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Romulans and Vulcans have had a long history in Star Trek. What many do not know is that both the races share the same ancestors. Long ago, Vulcans were known to be a violent species, who heavily relied on emotions. However, that changed when the Vulcan philosopher Surak preached the need for logic while dismissing the idea of war. Those who did not believe in his ideology left Vulcan to form their own civilization on the planet Romulus.
While Vulcans have been open to the idea of unification, Romulans have resisted it with their warmongering ways. Ambassador Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy), who believed in the reunification of the two groups, would go to Romulus without the Federation’s approval to work with the underground Romulan network. His efforts would make way for one of the more significant developments in the Star Trek universe.
Who are Vulcans and Romulans in Star Trek?
Vulcans were once an emotionally driven species who habitually chose violence. While there is not much information about this period, the Vulcans would later follow the teachings of Surak and adopt the idea of logic and peace. Those Vulcans who rejected the idea, separated from their counterpart to create their own empire based on a militant culture on the planet Romulus.
Over the generations, Vulcans distanced themselves from their past, with many unaware of the common thread that ties the two. Humans and Romulans have also engaged in war in the past. The Romulan Neutral Zone was established between the Federation and the Roman Star Empire to maintain ceasefire between the two races.
In Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1 Episode 14, titled Balance of Terror, Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise come across an anonymous spaceship that was obliterating Federation outposts in the Romulan neutral zone.
It is understood that not many people have seen Romulans. It comes as a shock to Spock when he realizes that Romulans look a lot like Vulcans. He then derives the conclusion that Romulans were once Vulcans, who decided to continue with the path of war while the others chose logic and peace.
Unification of Vulcans and Romulans
There have been mentions of unification of Vulcans and Romulans in Star Trek before and after the events of The Original Series. However, it is not until the Episodes 7 and 8, titled Unification I and II, from Season 5 of The Next Generation that we see the possibility of the two groups coming together.
In the episode, the Federation doubts that Ambassador Spock has defected to Romulus. They need to understand his sudden motive to go on an unauthorized trip.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart) and sentient android officer Data (played by Brent Spiner) go to Romulus to find out the truth. The episodes were iconic, not just because the fans get to see Spock and Picard together on screen, but also because it marked an important part of the Star Trek history.
On the planet, they learn that Spock was working with an underground movement that aims to reunite the Vulcans and Romulans. The Romulans who were part of the group were considered rebels by the Romulan state, who rejected the Vulcan idea of peaceful existence.
Spock, at this point, had given up on his political duties to work with a small group of Romulans who wanted to adopt the Vulcan ideology. Spock would tell Picard,
“I sense you have a closed mind, Captain. Closed minds have kept these two worlds apart for centuries. In the Federation, we have learned from experience to view the Romulans with distrust. We can either choose to live with that enmity or seek a way to change it. I choose the latter.”
While several Romulans want the unification, the Romulan government, known to be supercilious, is against the move. It is also revealed that Romulans wanted to invade Vulcan. In the episode, a Romulan ally betrays Spock and arrests him along with Captain Picard and Data. They escape and get ready to leave the planet. However, Spock decides to stay back and work with the Romulan people.
Spock never gave up on the dream of unification
Despite all the setbacks and betrayals, Spock stayed back to ensure that the two groups came together no matter the personal cost. He wanted to repair the fractured civilization and bring peace.
In the Kelvin timeline from the Star Trek movie, it is implied that Ambassador Spock was working with Romulans for years. Around 2387, Romulus is destroyed by a cosmic accident caused by a supernova. This would also end up sending Spock to an alternate timeline.
In Star Trek: Picard Season 1 Episode 1, titled Remembrance, retired Admiral Picard would show his displeasure towards Federation for abandoning Romulans during the incident. Many of the refugees will go on to form Romulan Free State government and others go to Vulcan.
By 32nd Century, as seen in Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 Episode 7, titled Unification III, Romulan and Vulcans are reunited. They live together on Vulcan, now renamed as Ni’Var. The two groups co-exist on the planet despite the differences including Romulans' inclination to stay as a part of the Federation. After the many wars and losses, their unification marks as one of the more meaningful developments in Star Trek storyline.
Star Trek is available for streaming on Paramount+
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