As the Star Trek film franchise wades even deeper into time-traveling trippiness, there remains the question of Star Trek: Discovery’s place in the universe for its TV return. We know it takes place in the prime (read: pre-reboot) timeline, but a new report may well have uncovered Discovery’s relationship to Kirk, Spock and the others.

Take this with a significant grain of salt for the moment, but Ain’t It Cool News managed to catch up with showrunner Bryan Fuller ahead of CBS’ August 10 TCA panel, before which Fuller acknowledged “There’s a big clue in the number of the ship [NCC-1031] that indicates when we’re set.” AICN makes the leap from there to suggest that Discovery must take place before the adventures of the NCC-1701 Enterprise, the original series ship that housed Captain Kirk and his crew.

It’s hardly a guarantee, but if Fuller at least acknowledges a clue within the ship’s numeration, there’s only so many variables in that idea. Not for nothing, the Discovery’s design appears to draw on Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art for the abandoned Star Trek: Phase II series, though producers have stressed that design may not be final (or even legally referencing said series).

CBS Star Trek Discovery Bryan Fuller Teaser
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Shooting in Toronto this fall, the new 13-episode Star Trek: Discovery is officially said to return to the timeline previously rebooted by J.J. Abrams’ film series, as well to be “heavily serialized,” akin to a novel, more-so than an episodic nature.

Bryan Fuller will headline the new streaming iteration of Star Trek as co-creator and executive producer, while Wrath of Khan director Nicholas Meyer has also joined alongside Gene Roddenberry’s son Rod, fan-favorite Voyager novel alum Kirsten Beyer, franchise vet Joe Menosky and Heroes writer Aron Coleite. So reads the initial synopsis for the series, which debuts on CBS in January 2017 before moving to All-Access:

The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.

Additional details will emerge soon, but what should we expect from the new streaming Star Trek: Discovery?

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