Did Star Trek: Discovery Secretly Reveal An Unseen DS9 Alien?

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery, season 5, episode 3, "Jinaal".

Summary Star Trek: Discovery hints at encountering the unseen alien race Tzenkethi, first mentioned in DS9.

The Federation negotiates entry into Tzenkethi space, possibly interacting with a lizard delegate previously met by Saru.

Discovery's treasure hunt leads to Tzenkethi space, potentially involving sabotage and a showdown with space dinosaurs.

Star Trek: Discovery may have just secretly introduced an unseen alien race from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, ahead of their mission to Tzenkethi space. The Tzenkethi were first mentioned in DS9's season 3 finale, "The Adversary", in which a Changeling impersonator attempted to trigger a war between the Federation and the unseen alien race. Robert Hewitt Wolfe, who co-wrote "The Adversary" with Ira Steven Behr has described the Tzenkethi as heavily armored lizards. While the Tzenkethi have recently played a big part in IDW's Star Trek comics, they have never been portrayed on screen, but Discovery may change all of that.

"Jinaal" was written by Kyle Jarrow and Lauren Wilkinson, and directed by Andi Armaganian.

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 3, "Jinaal", Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) secure the next clue to the whereabouts of the Progenitors' treasure. As Burnham unwinds with Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) in the bar afterward, she reveals that the next clue is in Tzenkethi space, and that they can't go "until the diplomats clear the way." Earlier in the episode, Ambassador Saru (Doug Jones) negotiates with a group of diplomats, including one that could fit Robert Hewitt Wolfe's description of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Tzenkethi.

Related Star Trek: Discovery Teases DS9 Aliens As 32nd Century Federation’s Next Major Enemy Star Trek: Discovery season 5 reveals that one of DS9's most fearsome enemies still pose a threat to the Federation 800 years after the Dominion War.

Has Star Trek: Discovery Already Revealed DS9's Tzenkethi?

One of the subplots in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 3, "Jinaal" focuses on newly promoted Ambassador Saru balancing his diplomatic life with his engagement to President T'Rina (Tara Rosling). While Saru negotiates the security needs of a number of member nations, the camera rests on a reptile-like ambassador in formal robes. This ambassador is never given a name, nor does Saru reference their planet of origin during the diplomatic discussions. It's possible, therefore, that this lizard delegate could be a member of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Tzenkethi. The alien's hood draws a comparison with Jurassic Park's fictionalized version of the Dilophasaurus.

If there is a Tzenkethi diplomat aboard Federation Headquarters in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, it will make things easier for negotiating entry into their territory. However, the very fact that entrance into Tzenkethi has to be negotiated suggests that, even centuries after their war with the Federation, they've never become members of the UFP. As an alternative explanation, Star Trek: Picard research assistant Jörg Hillebrand has pointed out that the reptile delegate looks like an updated version of the cobra-like Selay from Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 1, episode 7, "Lonely Among Us".

Star Trek: Discovery's Next Treasure Hunt Clue Is In Tzenkethi Space

Close

Even if Star Trek: Discovery's alien delegate is Selay rather than one of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Tzenkethi, there's still a chance to finally introduce the unseen DS9 aliens on Discovery. The next clue in Discovery's treasure hunt is inside Tzenkethi space, meaning that there's a good chance that they may interact with the space dinosaurs at some point in the near future. Depending on what the diplomats have negotiated, there may be a time limit to the USS Discovery's time in Tzenkethi space, adding a degree of jeopardy to the hunt for the next clue.

It's already been revealed at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 3, that Moll (Eve Harlow) has planted something on Ensign Adira Tal (Blu del Barrio). What this device is, and what it means for the next stage of Star Trek: Discovery's treasure hunt is yet to be revealed. However, Moll's sabotage could have troubling implications for a Federation starship in the territory of a former Star Trek: Deep Space Nine enemy, providing Moll and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) with the perfect distraction for Discovery.

Star Trek: Discovery streams Thursdays on Paramount+.