The actor behind one of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s most notable and controversial characters is promising some unique growth in the coming seasons.
While Starfleet Academy has dropped only three episodes thus far, filming on season 2 is almost complete. More changes for the various characters are on the horizon, including Lura Thok, the Klingon/Jem’Hadar cadet master and first officer on the USS Athena. Gina Yashere, who plays Thok, told TrekMovie.com that while the character is tough, she’s in for a change "between season 1 and 2." Yashere said:
"I mean, you definitely see a softening of Lura between season 1 and 2. You see elements of it in season 1, but you definitely see the other side of Lura. You get to see all the facets of her personality, especially in her relationship that she has. You’ll see that, and you’ll be like 'What? She is capable of love?' So you’ll definitely see more. That’s all I can tell you."
This may be a surprise to fans who are already getting used to Thok as a brutal drill sergeant to the point she relishes in making a cadet literally run off crying. Thok is also shockingly tough, as proven by how she put up with being operated on for a grievous wound while still barking orders in the series premiere.
We don’t know much about her yet, including just how a Klingon/Jem’Hadar hybrid can exist in the first place, and delving into her background will help the audience empathize with her more. It’s good to know the character will develop beyond just a tough woman terrifying cadets and show her softer side. Well, “soft” is debatable.
It’s yet another reason to look forward to Starfleet Academy season 2 as Thok’s evolution should mirror the show’s growth.
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