Theory on Tilly's character arc this season

[Quinton]

As of this writing, we're three episodes into Discovery's fourth season. Since Paramount's being oddly coy here, I don't know if that means we have ten more to go, or nine more, or even seven more, or what, but regardless it's still early.

Tilly's clearly on some kind of personal spiritual path here, and one of its strongest instigators has been her focus on what it felt like seeing that first new class of Starfleet Academy graduates in the premiere. As she's said, she looked at those kids and thought of herself just a few years ago, but so much has changed for her. She's really drawn into that whole thing as she searches for something that's the right "wheelhouse" for her moving forward.

What if she decides that what these new generations of graduates need is somebody who's not a whole lot older than them, who can be "hip" and approachable, and has a way with people, to help guide them on their path? What if Tilly comes to the conclusion that having a mom-like, or even big-sister-like, role model around could help? (Possible foreshadowing - Culber pointing out to Tilly that Adira looks up to her.)

All of this to say, what if the potential Starfleet Academy series is set in the 32nd century, and Mary Wiseman is one of its main cast? The writers might be dipping the character's toes in the water this year in preparation for such a possible shift.

I could be 100% off-base here. Do y'all have your own guesses on where Tilly's headed?

 

[XCV330]

one of Tilly's first statement's in Context Is For Kings.. was that she was going to be a captain one day. She knew a lot of people underestimated her. She then got confronted with her potential from knowing what her mirror universe self accomplished. She'd been in a comfort zone working for Stamets. Stamets, as gruff as he is, needs people to mentor and look out for, but families grow and frankly, she's been replaced in her role by the new kid in town. Her mentor has gradually become Saru, instead. I think she finishes the show as XO to whomever gets center seat on the Voyager or one of the other new ships on the way to her own eventual command.

I don't see the Academy show happening.

 

[Quinton]

one of Tilly's first statement's in Context Is For Kings.. was that she was going to be a captain one day. She knew a lot of people underestimated her. She then got confronted with her potential from knowing what her mirror universe self accomplished. She'd been in a comfort zone working for Stamets. Stamets, as gruff as he is, needs people to mentor and look out for, but families grow and frankly, she's been replaced in her role by the new kid in town. Her mentor has gradually become Saru, instead. I think she finishes the show as XO to whomever gets center seat on the Voyager or one of the other new ships on the way to her own eventual command.

I don't see the Academy show happening.

I'm of the opinion that she can pursue that captaincy in tandem with anything else the producers decide to toss at the character. Discovery plays by its own rules; years ago, the notion of Tilly being acting XO would have been dismissed outright on here! A sort of "starship specifically for Starfleet Academy excursions" would still require a captain.

And to be clear, I'm not saying I'm hedging all bets that this is how things go down. It's just a possibility, IMO.

 

[XCV330]

Tilly's first appointment as acting XO made no sense. She vaulted over a lot of people on the bridge who had a lot more seniority than her, not to mention elsewhere on ship. I chalked it up to the roller coaster mood swings that seem to be going on in the Discovery writing staff and IC to Saru making a poor decision that was thankfully fixed quickly.

 

[Judith Sisko]

As of this writing, we're three episodes into Discovery's fourth season. Since Paramount's being oddly coy here, I don't know if that means we have ten more to go, or nine more, or even seven more, or what, but regardless it's still early.

Tilly's clearly on some kind of personal spiritual path here, and one of its strongest instigators has been her focus on what it felt like seeing that first new class of Starfleet Academy graduates in the premiere. As she's said, she looked at those kids and thought of herself just a few years ago, but so much has changed for her. She's really drawn into that whole thing as she searches for something that's the right "wheelhouse" for her moving forward.

What if she decides that what these new generations of graduates need is somebody who's not a whole lot older than them, who can be "hip" and approachable, and has a way with people, to help guide them on their path? What if Tilly comes to the conclusion that having a mom-like, or even big-sister-like, role model around could help? (Possible foreshadowing - Culber pointing out to Tilly that Adira looks up to her.)

All of this to say, what if the potential Starfleet Academy series is set in the 32nd century, and Mary Wiseman is one of its main cast? The writers might be dipping the character's toes in the water this year in preparation for such a possible shift.

I could be 100% off-base here. Do y'all have your own guesses on where Tilly's headed?

This thought crossed my mind as well.

 

[Precious Tritium]

Interestingly enough, the sneak peek for next week's episode features Tilly going to Starfleet Academy to run some sort of exercise or something.

 

[Quinton]

Interestingly enough, the sneak peek for next week's episode features Tilly going to Starfleet Academy to run some sort of exercise or something.

Oh snap, I had no idea!

 

[Fateor]

one of Tilly's first statement's in Context Is For Kings.. was that she was going to be a captain one day. She knew a lot of people underestimated her. She then got confronted with her potential from knowing what her mirror universe self accomplished. She'd been in a comfort zone working for Stamets. Stamets, as gruff as he is, needs people to mentor and look out for, but families grow and frankly, she's been replaced in her role by the new kid in town. Her mentor has gradually become Saru, instead. I think she finishes the show as XO to whomever gets center seat on the Voyager or one of the other new ships on the way to her own eventual command.

