In the season finale of Star Trek: Discovery, one Klingon just couldn’t hold it. In the Orion colony on Kronos, a Klingon was briefly glimpsed peeing on a wall. But why did that dude have two streams instead of one? Writers on Discovery have confirmed that this idea was not all that new. If you’re upset about this, blame Worf. Klingons having double organs was established in The Next Generation.
On February 14, 2018, two of Discovery’s writers — Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt — were interviewed on The Alpha Quadrant webcast, where they confirmed what some fans saw. Yes, that Klingon has two penises. But, this isn’t an example of Discovery changing canon per se. In the 1992 Next Generation episode “Ethics,” Worf had to undergo serious surgery, and it was established that Klingons have backup organs for pretty much everything. This means the idea that they have two livers, four lungs, and two of other things was already canon way before Discovery got going.
A Klingon who couldn't find a restroom in the season finale of 'Star Trek: Discovery'
“According to canon, Klingons have two organs. They have two of everything, right?” Bo Yeon Kim said. “So we had this debate. When we say two of everything, does that include the penis?”
And so, with the encouragement of producer Akiva Goldsman, the scene of a Klingon peeing on a wall was written into the Discovery finale. Historically, Star Trek has a long history with alien genitals. In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Kirk wins a fight in a Klingon prison by kicking an alien in what he think are the alien’s knees. Shapeshifter Martia (Iman) tells Kirk: “Those were not his knees. Not everybody keeps their genitals in the same place.”
Star Trek: Discovery is streaming its entire first season on CBS All Access now.
