As he has in the past, today Ted Sullivan used time waiting for a flight to do an impromptu fan Q&A on Twitter. The Star Trek: Discovery co-executive producer was on his way to New York to appear on Sunday’s After Trek. The Q&A covered a lot of issues, including clarifying a hot topic regarding the USS Defiant in “Despite Yourself,” as well as talking about season 2. We grabbed the highlights and organized them into topics for you to find out what was said.

Explaining why USS Defiant looked different

One of the issues coming out of last week’s episode (“Despite Yourself”) is why the USS Defiant wireframe image appeared different than the known design of the TOS Constitution Class ship.

Ted confirmed that while it has been in the Mirror Universe (after it was brought over in the 22nd century in Enterprise’s “In a Mirror, Darkly”), the ship has had some work done.

Yup! Modified by Terrans — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Defending the new look of Discovery

As a couple of fans in the Twitter thread debated how Discovery has introduced new looks, Ted jumped in again on the conversation noting that it is expected for a modern show to make changes vs the original series from 50 years ago.

Are you seriously asking why we updated the look from a cheap 60s show for a modern global audience? You do recognize this is a business as well as an art form, right? — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Talk to anyone associated with the show and you will hear about the tight budgets and “do more with less.” They were on the bubble from basically the moment they aired. Reused sets, costumes, models for that reason. Amazing what they did, but to claim otherwise isn’t accurate — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Few people associated with the show would disagree with that. But there are many reasons for the time setting. And we told a story that is relevant to today’s issues that benefited from a pre-Kirk era Federation. It’s not who they become (yet). Learning still to do — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Finding a “unique” (and less sexual) approach to Mirror Universe

Some of the questions covered how Discovery team wanted to do a “unique” take on the Mirror Universe, which was introduced in last weekend’s episode “Despite Yourself.”

I think that's a crutch personally. I think you'll see our take on MU has some different colors. — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

There are definitely big fans of Fringe in the room (looking at you @extspace @gryphonmetal). But the goal was always to do our unique take on MU and give people some kick ass episodes that were emotionally compelling & moved story forward — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

More familiar faces coming to Discovery…Shran and Q?

Ted also fielded some questions about additional characters from Trek canon like Sarek and Harry Mudd being used in the future.

It's always an ongoing discussion. But you need to use them correctly & have a cool new take on them. @rainnwilson brought a new take on #HarryMudd. @britjfrain has his own take on #Sarek. Fan service has to be more than nostalgia. — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

He'd be great. I'd be curious to see how the team dealt with a Q — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Believe me… we in @StarTrekRoom are WELL aware of that. And if we weren't, you all remind us of that every day — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

There are definitely some that I would love to explore. But telling more would be… well, telling — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

What about the lesser known bridge crew?

Ted also confirmed that we will learn more about some of the lesser known characters from the USS Discovery bridge crew.

Yes — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Work progressing on Season 2 … with some new writers

We still don’t know when the second season of Discovery will debut, but work on it has been ongoing for a while already, including some new writers.

We have already been working since November! — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

There are! But they need to announce themselves when they're ready! I didn't announce myself until months after I joined! — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Behind the scenes with writers, cast and crew

Ted also fielded a number of questions about life as a writer on Star Trek: Discovery.

We write the scenes in English then they are translated — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

I'd love to write a script w @extspace & @gryphonmetal. But in many ways, there are a lot of group writes & we have. But those two are pretty special writers — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

Fav moment on set was w @actordougjones who made me cry w his performance (in my next ep). Fave moment off set is tie – my first dinner w #michelleyeoh & celebrating at 3am w @extspace @gryphonmetal producing their 1st ep #startrekfamily pic.twitter.com/QskA5alVgj — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

The network originally planned a more even split. But @extspace @gryphonmetal did such an incredible job on the script & director #ChrisByrne crushed it behind camera that it became clear it had to be the midseason break! #adjustments — Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 13, 2018

More from Ted Sunday night on After Trek

You can hear more from Ted tomorrow night as he is one of the guests on the official Discovery after show, along with Shazad Latif (Lt. Tyler). You can submit questions via Twitter to @startrekcbs using the hashtag #AfterTrek.

After Trek will have the inside scoop on Sunday's new #StarTrekDiscovery with special guests @karterhol and @shazad. Share your questions with #AfterTrek now! pic.twitter.com/r3uHFZOS3j — Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) January 12, 2018

Star Trek: Discovery is available exclusively in the USA on CBS All Access. It airs in Canada on the Space Channel and on Netflix outside the USA and Canada.

Keep up with all the Star Trek: Discovery news at TrekMovie.