Summary
The Gorn have been a deadly adversary inStar Treksince the 1960s and have continued to appear inStar Trekprojects over the last few decades, and they show no signs of going away any time soon.The Gorn are a cold-blooded, reptilian speciesresembling a humanoid Earth lizard. From their first appearance inStar Trek: The Original Seriesto their continued presence in currentStar TrekTV shows, the Gorn have always been one of Starfleet’s most dangerous foes.
Just like the Klingons, one ofStar Trek’soriginal villains, the Gorn eventually became friendly with Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. However, this peace didn’t happen overnight, and the centuries of animosity ended with some of the greatest moments in theStar Trektimeline.The Gorn have appeared numerous times in theStar Trekcanon since 1967and have evolved to become one of the franchise’s scariest and deadliest alien enemies. Set to return inStar Trek:Strange New Worldsseason 3’s premiere, the Gorn will seemingly continue their long list of appearances inStar Trek.
Complete History Of The Gorn In Star Trek
The Gorn have become one of the Federation’s most formidable foes in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Here’s everything we know about them.
8The Gorn’s First Appearance In Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series Season 1, Episode 19 - “Arena”
The first appearance of the Gorn inStar Trek: The Original Seriesseason 1 has become a campy pop culture touchstone. “Arena” finds Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) forced to fight a Gorn captain on Cestus III. This showdown is orchestrated by the god-like Metrons, who plan to kill the loser and his crew and let the victor and his crew members live.The battle between Kirk and the Gorn has since been deemed comical and has been parodied often,but it actually showcases Kirk’s resourcefulness and ingenuity - as well as Jim’s compassion - as the unarmed Captain of the Enterprise outsmart and defeats his monstrous foe.
7The Gorn Cameo In Star Trek: The Animated Series
Star Trek: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 12 - “The Time Trap”
UntilStar Trek:Lower Deckspremiered in 2020,Star Trek: The Animated Serieswas the onlyanimatedStar Trekseries, running for 2 seasons in 1973 and 1974. TheTASepisode “The Time Trap” remains one of the series' most iconic stories, thanks in part to the Elysian Council. As the rulers of the alternate universe Elysia, the Elysian Council maintains peace throughout their universe by involving 123 species in their deliberations. This council includes a Gorn who peacefully works with the other species to keep harmony in their universe,foreshadowing the future peace between the Gorn and humansin the canon timeline.
6The Gorn Appear In Star Trek’s Mirror Universe
Star Trek: Enterprise Season 4, Episode 19 - “In a Mirror Darkly, Part II”
The Gorn only appeared once inStar Trek: Enterprise, but their hatred was depicted in a new and frightening way. The NX-01 Enterprise crew encounters the Gorn in the Mirror UniverseStar Trek: Enterpriseseason 4’s two-parter. Unlike the previous version of the Gorn in the 1960s and 70s when they were either a costume or animation,Enterpriseused new technology, computer-generated imagery (CGI), to depict a Gornslavemaster named Slar in a brutal fight with Commander Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula). This new version of the Gorn was a reminder that they were formidable and dangerous enemies.
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5Captain Lorca Has A Gorn Skeleton In Star Trek: Discovery
The Gorn didn’t reappear inStar Trekuntil 2017 whenStar Trek: Discoverypremiered and included a sly look at the classic reptilian foe.Star Trek: Discoveryseason 1 provided a look intoCaptain Gabriel Lorca’s (Jason Isaacs)collection of artifacts aboard the USS Discovery, and among the alien weapons and items in the room isa Gorn skeleton in a display case. How or why Captain Lorca acquired the skeleton is unknown, but its mere presence means that not only did someone kill a Gorn, but that they’re humanoid and extremely similar to humans at the structural level.
