The Klingon Change of Star Trek: Discovery: Behind-Scene
During the first two seasons of Star Trek: Discovery, the Klingons became a main point of discussion. One thing is clear: the great dedication and physical challenges the performers who brought them to life endured, even while their original design and backstory spurred controversy among fans.
The Challenges of Acting a Klingon
Recently, Sonequa Martin-green—who portrayed Captain Michael Burnham in the series—spoke on the difficult journey the Klingon actors went through. Martin-Green said great respect for their dedication and underlined the challenges they encountered because of the complicated makeup and prosthesis.
Prosthetic Klingon: An endurance test
There was no stroll in the park with the Klingon prosthesis. Their weight, tightness, and discomfort made even simple chores like sitting or eating difficult. Martin-Green describes the actors who require a committed nutritionist to make smoothies since their mouths could only open sufficient to fit a straw. Under the prosthesis, the great heat and lack of air circulation made breathing difficult; the sweat would often drain into the actors' ears.
The language of the Klingons: a vocal strain
Apart from the physical difficulties, the Klingon language itself required a notable vocal effort. The actors' throats suffer much from the guttural sounds needed to speak the language. Martin-Green, who only spoke the language momentarily, explained the discomfort and the need of honey to help her throat. The performers playing Klingons suffered this vocal strain all through scenes and episodes.
The Physical Feat: Klingon Fight Choreography
Wearing the tight prosthesis, the Klingon actors also had to learn difficult fight choreography. Despite the constraints, their ability to move fluidly and convincingly points to their great physicality and dedication. They brought their physicality front and front and gave the Klingon characters life and intensity.
The Continuum of Star Trek: Discovery's Klingons
Though the Klingon design in Star Trek: Discovery deviated from the more familiar look of later Star Trek series, it greatly affected the characters and storylines of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Prominent storyline in Star Trek: Discovery's first season, the Klingon War had long-lasting effects on characters including Lt. Erica Ortegas, Nurse Christine Chapel, and Dr. Joseph M'Benga, all of whom fought in the war.
Klingon Design's Development
The Klingons of Star Trek: Discovery stood out from the more familiar Klingon design seen in following Star Trek series. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds fully restored the classic look while the Klingons in Star Trek: Discovery season 2 started to resemble their counterparts in Star Trek: The Next Generation. This departure from the Star Trek: Discovery Klingon design points to the possibility of the series's Klingons not resurfacing.
respecting the Actors' Dedication
Sonequa Martin-green's remarks serve as a reminder of the great effort and dedication of the actors who brought Star Trek: Discovery's Klingons to life, despite mixed reception to their design. Their will to overcome the physical and vocal challenges reveals their dedication to bring these characters to the screen regardless of the reception their look gets.
