Section 31 is about to become extremely important to Star Trek: Discovery fans, even if most of them don't know what the ruddy Kirk it is. A relatively obscure element of Star Trek lore, Section 31 has been hinted at in Discovery – early in the show itself, and in a season two teaser released after the season one finale. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. In this EXCLUSIVE BONUS SCENE from the season 1 finale of #StarTrekDiscovery​, Mirror Georgiou receives a surprise invitation from Leland (@alanvansprang) to join a mysterious organization. *Spoiler Warning* Season 1 now streaming: https://t.co/KoUK3vJfGz pic.twitter.com/BVymEYr6Up — Star Trek on CBS All Access (@startrekcbs) March 24, 2018

The clip's region-locked, so if you're not in the States, the clip basically sees a mysterious character named Leland (Alan Van Sprang) inviting Mirror Universe Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) to join an organisation that's "far more resourceful" than Starfleet, so she can "exert some influence over this galaxy".

"What I want is galactic peace," Leland says. "But I don't believe that comes without vigilance and a moral cost."

"Welcome to Section 31," he says, before the clip mic-drops a black Starfleet badge to Georgiou and cuts to credits.

But what is Section 31? If you're a Trekker, you already know, but for everyone else...

Where did Section 31 first appear?

Paramount CBS

Section 31 is an autonomous secret organisation which claims to protect the security interests of the United Federation of Planets. Fictionally, it's existed (off-the-record) since the earliest days of Starfleet (they even show up in Star Trek: Enterprise), but in our reality, Section 31 was first invented for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Created by Deep Space Nine executive producer Ira Steven Behr, Section 31 was inspired by a line of dialogue in the episode 'The Maquis, Part II' where Commander Sisko says: "It's easy to be a saint in paradise."

Behr responded, "Why is Earth a paradise in the twenty-fourth century? Well, maybe it's because there's someone watching over it and doing the nasty stuff that no one wants to think about. Of course it's a very complicated issue. Extremely complicated. And those kinds of covert operations usually are wrong!"

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Thus was born the covert organisation that basically answers to no-one – operating under the sinister credo that the ends justify the means.

Fan reaction to Section 31 was mixed when it was first introduced, mainly because it's so opposite to Gene Roddenberry's original vision for Star Trek's utopian ideal, a place where all human moral weakness has basically been completely eliminated.

The paradox of the organisation's existence is summed up by Deep Space Nine's head of security Odo in the Deep Space Nine episode 'The Dogs of War' – "Interesting, isn't it? The Federation claims to abhor Section 31's tactics, but when they need the dirty work done, they look the other way. It's a tidy little arrangement, wouldn't you say?"

What are Section 31's methods?

Section 31 answers to no-one within the Federation – it doesn't request permission before starting missions, nor does it file reports after completing them. But it appears to be intrinsic to Starfleet's infrastructure, with the ability to requisition equipment or crew whenever it feels like it.

Part of this freedom / power probably comes from the fact that it's able to identify security threats at will, and so anyone working against their efforts could be considered an enemy of the United Federation Of Planets, allowing them to be dealt with accordingly.

As such, they're definitely an enemy you don't want to have – as we're sure Michael Burnham is about to find out in Star Trek: Discovery season 2.

What does Section 31 look like?

If Section 31 sounds a little bit like a fascist organisation to you... well, you'd be right!

According to costume designer Bob Blackman: "We design a lot of Gestapo / S.S / Naziesque outfits for our villains. And when they're really the ultimate, like the Section 31 people, we immediately go that way to make them look like storm troopers, because that's an imagery that works best, not only for the viewers, but for the producers. For 'Inquisition', Ira asked for dark black, severe, hostile looking garments. Well, that's black leather."

How important is Section 31 to season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery?

CBS

Alan Van Sprang has revealed some information about that Section 31 Discovery clip. "It was the cliffhanger from season 1, and they pulled it and made it the season 2 teaser trailer," he said. He also confirmed he'll be appearing in season 2.

"I know it's going to be a massive part of it, but I honestly... and it's not like I'm holding any secrets, like Jason Isaacs sitting here saying, 'Oh I knew who I was, and what I was doing,' no, I really have no idea. But I'm definitely a big part of season 2."

Van Sprang confirmed Leland's job title in a separate Instagram post – which revealed he isn't just an operative, he's the actual head of Section 31. Dun dun duuuuun!

Star Trek: Discovery will return in 2019, and you can keep up to date with all the latest news here.

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