“He has to decide between his career and being a good father.”
One the most intriguing aspects from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4’s second episode, “The Griffin Incident,” is that James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) is haunted by what sounds like his young son’s voice as it calls out for him. However, while fans never get to see Kirk’s boy, David Marcus, in the must-see SNW horror installment, the character will show up soon.
And Wesley discussed the arrival of David on Strange New Worlds, and the effect the child’s presence will have on his father, who is destined to become one of Starfleet’s most iconic captains. Wesley said in an interview (per ScreenRant): “I think it’s a huge choice that he has to make. He has to decide between his career and being a good father. And unfortunately, sometimes you choose careers where you cannot be present.”
Wesley, who has played three separate versions of James T. Kirk since first appearing in Strange New Worlds season 1’s finale, “A Quality of Mercy,” continued during the same sit-down by saying: “And I think that is deeply painful for him. But he has this mission. I think he has a higher calling that he feels he needs to be there for his crew, and for the ship, and for the mission. And so, we get to see some more of that actually in season four and season five, and it's a critical part of Kirk's development.”
For those who may be new to the Star Trek fandom’s family, David was first introduced in the blockbuster feature film The Wrath of Khan (1982). Portrayed by the late Merritt Butrick, David returned in The Search for Spock (1984), but now Strange New Worlds is utilizing a younger version of the character to flesh out more of the emotional backstory that led to Kirk becoming the man he is today.
I love that Strange New Worlds showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers have added David Marcus to the mix. However, I have a feeling that SNW fans will likely see his mother, Carol, who was also mentioned in “The Griffin Incident.” Near the conclusion of the episode, Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) makes it possible for Kirk to reach out and communicate with Carol and David — but the message goes unanswered for the moment.
Are you anxious to see what effect David’s presence has on a young James T. Kirk? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And new episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 drop every Thursday on Paramount+.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
Add us as a preferred source on Google