Saru
Captain Saru was a male Kelpien Starfleet officer from Kaminar who lived during the mid-23rd century. The first Kelpien to have voluntarily left his homeworld, and the first of his species to enter Starfleet service, Saru served aboard at least two Federation starships, the  and the , and served through much of the  of 2256-57. On more than one occasion, he took command of the Discovery in place of the captain, . Saru eventually took command permanently, albeit as acting captain, after Lorca surreptitiously took the Discovery into the mirror universe, where it was discovered that Lorca was in fact his mirror counterpart. ()

Following Discoverys escape from the mirror universe and Lorca's death, Saru commanded the vessel's mission to Qo'noS in mid-2257, where it successfully forced a truce with the Klingons. For his part in ending the war, Saru was awarded the Starfleet Medal of Honor, the first Kelpien to be so honored. ()

Early life
In his youth, Saru lived an agrarian life on his home planet Kaminar, with his sister, Siranna, and father, Aradar. Saru and his family were scared of the Ba'ul's watchful eye, as it took Kelpiens as they experienced the vahar'ai. ()

Saru remembered listening to children's stories told by village elders around a fire, including one about a kelp monster. ()

Though discouraged by his father, Saru contemplated his people's place in the universe and questioned the ritual sacrifice of his people to the Ba'ul. On one occasion, Aradar instructed Saru to dispose of debris fallen from the Ba'ul ship. Saru instead built an interstellar communications device, identified by Lieutenant Philippa Georgiou as the first of his species to show the technical capability of doing so. ()

After corresponding with Saru, Georgiou was given special permission by Starfleet to retrieve Saru. As his people were a pre-warp civilization, Saru accepted the caveat that he could never return (and potentially contaminate his culture), and departed with Georgiou for the . (; ) He took with him a handful of seeds and a knife that had belonged to his sister. ()

After being granted refugee status by the Federation, Saru was processed at Starbase 7, where he saw for the first time a diversity of lifeforms. Listening to their stories and aspirations, Saru resolved to join Starfleet to help those in need, as he had been helped. ()

Starfleet career
Saru was the first Kelpien to join Starfleet. () As such, he felt pressured to perform well, which led him to attempt to learn 94 Federation languages to the detriment of his personal health. () He had a first contact specialist qualification. ()

Science officer of the USS Shenzhou

In 2249, Saru had obtained the rank of lieutenant and was serving in the sciences division aboard the USS Shenzhou under Captain Philippa Georgiou as a bridge officer. He was present when Michael Burnham arrived on the starship. ()

By 2256, he had been promoted to lieutenant commander and worked as the ship's chief science officer. ()

That year, Saru participated in the Battle of the Binary Stars, and later evacuated the Shenzhou with the remaining crew after the death of Captain Georgiou. ()

The Federation-Klingon War

First officer of the USS Discovery

About six months later, Saru had been promoted to commander, transferred to the command division, and made first officer of the  under .

When the prison transport shuttle carrying the disgraced former Starfleet officer Michael Burnham was brought aboard the USS Discovery for repairs, Saru escorted the former officer to engineering so that she would work as a "data cruncher" under Lieutenant Paul Stamets.

When the , the Discoverys sister ship, suffered a catastrophe, Saru spoke up in Burnham's defense, describing her as the "smartest Starfleet officer [he] had ever met." ()

According to Saru, Kelpiens lived in a state of constant fear from the moment of birth. Saru may have been the first of his species to have this alleviated, as after encountering the native energy lifeforms of Pahvo, he briefly experienced relief from this state while on the planet. He became so desperate to continue experiencing this lack of fear that he proceeded to first deceive, and then attack his fellow officers in an attempt to keep the planet out of the Federation-Klingon war. These actions eventually led to the Pahvans withdrawing their influence on him, as they came to believe it was generating disharmony among their Starfleet guests. ()

Mirror universe and captain of USS Discovery 
Following the victory over General  and the Sarcophaguss destruction, Saru confirmed that the spore drive had dropped Discovery into unknown space. After learning that they were in a parallel universe, Saru then helped Cadet Tilly to pose as her  after Lorca decided to have Discovery pose as the . After Lorca and Burnham boarded the , Saru was left in command of the Discovery. ()

