The Gorn are a reptilian species encountered in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds'. This piece offers an explanation of their nature.
**Star Trek's Iconic Foes, the Gorn, Take Centre Stage in "Strange New Worlds"**
The Gorn, a reptilian species first introduced in the classic 1967 "Star Trek" episode "Arena," have evolved from one-off monster-of-the-week creatures to a politically structured, narratively rich alien species in the latest series, "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
In the original encounter, the Gorn were portrayed as an aggressive, lizard-like enemy destroying a Federation outpost on Cestus III, with the Enterprise crew seemingly unfamiliar with them, implying first contact at that time[1][2]. However, in "Strange New Worlds," the Gorn are shown as primarily isolationist but still dangerous, with a more updated design compared to their original depiction in the Original Series.
The series deepens Gorn representation by featuring recurring storylines, such as the character La’an Noonien-Singh, the security chief on the Enterprise. La'An had a traumatic encounter with the Gorn as a child, resulting in the loss of her family and the majority of the colonists on her ship[3]. Her prior traumatic experience with the Gorn becomes vital for the Enterprise crew's survival during multiple Gorn encounters throughout the series, particularly in episodes like "Memento Mori" and the season two finale "Hegemony."
The Gorn are governed by the Gorn Hegemony, a political body representing this reptilian species in the wider universe. In "Hegemony," the Gorn attack a small colony just outside Federation territory, leading to an epic season-ending cliffhanger[4]. The Gorn Hegemony has designs on Federation territory, posing a significant threat to the peace and safety of the Federation.
The Gorn have technologically advanced capabilities, including the ability to infect victims with venom containing eggs, which hatch in gruesome fashion[1]. They reproduce on breeding planets and have been defeated in various ways, such as simulating a coronal mass ejection to put them to sleep, similar to the Enterprise-D's method of defeating the Borg in "The Best of Both Worlds"[1].
"Strange New Worlds" honours the Gorn's legacy while enriching the species’ motivations and role in Federation-era stories. The Gorn remain a formidable adversary, with their complex nature and ongoing conflicts adding depth and tension to the series. Fans can catch up on the original Gorn encounter in "Arena" on Paramount+ in the US and UK, and Netflix in the UK.
[1] - [https://www.startrek.com/database_article/gorn](https://www.startrek.com/database_article/gorn) [2] - [https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Gorn](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Gorn) [3] - [https://www.startrek.com/news/strange-new-worlds-season-2-finale-review-a-gorny-cliffhanger](https://www.startrek.com/news/strange-new-worlds-season-2-finale-review-a-gorny-cliffhanger) [4] - [https://www.startrek.com/news/strange-new-worlds-season-3-is-coming-and-it-looks-awesome](https://www.startrek.com/news/strange-new-worlds-season-3-is-coming-and-it-looks-awesome) [5] - [https://memory-beta.fandom.com/wiki/Gorn_Hegemony](https://memory-beta.fandom.com/wiki/Gorn_Hegemony)
- The Gorn's modern portrayal in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" extends beyond just monster-of-the-week creatures, delving into their political structure and narrative complexity, reflecting a progression from their original appearances in the Original Series.
- The evolution of the Gorn is further evident in the incorporation of recurring storylines, like La'an Noonien-Singh's traumatic childhood encounter with the Gorn, which adds depth to the series and highlights the ongoing significance of these encounters.
- In the realm of entertainment, the Gorn's development offers a valuable blend of science fiction and history, providing an engaging portrayal of a sophisticated alien species with complex motivations.
- Movies-and-TV enthusiasts can delve deeper into the Gorn's backstory by revisiting the original encounter in "Arena" on Paramount+, while fashion enthusiasts might find inspiration in the updated designs of the Gorn species, reflecting advancements in creature effects over the years.
