Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 1 Finale - "A Quality of Mercy"
Season 1 of "Balance of Terror," Pike learned he should not tamper with his destiny for the sake of the galaxy.
Strange New Worlds brilliantly restored the classic Star Trek episodic formula but tweaked it by serializing the crew of the USS Enterprise's lives so that they grow, learn, and change as the series progresses. This made Strange New Worlds feel fresh and modern while still serving as a stylish throwback to the true spirit of Star Trek. Strange New Worlds not only explored Captain Pike but also told the heretofore unknown backstory of Number One AKA Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn), who is a genetically-engineered Illyrian, and the history of Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding). In addition, Spock's (Ethan Peck) relationship with his fiancée, T'Pring (Gia Sandhu), provided ample romance and comedy. Strange New Worlds also delved into the traumatic life of Lt. La'an Noonien Singh (Christina Chong) and the troubled Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), whose young daughter was dying of an incurable disease.
All the while, Lt. Ortegas and Nurse Chapel waited for their own stories to be told, which didn't happen during Strange New Worlds' 10-episode season. Yet it's still a testament to the talent and charisma of Melissa Navia and Jess Bush that Erica and Christine emerged as fan favorites in spite of missing out on spotlight episodes for either of them. Erica's snarky repartee with Captian Pike and her mischievous good nature brought levity to even the darkest crisis the Starship Enterprise faced, and she may be the single best starship helmsman since Mr. Sulu (George Takei). Meanwhile, Chapel's deepening relationship with Spock, who she has unrequited feelings for, not only illuminated how the older Nurse Chapel played by Majel Barrett in TOS felt for Leonard Nimoy's Vulcan, but Bush's Christine is also a fully-formed, intelligent, caring friend who has her own agency and, possibly, secrets.
How Can Strange New Worlds Improve With Erica And Nurse Chapel In Season 2?
Telling Lt. Ortegas and Nurse Chapel's backstories should be a top priority for Strange New Worlds season 2. Virtually nothing is known about Erica so far besides her being an irrepressible prankster, but Ortegas is obviously someone special if she rose to become the helmsman of the Enterprise, Starfleet's flagship. There's also ease, comfort, and trust between Erica and Captain Pike and the history of their camaraderie is just begging to be told. As for Nurse Chapel, she has distinguished herself as the third side of a love triangle with Spock and T'Pring, but there are clearly provocative levels to Christine and, perhaps, some darkness as well, that will only enrich her character and the show.
Ortegas and Chapel going on shore leave at Starbase One together in Strange New Worlds episode 5, "Spock Amok," was a tantalizing tease of the spotlight episodes still awaiting both characters. Clearly, Erica and Christine's friendships with their crewmates and with each other show they are both among the best people the crew of the Enterprise can serve with. Ortegas has also shown flashes that she's even more than one of the best pilots in Starfleet and Chapel's introduction in Strange New Worlds' premiere revealed she helped develop the surgical technology to alter human DNA into aliens. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds can only get even better in season 2 by telling Lt. Ortegas and Nurse Chapel's intriguing backstories.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Premieres in 2023 on Paramount+.