Forget Tһe Stаr Trek Musісаl & Crossover, Tһіs Wаs Strаnge New Worlds Seаson 2's Most Fаsсіnаtіng Eріsode

In many ways, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is the best Star Trek show on the air today. Strange New Worlds has a compelling mix of episodic and long-form narratives, as well as lighthearted and serious stories, and character and setting-based plotlines. Since its premiere in 2022, Strange New Worlds has proven it can follow in the footsteps of Star Trek giants like Star Trek: The Original Series or Star Trek: The Next Generation. With season three of Strange New Worlds set to release some time this year, the time is ripe to reflect on the episodes we already have.

Strange New Worlds has had some pretty iconic episodes. Season 2 alone boasted not only a hilarious crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks, but also Strange New World's musical episode "Subspace Rhapsody" that served as the perfect blend of classic Star Trek nostalgia and modern Star Trek film quality. Despite the undeniable kooky charm of both of these episodes, Strange New Worlds season 2 is at its best and most fascinating in episodes where it tackles the complexities of life in Starfleet.

“Under The Cloak Of War” Is Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2’s Most Fascinating Episode

It Has Everything: Plot, Acting, Writing, And Directing

Not only is Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, "Under the Cloak of War," the most fascinating outing in the series to date, it is also the most disturbing so far. It reveals Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) and Nurse Christine Chapel's (Jess Bush) experience of the Federation-Klingon War, where they served together on the ground in J'Gal. Dr. M'Benga in particular, has to directly confront traumatic memories of healing young Starfleet officers, only to see them die anyway, and, ultimately, brutally killing Klingons himself.

Speaking generally, "Under the Cloak of War" explores dark themes and moral complexities with more care and nuance than a lot of other modern Trek. This compelling and careful portrayal shines through in both actors like Olusanmokun and Bush's performances and through the episode's writing and directing. Writer Davy Perez consistently highlighted what it means to be both a Starfleet officer and a soldier in a warzone, writing Dr. M'Benga's most iconic line thus far:

We have to fight so the people we love can have a chance to live in peace. That's Starfleet.

"Under the Cloak of War" also features multiple scenes of hand-to-hand combat, both on the surface of J'Gal and on the USS Enterprise itself. While in a lesser episode those scenes might have read as over the top or generic action, Director Jeff W. Byrd consistently framed those scenes so that they simultaneously highlighted the tragedy of war and undergirded the tension in the non-combat scenes in the episode. Watching "Under the Cloak of War" feels like watching a feature film, and the hard work of the creative team behind Strange New Worlds really shines through.

“Under The Cloak Of War” Left Big Questions For Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3

Dr. M'Benga's Future May Be Defined Next Season

The ending of "Under the Cloak of War," is, in some ways, ambiguous. Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) confronts Dr. M'Benga in Sick Bay, asking for the truth about his lethal confrontation with the Klingon General and Ambassador Dak'Rah (Robert Wisdom). While Dr. He tells his captain some things, M'Benga​​​​​​​ does not reveal the truth that he was the real "Butcher of J'Gal." In the end, it is unclear just how much Captain Pike knows, and, in turn, how much Starfleet knows.

Dr. M'Benga's future is already written by the events of The Original Series. We know that although he is currently the Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer, M'Benga will eventually be replaced by Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley). The details of why Dr. M'Benga lost his rank are not yet established, but it is entirely possible that his checkered past during the Klingon War played a role. With these threads still up in the air, season three of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has a lot to unpack with Dr. M'Benga.