Star Trek: Everything We NOW Know About The Klingons

1. Tears, Jay-Den Kraag?

Star Trek Deep Space Nine Sons Of Mogh Kurn
CBS Media Ventures

An extension of our earlier entry regarding the colour of Klingon blood, it was firmly established in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country that Klingons, in the late 23rd Century, did not possess tear ducts. This, Spock, assured Scotty and Valeris, explained why Azetbur shed no tears for her father. 

In Vox In Excelso, Jay-Den is seen crying over the death of his brother, Thar. As we have already discussed, the Klingon species underwent significant changes between the 23rd, 24th, and 32nd centuries. The evolution of tear ducts, perhaps and most probably as a result of interbreeding with other alien species, seems to make sense. 

However.

In 2372, Worf's brother Kurn (a fully Klingon male) arrived on Deep Space Nine, having lost his place in Klingon society due to his brother's actions. Feeling as though he had no other option, he turned a disruptor on himself, though Worf stopped him before firing. In his despair, Kurn began to cry. 

This, combined with legends of Khaless weeping, as well as many references to other Klingons crying, suggests that, in this case at least, Spock was incorrect in his belief. Perhaps the Klingons of his time had never cried in front of him. Klingon General Dak'rah wept in front of Dr Joseph M'Benga in 2259, though he wouldn't live to tell the tale.

It seems as though Klingons, or at least some of them, have always possessed the ability to cry. In truth, we're happy for them. Sometimes all a warrior needs is a good cry to let it all out at last. 

Contributor
Contributor

Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"