Saru, along with Tilly, then found Dr. Culber dead and in the arms of Lieutenant Stamets. With Tilly, Saru agreed to use the mycelium spores to treat and heal him. Saru then had Tyler (who had been revealed to be Klingon sleeper agent Voq) beamed back aboard the Discovery with information on the 's arrival to the mirror universe. Saru was able to decrypt the information on the Defiant, but much of the information was redacted. When Dr. Pollard and her medical team were unable to help Tyler/Voq, Saru then allowed L'Rell in helping Tyler/Voq in easing his pain. Saru was then contacted by Burnham to come to the . ()

En route to the Charon, Lt. Stamets came to and told Saru of his 's damage to the mycelial network and the eventual destruction of the entire multiverse. Saru was then contacted by Burnham, who told them that Lorca was really a Terran posing as his counterpart. After this revelation, Saru decided to take command and destroy the Charon before it destroys the entire multiverse. Following Discoverys arrival at the Charons coordinates, Saru then spoke with Lorca, who offered to spare him and Discoverys crew in exchange for Burnham. At first, Saru agreed. However, when Burnham and Georgiou attacked Lorca, Saru ordered Discovery to open fire.

Discovery was successful in disabling the Charons shields. Saru then ordered Burnham beamed aboard prior to destroying the Charon. Following the Charons destruction, Saru and the crew then used the destruction's shock wave to return to their universe. ()

Return to the War 
Unfortunately, Saru, Stamets, and the crew then discovered that they overshot their return by nine months, by which time the war was going badly. Saru also discovered that Burnham had saved Emperor Georgiou and lied about the mirror universe Kelpiens. Discovery was then boarded by Admirals Shukar, , and Cornwell, and Ambassador Sarek. At first Saru demanded to know the reason as to why they boarded. Saru then had mind-meld with the Ambassador who learned about Discoverys trip to a parallel universe, Lorca's true colors and apparent demise. Saru was debriefed on the specifics of the disastrous turn the war had taken since Discovery was seemingly destroyed, and subsequently relinquished command to Cornwell for Discoverys trip to Starbase 1. However, he sensed danger on approach, and Starbase 1 immediately turned out to be occupied by the House of D'Ghor. With several Birds-of-Prey converging on Discovery and Cornwell too shocked by this turn of events to give orders, Saru was forced to order a retreat.

Saru became first officer under Emperor Georgiou, posing as her prime counterpart, during a mission that was supposed to map Qo'noS' volcanic system for a future military strike. However, the mission turned out to be the military strike; rather than a mapping drone, Georgiou had brought a hydro bomb, which she intended to detonate in a volcanic vent, producing catastrophic results. After Burnham alerted him to the true mission, Saru contacted Cornwell and threatened to mutiny with Burnham if Starfleet Command did not back down. Burnham was authorized to prevent Georgiou from detonating the bomb, and handed the detonator to L'Rell, who took leadership of the Klingon High Council and rapidly enacted a cease fire. Saru was awarded the Starfleet Medal of Honor for his actions, the first received by a Kelpien. Soon after, Saru led the ship on a voyage to  to pick up the Discoverys new commanding officer, but was sidetracked along the way to respond to a distress call from the . ()

Post War

The Red Bursts
Saru met with the Enterprises CO, Captain Christopher Pike, along with Commander Nhan and Lieutenant Evan Connolly. He was told that Pike would be taking command of Discovery under Starfleet Regulation 19, Section C in order to investigate seven red bursts that had appeared. Saru believed the red bursts could be either temporal anomalies or black holes. As the Discovery investigated the first red burst, they found the  on a interstellar asteroid. Saru kept Discoverys shields down to ensure that the landing party and the Hiawathas crew were able to beam back. After Burnham was beamed back, Saru had piece of the asteroid brought into Discoverys shuttle bay and Discovery left the system. Saru and Captain Pike agreed to a "joint custody" of Discovery for duration of the investigation. ()

Saru convinced Pike to use the spore drive to reach the second burst, knowing Starfleet would allow it. Saru was left in command of Discovery as Pike and his landing party investigated a distress signal from a white church at the New Eden colony on Terralysium. During this time, Saru warned Ensign Tilly that her reckless behavior could endanger her position in the Command Training program. ()

The Vahar'ai 
As Discovery tracked down Lt. Spock's shuttle, Saru began to feel early effects of Vahar'ai. Saru believed he would need to be killed due to the madness brought on by Vahar'ai. However, after the  died, Saru and Burnham discovered that his threat ganglia had fallen off on its own and that he was not dying. He realized that the Ba'ul had been lying to his people for centures. ()