4Star Trek: Lower Decks Featured A Gorn Wedding
Star Trek: Lower Decks episodes “Veritas,” “An Embarrassment Of Dooplers,” and “The Inner Fight”
The fast-paced style ofStar Trek: Lower Decksallows the show to include many references and callbacks to classicStar Trekin rapid-fire half-hour bursts. In 6 different episodes,Lower Decksmentions or depicts the Gorn. However, the show is set in the 24th century, and by that time,humans and Gorn had seemingly made some sort of peace with each other. The Gorn are depicted as shop owners and civilians throughoutLower Decks, similar toStar Trek: The Animated Series' Gorn. The only time the Gorn seem violent is when a Gorn wedding is interrupted inStar Trek: Lower Decksseason 1’s “Veritas.”
3The Gorn Become Fearsome Enemies In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1, Episode 4 - “Memento Mori”
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsis known for bringing back classicStar Trekby incorporating old characters, themes, and stories and updating them for modern audiences. Notably,Strange New Worldsreintroduced the Gorn toStar Trekcanon but did so in a way that built suspense before dealing with the redesigned enemy. Early inStrange New Worldsseason 1,the Gorn are established as a looming threatthat Starfleet doesn’t know how to communicate with or fight. A menacing Gorn ship is depicted inStrange New Worldsseason 1, episode 4, “Memento Mori,” signaling the Gorn’s more significant role in future episodes and seasons.
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2Lt. Hemmer Is Killed By The Gorn In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1, Episode 9 - “All Those Who Wander”
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 1, episode 9, “All Those Who Wander,” depicted the Gorn in live-action for the first time since 2004. Not only that, but the Gorn inStrange New Worldsare unlike any other Gorn inStar Trekhistory. Instead of being a simple costume, animation, or created with CGI,the new Gorn are hand-made, detailed animatronics, which are puppeted and controlled by actual crew members. While some scenes are enhanced with effects post-production, the Gorn are now terrifyingly real creatures who strike fear into thecharacters inStrange New Worlds, with Lt. Hemmer (Bruce Horak) sacrificing himself to save his friends when he is infected by Gorn eggs.
1The Gorn Kidnap USS Enterprise Crew Members In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 10 - “Hegemony”
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 1 depicted the Gorn as Starfleet’s newest and most dangerous enemy and set up their continued presence in future seasons.Strange New Worldsseason 2 highlighted how dangerous the Gorn are and hinted atan impending war between the Federation and the Gorn. InStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2’s finale, “Hegemony,” the Gorn destroys the USS Cayuga and invades Parnassus Beta. In a nail-biting cliffhanger, the Gorn capture many of the Enterprise’s crew members and several residents of Parnassus Beta, leavingCaptain Christopher Pike(Anson Mount) with an impossible decision. Will he defy Starfleet’s orders to save the hostages?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Ending & Cliffhanger Explained
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From a cheesy, comical fight between a humanoid Gorn and Captain Kirk inStar Trek: The Original Seriesto causing the chilling and terrifying death of beloved characters onStar Trek: Strange New Worlds,the Gorn are easily one ofStar Trek’s most deadly foes. If nothing else, the Gorn are definitely the species with the most development throughout the entireStar Trekcanon.
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek follows the U.S.S. Enterprise on its five-year mission to explore the galaxy, led by Captain James T. Kirk and First Officer Mr. Spock. The crew confronts a variety of challenges, including Klingons, Romulans, and genetic supermen, as they search for new life and civilizations.
Star Trek: Lower Decks
“Star Trek: Lower Decks” focuses on the support crew serving on one of Starfleet’s least important ships, the USS Cerritos, in 2380. Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, Rutherford and Tendi must keep up with their duties and their social lives, often while the ship is being rocked by a multitude of sci-fi anomalies. The ship’s bridge crew includes Captain Carol Freeman, Commander Jack Ransom, Lieutenant Shaxs and Doctor T’Ana. This is the second animated spin-off in the franchise after 1973-74’s “Star Trek: The Animated Series,” but has a decidedly more adult tone and humor.
