Hawkins addresses Darem's Khionian form versus appearing human
In the same interview posted by MovieWeb, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy actor George Hawkins discussed the difficulty cadet Darem Reymi obviously feels while trying to fit in at the Academy as the character juggles appearing human with his true Khionian form. Hawkins said: "It's a great metaphor for who Darem is when he chooses to be in his true Khionian form and when he's in this human-appearing form."
"He has a mask," Hawkins continued. "He has this public and private mask."
Hawkins went on to reveal that he had discussions with co-showrunner Alex Kurtzman as to when Darem should behave as the "king" versus the "boy?"
"When does he put on this mask?" Hawkins continued. "When is he playing the bravado? When is he [...] taking over the room? When is he invading? And when is he truly vulnerable? When is he sacrificial and selfless? So, yeah, I love the metaphor [...] When is he in his most vulnerable state, and when is he playing this bravado character... version of himself?"
The MovieWeb reporter then chimed in again and revealed yet another interesting fact, which relates to Darem and Jay-Den Kraag — the cool Klingon cadet:
"I love that episode where him [Darem] and Jay-Den kind of have that connection."
Fortunately, "that episode" number itself wasn't given away. However, if there's any turmoil between these characters in the season premiere, which drops in about eight hours, fans already know that Darem and Jay-Den experience a bonding moment thanks to what should have been marked as a spoiler video by the Valnet publication.
Personally, I thought Darem was likely the equivalent of Kal-El, aka Superman, in that the Man of Steel looks like a human, but the beloved superhero is truly an alien being from the doomed planet of Krytpon.
Now, thanks to this new video, I know that’s not the case, and that Darem’s Khionian form —whatever that may be — is revealed at some point in season 1 of Starfleet Academy. So much for Trekkies being surprised when the moment happens.
For more Star Trek content, please visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres Jan. 15, on Paramount Plus. For those who don't subscribe to the service, episode 1 "Kids These Days" will be available absolutely free on YouTube at 12:01 ET (link below):
Live long and prosper, Trekkies.