I don't see the Academy show happening.

Gonna be blunt here.

Tilly doesn't actually have what it takes to command a starship, nor does she have what it takes to be a Second Officer.

I would even go so far as to say, barring Discovery's unique circumstances, Tilly would have been one of the "There are always a few who don't make it past their first year on a starship." people talked about in Voyager's "Good Shepherd" episode.

So I would say the most realistic she could probably hope for is a position as head Science Officer.

 

[fireproof78]

Good enough.

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

Interestingly enough, the sneak peek for next week's episode features Tilly going to Starfleet Academy to run some sort of exercise or something.

Tilly is starting to remind me of Todd from Bojack with all these little side quests

 

[Yistaan]

Gonna be blunt here.

Tilly doesn't actually have what it takes to command a starship, nor does she have what it takes to be a Second Officer.

I would even go so far as to say, barring Discovery's unique circumstances, Tilly would have been one of the "There are always a few who don't make it past their first year on a starship." people talked about in Voyager's "Good Shepherd" episode.

So I would say the most realistic she could probably hope for is a position as head Science Officer.

This is actually the problem with Star Trek for the majority of its 50 year run being so military/Starfleet focused. There's only literally been some new direction now with Prodigy and to some degree Picard, like literally in the last few years.

The Federation is supposed to be a place for everyone. But that doesn't mean that Starfleet is for everyone. And I say this as someone who probably wouldn't make it in Starfleet myself if it existed, and I bet a lot of posters here would probably freely admit that it wouldn't fit them either (except for maybe the veterans on here who know from experience they fit in a military atmosphere).

However, due to 50+ years of Trek conflating the Federation with Starfleet, it's become "Since the Federation has a place for everyone, Starfleet has a place for everyone" when this shouldn't be the case. By focusing solely on Starfleet, Discovery has no choice but to keep Tilly along despite how poor a fit she is because the show doesn't highlight Federation civilian roles that Tilly would do better in, other than the occasional President who here basically is just acting the role of an overbearing admiral.

 

[fireproof78]

The Federation is supposed to be a place for everyone. But that doesn't mean that Starfleet is for everyone.

What's interesting is that even Voyager paints a picture that Starfleet is venerated within the Federation and that in order to get more prestigious assignments that a brief tour in Starfleet is look more favorably upon. So, this isn't just a Star Trek thing, but actually has become a part of the world, to some degree.

 

[Fateor]

This is actually the problem with Star Trek for the majority of its 50 year run being so military/Starfleet focused. There's only literally been some new direction now with Prodigy and to some degree Picard, like literally in the last few years.

The Federation is supposed to be a place for everyone. But that doesn't mean that Starfleet is for everyone. And I say this as someone who probably wouldn't make it in Starfleet myself if it existed, and I bet a lot of posters here would probably freely admit that it wouldn't fit them either (except for maybe the veterans on here who know from experience they fit in a military atmosphere).

However, due to 50+ years of Trek conflating the Federation with Starfleet, it's become "Since the Federation has a place for everyone, Starfleet has a place for everyone" when this shouldn't be the case. By focusing solely on Starfleet, Discovery has no choice but to keep Tilly along despite how poor a fit she is because the show doesn't highlight Federation civilian roles that Tilly would do better in, other than the occasional President who here basically is just acting the role of an overbearing admiral.

And that's just the mental/emotional aspect of being in Starfleet, we haven't touched on the physical standards yet.

Because contrary to what a lot of people might think. Starfleet does have physical standards. Remember when McCoy put Kirk on a diet after his regular physical showed he gained weight?

 

[Yistaan]

And that's just the mental/emotional aspect of being in Starfleet, we haven't touched on the physical standards yet.

Because contrary to what a lot of people might think. Starfleet does have physical standards. Remember when McCoy put Kirk on a diet after his regular physical showed he gained weight?

Kirk: You're being way too harsh Doc, I can guarantee you I can be a little pudgy at age 90, yet still be in good shape for my age and go into space just fine.

Oh and as far as the mental aspect of Starfleet--you do know this is the same Starfleet that employed just about every insane admiral in Star Trek right? Like that entire army? Tilly's a wonder of mental health compared to them.

 

[Commander Troi]

I like the thoughts here. I think Tilly would probably do much better on a path other than "future Captain".

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

No S4E4 thread yet, but there is a clip out there with Tilly and Kovich (not sure what he's "consulting" on tho)

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[Yistaan]

No S4E4 thread yet, but there is a clip out there with Tilly and Kovich (not sure what he's "consulting" on tho)

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Kovich is probably an El-Aurian. Like Guinan he seems to be overly mysterious but after a while you realize there isn't anything more to them than smoke and mirrors. He's probably Starfleet Command's bartender.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Kovich is probably an El-Aurian. Like Guinan he seems to be overly mysterious but after a while you realize there isn't anything more to them than smoke and mirrors. He's probably Starfleet Command's bartender.

I could buy that.

 

[Ronald Held]

There is a path for Tilly. Just not Command.

 

[cooleddie74]

Are some fans still saying Tilly is fat and unhealthy?

Well, of course they are. Sigh.