Summary
Warning: contains spoilers forStar Trek#21!
For months,Star Trekhas dropped tantalizing hints about the Pleroma, and now it stands revealed in all its glory, and is composed of members from across the franchise’s 58-year history. InStar Trek#21, Captain Sisko and theTheseusenter the Pleroma, and are greeted with an awe-inspiring sight: gods from across the franchise, gathered to decide on matters of universal importance.
Star Trek#21 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens. Sisko and his senior officers are broughtbefore the gods in the Pleroma,who have gathered to debate on the Organian issue. A text piece, made to resemble a Starfleet briefing, lists each of the gods on the council. Among those present are Trelane, Apollo, Charlie Evans and the Metrons, from the originalStar Trek,as well as Kevin Uxbridge fromStar Trek: The Next Generation.
The Council of Gods is a Historic Development in theStar TrekUniverse
In late 2022, IDW relaunched their line ofStar Trekcomics, creating a massive, franchise-spanning “god war.” The Klingon Emperor Kahless launched a campaign against the gods, slaughtering them with a powerful weapon. Captains Sisko and Worf were able to stop Kahless’ plans for the time being, but the damage had been done. Sisko and the crew of theTheseustraveled to the Pleroma to help fix the damage, but found themselves faced with a chilly reception. T’Lir, who was revealed to be the last of the god-like Organians, was seeking the restoration of his powers.
The introduction of the Pleroma may rank as one of the most important developments in theStar Trekfranchise. In the various shows and movies, the crew often encounter god-like beings, and this stretches back to the franchise’s first days. The Pleroma gives these beings new depth, showing that they are, in many ways, just another race in theStar Trekuniverse. The gods of the universe have their own laws and governance, much like the Federation. However, the gods are obviously working on a far greater scale, meeting to decide the fates of entire species.
The Pleroma May Not Be the Safe Haven It Appears to Be
Will Kahless or Lore Find the Pleroma?
Yet, asStar Trek’sgod war has shown, these beings can be killed. Both Kahless and Lore are still on the loose, and the Pleroma would make a highly desirable target for them. Furthermore,Section 31 gave Lily Sato a mysterious deviceto be used at a later date, perhaps suggesting the shady agency has an interest in the Pleroma. The gods of the Pleroma proceed as if they are invulnerable and infallible, but Kahless has thrown all of this into doubt. Despite its great power and elusive nature, the Pleroma may soon be under siege.
