Saru stands as one of the most unique figures in Star Trek history.
The tall Kelpien with the gentle voice broke barriers as Starfleet’s first member from a pre-warp civilization. His path from a fearful prey species to a confident captain was anything but smooth.
Along the way, he battled his own biology, bridged worlds, and proved that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear.
Doug Jones brought him to life through five seasons of Discovery, and the character’s growth left a mark that goes far beyond just one show.
Who is Saru in Star Trek Discovery?
Saru is a Kelpien officer who made history as the first of his species to join Starfleet. He came from Kaminar, a planet where his people lived as prey under the watchful Ba’ul.
Despite his species’ instinct for fear, Saru reached out to Lieutenant Philippa Georgiou and earned asylum. He joined Starfleet Academy and eventually served aboard the USS Shenzhou as a science officer.
When the Federation-Klingon War began in 2256, Saru became first officer on the USS Discovery under Captain Gabriel Lorca.
His threat ganglia (sensitive organs behind his ears) could detect danger, making him invaluable during combat situations. Over time, he rose through the ranks to captain.
Saru Star Trek Backstory: From Kaminar to Starfleet
Saru’s path from a simple village on Kaminar to the captain’s chair was filled with challenges that would have broken most people.
Early Life on Kaminar
Image Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Saru grew up in an agrarian village around 2136. His father, Aradar, served as the village priest, and his sister, Siranna, worked alongside him in the fields.
The Kelpiens lived under constant fear of the Ba’ul, a technologically advanced species that harvested them during vahar’ai, what Kelpiens believed was a fatal transformation.
But Saru questioned everything. He wondered about the stars above and his people’s place in the universe, much to his father’s disappointment.
First Contact with Starfleet
Image Source: Star Trek
Using salvaged Ba’ul technology, Saru built a makeshift radio. He sent signals into space and made contact with Lieutenant Philippa Georgiou of the USS Archimedes.
She recognized his potential immediately. Georgiou convinced Starfleet to grant him asylum, even though it meant Saru could never return home.
He left Kaminar behind in exchange for a chance at the stars.
Journey Through Starfleet Academy
Image Source: Star Trek
Saru faced unique challenges at the Academy. As a member of a pre-warp civilization, he had to prove himself constantly.
He learned 93 languages to make himself indispensable. His natural Kelpien fear response activated in new situations, but his curiosity always won out.
He focused on science and graduated with honors, ready to serve the Federation that had given him a new life.
Saru Star Trek Traits: Fear, Vahar’ai, and Action
Saru’s biological traits shaped his entire existence, from his earliest days on Kaminar to his final missions aboard Discovery.
- Threat Ganglia: These sensory organs behind his ears popped up whenever Saru sensed danger or impending death, giving him an early warning system that proved invaluable during combat.
- Enhanced Vision: Saru could see both visible and ultraviolet light spectrums, giving him visual capabilities far beyond human officers and helping him detect hidden threats.
- Vahar’ai Transformation: This biological metamorphosis removed his fear response entirely, turning him from a cautious officer into a bold leader who could face any challenge head-on.
- Physical Strength: After undergoing vahar’ai, Saru displayed remarkable combat abilities, capable of destroying Ba’ul drones with his bare hands when protecting his people.
- Empathic Nature: His deep understanding of fear and vulnerability made him exceptionally empathetic, allowing him to connect with crew members on a profound emotional level.
Saru’s Transformation in Star Trek Discovery Across All Seasons
Saru’s five-season run on Discovery showed one of the most complete character transformations in Star Trek, evolving with each new challenge.
Season 1: First Officer Under Lorca
Saru served as Commander and first officer aboard Discovery during the Federation-Klingon War, dealing with his complicated relationship with Michael Burnham and eventually exposing Captain Lorca’s true identity.
Season 2: Acting Captain and Vahar’ai
He took temporary command while working alongside Captain Pike to investigate mysterious red signals, and underwent vahar’ai after an encounter with a sentient sphere, fundamentally changing his biology and mindset.
Season 3: Captain in the 32nd Century
After Discovery jumped 930 years into the future, Saru became the ship’s official captain and helped rebuild the fractured United Federation of Planets in a very different galaxy.
Season 4: First Officer Again
Saru stepped down from the captain’s chair to become Michael Burnham’s first officer during the Dark Matter Anomaly crisis, while also developing his relationship with Ni’Var President T’Rina.
Season 5: Ambassador and Warrior
He resigned from Starfleet to become a Federation Ambassador but returned for one final mission, negotiating with the Breen Primarch and proving that diplomacy sometimes requires courage under fire.
Doug Jones as Saru: Behind-the-Scenes Prosthetics
Doug Jones brought Saru to life through extensive prosthetics and physical performance.
The 6’4″ actor wore hoofed footwear that created Saru’s distinctive elongated gait, though this wasn’t an intentional choice at first.
Jones spent hours in the makeup chair for each shoot, drawing on his decades of experience playing non-human characters in films like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water.
He’d actually planned to retire from prosthetic work before Star Trek offered him the role.
Jones described Saru as the most immersive character of his career, providing emotional complexity that deepened across five seasons. His mime and contortionist training helped him create Saru’s unique movements and mannerisms.
Fan Reviews on Why Saru is the Best Captain in Star Trek
Fans have passionately defended Saru as one of Star Trek’s greatest captains, often praising how he succeeded despite the show’s focus on other characters.
One viewer noted he
“had to deal with a LOT of bullshit thrown his way, most of which he had zero agency or control over,”
Yet consistently made the right calls. Another fan observed that
“unlike the other captains – Saru had to fight the writers, who did everything they can to front-run the Burnham family.”
His well-rounded leadership impressed many. As one review stated, he combined Picard’s diplomacy, Kirk’s crew loyalty, and Sisko’s wartime decision-making.
Fans appreciated how he
“stuck to his morals, his principles, and his values as a starfleet officer,”
even when the Federation crumbled around him.
Doug Jones’ performance under heavy prosthetics also earned praise, with viewers noting that
“Star Trek had traditionally been criminally short on really alien looking crew members and Saru annihilates that problem.”
By the series’ end, many considered him Discovery’s best character.
To Conclude
Saru’s story proves that strength comes in many forms. He went from a fearful prey species to a decorated Starfleet captain, all while staying true to his values.
His leadership didn’t come from aggression or bravado but from empathy, moral consistency, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right.
Doug Jones gave us a character who felt genuinely alien yet deeply human in the ways that matter most.
For fans seeking inspiration in Star Trek’s vast universe, Saru’s arc remains a testament to growth, courage, and the power of choosing compassion over fear. His legacy extends far beyond five seasons.
