Star Trek: 20 Supporting Characters That Deserved More

18. Keyla Detmer

Keyla Detmer
CBS Media Ventures

Keyla Detmer was a striking presence on the Discovery bridge, and her cybernetic augmentation made her instantly intriguing. But sadly, that potential never really pays off. Not fully, at least. Think about how much Lower Decks explored Rutherford's unique experience with his implant.

That's not to say Detmer isn't an integral part of the gang; on the contrary, she's clearly an ace pilot with the grit and determination to handle both the integration of an experimental spore drive and all the other nonsense Lorca throws her way. It's just that we feel like we never really got to spend enough time with her.

There was an interesting exploration of the effects of war and starship life when she began to struggle with her mental health. In fact, her anxiety does a lot to drive home the pressures of Starfleet life. But even here, we don't really get enough from the story arc to feel fulfilled.

Obviously, it's impossible to have episodes dedicated to every character when there's a large ensemble cast at play. But Detmer is one of those genuinely tantalising characters, played by a charismatic actor, that we wish had been given the space and opportunity to thrive.

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Katherine has been boldly going since childhood, when the BBC Two 6pm Star Trek slot changed her life. She was drawn in by the franchise's optimism, compassion and flair for character-driven storytelling. She's been writing stories since she could pick up a pen and has spent far too much time immersed in television, films, books, music and theatre. She loves any chance to talk or write about her favourite fandoms, of which there are many. When not busy writing, she can usually be found playing video games or explaining why the concept of a transporter is actually terrifying.