Unveiling the Mysterious Demise of 'Strange New Worlds' & Uncharted Variations: Insider Revelations from Star Trek Director

Summary

The episode cleverly plays with ambiguity, leaving viewers grappling with the question of whether Dak'Rah's demise was an act of murder or self-defense. A complicating factor arises when Nurse Chapel intentionally conceals the truth by fabricating the circumstances surrounding Dak'Rah's death, which injects a compelling moral and ethical dilemma into the narrative.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds director Jeff W. Byrd provides insight into the controversial death scene in his episode, "Under the Cloak of War," and reveals the existence of alternative cuts of the scene. Written by Davy Perez, episode 8 of Season 2 of Strange New Worlds concludes with a intense confrontation where Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) stabs Klingon Ambassador Dak'Rah (Robert Wisdom). However, the circumstances surrounding Dak'Rah's death blur the line between murder and self-defense. The episode intentionally leaves room for interpretation, with Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) assisting M'Benga in concealing the truth by informing Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) that Dak'Rah initiated the attack, compelling M'Benga to defend himself.

In an interview with The 7th Rule podcast, hosted by Cirroc Lofton and Ryan T. Husk, director Jeff W. Byrd delves into the various versions of the contentious fight sequence between Dr. M'Benga and Dak'Rah that he filmed for Season 2, Episode 8 of Strange New Worlds. Here is his statement:

I appreciate how Davy Perez incorporated the element of uncertainty in the script, exploring whether M'Benga acted out of his own volition or if it was indeed an act of self-defense. The various versions of how the death transpired added depth to the story. M'Benga's responsibility for the death remained a question; there were three to four different endings for the episode. Filming included a version where we depicted the fight and the knife piercing Dak'Rah, presenting a complete sequence. Additionally, we had a version where the stabbing was explicitly shown, revealing Chapel's involvement as an accomplice, knowing of M'Benga's act. A compelling scene between the two characters involved discussing how to manage the situation and manipulate the truth.

Strange New Worlds Had One Of Star Trek's Darkest Moments Since DS9

In "Under the Cloak of War," the eighth episode of Strange New Worlds season 2, viewers are taken through an intense and harrowing journey alongside Dr. M'Benga and Nurse Chapel as they recount their traumatic experiences during the Klingon War. Years after the war, the USS Enterprise crew members continue to grapple with the lingering effects of the conflict. The episode reaches a pivotal moment when M'Benga reveals his true identity as the infamous "Butcher of J'Gal," contradicting the widely accepted belief that Dak'Rah was responsible. This revelation sparks a morally and ethically complex situation, reminiscent of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's exploration of similar dilemmas during the Dominion War.

Drawing parallels to Captain Benjamin Sisko's actions in the DS9 episode "In The Pale Moonlight," where he manipulated the Romulans into joining the Dominion War and subsequently covered it up, Chapel and M'Benga devise their own cover story regarding Dak'Rah's demise. In truth, M'Benga admits to massacring Dak'Rah's Klingon soldiers as an act of vengeance, while Dak'Rah took credit for it and eventually established a peacemaking career as a Federation Ambassador. This revelation adds a disturbing layer to the already blood-drenched history of the Klingon War. Director Jeff W. Byrd expressed his desire for alternate versions of M'Benga killing Dak'Rah to be revealed in Strange New Worlds, providing viewers with a captivating new perspective and deeper understanding of the episode's haunting conclusion.

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

Source: The 7th Rule