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'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds': Who Are the Gorn?

Who are the mystery aliens pursuing the Enterprise?

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds recently released its fourth episode, "Memento Mori," and with it, used its prequel status to return to an iconic piece of Star Trek lore dating back to 1967. This episode doesn't shy away from saying the infamous species' name, either. However, revisiting the Gorn isn't all that surprising, considering Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh ( Christina Chong ) revealed the heartbreaking backstory that found her a victim of the ruthless species, even if that wasn't quite the lore the audience was expecting based on the character's name. But fifty-five years is a long time, so if you don't remember everything about the antagonistic species, nobody would blame you. So, who are the Gorn?

The Gorn are an intelligent, bipedal, and reptilian species that are incredibly hostile and unfortunately warp-capable with technology on par with The Federation's. Thanks to Lower Decks , the assumption can be made that they have at least two genders and that marriage is a part of their reptilian culture. The species are very durable, strong, and have incredible stamina, however, this also makes them slower and less agile creatures. While the eye appearance of the reptiles' eyes varied among the species, they had razor-sharp teeth, holes on the side of their heads for ears, and claws on their hands and feet. The Gorn are carnivores.

RELATED: How ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Perfectly Balances Classic and New Trek

Until Strange New Worlds , it was assumed that the first contact with the Gorn was with Captain James T. Kirk ( William Shatner ), but we now know of at least two previous interactions. The first occurred in the 2200s when the reptilians captured a human colony ship and transferred the entire complement to a facility where they were used as live food or breeding sacks. According to the Gorn's culture, the last surviving person is jettisoned into space aboard a life raft, allowing for Lt. Noonien-Singh's survival and rescue by Una Chin-Riley ( Rebecca Romijn ). Later, the Gorn attempt to lure The USS Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike ( Anson Mount ) into a trap, but thanks to the previous experience of Lt. Noonien-Singh, the Enterprise is able to evade capture, destroy one of the ships, and escape.

The Federation made contact with the species when they attack a colony/outpost on Cestus III, a system in what the Gorn considered their territory, in Star Trek: The Original Series episode, "Arena." When USS Enterprise pursues a Gorn vessel, another alien, a Metron, transports both Kirk and the Gorn Captain to a deserted planet where the iconic fight scene takes place. Kirk eventually wins, but instead spares the Gorn. The Metron is surprised but impressed, deciding to spare The Enterprise while still sending them thousands of light-years away from that sector of space.

A Gorn was next seen on The Animated Series episode, "The Time Trap." He was seen on a ruling council of a pocket reality, implying that some of the species became separated from the whole. It's important to note that generally The Animated Series isn't included in the recognized Star Trek canon. The Gorn are also in several Lower Decks episodes. In addition to the huge marriage revelation, the series also gives fans an amazing tidbit of information: A Gorn resides on Starbase 25 and is a chef at 'Mr. Krada Leg'.

Finally, a Gorn named Slar is also used in Enterprise 's "In A Mirror Darkly, Part 2" to help contextualize the mirror universe and show how brutal and violent the alternate reality is. Slar is a slavemaster for the Tholian Assembly, leading a salvage mission of the USS Defiant (NCC-1764), a ship from the prime universe, stuck in the mirroring one. When Terrans also board the ship, Slar attempts to keep control of the ship but is killed by Captain Jonathan Archer ( Scott Bakula ) in the process. Star Trek: Discovery also shows that because of the size and might of the species, it isn't unusual for members of The Terran Empire to take their skeletal remains as trophies, as seen on Georgiou's ( Michelle Yeoh ) ISS Shenzou.

The Gorn may not have a history as complex as the Andorians or Bajorans, but the Gorn rightfully earned their place in Trek lore even just by being the first thing that comes to many people's minds when mentioning Star Trek or Captain Kirk. The inclusion of this species in La'an's backstory gives the opportunity to flesh out this species even more in Strange New Worlds , potentially providing more context for the goofy fight that aired over 5 decades ago.

Star Trek writer explains a big Gorn canon twist in Strange New Worlds

Your favorite lizard people are back. Or are they? SNW w riter Davy Perez explains all things Gorn.

The Gorn are back! In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 4, “Memento Mori,” Starfleet begins believing the myth of the Gorn is real, and the species of lizard aliens who fought Captain Kirk in The Original Series suddenly just got a lot more fleshed-out in Star Trek canon. Yet, Strange New Worlds also created several new mysteries and continuity twists about the Gorn.

Inverse caught up with Episode 4 co-writer Davy Perez to get all the scaly details about the Gorn and why he and (Episode 4’s other co-writer) Beau DeMayo made a very specific decision on whether to show the lizard aliens onscreen. Spoilers ahead.

The mystery of the Gorn

Captain Pike (Anson Mount) and Spock (Ethan Peck) try to outwit the Gorn spaceships.

Other than the famous appearance of a Gorn captain in The Original Series episode “Arena,” the only other times we see Gorns in Trek canon are in:

• The Animated Series episode “The Time Trap” (1973)
• Lower Decks episode “Veritas” (2020)
• Enterprise episode “In a Mirror, Darkly Part II” (2005)
• Discovery season 1 as a skeleton kept by Captain Lorca (2017)

Because the Enterprise Gorn is from the Mirror Universe , and the other non- TOS appearances are either animated or skeletal, actual flesh-and-blood Gorn sightings in the Prime Universe of Trek canon are extremely rare.

“We discussed this quite a bit, how to honor the idea that people either haven't seen [the Gorn] and in some cases might not even believe they exist,” writer Davy Perez tells Inverse. “ There is a lot we still don’t know about the Gorn. What was fun for me was using parts from ‘Arena’ we do know to inform some of their behavior.”

Perez points out that in “Arena,” Kirk is told by the Metrons that the creature he fights is a Gorn, which gave the writers “room to play” while making sure the moment for Kirk still made sense.

“Our goal is never to undo people’s experience with The Original Series, ” Perez explains. “But if we can manage it, perhaps to give us an interesting perspective to consider that lines up with the original stories.”

Why Strange New Worlds didn’t show the Gorn

La’an (Christina Chong) and Ortegas (Melissa Navia) in a tense moment on the bridge of the Enterprise .

Because Kirk had never seen a Gorn before “Arena,” some fans might be worried that Strange New Worlds flies very close to violating canon in “Memento Mori.” How can the Enterprise encounter the Gorn in roughly 2259 if Kirk doesn’t see the Gorn for the first time until 2267?

The answer is simple: At no point in this episode do we ever see a Gorn. And Perez reveals this decision was crucial.

“I think there were some early ideas floating around where we might have caught a glimpse of one,” Perez says. “But there was always the idea that we should hear about them and begin to dread the Gorn without ever actually seeing them. Once we decided not to see them at all, the episode sprang to life.”

Because “Memento Mori” doesn’t feature Pike wrestling with a guy in a lizard suit, it doesn’t reference “Arena” all that much. Instead, the structure of “Memento Mori” refers to a different Original Series episode, “Balance of Terror,” in which the Enterprise plays cat-and-mouse with a Romulan ship.

“It was 100 percent an inspiration,” Perez says. “I did a deep dive on submarine movies when I was researching this episode. I wanted to emulate that same feeling as ‘Balance of Terror.’ We put the focus on our crew working together and dealing with their respective problems all over the ship.”

Strange New Worlds ’ “Easter egg basket”

Although Pike, Spock, and most of Starfleet have never seen a Gorn, Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) very much has. As revealed in this episode, La’an’s family was murdered by the Gorn when she was a small child on a Federation colony ship, the S.S. Puget Sound . As La’an says in the episode, “plenty of people have seen the Gorn,” they just don’t live to tell the tale.

In this way, La’an has hidden canon knowledge about the Gorn that even Spock and Kirk won’t have until after the events of “Arena” in The Original Series . Notably, this is also the second bit of classic Trek canon that La’an has access to because of her unique background. In “Ghosts of Illyria,” we learn she’s the descendent of the villainous Khan Noonien Singh from TOS and The Wrath of Khan . So, in the ‘60s show, the crew doesn’t know much about the Gorn and has spotty knowledge of Khan, but in Strange New Worlds , La’an has secret knowledge of both.

