Star Trek: Voyager: Barge of the Dead

"Barge of the Dead" is the 123rd episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the third episode of the sixth season. It gives a somewhat uncommon glimpse into Klingon mythology, most notably concerning Gre'Thor, the Klingon version of Hell, and the role of the Barge of the Dead. It was based on an early idea for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Soldiers of the Empire." It was never determined in the episode if B'Elanna's trip is real or simply her mind playing through the psychological implications of her childhood. One of the implications is that the Klingon "mythology" is the "correct" religion. For this system, when a person dies or is in a extreme near death state they have a special dream called a naj which is a special dream before actual death in which they visualize elements from their actual life transition them to death. This is especially for those that are still attached to their life, and at the end of the dream they materialize on the Barge of Dead. They then get branded with the sign of the klingon empire, if it does not burn them it means that its not their time. There are a number of intricacies and regulations, and in this case B'Elanna is allowed get her Klingon mother off the death barge by taking her place. After the Barge of Dead makes its trip it arrives at Gre-Thor, which appears as a fiery place but seems to be custom tailored to the individual. For B'Elanna it turns out to be Voyager with her former crewmates and mom complaining about her, but she is sent back, however, it may go on indefinitely. This is only for those that have honor issues, the episdoe does not shed light on Klingon heaven but it is mentioned there are even worse options than Gre-Thor (in particular, its not advised to jump of the Barge of the Dead). Although, pitched as a Klingon hell there appears to be a good amount of flexibility and she manages to get her mom and herself back to the world of the living. There are some parallels to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, in that she is shown some character flaws in supernatural event and comes back with a renewed zest for living. Klingons were introduced the first Star Trek series in Errand of Mercy (S1E26)