Unveiling Star Trek: Discovery's Intense Klingon War - Heroes and Battlefields Revealed!

Warning: The following content contains spoilers for season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The Klingon war from Star Trek: Discovery continues to have a significant impact on the events of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2. Many veterans from the war now serve on the USS Enterprise. Commander Michael Burnham, who triggered the Federation-Klingon War in Discovery season 1, caused the deaths of millions of Federation citizens between 2256 and 2257. The lingering threat of a second war with the Klingons haunted the Federation until the First Khitomer Accords were signed in 2293.

The aftermath of the Klingon war in Discovery affected the rescue mission of Lt. Spock and the USS Enterprise crew in their attempt to save La'an Noonien-Singh from Cajitar IV. The planet, located on the outskirts of Klingon territory, was highly contested due to its abundance of Dilithium, essential for warp travel. The mission to Cajitar IV reopened old wounds for Enterprise crew members who experienced the horrors of the war, shedding light on those who endured its brutal realities and revealing which officers were prohibited from participating in the Federation-Klingon war.

Which Strange New Worlds Crew Fought In Star Trek: Discovery's Klingon War

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, it has been revealed that three members of the USS Enterprise crew served in the Klingon war. Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia), a pilot, showcased impressive maneuvers with a shuttle craft during the war. The specific details of her service are yet to be aired, but a potential clue lies in the episode "Memento Mori" where she wore the emblem of the USS Palenque during Starfleet Remembrance Day, which honors those who lost their lives in service.

During the season 2 premiere, "The Broken Circle", it was unveiled that Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) also served in the Federation-Klingon War. Dr. M'Benga is still dealing with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, recounting the horrors he witnessed during the war. Nurse Chapel had to comfort and remind him that the war was in the past. Interestingly, it was M'Benga's combat skills, demonstrated during the war, rather than his medical expertise, that led Captain Pike to choose him for the Rigel VII mission in episode 4, "Among the Lotus Eaters".

Which Strange New Worlds Crew Missed Discovery's Klingon War & Why

In season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery, Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount) assumes temporary command of the ship. He reveals that the USS Enterprise, which was in the midst of its five-year mission, was not called back to join the conflict against the Klingons. Pike suspects that this decision was made because he and his crew would not have approved of some of the morally questionable actions taken by the Federation during the war. Admiral Katrina Cornwell (played by Jayne Brook) denies this claim, explaining that the Enterprise was kept away from the war in order to ensure the survival of their best officers.

As a result, Pike, his Number One (played by Rebecca Romijn), and Spock all miss out on the Klingon War, focusing instead on the primary mission of exploration and discovery. However, not being able to participate in the war takes a heavy psychological toll on Pike and his crew, leaving them feeling helpless and unable to save the lives of their fellow Federation citizens and Starfleet colleagues. As Star Trek: Strange New Worlds hints at a potential conflict with the Gorn Hegemony in season 2, it is hoped that the Federation has learned valuable lessons from the Federation-Klingon war.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.