“I haven’t thought her that way, but I can see how she is sort of the ‘Easter Egg basket’ for our show,” Perez says with a laugh. “She’s an outsider and new character, and she also gets to be an audience surrogate. A lot of La’an’s back story is going to be new information to existing fans as well. That’s what is fun about playing in this era [of Star Trek canon]. There are a lot of stories and ideas that have been touched on in the past but still have lots of potential to explore.”

Captain Kirk (William Shatner) refuses to murder the Gorn Captain in “Arena.”

Perez also notes that La’an’s feelings about the Gorn are intended to reference Kirk’s actions in “Arena,” albeit in a roundabout way. In “Memento Mori,” La’an says, “The Federation teaches that if we can find a way to empathize with an enemy, they can one day become our friends. They’re wrong . Some things in this universe are just plain evil.”

And yet, in “Arena,” Kirk famously refuses to murder a Gorn, proving to the Metrons that human beings are capable of incredible empathy. It’s a classic Trek moment that gets an interesting twist in Strange New Worlds .

“It’s a nice bookend thematically with ‘Arena,’” Perez explains. “La’an says this because of her history with the Gorn. We’re a long way from that lesson right now.”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds airs new episodes on Paramount+ on Thursdays.

This article was originally published on May 26, 2022

• Science Fiction

A Short History Of The Gorn In The Star Trek Universe

This episode contains minor  spoilers ahead for episode 4 of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."

Canon is a funny thing in the world of "Star Trek." The franchise, which has churned out 12 criss-crossing series (and just as many movies) in its 56-year history, has to tread carefully where continuity is concerned. If first contact with an alien species is said to occur in one series, it's difficult to feature them in others that occur earlier — tempting as the concept might be. It's a rule that's made certain "Trek" villains, like the Gorn, off-limits for certain eras. Since the Gorn "officially" made first contact with Starfleet in "The Original Series," they can't "officially" appear in any prequels. But as we've seen with shows like "Enterprise," " Star Trek: Discovery ," and now " Strange New Worlds ," it's still possible to make use of the classic villains without disturbing the canon.

The Gorn identity

The Gorn first appeared in the original series episode "Arena," and even then their mystique was a huge part of their appeal. Kirk, Spock and McCoy run into the Gorn on a Federation outpost on Cestus III — and the aliens ruthlessly attack before the bridge crew even catches a glimpse of them. The Gorn had even lured the Enterprise to Cestus III with a fabricated invitation; by the time Kirk and Spock realize that they've been deceived, the colony on Cestus had already been destroyed.

Kirk later sets off to avenge the colony's untimely destruction, pursuing the Gorn ship into unknown space. There, both the Enterprise and the Gorn are apprehended by a highly-advanced alien species called the Metrons. This third party has absolutely no taste for violence, but they recognize that both humans and Gorn share a primitive inclination for it. Their solution is to drop Kirk onto a nearby planet with the captain of the Gorn ship, and allow them to sort out their issues the old-fashioned way: A fight to the death.

It's on this planet that Kirk gets a good look at the Gorn for the very first time. They're essentially just giant, sentient lizards, but even without their formidable technology, the Gorn captain possesses a brute strength that nearly kills Kirk. Fortunately, Kirk still does have his wits — as well as a trove of raw minerals, which he uses to fashion a cannon that takes the Gorn out of commission. Kirk eventually decides to spare the captain's life, with the hopes that the Federation can one day appeal to this alien race — but it'd be some time before the Gorn were used in the Prime timeline once more.

Mirror, mirror

Since the Gorn were so rarely seen in Federation space, they were reduced to legend in other stories that followed the original series. The species is mentioned on and off throughout the franchise, and even appear briefly in the animated series " Star Trek: Lower Decks ," but their second most prominent role in the "Trek" canon actually takes place in the Mirror universe.

The Mirror universe is essentially an alternate reality where everyone is evil ( and/or horny ) all the time, so there's not technically a need for an alien species that most consider inherently evil. However, introducing the Gorn to an alternate timeline was the perfect way for original series prequels like " Enterprise " to reimagine first contact with the species. "Enterprise" takes place approximately 100 years before the events of the original series, and follows the crew of the very first U.S.S. Enterprise, captained by Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula). But in the Mirror dimension — as explored in the fourth season arc " In a Mirror Darkly " — Archer is the mutinous first officer of the I.S.S. Enterprise. In a dizzying turn of events, Archer gets his hands on a Federation ship from the Prime timeline: The U.S.S. Defiant.

Archer intends to use this advanced ship to quell the rebellion against the Terran Empire, but he has to contend with a few stowaways before bringing his plans to fruition, namely a murderous Gorn named Slar. Fittingly, Archer is forced into a little hand to hand combat with the Gorn, just like Kirk — but he also has the resources of his super-advanced ship at his disposal, and he uses them well. Since this is the Mirror dimension, the mercy that Kirk extended to his Gorn adversary is nowhere to be found. Archer kills Slar without thinking twice, making for another short-lived appearance for the species.

The menagerie

The Mirror universe would become a clever loophole for "Trek" writers to explore — or at least reference — the Gorn in prequels to the original series. "Discovery" made use of this same conceit in its first season. The first captain of the titular vessel, Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs), displayed a Gorn skeleton one of his many offices ... but seeing as Lorca was actually from the Mirror universe , that Easter egg doesn't necessarily have to be explained. Plus, the Gorn in question wasn't exactly alive, so it couldn't really count as first contact.

In truth, the mere presence of a Gorn, however brief, is usually enough to excite longtime fans of the "Trek" franchise. They're an utterly classic villain, as much for their mystique as for their capacity for cruelty. It's the latter that makes the Gorn so interesting to writer and producer Akiva Goldsman, who's been helping to shape the world of "Trek" in recent years on shows like "Picard" and "Strange New Worlds." 

"I have this long-standing love for the Gorn," Goldsman told /Film . Though "Trek" series have always "generated empathy" for alien species, Goldsman has always "yearned a little bit" for a truly evil adversary. "It's been a while since we've had that, and the Gorn sort of presented themselves as such."

Children of the Gorn

Obsessed as Goldsman may be with the Gorn, it's taken a while for the showrunner to bring them back to "Trek" in a larger capacity. That opportunity finally presented itself in "Strange New Worlds," primarily through Enterprise security officer La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong). Though the Federation can't physically meet the Gorn before the events of the original series, La'an has some firsthand experience with the species: Her entire family was once captured and imprisoned by the Gorn, and she was the sole survivor of the tragedy.

"Strange New Worlds" treats La'an's account as a report of "unconfirmed" first contact, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying. It's a brilliant way to capitalize on the potential of the Gorn, especially since it doesn't really break canon. After the Enterprise's run-in with a Gorn ship in the latest episode, titled "Momento Mori," it's clear that there's tons of potential for the Gorn as a seriously-formidable adversary moving forward. It's just a question of how far the "Strange New Worlds" team can push the limits of canon. But if the popularity of the Gorn is any indication, there's certainly an appetite for more of the alien species moving forward.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" is currently streaming on Paramount+.

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And the Children Shall Lead

• Episode aired Oct 11, 1968

The Enterprise reaches a Federation colony where the adults have all killed themselves but the children play without care. The Enterprise reaches a Federation colony where the adults have all killed themselves but the children play without care. The Enterprise reaches a Federation colony where the adults have all killed themselves but the children play without care.

• Marvin J. Chomsky
• Gene Roddenberry
• Edward J. Lakso
• Arthur H. Singer
• William Shatner
• Leonard Nimoy
• DeForest Kelley
• 42 User reviews
• 13 Critic reviews

• Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk

• Mister Spock

• Tommy Starnes
• (as Craig Hundley)
• Professor Starnes

• Nurse Chapel

• (as Caesar Belli)

• 1st Technician
• (as Lou Elias)
• Ensign Freeman
• (uncredited)
• Lieutenant Hadley
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• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

• Trivia Leonard Nimoy explained that when he complained about the script to Fred Freiberger , Freiberger said, "This script is going to be what 'Miri' should have been". Nimoy objected, calling Miri (1966) a beautiful, well-acted story, and felt that Freiberger's comments were as much as saying, "'Miri' was a piece of trash".
• Goofs The transporter was used to send a security detail down to the planet. The red shirt controlling the transporter was not under the control of the children, so he would have noticed that the Enterprise was not in orbit before beaming the two security red shirts in to outer space.

