Star Trek: Prodigy used an obscure reference to create Murf

Murf was created for Star Trek: Prodigy using an obscure reference

Murf is the cutest little…well, we don’t know yet, on Star Trek: Prodigy. Is it a slug? Couldn’t be. Much too cute for that. Sentient silly putty or a unique alien race that has yet to be identified in Star Trek lore? Have we even heard or seen anything like Murf before? Well, yes and no.

The cheerful alien hasn’t been identified, but in an interview with Trekcore, Star Trek: Prodigy writer/producer Aaron J. Waltke, it was confirmed that Murf was Star Trek canon. But Waltke didn’t reveal much more than that. On his Twitter feed he caused a stir by telling his followers no one had guessed what Murf was yet, adding that he was delighted.

In the interview, though, he did admit that one person had guessed accuratedly. He just wouldn’t say who. Waltke did say we would learn what Murf was, but he didn’t specify when. So, essentially, we could be waiting until season two for more details.

Producers weren’t sure about Murf at first before Star Trek: Prodigy debuted

Murf wasn’t a sure thing when Prodigy released as the producers weren’t sure if the alien wasn’t going to be a one-off character or part of the crew.

"Then as we actually started to actually explore Murf’s role on the ship, we thought that it would be fun if the other characters weren’t sure if he was a real crewmate, or just a pet; if he’s the most intelligent being in the world… or literally just a slug? It made us all laugh so much."

The best part of Murf, though, is that the crew of the Protostar don’t care that the little creature hasn’t been properly identified. To them, Murf is already part of the crew. It’s little points like this that makes Star Trek: Prodigy really stand out as a children’s series. It simply doesn’t matter who or what Murf is, the little one has been accepted. And that’s the way it should be!