When an existential crisis threatens to wipe out a beloved but infamous Star Trek species, a cadet is forced to confront his past and strained relationship with his family. As he pursues an unexpected method of coping, Nahla races against time to save this species from extinction….
Writers: Gaia Violo & Eric Anthony Glover
Director: Doug Aarniokoski
Ever since Discovery took the jump to the future, there were questions that were left unanswered. A few hundred yeas of changing cultures and political landscapes combined with the galaxy-devastating effect of the Burn gave us a familiar surrounding that had undergone massive change. We found out what happened to the Federation. We found out the Orions took advantage of the power vacuum. We even got to meet an isolationist Earth and see the reunification of Vulcan and Romulus. But for a series that was so focused on the Klingons, their future was suspiciously missing. Until now.
Turns out the Klingons aren’t doing very well. The Dilithium reactors that kept their worlds ticking caused a world ending devastation and since then the Empire has fallen from it’s former glory. In a push towards the old ways the Klingons have been keeping to themselves, forsaking allies in a hunt for honour and now eight of the surviving houses are under threat from technological disaster; including the house and family of Starfleet Academy’s only Klingon cadet, Jay-Den.
Coming in with a bit of a lore dump, Academy focuses it’s attention on Jay-Den and what brought him to the Academy. In the present day, he’s pretending to cope with the news that his people are on the brink of extinction and his estranged family might have died. Taking the news with the same Klingon stiff upper lip we’re used to with the repressed persona of Worf, Jay-Den tries to get back to the day to day studies; primarily the Doctor’s debate class which has pushed Jay-Den to the edge of his anxiety, especially with the Klingon crisis becoming the hot topic to compete about….
The debate class should have been a silly point to make for the episode, but the Doctor quite rightly pointing out the importance of debate and posturing speeches – the same strategy that earned him a life – made perfect sense for a classroom environment in context. It also sets a nice backdrop for how the students would approach the Klingon crisis; talk and debate with conflicting viewpoints based on their own bias. Though it was an interesting choice that, while Jay-Den tried to articulate his own thoughts and feelings, the renegade captive cadet Caleb was the one fighting for the Federations side…
Showing us more of Jay-Den through flashbacks was also a nice touch. The setting seemed a bit odd – five refugee’s and a tiny tent – but getting the glimpse of family life for a Klingon without the fighting spirit was a good approach. While their culture is dying, Klingons are doubling down on the old ways which Jay-Den doesn’t connect with at all. He’s not a fan of hunting, and deeply curious about the science and healing that the traditionalists have forsaken.
So while it’s all hunting and earning honour, Jay-Den is the disappointment with only his brother accepting him for who he is and openly encouraging him to leave and find his own path. It was kind of nice to see this dynamic again. Worf struggled with Alexander’s reluctance to become a warrior and caused nothing but conflict. Jay-Den going through the same as Alexander, being the disappointment of the family, had a nicer touch with a brother who could see beyond the warrior life and openly encourage Jay-Den to be the best he could be; even being the one to push for Starfleet. Thok finally relenting to becoming a mentor to Jay-Den, and giving her perspective of why Jay-Den’s family abandoned him was also a huge highlight that worked really nicely.
Of course, in the background the Academy got involved in the political drama, leaning on Ake being around forever and clearly having had a fling with the highest profile Klingon still standing. The Federation want to gift them a new world to settle on. The Klingons see charity as dishonour and Jay-Den, standing at a podium almost coming to blows with Caleb over the Federation arrogance that only their way is the right way all came together nicely with Thok’s insight. Jay-Den was different, but he wasn’t a disappointment; his family just gave him the push they needed while trapped in the Klingon traditions of not making themselves look weak.
As a character piece, it works really well. The background story to why Jay-Den struggled with his confidence combined with his brother dying from a fight, a pointless fight for honour no less, all made sense for what we’ve seen so far. Combining that with Thok’s approach as the elder, also coming from an unconventional mixed house that doesn’t jive with the ‘old ways’, helped turn it from a character piece to a nice new thread to the complex Klingon tapestry that we’ve seen twist and evolve over the years.
The only part that felt a little frustrating was the loss of Qonos, which fit the story they were telling with the Klingons, but seemed a little harsh considering the canon landscape has also lost Romulus while the Kelvin Timeline had Vulcan destroyed. But in the context of the story, and what would push the Klingons to again fall back into the warrior lifestyle, it worked. It was also a nice touch showing an advancement of the religious fanaticism of qeyliS’ legend; sometime we’ve seen before from Worf’s romanticised view of Klingon culture to the cult-like House T’Kuvma.
Capping that off with another politically minded Klingon straight from the big book of the TNG era being convinced to lead the settlement of a new world on a charade of a battle to ‘claim’ the land rather than gift it based on Jay-Den’s Klingon solution to the Klingon problem also fell nicely in line with the Empire and the era. Even if it all did feel a but quick and convenient. But it really did hammer home that even if well intentioned like Caleb’s debate stance of Vance’s plan for the Klingons, what seems like the right thing to do to you, might not be the right thing for everyone. Sometimes you have to put your own ego aside and listen to the other argument long enough to realise you’re in the wrong.
Vox in Excelso is a great example of what king of story this show can tell in it’s unique bubble. Not just in showcasing a new angle on old Klingon lore, but in focusing on one persons personal struggle and why they looked to Starfleet for inspiration and why the idea of hope and understanding is one that has lasted the ages.
EPISODE DISCUSSION & SPOILERS
Highlights
- Riker finally gets the nod of having a starship named after him as the USS Riker popped up to help the Athena in the mock battle with the Klingons!
- Jay-Den comes from a Tri-house. This makes sense. Not just for extended romantic families, but Klingons would of course want to consolidate power into their family structure. It also shows how the 'old days' of the Klingon heart seem easy forgotten....
- Again small moments from the instructors gave a lot away. The Doctor and Thok in particular make great mentors in this episode.
All Connected...
Klingons yearning for peace and hope isn’t anything new. Gorkon led the empire on a mission of peace and unity, while scientist and physician Antaak rejected the dominance of the warrior caste during the 22nd century. Though the biggest connection to Jay-Den is Alexander, son of Worf and half-human Ambassador K’Ehleyr. Raised initially by his mother, who rejected her Klingon side Alexander lived with Worf on the Enterprise up until he realised his son wouldn’t become the warrior he had hoped for. Much like Jay-Den, though without the Klingon dramatics, Alexander was sent to Earth to live with Worf’s foster parents and encourage following his own passions. And much like Jay-Den, Alexander struggled with his fathers perception of him….
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