Mind-Blowing Plot Twist Revealed: Unraveling the Jaw-Dropping Ending of Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 8

Summary

Dr. M'Benga, formerly known as "The Ghost" for his lethal hand-to-hand combat skills, uncovers a disturbing truth: he is the actual Butcher of J'Gal. This revelation sparks an internal struggle within him, fueling a relentless thirst for revenge against Klingon Ambassador Dak'Reh.

This episode foreshadows future plotlines, hinting at the potential involvement of Section 31 in M'Benga's past and the complications arising in Spock and Chapel's relationship due to the aftermath of the Klingon War. Meanwhile, the crew of the Enterprise finds themselves torn apart as they confront the looming possibility of a war with the Gorn Hegemony.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds delves deeper into the aftermath of the Klingon War in a gripping new episode. The episode concludes with a thought-provoking moral debate between Dr. M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) and Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). Tasked with transporting Klingon Ambassador Dak'Rah (Robert Wisdom), the USS Enterprise uncovers deep divisions between officers who experienced the Klingon War in Star Trek: Discovery and those who did not. "Under the Cloak of War" is a captivating and thematically rich exploration of morality, reminiscent of the impactful episodes seen in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The intense scenes between M'Benga and Dak'Rah are filled with palpable tension, akin to the best moments from DS9.

The central theme of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, "Under the Cloak of War", revolves around the profound transformation experienced by veterans of Star Trek: Discovery's Klingon war. It becomes evident that those who were not part of the conflict cannot fully comprehend the extent of these changes. This is exemplified through shocking revelations concerning Dr. M'Benga and the involvement of Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush) in a cover-up. As "Under the Cloak of War" draws to a close, Dak'Rah's visit reveals the deep interpersonal divisions stemming from the Enterprise's decision to remain on the sidelines during the war.

Dr. M'Benga's Dark Secret: He Was The Real Butcher Of J'Gal

Dak'Rah, now a diplomat advocating for peace and distancing himself from the Klingon Empire, gained notoriety as the Butcher of J'Gal. Despite authorizing the killing of Federation civilians, including children, it was the Klingons who bestowed him with this title, not Starfleet. According to legend, Dak'Rah slaughtered his own men while retreating from the Moon of J'Gal, a move that appeared to influence his decision to embrace peace. However, Dak'Rah was not truly the Butcher of J'Gal since he abandoned his men, leaving them at the mercy of the actual butcher - Dr. Joseph M'Benga.

In flashbacks of the Federation-Klingon War, it was revealed that M'Benga had his own notorious reputation. Starfleet special forces dubbed him "The Ghost" due to his 90 confirmed hand-to-hand kills. Similar to Dak'Rah, M'Benga abandoned his violent past and pursued a career in medicine, choosing to save lives rather than take them during the war with the Klingons. Sadly, the extreme cruelty witnessed on J'Gal forced M'Benga and Dak'Rah to exchange roles. The brutal treatment of children became the tipping point that convinced M'Benga to take on the mission offered by an enigmatic Andorian officer and overthrow the Klingon senior staff on J'Gal. Finally, M'Benga embraced the task at hand.

M'Benga watched as the Klingon Ambassador, known as the Butcher of J'Gal, publicly embraced a message of peace after M'Benga secretly killed Dak'Rah's three captains. Although this success served as a foundation for the reformed Klingon Warrior to spread his peaceful ideals, M'Benga, a Starfleet officer committed to peace, could never publicly share the truth behind this story. However, when Dak'Rah arrived on the Enterprise, it forced M'Benga to confront the shame and trauma he had suppressed from his involvement in the Klingon war. To move forward, M'Benga believed he had to fulfill his mission and eliminate Dak'Rah, erasing the final reminder of this dark secret.

For this reason, M'Benga purposely provoked Dak'Rah into a fight, knowing it would provide him with a justification for killing the former Klingon warrior in "self-defense". As Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush) and the audience observed their struggle through frosted glass, it remained uncertain who made the first move for the Klingon dagger. However, at the conclusion of the episode, M'Benga acknowledged that Captain Pike would not support his friend's approach to seeking vengeance for the deaths of innocent beings. Although M'Benga maintained that Dak'Rah initiated the fight, he admitted he had no remorse for the Klingon's death. This admission, most likely, represents as close as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will come to revealing M'Benga's guilt in the matter.

M'Benga And Chapel's Klingon War Service And Super Soldier Serum Explained

In the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8 titled "Under the Cloak of War", the story unfolds through parallel timelines. In the present day, the Enterprise hosts a Klingon dignitary, while flashbacks reveal the initial encounter between Nurse Chapel and Dr. M'Benga when she becomes Chief Nurse on the Moon of J'Gal. The bond between Chapel and M'Benga grows as he shares his groundbreaking use of Star Trek's transporters to save lives, later using this technique to save his daughter. Furthermore, during the battle of J'Gal, Chapel experiences the Star Trek super drug for the first time, introduced in the season 2 opener of Strange New Worlds.

