In TOS' "Balance of Terror," the Romulans reemerge after a century and destroy Starfleet outposts along the Neutral Zone. Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and the USS Enterprise face the Romulan Bird-of-Prey alone in a tense game of cat-and-mouse. Kirk's instincts are to destroy the Romulan ship to prevent it from crossing the Neutral Zone and return home. Kirk engages in an intense battle of tactics and wits with the Romulan Commander (Mark Lenard), and the Enterprise succeeds in stopping the Romulans and their powerful new weapon. Because of Kirk's victory, the Romulans realized that Starfleet is a force to be reckoned with and they didn't attempt any further invasions of the United Federation of Planets' territory, much less declare all-out war.

Related: Pike Avoids Kirk's Biggest Captain Mistake In Strange New Worlds

In the Strange New Worlds finale's version of "Balance of Terror," Pike tried a different tactic and opened peace talks with the Romulan Commander (Matthew MacFadzean). Pike and the Enterprise had the backing of Captain Kirk and the USS Farragut in his scenario, but the Romulans still managed to outsmart Starfleet and destroy Kirk's vessel. Still, Pike ignored Kirk's instincts to destroy the Bird-of-Prey and he made the nobler attempt to broker peace between the Romulans and the Federation. Unfortunately, Pike's best efforts backfired; because Starfleet didn't display their strength, the Romulan Praetor (Carolyn Scott) crossed the Neutral Zone with her armada and declared war with the Federation. This bloody war lasts for generations, and on another tragic note, Spock (Ethan Peck) is critically wounded as the universe course-corrects Pike avoiding his own accident and fate.

Pike Is A Great Captain, But Star Trek Needs Kirk

Strange New Worlds' season 1 finale essentially argues that as great a Captain as Pike is, he would be the wrong man for the future of Star Trek. Pike's destiny is to eventually step aside to make way for Captain Kirk, who becomes the most important starship Captain in the galaxy. Kirk, with Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) at his side, brings a type of "cowboy diplomacy" that's necessary for the increasingly dangerous Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Kirk's daring, fearlessness, and willingness to take risks prove to be what the galaxy needs as his Starship Enterprise encounters the Klingons, the Romulans, and all manner of cosmic entities and space gods. As the galaxy becomes more and more dangerous, it's Kirk who is the future of Starfleet in the 23rd century, not Pike.

Pike's qualities as a Captain - his courage, generosity, and ability to inspire loyalty (not to mention his gourmet cooking) - are properly celebrated by Strange New Worlds. Certainly, Pike has many more years to come as Captain of the Enterprise, and Chris has a historic five-year mission of his own underway. Pike's leadership of the Enterprise and his achievements are, no doubt, the model for Kirk's continuing mission to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations. But destiny is something Star Trek: Strange New Worlds argues can't be bargained with or cheated, and Captain Pike's role in the grand scheme is to bow out so Captain Kirk can better Pike's voyages and take the Starship Enterprise to new heights.

Next: Strange New Worlds Just Set Up Spock & Bones' Best Star Trek Line

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 premieres in 2023 on Paramount+.