Captain James T. Kirk : Captain's log, supplementary. We have buried the members of the Starnes exploration party. Everyone has been deeply affected by what has happened here - with some important exceptions.

• Alternate versions Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
• Connections Featured in Cinematic Excrement: Spock's Brain (2014)
• Soundtracks Theme Music credited to Alexander Courage Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

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• Jan 12, 2018
• October 11, 1968 (United States)
• United States
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• Runtime 51 minutes

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The strangers: ending, explained, scream 7: kevin williamson's original scream 3 plans would make for a perfect sequel.

Ever since the late 1960s, Star Trek has been a staple in the science fiction world. Not only do many consider it the pinnacle of the genre, but it has also been the mainstream founding father to the plethora of space-faring shows and movies that have been created since. Out of the 12 different TV shows (and 13 movies), the franchise continuously delighted audiences with impressive futuristic technology , philosophical and political quandaries, and of course, and large array of interesting and diverse alien races. The fan favorite, meme famous, Gorn, are one such race — but who exactly are they?

The Gorn are a Jurassic-looking species that first appeared on the small screen during The Original Series in the episode “Arena.” This was the first time an encounter with the Gorn by a member of the federation was recorded — this is important to remember for later. As such, nothing was known about them at the time, and the episode played into this mystery quite well. They took on the persona of the ferocious monster that lurks in the dark, having torn through a Federation compound on Cestus III without being seen by the crew of the Enterprise. Despite their ruthless, animal-like attack on the outpost, they Gorn were shown to be fairly intelligent beings, having lured Kirk and his crew to the planet with a fake invitation.

RELATED: 5 Inconsistencies In The Star Trek Universe

As the episode continues, Kirk takes on the responsibility to avenge the victims of the Gorn attack, and pursues their ship into an unexplored area of space. While giving chase, another adversary enters the rink, a highly advanced species called the Metrons. They capture the two ships and, while holding the two crews’ lives in their hands, have no desire of violence, instead being disgusted at both the Enterprise and the Gorn’s taste of it. They view it as a primitive character flaw, but, rather ironically in retrospect, decide that to solve the two parties' grievances, they would drop both captains on a nearby planet and get them to fight to the death . Very diplomatic.

It’s here that audiences, as well as Kirk, get their first proper look at what the Gorn look like. For the late 60s, their design was pretty good: a humanoid (of course ) giant lizard, with green scaled skin, sharp teeth, and wild dragon-like eyes. Not only were they ferocious-looking, but as the Gorn captain and Kirk fight, it’s apparent that even without their technology the Gorn are strong, and Kirk is nearly killed. In true Star Trek fashion, however, strength is shown to not be the most important factor in conflict, and Kirk evades his foe. Using his Starfleet training and his natural wits, he scavenges parts together he finds on the planet and builds himself a weapon — a cannon of sorts. With this, he can finally take down his foe… right?

This is Kirk, however, a strong leader with a sharp mind and a heart of gold. He is the pinnacle of what the Federation should be about , and symbolizes everything that Star Trek teaches. Instead of resorting to violence, he uses the weapon to get the Gorn to surrender, and spares his life in hope that perhaps in the future, the Gorn might join the Federation.

Despite this ending to the episode, the Gorn have never really been a large part of the franchise since then, and have somewhat descended into legend. They ironically don’t appear in any of the timeline preceding shows like Voyager, DS9, or Next Generation (although they do briefly appear in the mixed-reviewed Star Trek: Lower Decks ), where their appearance might work with regard to honoring the canon and their first contact. Instead, they have only featured in shows that are set before the Original Series , because if there’s something a Star Trek writer thrives on, it’s making things difficult.

The Gorn appear within the Mirror Universe during Enterprise, which is set around about 100 years before The Original Series. Using the mirror universe allows for the Gorn to be introduced without causing continuity issues, allowing them to interact with the Federation years before they should according to the Prime timeline. A similar thing happens in Discovery, but this time is much more subtle, taking the form of an Easter egg more than an actual appearance. During the first season, a Gorn skeleton can be seen in the background of the office of Captain Lorca. Since Discovery not only takes place in the Prime timeline, but is also set before the events of The Original Series, this might be seen as a continuity error — however, as Lorca actually comes from the Mirror universe, this error can be easily explained away.

More exciting for longtime Gorn fans, however, is their presence within the new series Strange New Worlds , who are bringing them back in a much larger way. To avoid continuity issues, the federation and Pike's crew cannot physically or officially meet the Gorn before The Original Series episode, but security officer Noonien-Singh ( not Khan Noonien-Singh , but La’an Noonien-Singh) has first-hand experience. Her entire family was wiped out by them, leaving her as the sole survivor. While not breaking canon yet, the latest episode of Strange New Worlds “Momento Mori” might be pushing the limits a little, as they encounter a Gorn ship.

How much the Gorn will feature in further episodes is unknown, but it’s apparent that this race's almost cult-like following by Star Trek fans is thriving on their inclusion again into the show, after years of being pushed to the sidelines. Whether the writers are using them to appeal to the fans to draw more people in, or whether they are series about using them as the formidable foe the series deserves, is yet to be known, but either way it’s great to have the giant lizard back.

MORE: Star Trek's Warp Drive Technology, Explained

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A friendly reminder regarding spoilers ! At present the expanded Trek universe is in a period of major upheaval with the continuations of Discovery and Prodigy , the advent of new eras in gaming with the Star Trek Adventures RPG , Star Trek: Infinite and Star Trek Online , as well as other post-57th Anniversary publications such as the ongoing IDW Star Trek comic and spin-off Star Trek: Defiant . Therefore, please be courteous to other users who may not be aware of current developments by using the {{ spoiler }}, {{ spoilers }} OR {{ majorspoiler }} tags when adding new information from sources less than six months old (even if it is minor info). Also, please do not include details in the summary bar when editing pages and do not anticipate making additions relating to sources not yet in release. THANK YOU

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A Gorgon was an entity from Greek mythology , a woman capable of turning people to stone .

• 1 History and specifics
• 2.1 References
• 2.2 External links

History and specifics [ ]

According to legend, Gorgons had snakes for hair. ( NF novel : Requiem )

In mythology, Perseus cut off one of the Gorgon's heads and kept it bagged. ( DS9 novel : The Never Ending Sacrifice )

Relief sculptures of Gorgans adorned the walls of the building where Shathrissia zh'Cheen 's Sending was held in 2376 . ( DS9 - Worlds of Deep Space Nine novella : Andor: Paradigm )

The black hole Gorgon's Demise was named after the mythical being. ( ST video game : Infinite )

Appendices [ ]

References [ ].

• NF novel : Requiem
• DS9 - Worlds of Deep Space Nine novella : Andor: Paradigm
• DS9 novel : The Never Ending Sacrifice

External links [ ]

• Gorgon article at Wikipedia , the free encyclopedia.
• Gorgon article at Fandom's Myths and Folklore Wiki .

Screen Rant

Every borg queen in star trek.

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Before Voyager, A Borg Queen Actor Romanced Star Trek: DS9’s Dax

Star trek: lower decks cast guide - who voices each character in all 4 seasons, what happened to star trek: picard's other borg queen explained by showrunner.

• Borg Queen's multiple faces share memories, resemble bee hives, and manipulate even sexuality - iconic villain.
• Voyager reveals Borg Queen origin, Seven of Nine connection, and Janeway's daring plans with Thompson's chilling portrayal.
• Picard features desperate, lonely Borg Queen using manipulation for companionship; Pill's nuanced performance evolves Borg character.

First introduced in Star Trek: First Contact, the Borg Queen's multiple incarnations have been played by several different actors across the Star Trek franchise. The Borg Queen is the name assigned to the Borg Collective's central nexus, and while they have had different faces across the Star Trek timeline , they appear to share the same memories and personality. The existence of a Queen draws a comparison between the Borg and bees, with the Borg Queen coordinating her drones via a hive mind.

