Mind-Blowing Resurgence: Strange New Worlds Breathes Life into Star Trek: Discovery’s Legendary Klingon Catchphrase

WARNING: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, "Under the Cloak of War."

Summary

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds explores the trauma experienced by veterans of Discovery's devastating Klingon war."

"The arrival of Ambassador Dak'Rah unearths hidden trauma and dark secrets."

The psychological impact of the Klingon war in Star Trek: Discovery is evident in the catchphrase "Remain Klingon," which continues to resonate in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The series delves into the lingering effects of the war, as seen in flashbacks to the battle of the Moon of J'Gal and scenes aboard the USS Enterprise. Through these narratives, Strange New Worlds portrays the lasting trauma endured by veterans of the devastating conflict.

In Strange New Worlds season 2 episode 8, Ambassador Dak'Rah (Robert Wisdom), a Klingon dignitary, arrives and unintentionally brings to light Dr. Joseph M'Benga's (Babs Olusanmokun) concealed trauma, exposing his darkest secret - that he was the real Butcher of J'Gal. This episode also uncovers the psychological wounds inflicted by the war on Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) and Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia). During a gripping diplomatic dinner, Ortegas reveals the bone-chilling impact of Star Trek: Discovery's haunting Klingon catchphrase.

Strange New Worlds Resurrects Star Trek: Discovery’s “Remain Klingon” Catchphrase

T'Kuvma (Chris Obi), the fiercely traditional Klingon warrior, initiated a war against the United Federation of Planets due to his strong desire to "Remain Klingon." This season in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the phrase resurfaces. T'Kuvma believed that the Federation's unifying influence posed a threat to Klingon identity, risking the erasure of their culture. The battle cry of "Remain Klingon" represented a unified front and a refusal to conform to the peaceful ideals of the expanding Federation during the Klingon war in Star Trek: Discovery.

As T'Kuvma met his demise at the onset of the Klingon War, "Remain Klingon" also became a way for the Klingon Empire to pay tribute to their deceased savior. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds delves further into this phrase during a tense dinner scene in Captain Christopher Pike's quarters (Anson Mount). Following a toast to the survivors of J'Gal, Ortegas exclaims: "tlhIngan maH. taHjaj," which Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) translates as "We are Klingon, may we endure." This serves as the direct Klingon translation of the battle cry, yet Ortegas unveils the true significance behind the "Remain Klingon" interpretation.

What “Remain Klingon” Means To The Aliens & To Starfleet

Ortegas explains that in our language, shouting "Remain Klingon" is much easier, suggesting that it was used as a psychological weapon during the Klingon War. The sound of this battle cry transmitted through the comms warned Starfleet officers in combat zones of the imminent deaths of their comrades. In an episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds focused on the Klingon war, the brutal nature of the conflict is unveiled, depicting the merciless killings perpetrated by individuals like Dak'Rah and his Klingon officers. The intimidating battle cry of "Remain Klingon" naturally instilled fear in the hearts of Starfleet officers, as depicted in "Under the Cloak of War," where innocent civilians were also affected.

Resisting their enemies in the Federation was not the sole purpose of remaining Klingon, as evidenced by the events on the Moon of J'Gal. A horrifying revelation occurred when Dak'Rah authorized the mass killing of non-Klingons, essentially endorsing genocide. This act, in the morally intricate episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, stands as an exceedingly dark moment. Though the Star Trek canon indicates that both the Federation and the Klingon Empire will eventually overcome this grim chapter while staying true to their respective values, Dr. M'Benga and his fellow veterans must currently confront a significant amount of trauma. Paramount+ streams season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Thursdays.