Discover the Astonishing Similarities Between Dr M'Benga and Star Trek DS9's Bashir in Strange New Worlds

Summary

"Under the Cloak of War" tackles the themes of warfare and justice, staying true to Gene Roddenberry's utopian vision of Star Trek.

Both Dr. M'Benga and Dr. Bashir endured comparable hardships and trauma while serving in the Federation-Klingon War. The J'Gal flashbacks in the episode hint at the possibility that M'Benga might be approached by Section 31, potentially taking on a role to safeguard his own confidential information.

WARNING: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, "Under the Cloak of War." In this episode, it is revealed that Dr. Joseph M'Benga and Dr. Julian Bashir from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine share two significant similarities. Both characters are confronted with their past traumas during the Federation-Klingon War, particularly in their encounters with Klingon dignitary Ambassador Dak'Rah. The climax of the episode sees M'Benga engaging in a shocking act, highlighting the intense tensions between him and Dak'Rah. "Under the Cloak of War" effectively explores themes of warfare and justice within Gene Roddenberry's utopian Star Trek universe. M'Benga's experiences also parallel those of Dr. Bashir in a DS9 episode called "Nor the Battle to the Strong", where Bashir operates a field hospital amidst a brutal war with the Klingons.

M'Benga And Bashir Both Served In Star Trek's Klingon Wars

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 5, episode 4, "Nor the Battle to the Strong," occurs during the final clashes of the second Federation-Klingon War. Despite the peace established by Captain James T Kirk (William Shatner) and Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy) in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Changeling infiltrators provoked renewed hostilities between the Klingon Empire and the Federation in 2372. Responding to a distress call, Bashir and Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) find themselves caught in the closing stages of the war as a rogue Klingon group launches an attack on Ajilon Prime.

Similar to the events on the Moon of J'Gal described in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 episode 8, "Under the Cloak of War," where M'Benga and Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush) are present, Bashir and Jake witness the brutal actions of the Klingon soldiers. Despite questioning the decision to involve Jake, Bashir, compelled by duty, swiftly brings him into the combat zone. Similarly, M'Benga's sense of duty and responsibility is evident, and "Under the Cloak of War" shows that his concern for civilians leads him to make a significant and violent choice.

Strange New Worlds' J'Gal Flashbacks Flip Bashir's Section 31 Mission

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, titled "Under the Cloak of War," Lt. Va'Al Trask (Kyle Gatehouse) approaches M'Benga on J'Gal secretly, requesting him to covertly eliminate the Klingon commanders on J'Gal. Alternatively, Trask suggests creating more of the Klingon-killing super soldier serum, Protocol 12, in order to give their team an advantage. It is strongly hinted that Trask is affiliated with Section 31, an organization that has made previous unsuccessful attempts to recruit M'Benga. Later on, Section 31, led by Luther Sloan (William Sadler), tries to recruit Dr. Bashir to assist in the assassination of a Romulan senator.

Towards the end of the flashbacks in "Under the Cloak of War," M'Benga fulfills his mission for Section 31 by eliminating Dak'Rah's men. It is possible that Trask authorized this suicide mission as a means to provoke M'Benga into taking action against Dak'Rah himself. However, it wasn't until all of the team members were killed that M'Benga willingly took up arms. This stands in contrast to Dr. Bashir, whose refusal to work for Section 31 and his inherent good nature led to his manipulation into destabilizing the Romulan government in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In on-screen canon, Bashir never officially joined Section 31. As Star Trek: Strange New Worlds progresses, it will be intriguing to see whether M'Benga accepts a role in the organization to safeguard his own dark secrets.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.