Of all the Star Trek shows that feature the Borg , it was Star Trek: Voyager that revealed most about the Borg Queen. For example, Voyager revealed that the Borg Collective's central nexus was dubbed the Queen by Magnus and Erika Hansen , eminent experts on the Borg and parents to young Annika. The Hansens were eventually captured and assimilated by the Borg, with Annika becoming Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). Like Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) before her, Seven retained a complicated link back to the Borg Collective, and the many faces of the Borg Queen.

Star Trek: The Full History Of The Borg Queen Explained

Since her introduction to the Star Trek franchise, the Borg Queen has become a legendary villain with a long, complex, and fascinating history.

7 Alice Krige In Star Trek: First Contact

The original borg queen. (and the best).

The first Borg Queen was played by Alice Krige in the 1996 Star Trek: The Next Generation movie Star Trek: First Contact . Surprisingly, for the Queen of a race of emotionless drones, she had a distinct personality and even attempted to seduce Lieutenant Commander Data (Brent Spiner) with promises of the humanity he craved. The Borg Queen's use of manipulation and even sexuality has defined the character from her first appearance in First Contact to Star Trek: Picard season 2, which speaks to Alice Krige's lasting impact on the character.

In an interview with Star Trek 's official website , Brannon Braga explained why the Borg Queen was created for Star Trek: First Contact , saying: " the Borg aren't that interesting for a feature film for two hours because they don't say anything. "

It's heavily implied in Star Trek: First Contact that Captain Jean-Luc Picard's assimilation into the Borg Collective as Locutus was an attempt to provide the Queen with a mate - something that was foiled by Picard's resistance to his Borg conditioning during the Battle of Wolf 359 . Krige played the role of the Borg Queen as a cold and calculating manipulator, who could seamlessly shift from seduction to ordering the destruction of mankind. As such, despite being destroyed by Data (Brent Spiner) in the movie's climax, Krige's Borg Queen is still the most recognizable incarnation.

6 Susanna Thompson In Star Trek: Voyager

Susanna thompson got a second chance to be the borg queen..

Susanna Thompson had originally auditioned to play the role of the Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact , but lost out to Alice Krige . However, she got her wish to play the role when the USS Voyager finally entered Borg space during their adventures in the Delta Quadrant. As Alice Krige was unavailable to reprise her role for Star Trek: Voyager season 5, episodes 15 and 16, "Dark Frontier", Thompson was cast instead. In "Dark Frontier", Captain Janeway launches a daring plan to acquire Borg technology that risks Seven of Nine's freedom.

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Susanna Thompson's Borg Queen expressed a preference for Seven, stating she was her favorite Borg drone and threatened to assimilate the entire Voyager crew if Seven did not rejoin the Collective. Thompson took Krige's portrayal as the basis for her own performance, and brought new depths to it, adding a twisted maternal fascination with Seven into the mix. This was a perfect counterpoint to Captain Janeway's own maternal relationship with Seven. Thompson reprised the role once more for Star Trek: Voyager "Unimatrix Zero", in which the Voyager crew inspire a group of Borg drones to revolt against their Queen.

2nd Borg Queen Susanna Thompson was a regular guest actor across all three of Star Trek's 90s shows, from TNG to Voyager via a controversial DS9 role.

5 Alice Krige In Star Trek: Voyager's Finale

Voyager finally secured alice krige for janeway's last battle with the borg queen..

Alice Krige reprised her role as the Borg Queen in Star Trek: Voyager 's finale "Endgame", in which she faced off against Starfleet's Admiral Janeway. The plot of "Endgame" centered on an older Admiral Janeway traveling back in time to get the USS Voyager home decades earlier than it had in her timeline. This plan required her to hijack the Borg Collective's transwarp corridors, and face down the Borg Queen one last time. Alice Krige told Star Trek Magazine that she was advised by a Voyager producer to bring the same sexually charged energy from Star Trek: First Contact , noting that the Borg Queen was omnisexual .

To prepare for her return, Alice Krige opted not to watch any of Susanna Thompson's previous episode but instead read the previous Star Trek: Voyager scripts in which the Borg Queen appeared.

Physically, this is a different Borg Queen from Star Trek: First Contact and the previous Star Trek: Voyager episodes. However, the Borg Queen always retains the same characteristics, so the final confrontation between the older Janeway and the Borg Queen is electric. The return of Alice Krige gave "Endgame" blockbuster energy, which must have fed into Garrett Wang's desire to release an extended version of Star Trek: Voyager' s finale in movie theaters .

4 Alice Krige In Star Trek: Lower Decks

Boimler fought a holographic borg queen in "i, excretus".

Alice Krige played the Borg Queen again in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 2, episode 8, "I, Excretus". The episode revolves around the crew of the USS Cerritos enduring a series of impossibly difficult hologram simulations as part of a rigorous officer assessment program. Ever the over-achiever, Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) became obsessed with getting a perfect score on the Borg Cube simulation, which pitted him against the Borg Queen .

As Star Trek: Lower Decks is predominantly a comedy, and as the Borg Queen in "I, Excretus" is a holographic reconstruction, Krige gets to send up the character. Krige plays Lower Decks ' Borg Queen in a more heightened fashion , making her even more vampish. The scene in which the sexually confident Borg Queen has an incredibly awkward-looking Boimler strapped to a Borg conversion bed provides a great deal of laughs.

Star Trek: Lower Decks features an incredibly talented and prolific voice cast of actors. Here's who's who aboard the USS Cerritos.

3 Annie Wersching In Star Trek: Picard Season 2

An alternate reality borg queen who crossed over into the prime star trek timeline..

Not content with just having Q (John de Lancie) and Dr. Adam Soong (Brent Spiner) as antagonists, Star Trek: Picard season 2 also brought back the Borg Queen. Hailing from the alternate Confederacy of Earth reality, the parallel universe's Borg Queen was played by 24 's Annie Wersching . This alternate Borg Queen had different powers but retained the unifying trait of both Alice Krige and Susanna Thompson's incarnations - an inherent loneliness. It was that loneliness that drew Star Trek: First Contact 's Borg Queen to Locutus and Data, and it was a similar loneliness that drew Star Trek: Voyager 's Borg Queen to Seven.

In Star Trek: Picard season 2, the Borg Queen is rescued from public execution by Jean-Luc Picard's motley crew because she has the processing power to make the precise calculations that will allow them to travel back to 2024 and fix the timeline. As Picard confronted his childhood trauma and Seven was finally allowed to embrace her humanity, the Borg Queen sought companionship elsewhere. Using her famously manipulative techniques, the Borg Queen seduced Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill) . Annie Wersching was terrific at playing this version of the Borg Queen who was desperate to connect, providing a more haunting and melancholic take on the character.

2 Alison Pill In Star Trek: Picard Season 2

Agnes jurati showed the way to a better type of borg..

Alison Pill gave a nuanced performance of not one by two Borg Queens in Star Trek: Picard season 2 . The first was the infamously cold and ruthless version but housed in the body of cyberneticist Agnes Jurati. Pill's second Borg Queen performance was her more evolved form, combining Agnes' humanity and Borg technology to become something unique. Alison Pill performed both these versions well, and kept viewers guessing whether Agnes had fully gone over to the Collective. Instead, Agnes' new Borg Collective combined the technology of the Borg with the more utopian outlook of the Federation .

Agnes Jurati's new Borg Collective were granted provisional Federation membership in Star Trek: Picard season 2's finale.

Agnes' changes to the Borg could lead to some fascinating developments in future Star Trek shows . Jurati has spent centuries creating a new Collective, while the Borg have waged war elsewhere in the galaxy. Now that they've arrived to stand guard over the anomaly, offering the hand of friendship to the Federation. It creates a new dynamic that could completely change the fan-favorite Star Trek aliens, especially as the original Borg Collective were wiped out shortly after.

Terry Matalas considered having Agnes Jurati's Borg Queen make a surprise return in Star Trek: Picard season 3. Here's why it didn't happen.

1 Alice Krige & Jane Edwina Seymour In Star Trek: Picard Season 3

"the last generation" was the borg queen's last stand..

Alice Krige returned to give the Borg Queen her send-off in Star Trek: Picard season 3. However, this time Krige only voiced her lines. The woman in the Borg Queen make-up was Jane Edwina Seymour, credited as "Borg Queen Body Double" in Star Trek: Picard season 3's finale . With Picard's son Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) under her influence as Võx of Borg, the Queen launched a devastating attack on Starfleet and the Federation by simultaneously assimilating every officer under the age of 25.