It is eventually disclosed that M'Benga created a mixture called Protocol 12 for Starfleet officers in combat zones. This concoction combines adrenaline and pain inhibitors; however, it was discontinued due to its harmful effects from repeated use. Instead of agreeing to assassinate Dak-Rah and his senior staff, M'Benga is asked to provide the special forces with the serum. By the conclusion of "Under the Cloak of War", it becomes evident that M'Benga regrets not delivering the serum, prompting him to avenge the fallen Andorian and his team. Taking Protocol 12 himself, M'Benga sets off to complete their mission single-handedly.

Strange New Worlds Continues To Set Up Star Trek 6's Klingon Conspiracy

The meal shared with Dak'Rah and M'Benga's assassination of the Klingon Ambassador on the USS Enterprise evoke memories of Chancellor Gorkon's murder in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

. The signing of the Khitomer Accords is decades away from

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

characters would still hold on to their skepticism and animosity towards the Klingon Empire, even after experiencing years of peace - are too hard to imagine.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

crew members condone or even participate in the plot of

Admiral Cartwright (Brock Peters)

and his fellow officers – are too heartbreaking to contemplate.

Strange New Worlds Brings Back Section 31 - Who Try To Enlist M'Benga

"Under the Cloak of War" subtly hints at Michelle Yeoh's Star Trek: Section 31 movie by incorporating flashbacks of M'Benga and his interaction with the Black Ops group. Stationed on the Moon of J'Gal, Section 31 relentlessly tried to recruit Dr. M'Benga, but his constant response remained "Tell them to stop sending people". However, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, M'Benga ends up carrying out their mission by tactlessly assassinating Dak'Rah's senior staff. The series also suggests that M'Benga may have been a former Section 31 operative due to his creation of Protocol 12.

M'Benga's nickname, "The Ghost", and his record of 90 confirmed kills strongly imply that he either worked for Starfleet Special Forces or Section 31. However, he chose to turn away from his military career to dedicate himself to medicine, which made him the optimal candidate to run J'Gal's field hospital. This explains his specific request for Pike's return mission to Rigel 7 in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 4. Considering the potential war with the Gorn that Starfleet now faces, it remains to be seen if Section 31 will extend further job offers to M'Benga.

The Klingon War Complicates Spock And Chapel's Romance

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) embarks on a journey of exploring raktajino recipes and delving into human emotions. This leads to a poignant moment where he attempts to empathize with Nurse Chapel, understanding the difficulties she faces due to the presence of Dak'Rah. Despite his well-intentioned efforts, Spock's concern for her becomes overwhelming for Chapel, making it difficult for her to express her pain and trauma from the Klingon War.

Consequently, Chapel decides to distance herself from Spock, expressing that his absence from the Moon of J'Gal prevents him from truly comprehending what she endured. However, she soon regrets rejecting his offer of comfort, leaving viewers intrigued about the future development of their relationship. This situation underscores the divide onboard the Enterprise between those who served in the Klingon War and those who did not, while also suggesting a potential reason for the eventual decline of Spock and Chapel's romance.

Strange New Worlds' Enterprise Crew Is Divided Before Possible Gorn War

M'Benga's efforts to fix sickbay's biobed 2 serve as a symbol for his own mental well-being. In his Chief Medical Officer's log, M'Benga acknowledges that biobed 2 has been malfunctioning since the traumatic encounter with the Gorn. This suggests that the trauma reignited "The Ghost" and teases the potential Gorn conflict that lies ahead for Starfleet and the USS Enterprise crew. In the season 2 premiere of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Admiral Robert April (played by Adrian Holmes) expresses concerns about a potential war with the Gorn Hegemony. Additionally, "Lost in Translation" reveals Starfleet's approval for the construction of a deuterium refinery on the outskirts of Gorn territory.

As preparations for a possible Gorn war unfold in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, it will be intriguing to observe how the experiences of the Enterprise crew impact these arrangements. "Under the Cloak of War" explores the contrasting opinions on war and morality among three pairs of close colleagues. Captain Pike and Dr. M'Benga stand out as notable examples, as their differing views on justice and second chances put their long-standing friendship to the test. This remarkable scene between actors Anson Mount and Babs Olusanmokun delves into the challenges Starfleet faces in upholding its ideals during times of war.

Star Trek canon indicates that the Gorn Hegemony and the Federation are not at war. This suggests that Pike's Enterprise has a high likelihood of preventing the recent attacks from escalating into a full-blown war. The combination of the challenging experiences of officers like Dr. M'Benga and the hopeful optimism of Captain Christopher Pike may play a crucial role in ending the conflict. Additionally, Dr. M'Benga may find healing by addressing his own traumatic military past in the season 2 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, titled "Hegemony". Stream season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+ every Thursday.