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Lieutenant Linus was a Saurian Starfleet sciences division officer who served aboard the USS Discovery in the mid-23rd and late 32nd centuries.

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What species is Linus from Star Trek: Discovery? toggle section
Linus is a Saurian, a species recognized for their unique features and communication style. He is a science officer on the USS Discovery.
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Linus, a Saurian officer on the USS Discovery, is noted for his grey, scaled skin and flat nose with tear-drop shaped nostrils. He has no eyebrows or facial hair, making his face unique in Star Trek: Discovery.
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Linus, a Saurian officer on the USS Discovery, played a role in engineering during missions in the 23rd and 32nd centuries. He was involved in operations like the spore drive and supported crew decisions, such as Sylvia Tilly's promotion to acting first officer. Linus was present during the Kwejian mission and Osyraa's invasion, contributing to the ship's efforts.
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What role did Linus play under Captain Gabriel Lorca? toggle section
Linus was a science officer on the USS Discovery under Captain Gabriel Lorca, holding the rank of lieutenant junior grade. As a Saurian, he was part of the Starfleet sciences division and occasionally faced translation issues due to his species' distinct language.
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Starfleet career

Member of the USS Discovery

Ensign Linus (2256)

Ensign Linus (2256)

Linus served on the Discovery as an ensign under Captain Gabriel Lorca in 2256. (DIS: "Face the Strange")

By the following year, he had been promoted to lieutenant junior grade. At the time of the arrival of Captain Christopher Pike, Commander Nhan, and Lieutenant Evan Connolly from the USS Enterprise, Linus was sick, and sneezed on Connolly in a turbolift ride to the bridge. (DIS: "Brother")

He was later present on the bridge when Ensign Sylvia Tilly was taking her spot in the Command Training Program, only to be distracted by an entity only visible to her. Along with the rest of the bridge crew, Linus looked puzzled as to why it appeared she was talking to no one. (DIS: "Point of Light")

While present at a briefing on the Red Angel, Linus apologized that Discovery's universal translator was still having difficulty translating Saurian into Federation Standard. He proceeded to explain that there was no known analogs to the images of the Red Angel.

When Discovery was pulled out of warp by a large, mysterious sphere, Linus assisted Commander Michael Burnham with analyzing the sphere. He reported that the sphere was approximately 100,000 years old. (DIS: "An Obol for Charon")

Linus was eating bamboo while sharing a meal and discussion with fellow Discovery crewmembers Joann Owosekun, Keyla Detmer, Nilsson, and Paul Stamets. Jett Reno joined them and challenged them to an autoantonym game, reminding Linus he was "0-for-3" so far and asking him if he was ready for "another round". Linus replied he was "hatched ready". During this exchange, Reno called Linus by the nickname "Bamboo Boy". (DIS: "Through the Valley of Shadows")

Linus was one of the crew members who volunteered to stay on Discovery and accompany Commander Michael Burnham into the 32nd century. Based on the testimonies of the USS Enterprise senior officers following the battle near Xahea, Starfleet had presumed him as dead. (DIS: "Such Sweet Sorrow", "Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2")

32nd century

After arriving in 3189, Linus assisted in repairs of the EPS relay system. He informed Commander Nhan that the grid on deck six had been repaired and she directed him to report to deck eight for additional repairs. Philippa Georgiou asked about Linus's visual spectrum, which he stated was 74,000 nanometers. Georgiou then volunteered to accompany him to deck eight, though it was a ruse so she could leave the ship to find Saru and Tilly. (DIS: "Far From Home")

Linus was eating in the mess hall when United Earth Defense Force inspectors transported aboard. (DIS: "People of Earth")

Linus had more trouble than most crew members learning to use the personal transporters provided by the Federation once Discovery tracked down its headquarters. Attempting to beam to the mess hall, he found himself instead in the captain's chair on the bridge. Later he unintentionally beamed into a turbolift occupied by Burnham and Cleveland Booker, having meant to go to the science lab. (DIS: "Scavengers")

Prior to Discovery's mission to Kwejian, Linus was confined to his quarters due to his annual shed. Linus was working when Booker and Burnham returned to Discovery with the Steward of the Sanctuary's, Kyheem, and his son Leto. Leto called Linus a "lizard", but according to Burnham, he would allow the child to take a piece of his skin. (DIS: "The Sanctuary")

Following Discovery's hijacking and return to Federation Headquarters, Linus wore the updated 32nd century uniform on the Bridge when Burnham was promoted and first took command of Discovery. (DIS: "That Hope Is You, Part 2")

In 3190, Linus was present in dress uniform for the re-opening of Starfleet Academy, and was assembled with the Discovery bridge crew when Federation President Laira Rillak thanked them for everything they left behind to travel to the future. (DIS: "Kobayashi Maru")

Later that year, Linus was temporarily indisposed due to having to spend time under a heating lamp. Ensign Adira Tal was assigned to his bridge station during Discovery's mission into the subspace rift left by the Dark Matter Anomaly. (DIS: "Stormy Weather")

By the year 3191, Linus had received a promotion to Lieutenant, and had become the new Spore Drive Operations Officer aboard the Discovery. (DIS: "Red Directive")

At the conclusion of Discovery's Red Directive mission to find the Progenitors technology, Linus attended Saru and T'Rina's wedding on Ni'Var in dress uniform. (DIS: "Life, Itself")

Personal interests

Linus played the piano. (DIS: "Choose to Live") He had laid three clutches of eggs by 3191, which were raised by his community as per Saurian tradition. (DIS: "Jinaal")

Appendices

Appearances

Background information

Linus was played by regular guest actor David Benjamin Tomlinson.

The Linus prosthetic makeup was created at Alchemy Studios by creature sculptor/designer Joey Orosco. The brief she was given by her boss Glenn Hetrick was specific, "We've got to get some movement out of the mouth and we need to make it a 90-minute makeup!". Collegue Jason Hamer helped out with the facial animatronics whereas shop painter Emily Dorosky applied the final colors. (Star Trek: The Art of Glenn Hetrick's Alchemy Studios, p. 63)

Apocrypha

According to the Star Trek Adventures - Discovery Campaign Guide, Linus' real name might be Lss't-kel'sar. The book describes the Saurian language as consisting of clicks, chirps and growls, explaining that Saurians pick a name from Federation Standard that they would like to be called. Lss't-kel'sar (Linus) is listed as one of the example names.

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