A Deep Dive with STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Writer Eric J. Robbins

Elena Juatco as Hy’Rell in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Images: Paramount+.

In the cosmos of Star Trek: Discovery, the interplay between fantasy and reality is crafted with meticulous care, especially so in the recent episode "Labyrinths" from season 5. Co-writer Eric J. Robbins, in a revealing interview with Trek Movie, shared insights into the intricate process of melding the main character Burnham’s emotional narrative with the high-octane sci-fi action that fans adore.

Robbins, a lifelong Trekkie himself, discussed the dynamic synergy with his co-writer, Lauren Wilkinson. 

"Lauren is fiercely intelligent and has such an intense emotional insight into the characters," Robbins said, emphasizing the unique perspectives each brought to the table. The episode not only continues the saga but explores deeply personal themes, reflecting real-world issues. "We never really had many opportunities to dramatize the pressures that women of color face in positions of power in the real world."

Their collaboration was a balanced act of creative exchanges where Robbins focused on the more fantastical elements like aliens and space battles, while Wilkinson explored the internal struggles of Burnham. This method of swapping scenes ensured a rich, cohesive narrative. Robbins also shared insights into how past episodes influenced their current work.

"Burnham’s journey from season 1 was very much on our minds," he said, pointing to the complex layers of the protagonist's character evolution over the seasons.

Robbins also discussed the creative decisions surrounding the episode's mysterious Avatar, ultimately portrayed by David Ajala as Book, citing the character's chemistry with Burnham as a pivotal reason for the choice.

The episode "Labyrinths" also nods to Trek classics and even manages to weave in elements from newer Trek series, showing the interconnectedness of the Trek universe. Looking back, Robbins noted classic episodes “Inner Light,” “Tapestry” and “Balance of Terror” as influences on the writing of “Labyrinths.” He also noted the inclusion of an Efrosian character as a call back to Trek characters of the past.

“I would love to do a Catian, but in live-action it could be expensive,” he said. “So I went back to Efrosian and I thought we have only ever seen two of them, which is insane because one of them is the President.”

A more contemporary reference came when Jett Reno, played by Tig Notaro, made a reference to partying with the Hysperians who had just appeared in an episode of Lower Decks at the time “Labyrinths” was being written. 

"We share a lot of material internally," Robbins revealed, illustrating how the writers keep the narrative threads consistent across different series and timelines.

As the episode comes to a close, “Labyrinths” also gives viewers a little more insight into the Breen and the way they, or at least some of them, behave.

“Going back to my love of Deep Space Nine, it breaks down the idea of species as monoliths, like they did with the Ferengi showing they weren’t simply greedy space capitalists,” Robbins said. “So for this episode, to get to dig into the Breen was interesting and exciting because we’ve only really seen the Breen as like a very authoritarian wall. There’s a lot of abstraction and a lot of mystery with them.”