Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will return this summer for a third season, and the series has already revealed how the crew of the Enterprise can survive their battle with the Gorn. The season 2 finale ended on a massive cliffhanger, with Captain Pike struggling with what orders to give his crew when they are outmatched by a Gorn ship. Several civilians and Starfleet officers remain trapped on the planet's surface with seemingly no hope of rescue.

Thankfully, Strange New Worlds' season 2 premiere set up how the Enterprise crew can win and finally resolve this nearly two-year cliffhanger. It would also allow for the further exploration of one of the show's main characters and present new challenges the crew will face in Star Trek timeline and build on what the series has already developed in its first two seasons.

Dr. M’Benga’s Super Soldier Serum Could Help Strange New Worlds’ Crew Survive The Gorn

It will make them strong, but at what cost?

Stange New Worlds season 2, episode 1 "The Broken Circle" revealed that Dr. Joseph M'Benga uses a serum called Protocol 12, a chemical mix of adrenaline and stimulants that gives him greater strength and endurance. He began using it during the Federation's War with the Klingons from Star Trek: Discovery season 1, letting him stand toe to toe with the strongest Klingon warriors. It earned him a reputation among some Klingons, though M'Benga didn't care to his past.

Christine Chapel asks M'Benga, "Do you ever not carry it?" and he replies, "No." Given how Protocol 12 helped M'Benga in season 2, it makes sense that he would have it with him on Parnassus Beta, especially if he knew they'd encounter the Gorn. He could even the super-soldier serum on to La'an, Ortegas, and Sam Kirk.

Everything Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Revealed About Dr. M’Benga’s Past As A Starfleet Assassin

From taking lives to saving them on board the Enterprise

During the Federation's war with the Klingon Empire, M'Benga ed Starfleet special forces and was known as "the Ghost." Unlike other soldiers, M'Benga has a high number of hand-to-hand kills, likely due to the Protocol 12 serum he used throughout the war. During this time, he met and fought beside Christine Chapel, and the two would later serve on board the Enterprise.

M'Benga's most notable accomplishment was killing several Klingon generals in one mission, earning him his infamous reputation among the Klingons. The constant violence and death M'Benga experienced caused him to leave his life as a soldier behind and return to medicine. However, if the Enterprise crew's lives depend on it, we can expect M'Benga to use Protocol 12 again when Star Trek: Strange New Worlds returns for season 3.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 premieres Thursday, July 17 on Paramount+.