Warning: contains spoilers for Sons of Star Trek #2!

Star Trek has confirmed that Jadzia did not need the Dax symbiote to be a great Starfleet officer. The Trill are one of the most fascinating races in the Star Trek universe. Jadzia Dax, Deep Space Nine’s science officer, was a member of the Trill. The Dax symbiote gave Jadzia an advantage, but as seen in Sons of Star Trek #2, she did not need it to be a hero.

Sons of Star Trek #2 is written by Morgan Hampton and drawn by Angel Hernandez. The USS Avery, in an alternate timeline, is fighting the Breen–and the fight does not go well. Jadzia, who in this universe was never joined to the Dax symbiote, suggests they try something called the “Curzon Maneuver.” The move is highly unorthodox and dangerous, but Jadzia is confident she can pull it off, having written her thesis on it.

Sure enough, Jadzia successfully executes it and the day is saved.

The Trill Could Have Been Just Another Star Trek Race Seen Once and Never Again

Jadzia Dax Made the Trill a Premiere Star Trek Race

The Trill, introduced as another “alien of the week” in Star Trek: The Next Generation’s fourth season, was reworked for Deep Space Nine,becoming one of the franchise’s most compelling races. Unique among other Star Trek species, the Trill are a “joined” race. That is, the Trill consists of an eons-old symbiote who lives inside a host. When joined, the host gains the symbiote’s combined knowledge and experience. Jadzia Dax was one such Trill. A young woman, Jadzia, thanks to the Dax symbiote, actually had centuries of wisdom at her disposal.

Although Jadzia was not joined to the Dax symbiote in this alternate timeline, Sons of Star Trek #2 still manages to pay tribute to Curzon. Curzon was the host of the Dax symbiote before Jadzia. Although Curzon was dead by the beginning of Deep Space Nine, his presence was felt throughout the show’s seven seasons. Ben Sisko, who had been a friend of Curzon’s, told numerous stories about him, and of his iconoclastic approach to life. Jadzia (and later Ezri) reaped the benefits of not only Curzon’s well-lived life, but the other hosts as well.

Jadzia Kicks Ass Even Without the Dax Symbiote

Jadzia Is One of Star Trek’s Coolest Characters

While it may be tempting to give sole credit for all of Jadzia’s accomplishments to the Dax symbiote, Sons of Star Trek #2 proves she did not need it at all. Deep Space Nine established that Jadzia, even prior to being joined to the Dax symbiote, was highly competent. Trill society does not allow just anyone to be joined. There is a rigorous vetting process, and Jadzia passed with flying colors, proving her worth. However, she was not joined in this universe, but as seen in her skillful execution of the Curzon Maneuver, it is a moot point.

Sons of Star Trek #2 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!