This time it’s the Klingons who are shown up, not the Nazis.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds successfully played in yet another genre sandbox as the fourth episode of season 4, “A Case of Chiaoscuro,” tipped its hat to the film noir. However, in addition to its use of black-and-white values and costumes reminiscent of those used by the wardrobe department that worked on Casablanca (1942), the story cleverly and outright pays homage to the classic Humphrey Bogart film in an unforgettable scene.
In a Mat’aar XII bar, like Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca, a group of boisterous Klingons obnoxiously sing much to the chagrin of the inhabitants forced to live under the Klingon Empire’s occupation. From behind the bar, Ja'lem (Albert Chung) slaps his hand against its surface several times to signal others to do likewise — eventually and loudly drowning out the despised aliens’ song with a thunderous and rebellious roar of unified defiance.
Livid, Klingon Commander Kor slams the piano’s cover over its keyboard in defeat, and then growls loudly, as his warriors have been thwarted by the inhabitants’ indominable spirit, while Number One, M’Benga, and Uhura sit by quietly observing.
Now, after you've seen the brand-new film noir episode, be sure to check out the original scene from Casablanca below, courtesy of Turner Classic Movies, to see just how closely Strange New Worlds paid homage to the classic flick's unforgettable “La Marseillaise” moment.
As much I love Strange New Worlds paying respect to Casablanca, the scene with Kor and the Klingons simply doesn’t compare to the emotional reaction Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) brings about while standing up to the Nazis by leading those at Rick’s bar in the singing of “La Marseillaise,” which is France’s beautiful national anthem.
What did you think of "A Case of Chiaoscuro" and its homage to the “La Marseillaise” scene from Casablanca? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And be sure to check out Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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