Did You Know?: There was a subtle Spock related Easter egg in Star Trek: First Contact

Star Trek: First Contact is the gift that keeps giving

Star Trek: First Contact is a fountain of little hidden treasures. From the fact that Tom Hanks was supposed to be in it, to all people you may have forgotten were in it. It’s among the very best Star Trek has to offer as a film and a great way to highlight the Federations’ biggest threat; the Borg.

It also told a perfect story about humanity’s first warp flight and the introduction of the Vulcans to humanity. The scene where Zefram Cochrane meets the first Vulcan to step onto Earth and their quiet yet hopeful exchange.

“Live long and prosper.”

“Thanks.”

It’s so profoundly perfect. That exchange though was so much deeper than many fans may realize, mostly because of who Cochrane shook the hand of. You see, it was no random Vulcan.

Zefram Cochrane met a Spock in Star Trek: First Contact

I know, I know, I KNOW, Spock isn’t a family name, but let a guy have a little fun. As the page break may have spoiled it, the Vulcan that Cochrane shook the hand of is actually Solkar, the great grandfather of Spock and grandfather to Spock’s father, Sarek. You may know that by now, after all, Star Trek thrives on Spock and his family. What you may not know is the controversy around this decision.

As it was first established in a Marvel Comic Who’s Who in Star Trek 2, Solkar was actually Sarek’s grandmother, meaning that the character that came off the ship should’ve been a woman, not a man. As the role was played by Cully Fredricksen, a man, they obviously changed that part of the canon.

It was later changed that Solkar was Sarek’s grandfather in Star Trek Customizable Card Game and in the Stellar Cartography: The Starfleet Reference Library. They also named the ship T’Plana-Hath, the Vulcan matron of Vulcan philosophy.

It’s unsure why they changed it but they did.