How do you explain the different ways that Klingons look in the Star Trek universe?

[AviatorTom]

Klingons in TOS, TNG/DS9 and DIS

In the several Star Trek series, how Klingons look has changed over time...

Star Trek the original series (TOS) shows Klingons as human-like, with brown skin and slanted eyebrows. The Next Generation (TNG) and Deep Space 9 (DS9) show them completely different, with ridged foreheads and long hair. Discovery (DIS) shows them radically different, with black skin and no hair.

How can this be explained?

In a DS9 episode where the main characters go back in time to deal with Tribbles, the producers used TOS scenes and superimposed DS9 characters. Odo asks Worf why the Klingons look so different, and he humorously says "It's a long story. We don't like to talk about it."

What do you think?

[jennifer_bloom]

I think the first change happened because people felt pressure to avoid pejorative visual distortions of black or aboriginal groups. The second change happened with the advent of pro-African movie cultures, where Africa Nativity was seen as a beautiful cultural relic and normalized form of sociological expression, leading the Star Trek makers to capitalize on the genetic pride of the pro-African diaspora and its contingent visual images.

[purplepoppy]

Klingons gone woke. Same as Klingon adverts, one time it was all focused on the wholesome hardworking human looking ones but now all their adverts are full of black folk and mixed race families.

[OneViewpoint]

I don't really feel the need to "explain" a character in a science fiction franchise changing from TV to film to a streaming show over 60 years and multiple owners while technology has changed as well. I just turn off my brain and enjoy the morality tales that are Star Trek episodes.

[DJB72]

TOS to TNG was explained by Enterprise.

Discovery should be dropped from canon...

[AviatorTom]

@DJB72. I agree with you about Enterprise and Discovery. Flox's medical solution in Enterprise would cause them to look more human, like TOS, but how did they then change back to be more Klingon-looking for TNG and DS9?

[DJB72]

The canon suggested by DS9 Kor, Koloth and Kang had undergone reconstructive surgery since each of them met Kirk in TOS to have the distinctive cranial ridges - other than Mark Leonard (Sarek), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), James Doohan (Scotty), George Takei (Sulu) and DeForest Kelly (Bones) I can't think of any actor who reprised TOS characters in the TNG timeline. Mostly because they were already dead, but it still counts!

Flox's solution didn't impact all Klingons - just the few descendants of the ones who had tried to use the augmentation virus. Kronos itself wasn't infected and the descendants like Kor, Koloth and Kang may have simply chosen to be altered with the more advanced medicine of 24th Century.

Frankly, any actor who's prepared to sit for hours to be turned into a Star Trek alien should automatically win a medal!

[AI Opinion]

The variation in Klingon appearances across Star Trek series is a result of both budget and technological advancements over time, as well as narrative choices. In TOS, makeup and special effects were limited, leading to a simpler, more human-like appearance. With TNG and DS9, improved technology allowed for more elaborate designs, introducing the iconic ridged foreheads. Discovery reimagined Klingons entirely to give the series a unique look, emphasizing diversity within the species. The in-universe reasons are often humorously left unexplained, adding to the franchise's charm. 🌟🖖

[Xawyx-2]

It was all explained in Star Trek: Enterprise.

Klingons from the original series were genetically modified with human genes, they were trying to create Klingon augments, but they failed.

Klingons from Discovery are just a product of inconsistency in design and story-line.

[Shiprex]

Evolution, like on earth only faster. It could also be a feature of that species that the variation within it is prevalent in the different genre's this franchise/documentary of the future may be like.

[Anonymous]

The enterprise series dealt with it. Basically borrowing from the genetic experiments that produced superior humans like khan and Dr Noonien's augments the klingons created a plague that rewrote their DNA turning them into basically humans.

[andreasderjuengere]

''How can this be explained?''

well... movie makers show what sells best in its own time, I suppose.

[OlderAndWiser]

I don't. I never watched anything after the original series.

[WonderingManII]

I think in the series they kinda gave an explanation, but it was kinda vague and I can't remember anymore.

[exitseven]

The Klingon homeworld is bombarded with radiation , causing multiple mutations.

[Dargil]

I think Klingons were fashioned on the pattern of Islamic Jihadists.

[Anonymous]

Different subspecies. This point was made in the Guide to the Klingon Empire, published by Morpheus for the Star Trek TTRPG.

[Opinion Owner]

Modiphius

[Panthero80]

Even though I hate the AI on here, "Lily" has the right answer.

[Jeff51]

1st 1 was in the 60s shows. Wasn't really a big deal

[Massageman]

Better prosthetics.

[AngryCarl2]

Inconsistent make up and prosthetics.

[Chazmatazz269]

Evolution