Voice actor Garth Kemp deserves an honorable mention for voicing The Face, the conduit by which the Borg Queen communicated with Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer).

While viewers may be disappointed that it's not Patrick Stewart and Alice Krige face to face in the Star Trek: Picard finale, the combination of Krige's voice work, and Jane Edwina Seymour's horrifying movements make for a memorably disfigured Borg Queen . Now that the crew of the USS Enterprise-D have destroyed the Borg Collective once and for all, there will likely be no more Borg Queens besides the benevolent Agnes Jurati Queen. This means that Star Trek 's lineage of Borg Queens both starts and ends with Alice Krige.

Star Trek: First Contact is currently available to stream on Max.

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A Complete History of Star Trek's Klingons in The Original Series Era

Quick links, the origin of the klingon empire in star trek, the klingon empire acquires warp drive and a new level of war, starfleet and the klingons engaged in hot and cold war, the klingons vs. captain james t. kirk and how he brought peace.

Star Trek has six decades of history behind the scenes, but the aliens and characters in the narrative go back millennia. Despite being created on a whim for Star Trek: The Original Series , the history of Klingons is one of the most fully realized in the universe. Even though much of it was defined after that first show, how the Klingon Empire took shape is important.

The Klingons were created by Gene L. Coon as a surrogate power for the Soviets to the Federation's United States of America. When the Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the final film with The Original Series ' cast was in production. It told the story of how the Federation made peace with its most iconic enemies. The Khitomer Accords mark a significant point of transition in what it meant to a Klingon. Even though antagonism continued into the 24th Century, the way the Empire (as created by Kahless the Unforgettable) found a way to accept the peace-loving Federation is a remarkable Star Trek story. It's made better with Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds adding new details to this part of the timeline.

The Planned Opening for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Was a Disaster

The Klingons shared genetic markers, found in Vulcans and Romulans that point to a single humanoid ancestor more than four billion years in the past. This progenitor race seeded planets with unknown technology that encouraged the evolution of creatures with a head, two arms and two legs. Klingons, however, could trace their origins back to large reptilian or insectoid predators with exoskeletons and redundant organs .

The Klingon homeworld Qo'noS was ruled by Malor in the 10th Century CE on Earth. A common warrior, Kahless led a revolution that became the founding myth for the Klingon Empire. Legends of his battles were shared among Klingons into the 24th Century. He eventually killed Malor in single combat and founded the Klingon Empire. Kahless became a god-like figure in the culture, inspiring wars and warriors for millennia . There were a number of ruling dynasties and civil wars, continuing once Klingons took to the stars.

Four hundred years after Kahless united Qo'noS, the Hur'q species from the Gamma Quadrant sacked their homeworld. This started a period of uncertainty about war as a way of life. During the Second Dynasty, General K'Trelan killed the Imperial Family, installing more democratically minded Klingons in power. They claimed to be members of the Imperial houses to gain the respect of those bloodlines, but eventually they returned to their warlike ways.

Star Trek: Discovery's Klingons Were More Accurate Than the TNG-Era

The Klingons acquired warp drive sometime in the Earth's 20th Century, and they turned their attention on the galaxy at large. While they still warred with each other, there were new planets to conquer and people to fight. Vulcans, who also were new to warp drive, encountered Klingons who opened fire on them. Until diplomatic relations were officially opened, Vulcans would fire first on any Klingon ship, eventually called "the Vulcan Hello." Klingons traveled the stars, warring and exploring, including sending a vessel into the Delta Quadrant.

In the 2150s, a Klingon crash-landed on Earth and was shot by a farmer. Dr. Phlox, a visiting alien, saved his life, and the NX-01 Enterprise was launched taking the Klingon back to Qo'noS. Captain Archer helped this Klingon maintain his honor and relations between humans and Klingons were off to an amiable start, but this didn't last. The NX-01 Enterprise helped refugees flee the Klingons by engaging them in battle. This led to Captain Archer being wanted as an enemy of the state. He was put on trial on Qo'noS and sentenced to the Rura Penthe colony. He escaped, leading to multiple hostile encounters with them throughout the Star Trek: Enterprise series.

In 2154, tyrannical, genetically augmented humans attacked the Klingon Empire, but the Enterprise was able to avert war. However, a Klingon scientist tried to use the augment DNA to create superior Klingon warriors . Instead, a deadly virus broke out, and Dr. Phlox was kidnapped to help cure it. He was successful, but the treatment led to the Klingons losing their distinctive cranial ridges. The Klingons then withdrew from Federation territory, until the Klingon-Federation war.

Why Uhura Speaks Klingon in Strange New Worlds, but Not Star Trek VI

The Klingons weren't seen in what would become Federation space for much of the late 22nd and early 23rd Centuries. They had again entered into a period of infighting and civil war, as any house sought to rule. When Starfleet did encounter the Klingons, there were open hostilities. There was a raid on a planet called Doctari Alpha and a battle at a planet called Donatu V. The Klingons resorted to spiritual studies, usually based on the Kahless myth, though a sect studied time travel at the Borleth Monastery .

In 2256, T'Kuvma, a unique-looking Klingon spiritual leader , united the great houses on the ancient Sarcophagus Ship. He provoked a war with the Federation at the Battle of the Binary Stars, dying at the hands of Michael Burnham. General Kol, who originated Klingons' use of cloaking technology, took control. The war raged for a year, with the Klingons nearly defeating the Federation . When General Kol was killed and the Sarcophagus Ship destroyed, things only got worse. Eventually, Section 31 developed a plan to destroy the Klingon Homeworld, but Michael Burnham prevented it from reaching fruition. Instead, she gave control of the hydrobombs to L'Rell.

A less war-hungry acolyte of T'Kuvma she was able to continue his mission of uniting the warring factions on Qo'noS. She even allied her fleet with the Federation to stop a rogue AI that threatened all life in the Alpha Quadrant. The Timekeepers at the Borleth Monastery also helped Starfleet solve the mystery of the "Red Angel," and helped Captain Christopher Pike fix the timeline after he tried to prevent his future debilitating accident. Time itself needed James Kirk and Spock to take the helm of the Enterprise. However, the tenuous peace wouldn't last for long.

What Made Worf a Better Klingon Warrior on Star Trek: The Next Generation?

A new war broke out between the Federation and the Klingons in 2257, but it was short-lived. When the USS Enterprise and General Kor's fleet arrived at Organia, the powerful beings that lived there forced them to negotiate an end to hostilities. The Treaty of Organia ended the war, but there were still clashes and battles throughout the sector. Klingons armed pre-warp species, as did Kirk and the Enterprise crew, albeit reluctantly. A Klingon who went by the name Arne Darvin was surgically altered to look human, and almost carried out a terrorist bombing on a starbase.

After a little more than a decade of relative peace, a rogue Klingon commander named Kruge took a Bird of Prey to the newly-created Genesis planet. There he destroyed the Starfleet science vessel studying it and killed David Marcus, the son of James Kirk. He defeated the Klingons, killing all but one of them, and stole the Bird of Prey. Another rogue Klingon Captain named Klaa tried to battle Kirk and the Enterprise, but Klingon Ambassador Korrd ordered Klaa to save him from the God of Sha Ka'Ree. With the destruction of the moon Praxis in 2293, the Klingon homeworld was threatened and peace finally had a real chance.

Chancellor Gorkon knew the Klingon Empire wouldn't survive unless it made peace and accepted help from the Federation. A conspiracy of Starfleet officers, Romulans and Klingons (including General Chang) assassinated Gorkon and framed Captain Kirk for it. He was sent to Rura Penthe, escaping with the help of Spock and the Enterprise. They arrived at the peace summit just in time to save the Federation president. Captain Kirk's heroics led to the signing of the Khitomer Accords and all-but the end to open hostility between the Klingons and the Federation . While not completely allies with the Federation, the Klingons and Starfleet were no longer at war.

The Star Trek universe encompasses multiple series, each offering a unique lens through which to experience the wonders and perils of space travel. Join Captain Kirk and his crew on the Original Series' voyages of discovery, encounter the utopian vision of the Federation in The Next Generation, or delve into the darker corners of galactic politics in Deep Space Nine. No matter your preference, there's a Star Trek adventure waiting to ignite your imagination.