When a third red burst was found at Kaminar, Saru was eager to tell his people the truth about Vahar'ai, despite Captain Pike's concerns. Saru and Burnham went to the surface to speak with his village priest. Upon his return, Saru found out that his father had died and his sister Siranna had becom their village priest. However, Siranna was upset that he had lived and that he was only interested in finding the Red Angel. When Saru returned to Discovery, the Ba'ul contacted the ship and demanded that Saru be returned in order to maintain the Great Balance. Saru, angered by the Ba'ul's actions, refused to be returned until the Ba'ul threatened his village. Saru, over Burnham and Pike's objections beamed himself down to Kaminar.

Saru was then taken to the Ba'ul's stronghold along with his sister. There, Saru tried to convince the Ba'ul let his sister go to no avail. As the Ba'ul attempted to study and dissect him and his sister, Saru was able to free himself and his sister. This convinced his sister that he had truly survived vahar'ai. Saru was able to contact Discovery, who told him that the Kelpiens were once the Ba'ul's predators. After hearing this, Saru and sister decided to initiate Vahar'ai in all the Kelpiens. Using the Ba'ul's own technology as he did when he contacted Captain Georgiou, Sa'ru and Discovery were able to initiate Vahar'ai in the Kelpiens. However, the Ba'ul attempted to activate their pylon in Kelpien villages in order to stop the Kelpiens from experiencing Vahar'ai. However, the pylons and the Ba'ul's stronghold's shield were de-activated by the Red Angel. Saru and his sister saw that the Angel was a humanoid equiped with advanced suit way beyond current technology. Saru said good bye to his sister, as she chose to create a new balance with the Ba'ul on Kaminar.()

Search for the Red Angel 
Saru continued to assist in searching for both Lieutenant Spock and the Red Angel. However, Saru continued to feel the after effects of Vahar'ai when he allowed a fight between Dr. Culber and Tyler to continue on. ()

Into the Future 
Following the Battle near Xahea, Saru and 88 crewmembers took Discovery through the wormhole. Discovery was able to exit the wormhole in 3189 and crash-landed on The Colony. ()

In 3190, Saru, known as "Great Elder" became a member of his village council. He later spoke with the Ba'ul and Kelpien High Council about returning to the stars to assist the Federation. () Following this, Saru returned to Discovery to resume the role of first officer under Captain Michael Burnham, remaining a member of the village council in absentia. He retained the rank of captain but asked to addressed as simply "Saru," though he acquiesced to Burnham's suggestion of "Mr. Saru." ()

Personal interests

Professional development 
As the first and potentially only Kelpien to enter Starfleet, Saru felt pressure to over-perform at Starfleet Academy and in his career. By 2257, he understood 94 languages including English, Mandarin Chinese, Wolof, Spanish, and Russian. ()

Even while serving aboard the Shenzhou, he imagined a path where first officer Michael Burnham would be mentored by Captain Georgiou, move on to her own command, and he would take her place as Georgiou's mentee. As first officer aboard Discovery, he sought to emulate the command decisions of Starfleet's most decorated captains, including Georgiou, Pike, Robert April, and Jonathan Archer. ()

In developing his skills, Saru memorized some of the writings of Sun Tzu. ()

Relationships

Romance

T'Rina 
In 3190 Saru began a courtship of President T'Rina. Initially both Saru and T'Rina were anxious to allow themselves to be emotionally vulnerable but following advice from friends and colleagues and the events of first contact with Species 10-C they decided to pursue a closeness with one another. ()

Friendships

Michael Burnham 

Beginning in 2249, Saru served with Burnham for seven years aboard the Shenzhou. They often disagreed with the handling of various situations, so much so that Captain Georgiou found it remarkable when they did concur. () Nevertheless, Saru highly esteemed Burnham's intelligence and skills. He also held a great deal of affection for her, and in fact had come to view her as a surrogate sister. ()

Burnham's actions before the Battle of the Binary Stars in 2256 drove a rift between them. Saru had expected that, once Burnham was promoted to her own command, he would then have the opportunity to be mentored by Georgiou as she had been. After Georgiou's death, Saru was resentful of Burnham, which caused him to act coldly toward her when Lorca brought her to the Discovery. The two reconciled once Saru admitted his thoughts to Burnham, and Burnham gifted him Georgiou's telescope. ()

