan term used.
(as in a person regarded as a holder or receiver of something)

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

Well, of course, the muggles in the Federation would never use (or even know), the term "Horcrux"...

Maybe those Federation Muggles are afraid of copyright infringement.

 

[Spot261]

Well, of course, the muggles in the Federation would never use (or even know), the term "Horcrux"...

Of course they would, they'd just check their historical databases and there'd be the HP series

 

[Groppler Zorn]

Since the Q continuum can summon things from thin air, can levitate, and kill people with a thought, it makes sense that they are clearly wizards.

Thus, Harry Potter and Star Trek exist in the same universe.

Think about this for a second: have any Trek characters ever referenced the Harry Potter series on screen? Nope. So Potter and Trek are on the same dimensional plane of existence.

As a result, Michael is the horcrux that Sarek never intended to make.

And a hundred years later so was Picard.

This means (somehow) that Michael Burnham is immortal as part of her soul will always be in Sarek - even after Sarek died.

Looking forward to SMG’s cameo in Star Trek Picard - with no old makeup or anything. She’ll look just like she does in discovery.

She’s the Face of Boe (essentially).

#fandomsmash

 

[ALF]

It was always refreshing to me that Trek shies away from the "live forever" storyline trope as explored in Star Wars and Harry Potter. Except for Star Trek Insurrection, I guess. A Fountain of Youth isn't a horcrux per se but it's similar.

 

[LJones41]

So, early on in Discovery Sarek does a mind meld with her to save her life. Then it turns out that a bit of his kartra (sp?)--his soul-- was left inside her, enabling them to communicate over long distances and helps her save his life.
So does this make Michael Sarek's Horcrux?

Oh brother.

 

[XCV330]

I don't believe that katra has ever been the same as a neoplatonic idea of soul, though it can be seen as something equivalent. The Katra seems more like a "last good backup" of a Vulcan's memories and personality. It can work imperfectly in another sentient body, it can be transferred to certain storage media.

While Katra do appear to be stored from at least some exceptional members of Vulcan society, they don't seem to make a point of storing everyone's Katra or if they do, the process is more recent to the TOS era and beyond, as it was certainly not that common during the Vulcan High Command era.

So, no, I don't think she's a horcrux.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

Of course they would, they'd just check their historical databases and there'd be the HP series

Oh, so a retcon, huh?
I mean, TOS Kirk and crew didn't (nor could) mention the HP book series.

 

[Spot261]

Oh, so a retcon, huh?
I mean, TOS Kirk and crew didn't (nor could) mention the HP book series.

They didn't mention people watching DSC in the 21st century either.

Can't be canon.

 

[mlbach]

OMG! WE'RE the MU!

 

[SolarisOne]

Excuse me while I laugh uproariously.

Discovery is magical enough on its own without Harry Potter references.

 

[jaime]

I think you are correct.

 

[mlbach]

Ah, but as Arthur C. Clarke so famously stated, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

 

[KennyB]

Never “cross streams” or fandoms.

 

[The Wormhole]

Unfortunately, this is not the first time I've heard this theory.

 

[BillJ]

Discovery is magical enough on its own without Harry Potter references.

I don't mind "magic", if you're doing something interesting with it. I loved the idea of the Spore Drive, thought the execution was absolutely dull and unimaginative.