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Star Trek: Picard Season 1 gets an explosive start as some highly skilled Romulans hunt Dahj Asha (played by Isa Briones), the synthetic daughter of the late Starfleet officer Data (played by Brent Spiner). These Romulan agents are unlike any we have seen in the Star Trek universe before. They belong to a group called the Zhat Vash, who are a secret faction of the Romulan Intelligence called Tal Shiar.
After Dahj's death, the mysterious Zhat Vash operatives are on a mission to find their home planet by using her sister Soji, who, according to their prophecy, is the Seb-Cheneb, the destroyer.
After the Federation banned all synthetic life-forms, Dr. Bruce Maddox (played by John Ales) secretly created Soji and Dahj by using one of Data’s positronic neurons. Dr. Maddox sent the two androids on a mission to find the truth behind the synthetic ban.
In Season 1 of Star Trek: Picard, the Zhat Vash became aware of their existence and believed that the scientist created many more Synthetics. The sole purpose of the group is to preserve the centuries-old secret that forewarns about the possible destruction of organic lifeforms by Synthetics.
Who are Zhat Vash in Star Trek: Picard?
The Federation and the Romulan Star Empire has been adversaries for the longest time, as explored in The Original Series and the subsequent Star Trek ventures. A ceasefire was established to keep peace between the two races. One of the more dreaded factions of the Romulan intelligence is the Tal Shiar, known for their advanced skills and intellect.
When the Romulan Star system was threatened by a Supernova, they reached out to the Federation to help with the evacuation of its citizens from Romulus. However, the Federation did not see it through after the Mars attack, in which Synthetics went rogue. They destroyed several Starfleet vessels and killed more than 90,000 people. As a result, Synthetics were banned, and Romulans could not be rescued. Many citizens died, and the remaining refugees were scattered across the galaxy.
The Tal Shiar continued to exist. Zhat Vash is a faction of the Tal Shiar. They are so secretive that their existence is a myth to many, even within Tal Shiar. Zhat Vash was formed hundreds of years ago after they discovered an Admonition on the planet Aia, which was destroyed by Synthetics about hundreds of thousands of years ago.
After the synthetic Armageddon on Aia, the artificial life forms brought together eight suns at the center of the octonary star system as a warning to others. Upon learning the destruction caused by the Synthetics and of a possible recurrence of the destruction in the future, Zhat Vash came to exist. Their sole aim was to put an end to artificial life forms in the galaxy. The Zhat Vash members go through a ritual to learn about the annihilation.
In Picard Season 1, episode 8 titled ‘Broken Pieces’, it is revealed that Dr. Agnes Jurati (played by Alison Pill) also experienced the Admonition via a mind meld by Commodore Oh (played by Tamlyn Tomita), which forced her to murder Dr. Maddox.
The Zhat Vash preserved the secret for generations and even wiped out the octonary star system. The members travel to Aia, where they experience the Admonition, which drives many of them mad. They secretly infiltrate organizations across the galaxy to control the rise of synthetic life forms.
What is the Zhat Vash prophecy?
Zhat Vash consider all artificial lifeforms an abomination. When the Romulan operatives chase Dahj in Star Trek: Picard Season 1, episode 1 titled ‘Remembrance’, and then later manipulate and try to kill Soji in episode 6 titled ‘The Impossible Box’, we get a glimpse of the extent of their hatred towards Synthetics.
In episode 4 titled ‘Absolute Candor’, the audience gets a quick lesson on the Zhat Vash prophecy. As per that, an event called Ganmadan, also referred to as the ‘Day of Annihilation’, will occur when the world will be devastated by the destroyer known as the Seb-Cheneb. The Zhat Vat members believe that Soji is the prophesied destroyer who will lead a synthetic army and wage war to end all organic life forms.
Soji was being manipulated by a Zhat Vash operative, Narek (played by Peyton List), who, after finding out information about her home planet, tried to kill her. At the end of season 1, after the Federation learns about Zhat Vash’s likely role in the synthetics going rogue, the ban on artificial life forms is lifted.
The Zhat Vash prophecy drives the narrative of Star Trek: Picard Season 1. With the Synthetic ban lifted and more artificial life forms on the way, it remains to be seen if the dreaded organization will make a comeback.
Star Trek is available to watch on Paramount+.
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