Star Trek: Discovery Calls Back To DS9's Bashir & O'Brien

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9, "Lagrange Point", includes a subtle callback to Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) and Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Although the plot of Discovery season 5 is a sequel to the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "The Chase", there have been multiple references to DS9. Discovery visited the Badlands from DS9 in season 5, episode 8, "Labyrinths", and have been pitted against the Breen, first seen in DS9 season 4, episode 5, "Indiscretion".

However, there are two more subtle nods to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9. The first is Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and her away team disguising themselves as Breen, similar to how Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) and Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo) infiltrated a Breen prison camp in "Indiscretion". Elsewhere in "Lagrange Point", Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) and Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) have a discussion that brings back memories of a crucial moment for O'Brien and Bashir in DS9.

Tilly And Rayner In Discovery Are A Callback To DS9's Bashir And O'Brien

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9, "Lagrange Point", Commander Rayner has Lt. Tilly serve as his Number One on the bridge of the USS Discovery. The gruff and stoic Rayner and the slightly chaotic Tilly may not seem like an obvious partnership, but they really work together in "Lagrange Point". Toward the end of the episode, Rayner explains to Tilly why he made her his Number One:

"It’s because you’re smart as hell, you’re a good leader, and if we were stuck in a foxhole together, I wouldn’t kill you. That is, unless you gave me more of that warm and fuzzy encouragement that I don’t need."

Rayner is a Kellerun, so his reference to a foxhole is a reminder of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, episode 13, "Armageddon Game". That episode saw O'Brien and Bashir pinned down in a Kellerun foxhole, fighting for their lives. O'Brien was the Rayner to Bashir's Tilly, a gruff man who initially put up a front to deal with his fellow officer's ingratiating advances. It's only after facing death in a Kellerun foxhole and opposite a Breen Dreadnought that O'Brien and Rayner let Bashir and Tilly into their lives as close friends.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Needs More Of Tilly And Rayner

Commander Rayner and Lt. Tilly is a great partnership in Star Trek: Discovery, as they perfectly compliment each other's unique personalities. It's disappointing, therefore, that this exciting new Starfleet partnership only has one episode left before Star Trek: Discovery ends for good. Aside from a Tilly and Rayner Star Trek show, the best place for the two characters to team up will be in the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. It's long been suspected that Mary Wiseman would transfer from Discovery to Starfleet Academy, much like TNG's Colm Meaney did on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Given Rayner's no-nonsense approach to command, it would be hilarious to see him drafted in to teach the next generation of Starfleet Academy cadets. Given that their experiences in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 have bonded Rayner and Tilly, it would make sense for her to bring him in as a mentor or visiting professor. There's a lot of comic potential in Rayner and Tilly clashing over their respective teaching methods that could make Star Trek: Starfleet Academy a fun continuation of their burgeoning friendship.