'Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 7 teases a connection to the Vulcans, Jean-Luc Picard and Spock
It seems like 'Discovery' is far from done with messing with the legacy of Spock (Leonard Nimoy/Ethan Peck), as the next episode hints at a major connection between him, Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), and a two-part episode from 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', as we find out what's become of the Vulcan race in the 32nd Century.
There is very little information shared about the episode besides a promo, where Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) is heard in voiceover talking about the good that the Federation has done for the universe, appearing to make her case to a group of assembled Vulcans, as well as showing a glimpse of Burnham's own Vulcan past. What is notable about the episode, however, is that it is entitled 'Unification III' - and appears to be a direct sequel to the two-part 'Unification' storyline that was featured on 'Star Trek: The Next Generation.'
The episodes saw the very first appearance of Spock since the end of the original 'Star Trek' series, in a story involving a complicated diplomatic treaty with the Romulans. It is also a story that sees the death of Spock's father, Sarek (Mark Lenard/James Frain) - someone who, notably, also raised Burnham. Burnham's jump to the future meant that she skipped past the death of the man she knew as her father and in meeting with the Vulcans, she might finally come to know how he died and deal with the grief.
Unless more time travel is involved, however, it is unlikely that Spock or Jean-Luc Picard will be appearing in this episode, given the both of them would be long dead after a millennia - even taking into account the fact that Picard was last seen in a synthetically designed body and that Vulcans live a little longer than most humans. Though neither of them will be appearing in this episode, the episode's title implies that it will be heavily influenced by the story set down in the 'Unification' storyline, so if you're a 'The Next Generation' fan, it's absolutely worth going back to Season 5, Episodes 7 and 8 for a rewatch.
This episode of 'Star Trek: Discovery' airs on November 26, on CBS All Access.
