Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has a secret weapon that makes him such a great Captain. Finally giving the third Captain of the USS Enterprise the spotlight, Strange New Worlds follows Pike, Spock (Ethan Peck), and the crew of the Enterprise as they explore the galaxy. As one of Starfleet's most decorated officers, Captain Pike commands his ship with nearly unmatched confidence, proficiency, and empathy. Somehow, he feels nostalgic and modern at the same time, and embodies all of Starfleet's most essential ideals.
The character of Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter) was introduced in Star Trek: The Original Series' unaired pilot, "The Cage," and made an appearance in the later TOS two-part episode, "The Menagerie." Though Captain Pike was only seen briefly as the captain of the Enterprise on TOS, "The Menagerie" reveals his story's tragic end. After ing the Enterprise to Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Pike would later be horrifically disfigured and paralyzed in an accident while trying to save the lives of Starfleet cadets. In the Star Trek: Discovery season 2 episode “Through the Valley of Shadows," Pike would learn of his ultimate fate via a time crystal. Despite being haunted by his tragic future, the Pike of Strange New Worlds maintains his sense of optimism and hope.
Pike Is The Most Hopeful Star Trek Captain
Captain Pike's secret to being a great Starfleet Captain is something he embodies and believes in: Hope. Pike still has flaws, but he is exactly who he presents himself to be. He is extremely empathetic and has a strong moral com that always seems to point in the right direction. He considers many of his crew his friends and often invites them to his quarters for dinner, something Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) would almost certainly never do. Pike listens to opinions and suggestions from his crew and looks out for others before looking out for himself. Even when he learns what his future holds, there is never any doubt that Pike will save those cadets, regardless of the risk to his life. In a television landscape full of anti-heroes, Captain Pike stands apart as a true hero, a celebration of the power of hope.
Though he takes a break from Starfleet after the events of Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Pike's former Captain, Robert April (Adrian Holmes), eventually convinces him to take up command again in order to rescue his First Officer, Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) in Strange New Worlds' series premiere. April understands what Pike was trying not to see: commanding a starship is his best destiny, and Starfleet needs him as much as Pike needs his command. Not only does Captain Pike make a fantastic Starfleet Captain, but he is also a fundamentally good human being. He could serve as the poster boy for Starfleet, and while this apparent perfection could come across as annoying or fake, on Pike, it comes across as genuine and likable.
Is Pike Already A Better Captain Than Kirk?
The Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1 finale, "A Quality of Mercy," seems to argue that Captain Kirk would be a better Captain of the Enterprise. In a reimagining of The Original Series episode "Balance of Terror," "A Quality of Mercy" sees Captain Pike's meeting with the Romulans become an all-out war, which Kirk was able to avoid. Still, this one scenario alone does not prove that Kirk is unequivocally a better Captain; there are likely scenarios that Kirk faced that Pike would have handled better. Plus, Pike had no way of knowing what would result from either his solution or Kirk's, and now he has the knowledge to better handle any future encounters with the Romulans.
Captain Pike is more level-headed than Kirk and always strives for peaceful solutions, making him a better diplomat than Kirk as well. At this point in the Star Trek franchise, the character of Captain Kirk has a lot more screen time than Captain Pike, so it is difficult to say who is truly the better Captain. But Captain Pike is, at the very least, a shining example for Kirk to emulate when he takes over as Captain of the Enterprise. Whether or not Star Trek: Strange New Worlds finds a way to save Pike from his tragic fate, his legacy will remain one of optimism, kindness, and, above all, hope.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 premieres Thursday, June 15 on Paramount+.