Mary Wiseman's Sylvia Tilly took a backseat role in Star Trek: Discovery season 4, leaving her character's status ahead of season 5 somewhat unknown.

The future of Sylvia Tilly remains ambiguous heading into Star Trek: Discovery season 5, but some details regarding Mary Wiseman's character have been revealed. Debuting as a cadet aboard the Discovery in Star Trek: Discovery season 1, Mary Wiseman's Sylvia Tilly evolved from a timid rookie into a valued member of the titular ship's crew, receiving a promotion to lieutenant to compliment her considerable character development. Despite working hard to prove herself aboard the Discovery, however, Tilly exited the ship in Star Trek: Discovery season 4.
Following an intense training mission with 32nd century Starfleet cadets in "All Is Possible," Tilly found a new calling as an academy instructor, and accepted Kovich's offer of a permanent position, formally leaving the Discovery crew. Although she would return for the Star Trek: Discovery season 4 finale, Tilly remained largely absent through much of the season, and this decision appears to have been designed to expand Tilly's character by giving her a role away from the main crew. Trailer footage from Star Trek: Discovery season 5 confirms that Mary Wiseman will appear in forthcoming episodes, although the capacity in which she features remains unknown.
Why Mary Wiseman’s Tilly Missed Much Of Discovery Season 4

After the surprise of Sylvia Tilly exiting Star Trek: Discovery season 4, showrunner Michelle Paradise conclusively denied Mary Wiseman's character would be exiting the show permanently. Paradise admitted (via TVLine), "I expect that we will see her again, for sure," while also explaining how digging into Tilly's motivations for joining Starfleet and asking whether Tilly wanted to leave the Discovery crew was a vital step in her character growth. These sentiments were later echoed by Wiseman herself in various interviews, telling Forbes, "That’s kind of what this character needed, some time to grow, on her own, as an adult."
From these answers, omitting Sylvia Tilly from the bulk of Star Trek: Discovery season 4 was a creative choice made to refresh the character. Tilly's departure was evidently never intended as a permanent arrangement, but Star Trek: Discovery's creative minds felt the next step on the former cadet's journey of self-discovery should happen away from the Discovery crew. While the loss of Tilly's lighthearted, empathetic presence was missed throughout her Star Trek: Discovery absence, the vacation should reap long-term benefits by bringing new shades and nuances out of Tilly's character, and giving her an area of expertise that the Disco crew currently lacks.
What Happens To Tilly In Discovery Season 5?

Mary Wiseman is confirmed to return as Sylvia Tilly in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, although whether she rejoins the crew or continues at Starfleet Academy and only interjects occasionally remains unknown. Tilly appears twice in the Star Trek: Discovery season 5 trailer. Firstly, Wiseman's character is spotted drinking with Burnham, Stamets, Culber and Adira, and the establishment bears some resemblance to Discovery's bar. A second shot depicts Tilly at a closer angle, again seemingly on board Discovery. Alas, Tilly is never shown partaking in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 action scenes, nor is she present on the bridge.
As such Sylvia Tilly's Star Trek: Discovery season 5 role remains mysterious. Maybe Tilly has rejoined the crew following a stint teaching at the Academy, following the path of others who have traded the Star Trek Starfleet Academy classroom for active service. Alternatively, Tilly simply catches up with her old friends when they return to Starfleet HQ, enjoying the drinks and conversation, then returns to her day job and adopts the same background role she held through most of Star Trek: Discovery season 4. Her presence in trailer footage implies Tilly gets more than a brief cameo, but whether she returns to main crew status in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is yet to be seen.
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