Sylvia Tilly 
Tilly respected Saru as a superior officer, and asked for his recommendation to the Command Training Program. () Upon acceptance, Tilly often worked with Saru as her CTP director. ()

When Tilly tended to get overexcited and ramble informally in tense situations, Saru often advised her to maintain her professionalism. () Though when appropriate, he also allowed her to do so if it helped her remain calm, such as when they hiked together to a settlement on "The Colony" in 3189. ()

Key dates
2239: Leaves Kaminar and joins Starfleet.
2240s: Assigned to the .
2250s – 2256: Chief science officer of the USS Shenzhou.
2256:
Participates in the Battle of the Binary Stars; abandons the Shenzhou with the remaining crew after the death of Captain Georgiou.
Is assigned to the  as first officer, serving under Captain .
Participates in helping the Discovery defeat the Klingons during the Attack on Corvan II.
Takes charge as acting captain of the Discovery after the capture of Captain Lorca until his return.
2257:
Helps the Discovery to win a victory against , destroying the Sarcophagus during the Battle at Pahvo.
Ends up in the mirror universe after the Discoverys spore drive appears to malfunction during a jump, though this was a part of Lorca's plan, as he was actually from this universe; once again becomes acting captain of the Discovery.
Takes over command of the Discovery on a permanent basis when Lorca is exposed as an impostor.
Led the Discovery on a mission to Qo'noS, which resulted in the end of the war; awarded the Starfleet Medal of Honor for his actions, the first awarded to a Kelpien.
Continues his command of the Discovery on a voyage to  to pick up its new commanding officer, but is sidetracked along the way to respond to a distress call from the , leading to Discovery taking Christopher Pike as interim commanding officer.
Undergoes vahar'ai, a condition which is supposedly fatal, due to the influence of a living , but survives and realizes that the Great Balance may have been a lie.
Returns to Kaminar and liberates the Kelpiens from the Ba'ul.
2258:
Takes command of Discovery in the battle against the Section 31 drone fleet.
Presumed dead by Starfleet after taking Discovery and her crew forward to the 32nd century.
3189:
Officially becomes the captain of the Discovery.
Goes on sabbatical and returns to Kaminar to support Su'Kal, who spent his entire life in a holoprogram on a derelict science ship, leaving Discovery in Michael Burnham's command.
 3190:
After five months spent on Kaminar assiting Su'Kal, returns to Discovery to serve as Michael Burnhum's first officer.

Memorable quotes 
Your world has food chains. Mine does not. Our species map is binary; we are either predator or prey. My people were , bred, farmed… we are your livestock of old. We were biologically determined for one purpose, and one purpose alone – to sense the coming of death. I sense it coming now."
- Saru, to Michael Burnham ()

"It is well known that my species has the ability to sense the coming of death. I do not sense it today. I may not have all the answers; however, I do know that I am surrounded by a team I trust. The finest a captain could ever hope to command.  abused our idealism. And make no mistake, Discovery is no longer Lorca's. She is ours. And today will be her maiden voyage. We have a duty to perform, and we will not accept a no-win scenario. You have your orders. On your way.
- Saru. to the crew of the Discovery, prior to attacking the Charon ()

"I saw hope, in the stars. It was stronger than fear. And I went towards it."
 - Saru ()

 Appendices 

 Appearances 
 Every episode except:

 Background information 
Saru was played by actor Doug Jones.

Saru and Michael Burnham are the only two characters to appear in every episode of 's first two seasons.

Doug Jones did not have to audition for Saru, as the show was pitched to him.

Saru is the second character shown to serve as first officer while holding the rank of Captain, following Spock on the .

 Apocrypha 
In the early novel Desperate Hours by David Mack, it is claimed that Saru is from a world called Kelpia and that he was rescued from that world by Starfleet officers. Saru later appears in Fear Itself by James Swallow, where his home planet is instead called Kaminar. The release of the Short Treks'' episode "The Brightest Star", months later, confirmed the latter name as the name of Saru's planet in canon.

External links 

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Kelpiens
USS Shenzhou personnel
USS Discovery personnel
Starfleet sciences personnel
Starfleet command personnel
Starfleet captains