Writing the beloved ongoing Star Trek franchise comes with many challenges. Every episode is a new adventure, every old idea can be constantly remixed, and every character can have a fascinating interplay with their allies or enemies. One of the fun tasks of Star Trek creators is designing new alien species. Sometimes they borrow inspiration from iconic examples, like the Hirogen, which takes inspiration from the Yautja of Predator fame.
Voyager is the fifthStar Trek series. It had a lot on its shoulders, between accompanying Deep Space Nine, launching the UPN network, and bringing the franchise's first female main character to life. Star Trek was in a time of reckless experimentation, and some ideas turned out better than others.
Who are the Hirogen?
The Hirogen are a species of humanoid aliens known for their obsession with hunting. They're considerably larger, stronger, and more aware than most bipedal aliens. They can survive toxic atmospheres and shrug off impressive amounts of harmful drugs. Hirogen culture is entirely built upon hunting. They view all other beings as potential prey and collect trophies from those they kill. Their society is stratified into hunting parties who spend almost all their time pursuing targets. This cultural desire has forced the Hirogen into a nomadic lifestyle. They consistently travel the galaxy to find unique prey. Individual Hirogen are rewarded for their triumphs, but the species is suffering. Though they are obsessed with killing, their need to hunt is more complex than a sadistic power trip.
The Hirogen value "worthy prey" above all else. If their target puts up a fight, it's considered worthy. As long as the victim is strong enough to add danger to the experience, the Hirogen will claim trophies from their corpse. Unlike many warrior cultures, Hirogen hunters must study their prey before attacking. Skill is as important a virtue as strength to the Hirogen. Hunting came with many rituals. Hirogen paint their faces, select specific weapons for unique targets, and consistently strive to hunt new prey. When they capture their targets alive, they learn everything they can. Hirogen have firm rules against showing sympathy to their victims. They also forbid causing unnecessary suffering, encouraging hunters to kill quickly and painlessly. It's said that the Hirogen once had an advanced civilization, but their increasingly unproductive hunts forced them to become nomads. Members of the species gradually discovered that their way of life was unsustainable. Their obsession quickly became self-destructive, but they had no interest in stopping.
What inspired the Hirogen?
Behind-the-scenes conversations revealed several inspirations for the Hirogen. Screenwriters Brannon Braga and Bryan Fuller initially set out to create a broad, threatening alien race. The Hirogen were humanoid, like most Star Trek aliens, but they were considerably better built. Football players inspired the Hirogen's initial design. They have mottled skin inspired by Gila monster scales. Braga wanted actors over six foot six to play the Hirogen, but casting on short notice made that challenging. They settled on a few tall performers with smaller Hirogen filling the ranks. Crew members mentioned some similarities with the ill-fated Voyager species, the Kazon, but they have deliberate differences.
The Hirogen have been called Star Trek's answer to the Predator. Crew members, including writer/producer Joe Menosky, have acknowledged the inspiration. The Yautja doesn't look much like the Hirogen, but their cultures are similar. They're both aliens that hunt lesser species, value competition in their targets, and claim trophies. Several depictions of the Hirogen putting skulls on display are identical to shots from Predator 2. Hirogen armor resembles the Yautja's formal wear, missing the iconic dreadlocks. The Hirogen provide a more intellectual take on an interstellar trophy-hunting culture. Star Trek adds nuance to even the most explosive of old-fashioned action movies.
Where do the Hirogen appear?
The Hirogen appear in nine episodes of Voyager. They're best known for the two-part episode "The Killing Game." Twenty years after their final appearance in the show that originated the species, a Hirogen appeared in Star Trek: Picard. Much of the Hirogen was assimilated by the Borg Collective. A Hirogen who escaped the cyborgs' grasp is executed in the 2020 episode "Nepenthe." They can be found in novels like Demons of Air and Darkness. Fans can also find the Hirogen in video games, including Star Trek Online and Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force.
The Hirogen aren't the most complex race in Star Trek history. They started from the humble desire to pit the Voyager crew against stronger foes and became one of their mightiest adversaries. Voyager demonstrated its love of nuance by adapting a beloved sci-fi concept into something more intriguing. Whereas the Predator movies use their antagonists as metaphors or horror premises, Star Trek makes a broader point about the nature of trophy-hunting and the virtues of conservation. The Hirogen are more fascinating than their brief lifespan gave them credit for.