The Admiral’s Log: My Journey Through ‘Star Trek Online’ – Part LXXIX

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘A Day Long Remembered’ Recap

The Battle of Qo'noS gets underway.

Well, hello once again my fellow captain and admirals, it is hailing frequencies open on another edition of The Admiral’s Log and in today’s recap, we are celebrating the end of an epic journey in Star Trek Online, one that started two years ago. Because it was spring of 2019 when players in this game, were introduced to J’Ula and her machinations and her violent ‘Vulcan Hello’ set off one epic story. One that spanned two centuries and saw J’ula eventually become an ally thanks to Chancellor J’mpok’s desire to rule over every little thing in the Klingon Empire and well… at long last, the next episode in this phenomenal and sweeping story arc brings that adventure to a close in the most epic manner imaginable.

For ‘A Day Long Remembered’ is an episode that sees J’Ula’s coalition of the willing amass to fight the chancellor on his home turf, and of course… you’re invited to the party and that leads to one stunning battle. One where Klingon and Gorn and Elachi and humanity duke it out with the chancellor’s forces in the remnant of Praxis and above the proud cities of Qo’noS, and this really is quite the breathtaking battle. One that genuinely makes it clear that there are plenty of players in the Klingon Empire that fear what it will become under J’mpok’s twisted rule and that really does add a sense of urgency to the fight. The kind that is amplified by the fact that eventually, J’mpok threatens to use the planet destroying bomb that Emperor/Captain Georgiou planted on the home world in the season one finale of Star Trek: Discovery, to end this war in a bitter fashion.

Which means that a planet side fight awaits the player next, to stop J’mpok before he feels threatened enough to press that button and that too, leads to some intense moments. The kind where even the bravest of warriors take their lumps in combat, since you are forced to watch General Martok, one of the greatest heroes of the modern Klingon era… return to his ship to receive medical care after being sucker punched with a disruptor by Aakar, and the strife in this battle doesn’t there. For Aakar has set up a great deal of traps within the Great Hall to ensure that the chancellor is victorious over J’Ula when their final battle begins and that leads into a fierce fight and struggle to neutralize Aakar’s defenses and tricks and well… once you do, quite the ending comes into play.

One where J’Ula and L’Rell are victorious at last and the Empire stands united and well, this really is quite the satisfying ending to this journey. In large part because a mad tyrant gets his ass kicked on screen and loses his power without a shred of honor, ensuring him a lovely suite in the bowels of Gre’thor, but also because… this really is a moment of redemption for a lot of side characters. Since we learn that Gowron finally makes his way into Sto’Vo’Kor and J’Ula has transformed herself from bloodthirsty warmonger to Hero of the Empire. One that they will undoubtedly sing songs of for generations to come. Plus, this ending allows for the once and returned Chancellor of the Klingon Empire, L’Rell… to eventually have a proper ending. For her time on Discovery abruptly ended once the U.S.S Discovery made its way to 3289 in ‘Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2’.

But most important of all, this ending means that peace has returned to the Milky Way Galaxy and now, the Alliance can continue to grow and continue to unify all the species of the quadrants and well, now that this incredible story has ended, we can relish in its outright wonder. Because this is a story arc that genuinely offered up a cinematic adventure through and through, one complete with incredible cameos and quality writing and it also celebrated the best parts of the franchise. Since it spoke to unity and teamwork, and the desire for a better tomorrow and well, now that this scary chapter in the Empire’s long history has been closed, it’s back to daily Endeavor Missions and hopefully a few Retro Replays while we wait for the new season to arrive. Until then, Galactica out.

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A new era begins for the Klingon Empire.