Unleashing the Power of Klingon War: Rescuing Gorn Prisoners to Shape a New Universe
Klingon War heroes, La’an, Ortegas & M’Benga, face a perilous battle against the Gorn in Strange New Worlds Discover their survival tactics and the certainty that Sam Kirk will emerge victorious
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Finale - "Hegemony"
Summary
USS Enterprise crew members taken hostage by the Gorn can rely on their experiences in the Klingon War to increase their chances of survival. La'an, M'Benga, and Ortegas, veterans of the Klingon conflict, possess the necessary skills and knowledge to confront the Gorn, having been directly exposed to violence and warfare.
Lt. Sam Kirk is destined to survive the encounter with the Gorn in order to continue appearing in Star Trek: The Original Series. However, he may still endure long-term physical or emotional damage.
Despite the crew of the USS Enterprise being abducted in the season 2 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, their previous involvement in the Klingon War during Star Trek: Discovery has provided them with the skills to potentially outlive the terrifying Gorn. In response to a distress signal from Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) on Parnassus Beta, the Enterprise arrived to discover the destruction of the USS Cayuga and the devastating impact of the Gorn on the planet's human colony. The situation worsened when Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) led a landing party in an effort to save Batel and any remaining survivors.
How Klingon War Veterans La’an, Ortegas & M’Benga Can Survive The Gorn
In Star Trek: Discovery season 1, it was revealed that certain key members of Captain Pike's Starship Enterprise participated in the Klingon War of 2256-2257. Despite being instructed not to engage the Klingons, Pike and the Enterprise crew were ready to protect the flagship of the United Federation of Planets in the event of a Starfleet defeat. Interestingly, as Strange New Worlds commences, several of the Enterprise personnel who fought in the war have now joined the flagship. These brave veterans, including Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong), Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia), Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush), carry the burden of their experiences, haunted by the lingering effects of PTSD caused by the horrors they witnessed during the Klingon War.
Notably, Klingon War veterans La'an, M'Benga, and Ortegas, accompanied by Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte), constituted the USS Enterprise crew members who were abducted by the Gorn. Their experiences from the war might prove crucial in surviving encounters with these carnivorous extraterrestrial reptiles. After being transported from the planet along with a group of survivors from Parnassus Beta, the Enterprise crew found themselves both captives and targets aboard a Gorn vessel. Despite the severity of their situation, La'an, Ortegas, and M'Benga possess the ideal qualities as Starfleet heroes to confront the Gorn and secure their escape.
Thanks to the Klingon War,
Why Sam Kirk Will Definitely Not Die Vs. The Gorn In Strange New Worlds
have personally witnessed the brutal violence and horrors inflicted by the galaxy's most feared warrior race, the Klingons. They have not only survived, but also have tales to share. Each of them has taken the lives of numerous Klingons, with M'Benga, also known as "the Ghost," being infamous for having the highest number of confirmed Klingon kills. It is possible that M'Benga has even carried the super soldier serum called Protocol 12, anticipating the confrontation with the Gorn on Parnassus Beta. Although Ortegas may not be in a cockpit, her fearlessness and ability to handle herself make her an invaluable asset. On the other hand, La'an may prove to be the trump card. As a child, she managed to escape a Gorn abduction, and she is also a direct descendant of Khan (Ricardo Montalban). La'an has admitted to possessing Khan's genetic augmentations and now she may finally unleash her true abilities against the Gorn.
Among his fellow Enterprise crew members, Lt. Sam Kirk finds himself at a significant disadvantage when it comes to facing the Gorn. While the xenobiologist may lack the combat skills and experience of fighters like La'an, Ortegas, and M'Benga, he possesses a unique advantage - his destiny. Unbeknownst to Sam, he is destined to survive encounters with the Gorn, as he is not fated to meet his demise until Star Trek: The Original Series. It is during the events of "Operation: Annihilate!" in season 1 of TOS, approximately 7 years after his adventures in Strange New Worlds season 2, that Sam Kirk ultimately meets his end.
However, while it is certain that Sam Kirk will survive his Gorn abduction, it does not guarantee that he will emerge unharmed. In his sole appearance in Star Trek: TOS, Sam (played by William Shatner) was already deceased, giving Strange New Worlds the opportunity to depict the elder Kirk brother as physically or emotionally scarred from his encounter with the Gorn. It is improbable, though not impossible, that the Enterprise away team will suffer fatal consequences or be consumed by the Gorn when Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 concludes the Gorn cliffhanger. Nevertheless, even if they manage to survive, lasting damage may be inflicted upon La'an, Ortegas, M'Benga, and Sam Kirk. This damage could persist for an extensive period of time. All episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 are available for streaming on Paramount+.
