The Science Behind STAR TREK: PRODIGY - A Journey Through Space, Time, and Wormholes

When it comes to blending real science with the fantastical world of Star Trek, Dr. Erin Macdonald is the go-to expert. As the franchise's science advisor, she has guided the writers of Star Trek: Prodigy through one of the most scientifically intricate storylines in recent memory. The series dives deep into theoretical physics, exploring multiple wormholes, parallel universes, time travel, and temporal paradoxes. In an interview with TrekCore, Macdonald shared her experiences and insights into balancing the science of the universe with the demands of storytelling.

Macdonald's path to Star Trek began with her passion for astrophysics. Her fascination with radio astronomy started at the University of Colorado, where she studied as an undergraduate. Inspired by Jodie Foster's character, Dr. Ellie Arroway, in the movie Contact, Macdonald knew she had found her calling the first time she operated a radio telescope. 

"The first time I got to go to a radio telescope and hit the button and the whole thing moved, I was like, 'I did it. I’m in Contact. I’m Dr. Arroway!'" she said.

Her journey continued in Scotland at the University of Glasgow, where she delved into the study of gravitational waves, working with the LIGO Collaboration before their Nobel Prize-winning detection. Despite leaving academia in 2014, her scientific journey was far from over. Her love for Star Trek, particularly Voyager and its lead character, Kathryn Janeway, kept her motivated. 

"Every time I would, I would watch Voyager and I would be like, 'Oh, Janeway would be so disappointed in me if I quit. I have to keep going!'" she recalled.

Transitioning from academia to science communication, Dr. Macdonald found her niche at conventions, discussing the physics behind warp drive and other Star Trek technologies. This blend of education and entertainment eventually led her to her role as the franchise's science advisor. Her deep understanding of theoretical physics has been crucial in crafting the complex scientific narratives of Prodigy.

One of the significant challenges of Prodigy season 2 was its extensive use of time travel and temporal paradoxes. Macdonald was involved from the early stages, ensuring scientific accuracy and coherence. She recounted the meticulous process of mapping out the timelines and ensuring they closed logically, particularly in episodes like "Ouroboros, Part 2." 

"We were sitting there and I just felt, 'I feel like this can close… we don’t need to have sort of these branching wormholes that are just kind of like abandoned or snipped off. This can be one whole path for the Protostar to go through,'" she explained.

Beyond Prodigy, Macdonald's role involves advising on various Star Trek series, including the upcoming Starfleet Academy series. Her work often requires her to research and consult experts in fields outside her expertise, such as biology or medicine. She emphasized the importance of knowing how to ask the right questions and interpret results, a skill she honed while working at a science museum.

Despite the challenges, Macdonald finds joy in making science accessible and exciting. She embraces her multifaceted identity, balancing her love for heavy metal music and video games with her scientific career. 

"I think the more representation we can get out in front of people where they can say like, 'Oh, that’s cool. I can like all these things, and I can be a scientist, too!'" she said.

When it comes to the more fantastical elements of Star Trek, like time travel and multiverses, Macdonald approaches them with a mix of scientific rigor and creative freedom. While she acknowledges that certain concepts, such as pressing a button to travel through time, are currently beyond our capabilities, she enjoys exploring the theoretical possibilities within the show's universe. 

"I do believe in multiverses,” she said.