Star Trek: Discovery‘s David Ajala explains that Cleveland Booker could “potentially” join Starfleet but under certain conditions. In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Book is back working for Starfleet alongside his former love interest, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). Booker’s expertise as a former courier is crucial to the USS Discovery beating the villainous Moll (Eve Harlow) and L’ak (Elias Toufexis), who are couriers themselves, to the ancient treasure of the Progenitors.
In an exclusive upcoming interview with Screen Rant, David Ajala was asked whether he thinks Cleveland Booker would have eventually joined Starfleet if Star Trek: Discovery continued past season 5. Ajala noted the possibility but expressed that what is truly important to Book is his personal autonomy. Read his quote below:
Star Trek: Discovery‘s Cleveland Booker may not have a career in Starfleet in his future, but he is in love with a career Starfleet Officer, Captain Michael Burnham. Although Michael was tempted to resign from Starfleet after spending a year with Book as a courier in Star Trek: Discovery season 3, Burnham’s commitment to her duty as a Starfleet Officer is fundamental. Michael chose to return to the USS Discovery, and she was promoted to Captain of the Discovery at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 3. Book remained by Burnham’s side, despite not really having a role in Starfleet himself.
In Star Trek: Discovery season 4, Cleveland Booker rebelled against Starfleet and turned against the United Federation of Planets. After the Dark Matter Anomaly destroyed his home planet of Kwejian, a distraught Book allied with mad scientist Dr. Ruon Tarka (Shawn Doyle) to destroy the DMA and its creators, Species 10-C. Book’s actions cost him his relationship with Michael Burnham. However, Booker did the right thing at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 4 and helped Starfleet make First Contact with Species 10-C. Book accepted his punishment from the Federation and did his penance.
Star Trek: Discovery season 5 brings Cleveland Booker back to the USS Discovery, where Book’s expertise and resourcefulness have admirers not just in Captain Burnham, but also in Admiral Charles Vance (Oded Fehr). Whatever happens next with Book and Burnham’s relationship in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Cleveland Booker looks to maintain his autonomy from Starfleet while contributing his skills as a valued freelancer. However, it will be fascinating to see what Star Trek: Discovery‘s series finale coda will reveal about Cleveland Booker.
Source: Screen Rant Plus
New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 stream Thursdays on Paramount+