The USS Theseus, Star Trek's hyper-advanced new ship, is redefining Scotty’s iconic catchphrase. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott is well known to fans as the Enterprise’s chief engineer, whose prowess earned him the nickname "the Miracle Worker." Scotty also has a few catchphrases that are well-known, including "she cannae take anymore," referring to the ship’s engines. Now, in IDW Publishing’s new Star Trek comic, this warning takes on a whole new context.

Montgomery “Scotty” Scott served as chief of engineering aboard the Enterprise under Captain Kirk. Regarded as one of Starfleet’s finest engineers, Scotty regularly pulled the ship out of the fire thanks to his knack with ships' engines. After watching Captain Kirk seemingly die in the opening sequence of Star Trek: Generations, Scotty decided to retire. However, en route to his destination, Scotty’s ship crashed, with no hope of immediate rescue. To save his life, Scotty stored his pattern in the transporter, an ingenious tactic that eventually allowed him to be rescued by the Enterprise NCC-1701-D. After helping save the ship, Scotty decided to try retiring again, but as seen in Star Trek #1, it wasn't for him, as he is back as engineer aboard the USS Theseus. This ship has been given to the recently returned Captain Sisko, sent back by the Prophets to discover who is slaughtering the god-like beings of the Star Trek universe.

In Star Trek #1, Captain Sisko is brought to the USS Theseus and a text piece reveals the ship is over 100 years old - but Sisko notices how new it looks. Credit for the ship goes to Scotty, who is serving as Theseus' chief engineer. Scotty explains to Sisko that the ship is modular, which allows it to constantly be refitted with the latest in Starfleet technology; Scotty goes on to say he made the ship "a work of art" and his "masterwork." However, he does offer one warning - having effectively designed the current version of the ship from the ground up, "When I tell ya she's gonna blow, assume I know what I'm talking about, aye?" The issue was written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, drawn by Ramon Rosanas, colored by Lee Loughridge and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

The Theseus Is Scotty's Masterwork


Although the Enterprise was Scotty’s first love, readers are left with the impression that the Theseus is a close second, and Scotty’s knowledge of the ship redefines one of his iconic catchphrases. This isn't just a ship he's come to know, but one designed to his exact specifications. Numerous times throughout the classic Star Trek, Scotty warned Captain Kirk that the engines “were gonna blow” or “they cannae take much more.” These phrases become synonymous with the character, and here they take on a new meaning. Blueprints for the Theseus reveal it has some top secret surprise tech, making Scotty one of the only people in the galaxy who actually knows what the ship can do. He's no longer just the expert voice of caution, but in many ways the voice of the ship itself.

The Theseus Is Bringing New Possibilities to Star Trek


When the crew of the Enterprise NCC-1701-D discovered Scotty, they wrote him off as a relic of an earlier time, but Scotty proved them wrong. Picard dismissed Scotty at first, but came around. Sisko would be wise to take Scotty’s counsel on this new mission. Scotty’s catchphrases are fun, and a little silly, but in Star Trek’s bold new era, they take on a whole new meaning - one that teases technological marvels fans have never seen in the franchise before.