Secrets Unveiled: Star Trek Writer Drops Intriguing Hint About Strange New Worlds Mystery Gesture

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, an intriguing gesture between Dr. Joseph M'Benga and Lt. La'an Noonien Singh caught viewers' attention. Writer Davy Perez tantalizingly hinted at the meaning behind this mysterious code. The particular episode, "Among the Lotus Eaters," returned Captain Christopher Pike and the USS Enterprise to the familiar planet Rigel VII from the original Star Trek series. However, the enigmatic gesture of M'Benga rubbing his index finger beneath his eye was first observed in the season 2 premiere, "The Broken Circle."

During an appearance on The 7th Rule podcast, co-written by Kirsten Beyer, Davy Perez discussed the undisclosed significance of M'Benga and La'an's secret gesture. While he refrained from fully disclosing its true meaning, Perez offered intriguing insight. Here is his quote:

I don't know how much I want to disclose about this, but it holds significant meaning for me. Once we acknowledged that it could play a role in their story, it influenced the way they watched out for one another. A distinct undertone was woven into the fabric of it all.

Will Strange New Worlds Season 2 Reveal The Meaning Of M'Benga & La'an's Mystery Gesture?

The secrecy surrounding Dr. M'Benga and La'an Noonien-Singh's mysterious gesture in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds implies its significance, suggesting that it may be unveiled in a later episode of season 2. On closer examination, these two characters share a common background as seasoned veterans of the Klingon War portrayed in Star Trek: Discovery. M'Benga, in particular, carries deep emotional scars from his involvement in the conflict, particularly his distressing encounter with Joseph, who utilized an experimental super-soldier serum to gain the strength necessary to combat and eliminate Klingon adversaries. While La'an's specific role in the war remains ambiguous, the fact that both she and M'Benga employ the gesture of rubbing their fingers beneath their eyes hints at a connection forged during their shared experiences on the USS Enterprise in the midst of the intense conflict.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 is set to address the lasting impact of the Klingon War. Among the Klingon War veterans onboard the Starship Enterprise are Lt. Erica Ortegas, the helmsman, and Nurse Christine Chapel. The Klingon War was a devastating conflict that claimed the lives of millions, leaving those who survived scarred both physically and emotionally. While Starfleet rarely utilizes hand gestures, the Vulcans are famous for their "Live long and prosper" greeting and salute. The finger and eye gesture performed by Dr. M'Benga and La'an carries significant meaning, and it is hoped that in the upcoming season, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will provide a deeper understanding of the hardships endured during the Klingon War.