Breathtaking Insights: Delving into the Layers of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Unveiling the Shadows of War

Summary

Byrd commends the cast for their unwavering commitment to their respective roles, particularly highlighting Jess Bush's dedication in providing him with research materials on PTSD and war trauma. The actors conducted extensive research to ensure their portrayals were genuine, infusing their characters with profound depth and authenticity.

In this week's intense episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, directed by Jeff W. Byrd, the lingering effects of the Klingon War are explored through the experiences of Dr. Joseph M'Benga (played by Babs Olusanmokun), Nurse Christine Chapel (played by Jess Bush), and Lt. Erica Ortegas (played by Melissa Navia). The inclusion of a Klingon dinner scene in the episode hints at events in Star Trek VI and highlights the interconnectedness between various Star Trek series. Byrd, along with writer Davy Perez and actor Robert Wisdom, had differing interpretations of Dak'Rah's motivations, perceiving him as either genuinely reformed or someone who had given in for the right reasons.

When a former Klingon who is now serving as a Federation Ambassador named Dak'Rah (Robert Wisdom) boards the USS Enterprise, Dr. M'Benga, Chapel, and Ortegas find themselves confronting a notorious war criminal known as "the Butcher of J'Gal." However, Dr. M'Benga also harbors a deep-seated secret that leads to a violent clash with Dak'Rah as they both claim to be the true "Butcher of J'Gal."

In an interview with Screen Rant, Jeff W. Byrd shares his cinematic approach to directing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, his experience working with the cast, how "Under the Cloak of War" serves as a precursor to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and his perspective on the truth behind Dak'Rah. Please note that this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and acknowledges that the creation of the show discussed would not be possible without the contributions of writers and actors from both unions.

Jeff W. Byrd Talks Directing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Screen Rant: According to Jonathan Frakes, each director of Strange New Worlds is given the opportunity to create their own Star Trek movie. Your episode had a cinematic quality to it. Could you share your approach to directing such a weighty episode when you received the script?

Jeff W. Byrd: The script was written by the incredibly talented Davy Perez, who has delivered some of the series' best episodes. This particular episode was no exception, it was exceptional. When I first read it, I immediately felt the need to emphasize close-ups. I wanted the audience to witness the characters' emotions through their eyes, truly understanding the impact of war and PTSD. I knew this approach might create a sense of claustrophobia, but it was important to me that viewers felt the unease of being in a war.

Through my research, it is evident that the feeling of being trapped and under intense pressure is palpable. The presence of bullets flying intensifies this sensation. It is essential for viewers to experience these emotions. Therefore, I am glad that John and many others have understood this aspect of the content. I also aimed to create a cinematic atmosphere in the content, drawing inspiration from the grand shots and expansive scope typically associated with Star Trek. While incorporating some of those shots, my focus was also on immersing viewers in the intense moments with M'Benga and Chapel. For instance, as Chapel massages a heart in her hand, desperately trying to save a person's life. During my research and conversations with triage doctors, it became evident that they prioritize solely the individuals in front of them, whether it's the patient or the other medical staff present. Despite the chaos of explosions and limbs being severed, these doctors cannot afford to divert their attention to the larger context. They must concentrate solely on the immediate task at hand. When M'Benga says, "We got this. It's me and you. Let's do this. Don't worry about everything else," it conveys a deliberate message. Therefore, I am glad that you, John, recognized and appreciated this intention.

Babs, Jess, Melissa, and especially Robert Wisdom delivered outstanding performances that truly showcased the scars of war. I hold the utmost respect for this talented cast. What was it like directing them? Oh, and I can't forget to mention Clint Howard! It's impressive that you had him in your episode.

Jeff W. Byrd: Yes, Clint Howard is indeed part of the cast. They are all incredible. Every single one of them thoroughly prepares for their roles, leaving no room for errors. We always take the time to ensure accuracy. Everyone is committed to researching and verifying information, whether it means pulling out their phones to search or consulting experts on set to ensure we're doing things the right way. From pronunciations to performing medical procedures correctly, we make sure every detail is accurate.