Created by Gene Roddenberry

First Film Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Latest Film Star Trek: Nemesis

First TV Show Star Trek: The Original Series

Latest TV Show Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Cast Nichelle Nichols, Scott Bakula, Kate Mulgrew, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Avery Brooks, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan

TV Show(s) Star Trek: Animated, Star trek, Star Trek Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek Lower Decks, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Prodigy, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks

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The Orions were a warp-capable humanoid species from the Alpha Quadrant . This species originated from the planet Orion . ( TOS : " The Cage ")

• 2 Physiology
• 4.1 Trade entities
• 4.2 Trade contacts
• 4.3 Loss of neutrality
• 4.4 Orions in Starfleet
• 5.1 Mirror universe
• 5.2 Alternate reality
• 7.1 Appearances
• 7.2 Background information
• 7.3 Apocrypha
• 7.4 External links

History [ ]

Orion script

Orion once harbored a highly advanced civilization whose history had drawn great interest from Federation historians and archaeologists alike. ( TOS : " The City on the Edge of Forever ", " What Are Little Girls Made Of? "; TAS : " Yesteryear ")

The Orions had been trading with Coridan for several centuries before 2155 . They were trading with the Earth Cargo Service as early as 2152 . ( ENT : " Horizon ", " Demons ")

The Vulcans seemed to have been aware of the Orions, at the latest, by 2154 . According to Arik Soong , the Orions had expanded their area of operations between 2144 and 2154. ( ENT : " Borderland ")

In 2154, Enterprise NX-01 was raided by an Orion Interceptor , and nine of its crew members were taken as slaves . This soured relations between the Orion Syndicate and United Earth . ( ENT : " Borderland ", " Bound ")

In 2155, Tellarites suspected Orions of raiding their vessels, and demanded that the Coalition of Planets establish a trade embargo against them. The Coridanites , however, called this accusation "Tellarite slander." ( ENT : " Demons ")

During the mid- 23rd century , noted Federation archaeologist Doctor Roger Korby translated medical records from the Orion ruins that helped revolutionize modern immunization techniques and became required reading at Starfleet Academy . ( TOS : " What Are Little Girls Made Of? ")

On stardate 4326.3, Orion merchant raiders attacked and overran Klingon strategic material outposts in the Shepard sector , in what became known as the Feira incident . ( Star Trek V: The Final Frontier , okudagram )

In 2269 , through the assistance of the Guardian of Forever , Starfleet officers Captain James T. Kirk , Commander Spock and historian Lieutenant Erickson traveled to the dawn of Orion's civilization to view the planet's history unfolding, firsthand. ( TAS : " Yesteryear ")

As of the 2370s , the Orions were involved in interstellar trade, Orion Free Traders visited Deep Space 9 , and the Orion Institute of Cosmology on Orion I was considered a prestigious cosmology academy . ( DS9 : " Little Green Men ", " Call to Arms "; VOY : " Good Shepherd ")

According to Starfleet officer D'Vana Tendi in 2380 , some Orions hadn't been involved with piracy for at least five years , though this may have been a veiled reference to her personal history. ( LD : " Crisis Point "). There were still some pirating operation still active as of 2381. ( LD : " We'll Always Have Tom Paris ")

Following the Burn circa 3069 , the Orions and Andorians formed the Emerald Chain , a syndicate that operated mercantile exchanges but also engaged in slavery and exploitation of pre-warp civilizations . They were in conflict with the Federation until 3189 , when the Chain splintered after the death of its leader, Minister Osyraa . ( DIS : " That Hope Is You, Part 1 ", " Die Trying ", " That Hope Is You, Part 2 ")

In 3191 , Captain Rayner noted that the Orions were regrouping and could once again pose a threat to the Federation. ( DIS : " Under the Twin Moons ")

Physiology [ ]

Orions were known for their distinctive green skin , which could feature yellowish to bluish undertones. They usually had green or black hair , ( TOS : " The Cage ", " Whom Gods Destroy "; ST : " The Escape Artist "; LD : " Something Borrowed, Something Green ") though some had red , brown or white hair. ( Star Trek ; Star Trek Into Darkness ; LD : " Second Contact ", " We'll Always Have Tom Paris "; DIS : " All Is Possible ") Some Orion men were bald . ( ENT : " Bound "; DIS : " Will You Take My Hand? ")

Orion hearts had six valves, with blood flowing in both directions simultaneously. ( DIS : " That Hope Is You, Part 2 "). Orions had dark green blood. ( LD : " Mugato, Gumato ")

Some female Orions were capable of emitting highly potent pheromones (sometimes referred to amongst Orions as "stink") that could impact the physiology of other species. In heterosexual males of many species, including Humans , the pheromones accelerated metabolisms, raising adrenaline production to dangerous levels. This could cause aggression and, after cumulative exposure, levels of delusion and suggestibility. The armpit area of such females were apparently an area of pheromone emission. Orion males were just as susceptible to these pheromones, and some would even choose to become addicted to them. ( ENT : " Bound ", LD : " Something Borrowed, Something Green ")

These effects were not universal. Human heterosexual females reacted negatively to those same pheromones, experiencing headaches, while Denobulan males found their sleep cycles interrupted by them. Vulcans were immune to effects of the pheromones; this immunity could be shared by those who experienced a telepathic mating bond with a Vulcan. In 2154 , Dr. Phlox of Enterprise NX-01 hypothesized that the pheromone acted as a defense mechanism against competition. ( ENT : " Bound ")

Not all Orion women emitted or utilized such pheromones, nor were all Orion women even capable of doing so. ( LD : " We'll Always Have Tom Paris ", " Hear All, Trust Nothing ") In the 2150s of the mirror universe , Orion women served in the Imperial Starfleet alongside men from many subject species of the Terran Empire without incident. ( ENT : " In a Mirror, Darkly ") In 2258 of the alternate reality , Orion women commonly served in Starfleet alongside men of many species without exerting any undue influence over them. In 2380 , an Orion woman named D'Vana Tendi served aboard the USS Cerritos alongside men from species including Humans , Bajorans , Andorians , and Bolians without pheromones having any noticeable effect. ( LD : " Second Contact ") In 2381 , she stated that she was unable to emit pheromones at all. When a Nausicaan suggested Tendi might use pheromones to gain advantage in a game of dom-jot , she replied, "I'm not even that kind of Orion!" ( LD : " We'll Always Have Tom Paris ") Later the same year, she reaffirmed this: when Mesk joked that she was emitting "aggressive female pheromones," she replied, "We don't all have those!" ( LD : " Hear All, Trust Nothing "). She developed a chemical capable of temporarily neutralizing the pheromones of other Orions no later than 2381 . ( LD : " Something Borrowed, Something Green ")

Orions were immune to the hallucinogenic effects of nitrous oxide . ( LD : " Room for Growth ")

Society [ ]

In 2154 , an Orion Syndicate member named Harrad-Sar , under the thrall of the organized crime leaders Navaar , D'Nesh , and Maras , claimed that in Orion society, men were slaves to women. ( ENT : " Bound ") Female members of the Orion Syndicate sometimes posed as enslaved persons in order to use their pheromones to manipulate or even control hapless would-be male slavers from other species. As a means of perpetuating this deception, female leaders of the Syndicate would sometimes allow themselves to be "sold" on Orion slave markets. ( ENT : " Borderland ", " Bound "; TOS : " The Cage ")

From the 2150s to the 2250s , it was a common for slave traders, smugglers, criminals, and traffickers of women to stereotype Orion women as being "animalistic" in nature, characterizing them as having "extreme" carnal appetites and "certain innate skills." It was claimed that Human men could rarely resist the alluring dance of an Orion slave girl . ( ENT : " Borderland "; TOS : " The Menagerie, Part II ")

An Orion symbol used in the 24th century

In 2380 , D'Vana Tendi got angry with Ensign Beckett Mariner after Mariner stereotyped her in a holodeck program as being a ruthless slave pirate. ( LD : " Crisis Point ") It is shown that it is common for Orion females to be physically abusive to assert dominance over males, even if that male is a blood relative. ( LD : " We'll Always Have Tom Paris ")

