Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
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In some ways, its been a long time coming.
The Chapel we know is almost unfailingly upbeat, and MBenga radiates kindness and concern.
But its been clear for a while that theyve seen and done some things theyd rather forget.
With this episode, it all comes rushing back thanks to what Pike calls a special visitor.
Pike clearly sees his visit as a positive.
As Pike points out, most of theEnterprisecrew has no direct experience of the war.
But those who do view Klingons, particularly this Klingon, in a different light.
Ever the diplomat, Rah pretends not to have heard and tries to win Ortegas over.
He even downplays his pain when Spocks attempt to produce a raktajino burns his hand.
But who is Rah?
Is he a true Federation convert, or is that a convenient front?
And, even so, does this matter when balanced against his good deeds?
Under the Cloak of War never really answers the question.
What happens here is undoubtedly going to haunt future episodes.
What drives MBengas (maybe) murderous rage?
(Shades of what hell later do with his daughter.)
Its a dubious makeshift solution, but at least its something.
He doesnt order them to, but its clearly important.
Just how misguided it is quickly becomes apparent over the course of the meal.
Theres a chance General …
Ambassador Rah has genuinely reformed, MBenga tells Ortegas before they head in.
Sometimes you pretend something long enough it becomes the truth.
They agree to put on the Starfleet face and get through it.
But its not that easy.
While Rah amuses the others with anecdotes about his adventures in diplomacy, Chapel struggles to hide her discomfort.
She doesnt even want to talk to Spock about it.
Back at the dinner, the illusion of politeness breaks down after Rah brings up JGal.
Ortegas isnt buying it.
If he knew MBengas background, he undoubtedly would have reconsidered.
Its a tense session, one in which Rah proposes an alliance because of the powerful statement it sends.
In turn, MBenga asks if Rah really killed his own men to escape and defect.
But he already knows the answer.
His time on JGal pushed him over the edge.
When Rah and MBenga meet again in Sick Bay, MBenga cant hide his true feelings.
Then the conversation takes a turn for the worse.
MBenga opens a case containing the weapon he used to kill the Klingons under Rahs command.
Rah keeps up his plea for peace.
Rah is stabbed and killed.
She cant know this for sure.
But she testifies to it anyway.
Whether she knows the truth, or even wants to, remains unclear.
But Pikes assigning that title to the wrong person.
Id be on your side.
Id work it out.
Nonetheless, MBenga throws out a hypothetical.
What if hedidmurder Rah, but Rah was a really awful person?
Pike, a Boy Scout to the end, cant sign on to this hypothetical.
You havent lived my life, MBenga tells him.
You have the privilege of believing in whats best in people.
So did MBenga start the fight?
(And even if hewasfaking, that doesnt take away what he accomplished as an ambassador.)
But its still hard not to see MBengas side.
Hit It!
Also, MBenga and Chapel appear to be roughly the same age now as during the Klingon War.
Will we get answers?
Protocol 12 is the name of the performance-enhancing drug taken by MBenga and Chapel.
Clint Howard has a long history withStar Trek.
Its aTrekdebut for the great character actor Robert Wisdom, most recently seen onBarry.
I am having difficulty watching you experience such obvious distress is a sweet sentiment coming from Spock.
Those are all intense hours of television, suggesting his name in the credits means viewers best steel themselves.
Jeff W. Byrd, an in-demand TV director and producer, directs.