I have a deep admiration for Jess Bush. She delved deeply into her work and consistently shared fascinating content with me. She would send me videos, asking for my opinions and thoughts. She also sent me documentaries about individuals coping with the aftermath of war and addressing PTSD. These documentaries featured close-up shots of the interviewees, allowing viewers to witness the trauma in their eyes and observe the flashbacks they experienced. In addition, Babs introduced a calming technique involving a tapping motion on the heart, which I later learned was a method to regulate their heart rate.

The cast committed themselves wholeheartedly to their preparation, bringing back valuable insights to share with me. I would compare their findings with the research I had conducted, and together we would incorporate these elements into our performances. We would approach each day's work with different perspectives: sometimes we would explore the Star Trek version, while other times we would delve into the documentary-style version, imagining a film crew following M'Benga and Chapel as they navigated through challenging situations. This collaborative effort would often result in wide-eyed astonishment, as we recognized the authenticity and power of our portrayals. I extend my utmost appreciation to this outstanding cast.

Was Star Trek VI referenced during the scene where the Klingon comes to dinner? It's a tense moment with important character development, and it made me think, "Spock will have to go through something similar in the future, 30 years from now."

Jeff W. Byrd emphasized the interconnectedness of the series and how it accurately foreshadows future events. He acknowledged the need for thorough research to understand the impact of these events, drawing from both Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) and Deep Space Nine (DS9). The writer, Davy, understood the significance of maintaining consistency and ensuring that all the narrative elements fit together like Lego building blocks. Byrd anticipated that fans would recognize these connections and make comparisons. He further explained that the story's timeline diverges from the viewers' perspective, as the events are in the past for fans but in the unknown future for the Enterprise crew. Byrd appreciated the significance of the dinner scene and revealed that there were additional details and Easter eggs in the extended version, hinting at a possible release in the future.

I would like to discuss Dak'Rah and his true identity as the Butcher of J'Gal. As the director, I am interested in your perspective on him. Do you believe he genuinely desired peace or was he merely using the opportunity to gather intelligence on the Federation, as Ortegas suspects?

Jeff W. Byrd: Bobby [Wisdom] and I have discussed this extensively, along with Davy, and we each have our own interpretations. Bobby believes that Rah completely switched sides and was genuinely reformed, ready to do what's right. On the other hand, I have always thought of him as a Klingon who compromised his values, but for the right reasons. He aims to prevent mass killings, but he does so by aligning with the Federation, since he believes his own people won't listen to him or would rather kill him than change. Davy's perspective, however, is that it encompasses all possibilities, which I find intriguing and appreciate.

You have the ability to make both good and bad choices on any given day. And you noticed something that I haven't mentioned yet today, regarding his deceitful actions. He used that lie to gain favor with the Federation, without considering the possibility of encountering the person responsible for killing the Klingons on J'Gal. It didn't cross his mind that he would come face to face with that individual, whether they were human or alien. And as fate would have it, he finds himself confronting M'Benga.

What's interesting is that we've all told harmless lies at some point. Nowadays, many people have cameras installed in their cars, both front and back. These cameras can capture incidents of road rage or someone cutting in front of them, unbeknownst to the offender. And despite being caught on camera, some individuals still lie to the police, denying their actions. However, they do so because they fail to anticipate the consequences. In Rah's case, he received his comeuppance and now has to confront the actual person involved, which is quite remarkable.

About Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2

Discover more interviews with the cast and crew of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 here.

Paul Wesley

Gia Sandhu

Jess Bush

Benji Bakshi

Melissa Navia

Christina Chong

Valerie Weiss

Yetide Badaki

Anson Mount & Rebecca Romijn

Ethan Peck & Paul Wesley

New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 air Thursdays on Paramount+.