Exciting Return of Star Trek's Early Guest Star in Strange New Worlds
Clint Howard, a familiar face from Star Trek's original series, makes a long-awaited return in Strange New Worlds Explore his new role in the highly anticipated series, along with his past iconic Star Trek appearances
Summary
Clint Howard reprises his role in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 8 - "Under The Cloak Of War" as Commander Buck Martinez, the Chief Medical Officer responsible for escorting Nurse Chapel to J'Gal."Under the Cloak of War" is the most bleak and morally demanding episode to date, as the arrival of Ambassador Dak'Rah upsets the Enterprise and reignites distressing recollections of the Klingon War.
Clint Howard has portrayed various characters across the Star Trek series, such as Balok in The Original Series and appearances in Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, and Discovery.
Clint Howard, one of the original guest stars in Star Trek: The Original Series, makes his return in episode 8 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2. Building upon the events of the Klingon War depicted in Star Trek: Discovery season 2, "Under the Cloak of War" showcases Ambassador Dak'Rah (played by Robert Wisdom) arriving aboard the USS Enterprise. Formerly known as "the Butcher of J'Gal" during the war, Dak'Rah now serves as the United Federation of Planets' Ambassador to the Klingon Empire. However, the war's impact still haunts veterans like Dr. Joseph M'Benga (portrayed by Babs Olusanmokun) and Nurse Christine Chapel (played by Jess Bush), who struggle to move past the atrocities they witnessed.
"Under the Cloak of War," the eighth episode of Strange New Worlds season 2, presents a particularly dark and morally challenging installment in the prequel series. As Dak'Rah's presence aboard the Enterprise leads to disruptions, tensions escalate during an uncomfortable dinner hosted by Captain Christopher Pike (portrayed by Anson Mount), who must adhere to diplomatic courtesy despite the unease. The episode also includes flashbacks to the Klingon War, revealing how Dr. M'Benga and Nurse Chapel initially crossed paths while stationed at a Starfleet forward operating base on the moon of J'Gal. Both survivors of Dak'Rah's ordered massacre of Starfleet personnel, M'Benga and Chapel continue to carry the emotional scars, particularly concerning the secrets they hold about M'Benga and the true identity of the "Butcher of J'Gal."
Clint Howard’s Role In Strange New Worlds & In Star Trek TOS
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In Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, there is a surprising comeback by Clint Howard, known for his role as Commander Buck Martinez, the Chief Medical Officer at J'Gal's Starfleet base. Martinez, who is gruff and no-nonsense, finds himself under immense pressure in a desperate situation. Despite the circumstances, he makes arrangements to bring Nurse Chapel to J'Gal after the previous nurse's death. Martinez takes Chapel on a tour of the base and provides her with a briefing, all while dealing with the horrifying Klingon massacre at J'Gal.
Interestingly, Clint Howard's most notable appearance in Star Trek was when he guest starred as Balok in the first season episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, titled "The Corbomite Maneuver." At just 9 years old, Howard portrayed Balok, a member of the diminutive First Federation. Captain James T. Kirk (played by William Shatner) and the USS Enterprise faced a "test" from Balok, which eventually led them to meet him and share his favorite beverage, tranya, on his ship, the Fesarius. Since then, Howard has remained involved with the Star Trek franchise.
Other Star Trek Roles Clint Howard Has Played
Clint Howard, known for his memorable role as Balok in Star Trek: The Original Series, made his return to the franchise after 29 years. In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, he portrayed Grady in the third season episode "Past Tense, Part II." Grady was among the residents of a San Francisco sanctuary district that Commander Benjamin Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, encountered while posing as freedom fighter Gabriel Bell. Eight years later, Howard returned once again, this time as a Ferengi named Muk in the first season episode of Star Trek: Enterprise titled "Acquisition."
After a gap of 16 years, Clint Howard made yet another comeback, taking on the role of a "Creepy Orion" in the season one finale of Star Trek: Discovery, titled "Will You Take My Hand?". His participation marks his involvement in every generation of Star Trek, from the original series created by Gene Roddenberry in the 1960s, to Rick Berman's era in the 1990s and 2000s, and the current Star Trek universe on Paramount+ overseen by Alex Kurtzman in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.
