Star Trek’s New Series Could Finally Clarify Discovery’s Klingons
The upcoming Star Trek series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, presents an exciting opportunity to address and explain the variations in Klingon appearances introduced in Star Trek: Discovery. Over the nearly 60-year history of Star Trek, Klingons have undergone several transformations due to advancements in special effects makeup. From the smooth-headed Klingons of Star Trek: The Original Series to the ridged foreheads in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the evolved looks in Star Trek: Discovery, these changes have intrigued and sometimes confused fans.
The Evolution of Klingon Appearances
Creator Gene Roddenberry originally envisioned Klingons with a more alien appearance, a vision that was first realized in Star Trek: The Motion Picture due to a higher budget. However, this led to a need for an in-universe explanation for the changes in their looks. Star Trek: Enterprise addressed this in season 4, episode 15, "Affliction," where a virus caused by Klingons' attempts to create their own Augments led to a human-like appearance for those affected.
How Starfleet Academy Can Bridge the Gap
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy could do for Discovery's Klingons what Enterprise did for the Klingons of the TNG era, offering a canonical explanation for their distinct appearance. Unlike Discovery, which prioritized advancing the storyline over explaining these changes, Starfleet Academy's educational setting provides a perfect backdrop for delving into Klingon history and xenobiology.
Several theories could explain the differences seen in Discovery. One possibility is that efforts to reverse the augment virus' effects went too far, resulting in the more alien features observed. Another theory posits that the Klingons in Discovery are from an ancient sect, distant from the main Klingon population. Alternatively, multiple Klingon variations could exist simultaneously, originating from different regions or colonies within the Klingon Empire.
Addressing the Absence of Klingons in the 32nd Century
Star Trek: Discovery season 3's leap into the 32nd century introduced a soft reboot, moving away from earlier seasons' controversial elements, including the redesigned Klingons. By not featuring Klingons in this era, Discovery focused on new stories but left questions about the fate of the Klingon species.
From a production standpoint, avoiding Klingons simplified storytelling. However, Starfleet Academy could explore in-universe reasons for their absence. Possibilities include the extinction of Klingons due to relentless warfare, isolationist tendencies triggered by the Burn, or a catastrophic event that decimated the Klingon Empire before the 32nd century.
A Chance to Deepen Star Trek Lore
By addressing these mysteries, Starfleet Academy can enrich the Star Trek universe, providing clarity on the evolution and fate of the Klingons. This new series offers a chance to bridge gaps in the lore and satisfy long-time fans' curiosity about one of Star Trek's most iconic alien races.
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