Warning: Contains spoilers for Star Trek: Defiant #19!
Star Trek has rewritten what fans thought they knew about the Romulan supernova – by making it entirely the Romulans’ fault. One of the most important events in the US Star Trek 24th century, the Romulan supernova permanently shifted the balance of power in the galaxy. Meanwhile, Star Trek: Defiant is built to this monumental event. Number 19 He throws a curveball to fans by showing Romulan hubris, leading to their downfall.
The Romulans made their debut in the first season of Star TrekIn the episode titled “Balance of Terror.”
Star Trek: Defiant #19 is written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Angel Unzueta. The issue opens with a text piece from a Romulan intelligence briefing. Originating during the Dominion War, the piece paints a bleak picture, and suggests a wild plan: that the Romulans create a cloak so massive it could hide their entire star system. Romulan scientists proceed with the plan, siphoning energy from their star to power the cloak. However, the coat never made it out of the prototype phase.
Furthermore, tampering with their star causes it to destabilize, which will soon cause it to explode.
Star Trek Romulan Supernova, explained
The Romulan Supernova is also integral to Star Trek: Picard’s First season
In a short time, an empire that had stood for thousands of years was humiliated.
The Romulan Supernova, first mentioned in JJ Abrams’ 2009 reboot of the Star Trek Franchise, began as a McGuffin but soon became paramount to the franchise. As detailed in Star TrekSpock learned of the impending supernova, and agreed to help the Romulans fight it. Spock had spent the last part of his life working towards reunification of the two species, and this should have been his crowning achievement. However, his plan backfired, and the Romulan sun exploded. In a short time, an empire that had stood for thousands of years was humiliated.
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when Star Trek: Picard Premiering in 2019, The Romulan Supernova was integral to its first season. Picard led an evacuation of the Romulan homeworld, but politics, as well as the attack on Mars during First Contact Day 2385, forced the Federation to withdraw from the effort. As a result, many Romulans have perished and the survivors, now scattered across the galaxy, nurse a grudge against the Federation. Additionally, it drove Picard from Starfleet. Disgusted that the Federation had apparently turned away from its ideals, he withdrew in protest.
The Romulan Supernova was brought about by Hubris
Romulan citizens paid the ultimate price
Now comes the shocking truth about the Romulan supernova: it was entirely their fault. The Romulans entered the Dominion War during its later phases, but still suffered greatly. Although they were allied with the Federation and the Klingons, the Romulans were still looking out for themselves, as shown in the text piece. If the Dominion War had continued its course, the Romulans could have very well broken ranks and saved their own skins. Romulan culture is built on the concepts of trickery and deception, and nowhere is this more evident than in Star Trek: Defiant #19.
The Romulans planned to betray their allies in the Dominion War, and some could see the impending supernova as penance.
And as seen in various Star Trek Shows and movies, the Romulan supernova was a devastating event, sending ripples across the quadrants – but it was caused by their treacherous behavior and sheer hubris. The Romulans planned to betray their allies in the Dominion War, and some could see the impending supernova as penance. The Romulan leadership made some truly questionable decisions during the final days of the Dominion War, and the citizens of the Empire paid for it.
Star Trek: Defiant #19 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!