Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 3 - “Shuttle To Kenfori”
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsjust wrapped up a lingering storyline from season 2 with a somewhat disappointing resolution. Written by Onitra Johnson and Bill Wolkoff, and directed by Dan Liu,Strange New Worldsseason 3, episode 3, “Shuttle to Kenfori"delivers a horror-tinged story complete with Klingon zombies.
“Shuttle to Kenfori” follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and Dr. Joseph M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) asthey embark on an off-the-books mission to find a Chimera Blossomthat could save the life of Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano). A Klingon named Bytha (Christine Horn) tracks down Pike and M’Benga, revealing herself as the daughter of Ambassador Dak’Rah (Robert Wisdom).
Back in theStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2 episode, “Under the Cloak of War,“M’Benga killed Dak’Rah for the atrocities the Klingon general had committedduring the Federation-Klingon War. Bytha, who hated her father for dishonoring their family, needed to kill M’Benga as a way to restore her honor.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Resolution To Dr. M’Benga’s Murder Cover-Up Was Disappointing
M’Benga Faces No Consequences For Murdering A Federation Ambassador
InStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2’s “Under the Cloak of War,” M’Benga andNurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush)claimed Dak’Rah’s murder was in self-defense, but even then, Captain Pike suspected otherwise. Still, he trusted his friend and ultimately let the matter go. While this made sense at the time,it raised the question of whether M’Benga’s actions would ever come back to haunt him.
When Bytha confronted M’Benga, he confessed that he had assassinated Dak’Rah.
When Bytha confronted M’Benga, he confessed that he had assassinated Dak’Rah, but refused to kill Bytha after beating her in combat. After Pike and M’Benga return to the Enterprise,M’Benga is prepared to accept the consequencesfor his actions. Captain Pike, however, says that since the confession happened during an off-the-books mission and while M’Benga was under duress, he won’t be filing a report about the incident.
“Shuttle to Kenfori” put Pike and M’Benga’s friendship on full display, andit was great to see the two of them interacting as friendsrather than as Captain and Chief Medical Officer. And while Pike is right to assure Dr. M’Benga that he is not a"monster,“he lets him off the hook a bit too easily. He did murder a Federation Ambassador, after all.
Dr. M’Benga reveals he has been married and divorced several times, although his last marriage was annuled.
WithCaptain Batel’s battle with her Gorn infection, Pike clearly has a lot on his mind, but he has never been the type to brush aside a problem. While it’s possible M’Benga’s transgression could still come to light, it’s disappointing that “Shuttle to Kenfori” seems to put the matter to restin favor of returning to the status quo.
What Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Should Have Done With Dr. M’Benga’s Story
Strange New Worlds Could’ve Taken M’Benga’s Story In Many Different Directions
Star Trek: Strange New Worldshas already shown hints thatDr. M’Benga sometimes struggles with PTSDas a result of his time during the Klingon War. The show could have continued to explore this thread, revealing more about M’Benga’s past, as he faced the consequences of his murder of Dak’Rah.
Throughout its long history,Star Trekhas delivered some great trial episodesin which beloved characters have had to exonerate themselves or defend their actions.Strange New Worldscould have done the same with M’Benga, putting him on trial just likeNumber One (Rebecca Romijn)in one of the series' best episodes, season 2’s “Ad Astra Per Aspera.”
Strange New Worldscould have used Dak’Rah’s murder as a way to explain why M’Benga is no longer the chief medical officer aboard the Enterprise by the time ofStar Trek: The Original Series.
A trial episode focused on this incident would have been particularly interesting, asM’Benga actually did murder Dak’Rah(whether he was justified or not). This would have made the story different from many ofStar Trek’scourtroom episodes, as they usually feature characters accused of crimes they did not commit.
It would’ve been more satisfying to seeStrange New Worldsdig deeper.
Ultimately,the story’s resolution in “Shuttle to Kenfori” all feels too easy,and it would’ve been more satisfying to seeStrange New Worldsdig deeper. The show could have easily focused an entire episode on this resolution rather than including it in an episode focused on finding a treatment for Captain Batel.
Dr. M’Benga Has Still Become One Of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Best Characters
Babs Olusanmokun Never Disappoints
Even ifStar Trek: Strange New Worldscould have done more with M’Benga’s storyline, he still remains one of the show’s best characters.Babs Olusanmokun delivers powerhouse performancesin both “Under the Cloak of War” and “Shuttle to Kenfori,” and never fails to make M’Benga compelling to watch.
Between his history in the Klingon War and his friendship with Captain Pike,M’Benga has become one ofStrange New Worlds’more well-developed characters,and he consistently gets strong storylines. Plus, M’Benga’s compassion as a doctor and his impressive fighting skills make for a truly fascinating combination.
Dr. Joseph M’Benga (as portrayed by Booker Bradshaw) originally appeared in two episodes ofStar Trek: The Original Series, butStrange New Worldshas given his character a lot more depth.
The characters (and the actors who play them) onStar Trek: Strange New Worldscontinue to be one of the show’s greatest strengths. Dr. Joseph M’Benga remains as compelling as ever, but it would have been nice to see a stronger resolution to his shocking decision to murder Dak’Rah.