Politics and commerce [ ]

Orion pirate

Prior to 2270 , the Orions had carefully maintained an air of neutrality, especially while operating in and around Federation space . This, however, had proven to be more of a guise than a reality, and was often used as an effort to cover their usually shady operations. Nevertheless, Orion's official position of neutrality was valued before ship and crew, as all unsuccessful Orion missions ended in suicide. Orions would keep that rationale in good conscience, as they would otherwise fall subject to Federation retaliation, if they were to lose their neutrality. ( TOS : " Journey to Babel "; TAS : " The Pirates of Orion ")

Trade entities [ ]

Enslaved native dancer at Pike's fantasy establishment on the Orion colony in 2254

The Orions regarded an offer of trade as a sign of respect. ( SNW : " Those Old Scientists ")

Despite the rich cultural history of Orion and outside of their "official" stance of neutrality, a dark side of Orion culture existed in the active trafficking of forced labor through the Orion slave markets, especially enslaved women. Verex III and the Orion colony were well-known trade centers during the 22nd and 23rd centuries. ( ENT : " Borderland "; TOS : " The Cage ")

The primary entity operating within these confines was known as the Orion Syndicate , comprised of a conglomeration of traders, pirates and smugglers. These individuals were well-known for their many illegal operations outside of the slave trade, including extortion, theft, raids, kidnappings and assassinations. ( DS9 : " The Ascent ", " Honor Among Thieves ", " Prodigal Daughter ") These activities were facilitated in the region of space which separated the Orion Syndicate from the Klingon Empire , known as the Borderland . During the 22nd century, this volatile region of space attracted the most dangerous elements from both sides. ( ENT : " Borderland ")

In 2154 , the United Earth starship Enterprise inadvertently made contact with Orion pirates when they encountered a number of Orion Interceptors , which kidnapped nine of Enterprise 's crew. The crew was recovered from the Orion processing station on Verex III, where they had been taken. ( ENT : " Borderland ")

By 2257 , the Orion government held land on Qo'noS , used as an embassy outpost . ( DIS : " Will You Take My Hand? ")

A secondary entity operating within the Orion realm was known as the Orion Free Traders . The Orion Free Traders had a partially established relationship with the Vulcans during the late 24th century . ( DS9 : " Call to Arms ")

Trade contacts [ ]

The first known Orion contact with Humans was made with Arik Soong during the 2130s . Soong established a relationship with the Orion Syndicate in order to acquire certain goods and equipment that he and his Augments needed to survive. ( ENT : " Borderland ")

The Orions actively conducted trade with the Earth Cargo Service during the 2150s . In late December 2152 , an Orion freighter was scheduled to rendezvous with the ECS Horizon ; however the Horizon failed to make the transfer. ( ENT : " Horizon ")

By the mid-century, certain Orion entrepreneurs, including Harrad-Sar , had made contact with the Gorn Hegemony . ( ENT : " Bound ")

By 2155 , the Orions had established trade with the Coridanites "for centuries." That year, during the formation of the Coalition of Planets , the Tellarites pushed for an embargo against the Orions, claiming that several of their freighters had been attacked by the Orions. Considering their long history of trade with the Orions, the Coridanite ambassador stated that they would have known of these apparent attacks, refusing to believe what they considered to be "Tellarite slander," which they believed was simply a Tellarite attempt to deprive them of valuable commerce. ( ENT : " Demons ")

An Orion spy surgically altered to look like an Andorian

Little did the Coridanites know that a century later , Orion smugglers would be actively raiding dilithium from the Coridan system . The Babel Conference of stardate 3850.3, a prelude to Coridan's admission into the Federation, jeopardized future Orion raids, as Coridan would then become subject to Federation law .

In 2268 , the Orions circumvented their neutrality by using covert means to attack the USS Enterprise , which was responsible for transporting delegates to the Babel Conference.

Among the delegates was an Orion spy , Thelev , disguised as an Andorian , who in association with an attacking Orion scout ship made a futile attempt to prevent the conference by destroying the USS Enterprise . Had their attack on Starfleet succeeded, they would have instigated mutual suspicion and possibly interplanetary war. Had war broken out, they would have cleaned up supplying dilithium to both sides while continuing to raid Coridan. ( TOS : " Journey to Babel ")

Loss of neutrality [ ]

An old-fashioned Orion stand off

Orion's neutrality remained in dispute ever since the Coridan affair and the Babel Conference of stardate 3850.3. This was again brought to light in 2270 when an Orion vessel attacked and raided the USS Huron of its cargo of dilithium and a shipment of strobolin intended for transfer to the USS Enterprise .

Following the discovery of the disabled Huron , the Enterprise tracked the Orion ship to an asteroid belt . Initially, the crew was attacked by, and was later accused of harassing, the Orions, who then threatened to file a formal protest with the Federation.

It was when the Enterprise detected the dilithium in the Orion vessel's hold that Captain James T. Kirk told the Orions that he would allow them to keep the dilithium if they would return the strobolin, and would make no mention of the encounter in his log . The Orions did not trust Kirk, and suggested a nearby asteroid to hand over the drug .

This suggestion was a ruse, however, as the Orions planned to destroy themselves and the Enterprise during the exchange to preserve the appearance of Orion neutrality. The plot failed and the Orion vessel and crew were captured, casting further doubt on the future of the Orions' claim to neutrality. ( TAS : " The Pirates of Orion ")

Orions in Starfleet [ ]

As of the 2380s , a few Orions, such as Ensigns D'Vana Tendi and Mesk , were serving in Starfleet. Both of these ensigns commented on how they had not seen another Orion in Starfleet until meeting each other, with Tendi noting that there were likely "not a lot" who did so. ( LD : " Second Contact ", " Hear All, Trust Nothing ") In 2401, at least two Orions served in Starfleet on the USS Titan -A in the Sciences and Operations divisions. ( PIC : " The Next Generation ", " Disengage ")

Technology [ ]

• D'Var -type
• Harrad-Sar's barge
• Orion freighter
• Orion Interceptor
• Orion marauder
• Orion vessel
• Viridian -type heavy cruiser
• Wanderer -class

Mirror universe [ ]

In the mirror universe , the Orions had been subjugated by the Terran Empire by 2155. In that year, a female Orion crewmember was serving aboard the ISS Avenger . She was killed while aiding fellow non- Terrans under Soval in an attempt to destroy the USS Defiant . ( ENT : " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II ") According to ex- Emperor Philippa Georgiou , the nature of Orions in the mirror universe was not much different from those in the prime , still largely being slave-traders and pirates. ( DIS : " Will You Take My Hand? ")

Alternate reality [ ]

In the alternate reality , Orions were living and working on Earth in the late 2250s . One such Orion named Gaila was a cadet at Starfleet Academy by 2258 . In 2259 , another female Orion was in San Francisco . Starfleet also monitored activity of the Orion Union . ( Star Trek )

• List of named Orions
• List of unnamed Orions

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

A list of all appearances of Orions (excluding the regular appearances of D'Vana Tendi ):

• " The Cage " (illusion) (Season 1)
• " The Menagerie, Part II " (illusion)
• " Journey to Babel " (disguised as an Andorian) (Season 2)
• " Whom Gods Destroy " (Season 3)
• " The Time Trap " (Season 1)
• " The Pirates of Orion " (Season 2)
• " Borderland " (Season 4)
• " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II "
• Star Trek Into Darkness
• Star Trek Beyond
• " Will You Take My Hand? " (Season 1)
• " That Hope Is You, Part 1 " (Season 3)
• " Scavengers "
• " The Sanctuary "
• " There Is A Tide... "
• " That Hope Is You, Part 2 "
• " All Is Possible " (Season 4)
• " ...But to Connect "
• " The Galactic Barrier "
• " Coming Home "
• " The Escape Artist "
• " The Next Generation " (Season 3)
• " Disengage "
• " Seventeen Seconds "
• " No Win Scenario "
• " Second Contact " (holograms) (Season 1)
• " We'll Always Have Tom Paris " (Season 2)
• " Hear All, Trust Nothing " (Season 3)
• " Something Borrowed, Something Green " (Season 4)
• " The Inner Fight "
• " Old Friends, New Planets "
• " Asylum " (hologram) (Season 1)
• " Let Sleeping Borg Lie "
• " Supernova, Part 2 "
• " The Serene Squall " (Season 1)
• " Those Old Scientists " (Season 2)

Background information [ ]

Star Trek 's first depiction of an Orion was in a scene from the series' first pilot episode, " The Cage ", in which an illusory Earth trader and a uniformed space officer try to talk Captain Christopher Pike into falling in love with Vina , who appears as an illusory Orion slave girl .

