Geek Girl Authority is celebrating International Women’s Day (March 8) with a look at Star Trek‘s women of Vulcan! Spock may be the first Vulcan (Leonard Nimoy) introduced on Star Trek: The Original Series. However, we subsequently met several stellar women of Vulcan through TOS and the following shows. Here are just a few examples!

T’Pring

Arlene Martel as T'Pring in TOS, "Amok Time," and Gia Sandhu as T'Pring in SNW, "Spock Amok."

Two versions of T’Pring.

In TOS season 2 episode “Amok Time,” T’Pring was first introduced as Spock’s betrothed. In this episode, she evoked kal-if-ee during her koon-ut-kal-if-ee ceremony with Spock. She succeeds in her goal to end her betrothal with Spock and instead marry Stonn. In this appearance, T’Pring was played by Arlene Martel.

RELATED: Read all our recaps of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds here.

But the character of T’Pring enjoyed further development in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1. In this series, the role of Spock’s betrothed is played by Gia Sandhu. During this time period, T’Pring is a recovery specialist at a Vulcan rehabilitation colony. She plays important roles in several SNW season 1 episodes and is expected to return in season 2.

Amanda Grayson

Mia Kirshner as Amanda in Discovery and Jane Wyatt as Amanda in Star Trek IV.

Two versions of Amanda Grayson.

Mother to Spock and foster mother to Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), Amanda was first introduced in TOS season 2 episode 15, “Journey to Babel.” She subsequently appeared in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. In these appearances, she was played by Jane Wyatt.

The character returned to play a significant role in Star Trek: Discovery, where she was played by Mia Kirshner. These episodes revealed that Amanda served as a foster mother to Michael after her parents were seemingly killed in a Klingon attack. While Amanda is human, she plays an important role in Vulcan and Federation history. Furthermore, as first demonstrated in TOS, she is directly involved with her husband Surak’s diplomatic responsibilities.

Saavik

Kristie Alley as Saavik in Star Trek II and Robin Curtis as Saavik in Star Trek III. They are wearing similar costumes.

Two versions of Saavik.

Saavik was first introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. In the opening sequence, Saavik is seen undertaking the infamous Kobyashi Maru test. In this appearance, Saavik is played by Kirstie Alley.

RELATED: Read all our recaps of Star Trek: Picard here.

The character subsequently plays a supporting role in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and appears in a cameo role in The Voyage Home. In these appearances, she is played by Robin Curtis. As revealed by Star Trek: Picard season 3, a shuttlecraft aboard the Titan-A is named after Saavik. This is to pay homage that, after her movie appearances, she became Captain of the first Titan.

T’Pol

Jolene Block as T'Pol sipping out of a mug in Enterprise.

T’Pol.

Introduced in the first episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, T’Pol (Jolene Blalock) serves aboard the NX-01 Enterprise under Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula). Initially posted aboard the ship by the Vulcan High Council, T’Pol eventually resigns her commission and becomes the first Vulcan in Starfleet.

T’Pol continued to serve aboard the Enterprise for years after the conclusion of the main timeline of the series. Eventually, she was present at the founding of the Federation.

T’Pau

Kara Zediker as T'Pau in Enterprise and Celia Lovsky as T'Pau in TOS.

Two versions of T’Pau.

T’Pau was first introduced as a high priestess in “Amok Time.” In this episode, she was played by Celia Lovsky.

However, T’Pau returned in Enterprise season 4, which explored important Vulcan backstory. In these appearances, the younger version of the character was played by Kara Zediker. In these episodes, it is revealed that T’Pau is an important figure in the Syrranite movement. This movement seeks to bring forth the true teachings of Surak to Vulcan. T’Pau is able to work with Captain Archer and T’Pol to succeed in the movement’s mission. She subsequently becomes an important minister in the Vulcan government.

Michael Burnham

Pictured: Sonequa Martin-Green as Burnham of the Paramount+ original series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+ © 2021 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.

After her parents were seemingly killed in an attack by Klingons, Michael was raised by Sarek and Amanda Grayson. She considers Spock to be her brother, and Spock considers her to be his sister. Because of her upbringing, Michael is able to administer the Vulcan nerve pinch and has a deeper knowledge of Vulcan culture than most humans.

RELATED: Read all our recaps of Star Trek: Discovery here.

Michael is an important figure in the Federation, although her existence is widely classified at the conclusion of Discovery season 2. At this point, she travels to the 31st Century and subsequently becomes embroiled in events on a galactic scale. Fortunately, her intelligence and leadership have spelled victory for the Federation in the past and the future.

T’Rina

Pictured: Doug Jones as Saru and Tara Rosling as T’Rina of the Paramount+ original series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

T’Rina and Saru. Photo Cr: Marni Grossman/Paramount+ © 2021 CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved.

In the 31st Century, the Vulcans and the Romulans have fulfilled Spock’s dream of unification. This new unified planetary society is called “Ni’Var.” As President of Ni’Var, T’Rina (Tara Rosling) plays an important role: she oversees the readmission of Ni’Var into the Federation.

In Discovery season 4, T’Rina and Saru (Doug Jones) become involved in a tentative romance. And T’Rina also plays an important function in the advancement towards First Contact with Species 10-C by performing an impressive mind meld.

T’Lyn

“The Stars at Night" - Ep#310 --Noel Wells as Ensign Tendi welcoming T'Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz) in the Paramount+ series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS.

Photo: PARAMOUNT+ ©2022 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved

So far, T’Lyn (Gabrielle Ruiz) has only played a major role in one episode: Star Trek: Lower Decks season 2 episode 9, “wej Duj.” In this episode, T’Lyn served aboard the Vulcan cruiser Sh’vhal. However, her “emotional outbursts” (by Vulcan standards) led to punitive spiritualism. Eventually, she was transferred to Starfleet to serve among humans.

RELATED: Read all our recaps of Star Trek: Lower Decks here.

In Lower Decks season 3 episode 10, “The Stars at Night,” it was revealed that T’Lyn will be working alongside Ensign D’Vana Tendi (Noël Wells) in the Science Officer Training Program. Hopefully, this means we’ll see much more of T’Lyn in the upcoming Lower Decks season 4!

Every episode of Star Trek is currently available for streaming on Paramount Plus.

STAR TREK: PICARD – Talkin’ Lt. T’Veen With STEPHANIE CZAJKOWSKI

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Avery Kaplan
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