It's logical to surmise that Sybok is in a Vulcan prison in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds because Lieutenant Spock's (Ethan Peck) brother is already on his quest to find God. Sybok (Lawrence Luckinbill) was introduced in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier as Spock's heretofore unheard-of half-brother. Sybok is the firstborn son of Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard, James Frain) and a Vulcan princess. Unlike Spock, however, Sybok is a Vulcan heretic and criminal who dedicated his life to finding God in the fabled world of Sha Ka Ree.
Sybok's lone appearance was in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier - until Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 7, "The Serene Squall" brought back Spock's brother in a surprise bombshell. In Strange New Worlds' timeframe of 2259-2260, Sybok is imprisoned at the Ankeshtan K'Til Vulcan Criminal Rehabilitation Center. Ironically, this facility is overseen by T'Pring (Gia Sandhu), Lt. Spock's estranged fiancée. However, Sybok is being held under his assumed name, Xaverius, and it's unclear if T'Pring is even aware one of her prisoners is Spock's brother. As for why Sybok is incarcerated, the clues may well be in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
Sybok Already Wants To Find God In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Is this why Sybok was imprisoned?
A clue to Sybok's imprisonment may be found in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. After Sybok hijacks the USS Enterprise, he announces his plan to breach the Great Barrier at the center of the galaxy to find Sha Ka Ree, where God resides. Despite Spock's displeasure at Sybok's actions, he tells Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) that Sybok is so brilliant, he was meant to take his place among the great intellects of Vulcan. When he hears Sybok's plan, Spock considers whether his brother may have just achieved his lifelong goal:
Is it possible that he’s found Sha Ka Ree? The reason Sybok left Vulcan.
What's revealed about Sybok in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 7, "The Serene Squall" may back up Spock's deduction in Star Trek V. Strange New Worlds establishes that Sybok already left Vulcan and married a space pirate named Captain Angel (Jesse James Keitel). Somehow, Sybok was apprehended, but under his pseudonym, Xaverius. But if Sybok had already departed Vulcan, it could mean he had received the visions from "God" that became his quest to find Sha Ka Ree.
Sybok’s Next Strange New Worlds Appearance Can Set Up Star Trek V
It's time to explain Sybok's quest for Sha Ka Ree
Disappointingly, Sybok and Captain Angel did not appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, but they could return in seasons 3 or 4. A formal comeback by Sybok in Strange New Worlds would logically plant the seeds for Star Trek V's events 25 years later. Strange New Worlds could flesh out what Star Trek V hinted at in dialogue about how Sybok embraced the "passions" of his Vulcan ancestors and took up the "pagan" belief that God resides on a mythical planet at the center of the galaxy. It would also be fascinating to learn whether or not Sybok's wife, Captain Angel, is a believer.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds can finally heal our pain of not knowing the details of Sybok's life.
So many questions about Sybok remain unanswered 35 years after Star Trek V: The Final Frontier hit movie theaters. Questions like when Sybok left Sarek's home after he and Spock "were raised as brothers," whether Sybok also knew Spock's foster sister, Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), and when and how Spock received his visions and calling from "God" (George Murdock) can all be addressed, at last. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds can finally heal our pain of not knowing the details of Sybok's life.
