While this episode was not as strong as the first ones, it stands out by showcasing a big loss for Pike. Spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode 6.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Lift Us Where Suffering Can’t Reach, Pike’s First Big Loss
As the five year mission continues, the ensigns in training must learn how the ship works and the different positions that help run the Enterprise. That is where we find Uhura in this week’s episode. Uhura, most known for her work as a linguist, is now assigned to work the security division with La’an. This is clearly out of Uhura’s comfort zone, and La’an is tough on her, but Uhura manages to impress her.
After giving her a seemingly impossible task to translate old disks from past missions, Uhura completes the task and even manages to identify the unknown languages in the disks. La’an then tells her that she will show her findings to Pike. Celia Rose Gooding absolutely shines as Uhura, they have managed to bring out a more complex side of Uhura, one that was slightly explored in the original films, but are seeing more of in this show. They are truly the standout of the new cast.
The Enterprise is attacked, and Pike tries to keep the peace, but once the shuttle shoots at the ship he is left with no choice but to retaliate. When the people onboard notify that there are injuries, Pike says to beam them on board. When they are beamed, Pike is surprised to find that it is his long time friend, Alora. She calls him Lieutenant, but he reveals that he is no longer a Lieutenant, but a captain.
She is with a child and a man, who are from her planet. They are getting ready to return to their planet to restore it to its glory in a ritual they do a certain amount of time. Dr. M’Benga goes to examine them, and is impressed with the medical advances that they have, and wonders if they will be able to help with his daughter’s condition.
Dr. M’Benga tries to find the cure from them, which is further complicated due to their planet not being affiliated with the Federation, and according to their laws, if a planet has chosen to not become part of the Federation, they are not allowed to exchange technology or medicine.
Pike and Alora bond, and rekindle the fling that they seem to have had years ago. Pike tells her about the accident that will happen to him in a few years, and she insists that perhaps there is a way to help him. In a way, Pike opening up about his future is a way of him accepting the inevitable, when the moment comes, he will confront it with bravery.
After an alleged kidnapping attempt, Pike escorts the child and Alora back to their planet, to make sure the ritual is completed successfully, since it involves the child. However, things take a turn when Pike finds out that the child will be used as a sacrifice so that the planet can continue to thrive.
That was the whole point of his existence. Pike tries to stop it, but to no avail. He is devastated and leaves Alora.
While this episode was not as strong as the first ones, it stands out by showcasing a big loss for Pike. In an ideal world, he would have saved the child and figured out a way for the planet to continue thriving utilizing something else, but that was not the case, he was not the hero.
Rarely that aspect is explored in Star Trek, so seeing Pike deal with such a big loss on the verge of his own loss, is a very interesting place to be explored.
Rating: 4 out of 5
NEXT: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Progressive Trek We Always Wanted
About Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The series will feature fan favorites from season two of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY: Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Number One and Ethan Peck as Science Officer Spock. The series will follow Captain Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds airs on Paramount+.
