With Captain Burnham out on an important away mission to Trill within the newest episode of Star Trek: Discovery, “Jinaal,” the crew are left within the capable-if-presently-single-minded fingers of their new first officer, Captain Rayner. Forward of the episode, I sat down to talk with actor Callum Keith Rennie about Rayner’s new function as second in command. As the brand new XO, Rayner is tasked with attending to know the crew on this episode, nonetheless, his precedence stays on Moll and L’ak.

Throughout his transient conferences with every crewmember, Stamets delivered the revelation that the factor they’re after might very properly be capable to deliver somebody again from the lifeless. When requested if that data altered Rayner’s motivation in any respect — he looks like somebody whose misplaced folks — Rennie confirmed he is received tunnel imaginative and prescient for antagonists Moll and L’ak. He stated: “His factor is a Moll and L’ak. That is his factor: get the unhealthy guys. That is it. He was type of given an under-the-table path — “at any price” — due to what they’re holding, what they’re doing, what they threaten. So, that is his factor. He sticks to his precedence.”

Whereas Rayner gave every crew member roughly 20 phrases to introduce themselves, Rennie felt that Rayner would have even fewer for himself. “I haven’t got 20 phrases,” he joked. “He is aware of full properly that anyone saying something about themselves is one factor, and that ain’t actual. That is simply them speaking.” For Rayner, actions communicate louder than phrases. Rennie defined:

“The participation otherwise you’re within the trenches and also you’re preventing a battle, otherwise you’re overcoming one thing with somebody, you may find out about them. However somebody telling you about themselves, there’s nothing. That is simply details, and it’ll at all times be details till you do one thing with them, till you endure one thing with them, till you accomplish one thing with them. So, I haven’t got the 20 phrases. I’d simply say, “F— you, I’m not saying 20 phrases.””

Rayner’s Relationship With Tilly Will Come Again

Tilly received her second to place Rayner in his place in Episode 3, and when requested if that combative but understanding, connection will come again, Rennie confirmed that it “pops up just a few instances.” Rennie additionally had excessive reward for his co-star. Of Mary Wiseman he stated, “Mary’s wonderful to be in a scene with, and he or she’s pleasant and nice. I can not say sufficient about her.” He went on to explaine Rayner’s fish out of water expertise. “However there’s the a part of me going, “Okay, dangle on. Let me get this straight: I am a commander of the Antares, after which I am going to assist Burnham as a result of they’re in a little bit of a disaster, after which abruptly I lose my job and I now should hearken to different folks inform me what to do? Not cool.” [Laughs]

The Discovery crew will not actually get to know Rayner till they undergo a significant expertise with him. Rennie famous, “They have not been via a factor but. You don’t know what’s what… but.” Rayner desires to see who the crew is when it is do or die, Rennie defined, “Yeah, who’s gonna make the correct name? Who’s gonna provide you with the answer on the proper time beneath duress? Everybody’s a backseat driver till you are within the area.”

New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery arrive on Paramount+ each Thursday. Keep tuned at Collider for our full chat with Rennie.

Star Trek: Discovery

Happening virtually a decade earlier than Captain Kirk’s Enterprise, the USS Discovery charts a course to uncover new worlds and life types.

Launch Date

September 24, 2017

Predominant Style

Sci-Fi

Seasons

5

Watch on Paramount+