The final draft of the episode's script featured a different version of the scene from that used in the episode. In the scene as first conceived, the illusory Earth trader teased Pike by suggesting that, as former captain of the starship Enterprise , he used to send Earth "blistering reports," such as "'the Orion traders taking shocking advantage of the natives...'" Intentionally referring to Vina, the illusory space officer asked Pike, " Do any of you have a green one? They're dangerous, I hear. " This version of the scene implies that writer and series creator Gene Roddenberry originally conceived the Orions to have more varied colors of skin than just green.

Green Orion make-up is screen-tested by Majel Barrett

The Orion make-up is applied to Susan Oliver by make-up artist Fred Phillips

Before being used in filming "The Cage", Vina's green make-up was tested on Majel Barrett and Susan Oliver . " Believe me, it was not easy to be green. There were many experiments with makeup. Fred Phillips , head of the makeup department, couldn't get the [...] [right] makeup. They couldn't find any green makeup that would stick to skin, so they tried many, many things on me until they finally sent for help from New York where they found what they wanted, " recalled Oliver. ( Starlog , issue 135, p. 78) When camera tests of the make-up were being done with Barrett, however, post-production editors were confused at seeing a green woman. They tried to compensate by chemically reconverting the green color tone to flesh color tones, and sent the film back to the production crew three times without the green skin being visible. Angered at this, Phillips had his make-up crew repeatedly paint Barrett with darker shades of paint, hoping it would become visible on screen. The production team eventually discovered that the film processing lab had been recolorizing her because they had been unaware her skin was meant to be green. Gene Roddenberry explained to them it was actually intended to be such.

Archive footage of Vina as the illusory Orion slave girl was later used in "The Menagerie, Part II". Later, "Journey to Babel" featured the first genuine Orion. However, he had been surgically altered to appear Andorian. It was not until their final appearance in The Original Series , "Whom Gods Destroy", that a genuine female Orion appeared on screen and, later, it was in the Orions' appearance on The Animated Series ' "The Pirates of Orion" that a genuine male Orion first appeared.

The Orions appearing in The Animated Series depicted an Orion female, in "The Time Trap", and the Orion males in "The Pirates of Orion" as being light-skinned due to coloring difficulties (the same problem also occurred with the normally blue-skinned Andorians , which appeared gray). Although most other Star Trek episodes had pronounced Orion as "Oh-RYE-on", the word was pronounced "OR-ee-un" throughout "The Pirates of Orion". The mistake was due to the fact that the animated scripts did not include a pronunciation page, unlike scripts of later live-action Star Trek episodes (until 2017). "The Pirates of Orion" also featured the second appearance of an Orion craft, this time using a far more detailed animation than that used in "Journey to Babel". The episode was the first to reference the Orion species in its title and remains the only episode to have done so.

No Orions ever appeared in the subsequent Star Trek series – Star Trek: The Next Generation , Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , or Star Trek: Voyager – though references to the Orion Syndicate were made in several Deep Space Nine episodes.

Star Trek: Enterprise writer/producer Michael Sussman had hoped to show the origins of Orion privateers by making them the adversaries in the third season episode " Anomaly (ENT) ". However, during rewrites, the species was changed to a new race, the Osaarians . Had the Orions appeared, the episode would have established that they were originally known as peaceful merchants in the mid-22nd century – it was the hardships of life inside the Delphic Expanse that led some Orions to become more aggressive and predatory when dealing with other species.

The notion of bringing the Orions back to Star Trek extremely appealed to Manny Coto , who became show-runner of ENT Season 4 . " I'd always wanted to do Orions, " he explained. " I'd always been fascinated with Orions [...] and I wanted to explore the Orion culture, the males and what they look like and how they function. " ("Before Her Time: Decommissioning Enterprise , Part Two: Memorable Voyages", ENT Season 4 Blu-ray special features)

After the last live-action appearance of an Orion, in 1969 's "Whom Gods Destroy", the next such appearance of the species was finally realized thirty-five years later, in 2004 's "Borderland", an installment of ENT's fourth season. In that episode, the Orions appeared en masse, with several actors portraying brutish male members of the species and model Bobbi Sue Luther starring as an Orion slave girl. The Orion males were so numerous in "Borderland" that the episode's final draft script noted, " Unless specified, all Orions are males. "

Regarding male Orions, the "Borderland" script stated, " Orions are hulking, muscular figures... like walking mountains. Elaborate tattooing and metal piercings cover their olive skin. " Although The Animated Series ' coloring difficulties had caused the Orions' appearances to remain true to Gene Roddenberry's original vision of the species as rarely having a green complexion, "Borderland" indeed continued the eventual Original Series depiction of the Orions as usually green-skinned. The look of the Orion males in the episode was extrapolated from the Orion females in The Original Series episodes.

Star Trek: Enterprise continued to depict the Orions as a green-skinned species in their following two appearances, the first of which, "Bound", showed, for the first time in a live-action series, the interior of an Orion spacecraft. One set, reminiscent of an Arabian sheik's luxurious abode, was built as an elaborate room where guests could be entertained while another set, which only appeared on a viewscreen , was a one-wall representation of the Orion bridge. The episode also featured three Orion slave girls, as well as the prominent role of Harrad-Sar. In the episode's script, Harrad-Sar was described as "powerful, imposing and fiercely intelligent". Sixty-three year-old William Lucking was cast as the Orion male and was made to look bigger than in reality by wearing platform shoes and a bulky leather-padded costume. Each of the actors who played Orions in the episode, including two extras who appeared as male Orion guards, were spray-painted with green body make-up in special booths for approximately four hours.

ENT Make-up Supervisor Michael Westmore has cited his work on the Orions as one of his favorite experiences from his tenure on Star Trek in general, remarking, " I really enjoyed redeveloping the Orion characters from the Original Series." ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection , issue 103, p. 16)

Orions have been depicted as serving in Starfleet in the ENT mirror universe episode " In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II " and in the alternate reality of the film Star Trek . The first Orion Starfleet officer seen in the main universe is D'Vana Tendi on Star Trek: Lower Decks ; she is also the first Orion main character.

The make-up for the Orions of the alternate reality depicted in the film Star Trek was designed by Barney Burman , who designed and created the other aliens in that film too. " I was involved in early designs on our Orions and came up with the initial design, the technique and the kinds of paint that we would use on [them], " explained Burman. " Very shortly after that, I was overwhelmed with prosthetic aliens and had to give the Orions over to the straight makeup department. They just did a bang-up job. " Burman was also responsible for deciding to make the Starfleet Orion crew member in the film (namely, Gaila ) have red hair. ( Star Trek Magazine  issue 155 , p. 57)

The casting of the diminutive Clint Howard as a male Orion in the Star Trek: Discovery episode " Will You Take My Hand? " was a contrast to the tall, muscular Orion males shown on Star Trek: Enterprise . However, the Orions seen in the Star Trek: Short Treks episode " The Escape Artist " and the later Star Trek: Discovery episode " That Hope Is You, Part 1 " still tended to be the tall and muscular types.

Apocrypha [ ]

In the novelization of Star Trek , Kirk tells Spock that Orion women talk in their sleep – implying that Gaila, having at some point heard it from her roommate, Uhura , unknowingly revealed the information Kirk used to reprogram the Kobayashi Maru scenario .

Orions are one of the default playable species in Star Trek Online as part of the Klingon Empire faction. The Orion government, though ostensibly neutral, is effectively a client state of the Klingon Empire. Meanwhile the Orion Syndicate purged non-Orion members and aligned fully with the Empire in exchange for a planet to rule independently. Through the Syndicate Orions contribute ships, personnel, and resources to the Klingon Defense Force .

External links [ ]

• Orion at StarTrek.com
• Orion at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works