As a dedicated Trekkie who has followed Doug Jones’ career since his days as the Abe Sapien, I must say that Saru’s journey in Star Trek: Discovery was an unforgettable chapter in my sci-fi fandom. The disappointment of not seeing him for a significant part of the final season was akin to missing out on a family reunion, but Doug Jones’ recent revelations have eased my worries.
I think Doug Jones’ role as Saru in Star Trek: Discovery is one of the best things he’s done in his career, so imagine my disappointment when I saw him absent for a chunk of what would be the show’s final season. The Kelpien was promoted off the ship to ambassador, while the demoted Captain Rayner took his place as Michael Burnham’s First Officer. Given that, and the way the season ended with Saru’s wedding, I’d wondered if Jones would’ve been written off the series had it returned for Season 6, but the actor shared the real story with me recently.
I recently had the privilege of chatting with Doug Jones about the impending digital release of Star Trek: Discovery‘s final season on August 26th, and its physical DVD and Blu-ray release a day later on August 27th. During our conversation, I suggested that Saru’s storyline seemed like a farewell to the character if it were to return for Season 6, but Doug clarified that this was a creative choice he requested from the writers and showrunner Michelle Paradise.
In truth, Rayner’s arrival wasn’t solely my decision; it was a collaborative discussion with the writers’ room and myself, along with Michelle Paradise. Our show was understanding as I presented my case for Saru, who held Captain status but was acting as a first officer. I questioned how long this could continue professionally for him. Therefore, his promotion to ambassador seemed logical from a story perspective, which gave me an opportunity to embark on a mission across the galaxy while Discovery continued its operations.
In the role of Saru as Michael’s most trusted advisor was undeniably beneficial, but as Doug Jones pointed out, he held the rank of Captain. Given his position, it was logical to transition him from a sidekick role into a new position that would pave the way for his appearance in future Star Trek series airing on Paramount+. Thus, those who thought Saru might depart if Season 6 had materialized were mistaken!
To begin with, Jones had shared with the public that the promotion for Hocus Pocus 2 was what kept him from appearing in Star Trek: Discovery Season 5. However, it appears there was more to the story. The 64-year-old actor later disclosed that following the exhausting filming of Season 4, he felt the need for a respite and desired to spend some quality time with his spouse.
In the midst of Season 5, I found myself yearning for a bit of respite, given the tumultuous journey we had all been on during Season 4. Filming for Season 4 stretched over eleven grueling months due to COVID-related delays, and being away from Mrs. Laurie [Jones] during that time was particularly challenging. As I entered my sixties, I hadn’t anticipated our golden years unfolding in this manner, with long separations from each other every 11 months or so. Consequently, I sought a means to ease the burden for myself in Season 5.
It’s simple to overlook the fact that the characters we watch are actually actors leading their own lives. It’s understandable that Doug Jones would prefer a smaller role in Season 5 to devote more time to his wife, a heartfelt decision indeed. Yet, there may have been viewers at home who wished for more of Saru and T’Rina on screen.
As a die-hard Star Trek: Discovery fan, I can confidently say that if Doug Jones hadn’t learned about the show’s cancellation during a cruise for Trekkies, he would have been eager and prepared to continue his role in upcoming seasons. He even had a few more seasons left on his contract, so he was all set to keep exploring the final frontier!
For seasons 6 and 7, I had been contracted to return, meaning I would have stayed on for the entirety of those seasons. Given the rest I’d earned in season 5, the timing turned out perfectly as Hocus Pocus 2 premiered during Halloween, a time when I was free. This allowed me to handle promotional activities, premieres, and press junkets without any issues, making it a convenient and ideal situation for me.
Of course, being under contract for more seasons doesn’t mean that they’ll be granted, though it was interesting to hear that there was at least some hope Star Trek: Discovery would get that far. As Alex Kurtzman noted in a previous interview with TopMob, five seasons in the modern age of streaming is a huge achievement all the same, but I would’ve loved to see it for a couple more years. At least we still have some of the characters joining the upcoming Starfleet Academy, and hopefully, Saru and others will pop up there in the future.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that even though Star Trek: Discovery has concluded its run, you can still catch up on it by streaming it on Paramount+. The other day, I chanced upon an episode on Pluto TV, and it sparked the desire in me to revisit this captivating series. Who knows, I might find myself falling for Saru all over again!
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2024-08-16 23:07