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'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 3 Episode 8: Adira insists on non-binary pronouns, fans call Stamets 'space dad'

Fans were touched with Adira's insistence on being called they/them and Stamets reaction to the request

'Star Trek: Discovery' rolled out another exciting episode. The USS Discovery has located the source of the Burn. With the help of the data they've managed to retrieve over the past several episodes, the Burn's source has been triangulated. However, obviously, nothing is as easy as it seems.

In the latest episode, Burnham and the USS Discovery crew take a trip to Book’s (David Ajala) home planet to rescue it from Osyraa, the murderous leader of the Emerald Chain. Book reunites with his brother, after they...well, practically kill each other. 

Meanwhile, Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Adira (Blu del Barrio) continue their search for valuable information on the origin of the Burn. It is during this process that the two bond, as Adira tells Stamets that they don't want to be referred to as "she" or "her" and they've never thought of themselves as a female.

This sweet reference of non-binary characters on 'Star Trek' won fans over, and the ending was especially heartening as Culber (Wilson Cruz) and Stamets seemed to have adopted Adira as their own.

"OMFG Adira commanding their pronouns and Stamets just going with it and saying "okay" is everything. F**k yeah #StarTrekDiscovery," a fan wrote. Others were just happy to see the scene at the end of the episode. "My queer little heart burst from joy watching Stamets and Culber and their effective adopting of Adira. #StarTrekDiscovery," another wrote.

Fans felt that this was the 'Trek' they remembered since childhood. "**spoiler** Seeing @albinokid Stamets’ gentle smile when #adira explains their pronouns is...goosebumps in the best way, along with sweetness and acceptance that transcends words. This is the Trek I’ve loved since I was 3. #StarTrekDiscovery#bludelbarrio," one wrote.

"Finally! Adira Tal: “I never felt like a ‘she’ or a ‘her.’ So I would prefer ‘they’ or ‘them’ from now on.” Stamets (smiling): “Ok!” Love #StarTrekDiscovery @albinokid," one wrote. "Stamets! Adira is yours and Culbers adopted child now! #startrekdiscovery," one fan wrote.

"I think that was the first time #StarTrek ever handled a topic of non-binary pronouns, and I thought it was handled pretty well. #StarTrekDiscovery," a fan wrote. One user commented, "@albinokid, I'm pretty sure #Stamets just became a space dad #startrekdiscovery, He and Mando can have weekly meet up, and talk about their amazing children."

Some fans are just proud of Adira and say that they should be the person they want. Tune into 'Star Trek: Discovery' on CBS- All Access on Thursdays.