One of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' love stories in outer space involves Lt. James T. Kirk and Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong). La'an and Kirk confessed an attraction to each other in Star Trek's first-ever musical episode, "Subspace Rhapsody." However, Kirk quickly put a stop to pursuing a romance, telling La'an that he is in a complicated relationship with his girlfriend, who is pregnant. Kirk identified his girlfriend as "Carol," and this can only be Carol Marcus, who was introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Jim Kirk name-dropping Carol Marcus is a tacit promise that she will appear on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds at some point, although it's not guaranteed. Yet the potential of Carol guesting on Strange New Worlds is irresistible, and it's hard to imagine the Star Trek prequel will pass up the chance to delve into Carol and Kirk's relationship 25 years before Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. If Carol Marcus does appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 or 4, an ideal actor to play Kirk's girlfriend can be seen in The White Lotus season 3.
The White Lotus’ Sarah Catherine Hook Is The Perfect Carol Marcus In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Piper, No! But Carol, Yes
Sarah Catherine Hook played Piper Ratliff in The White Lotus season 3, and Sarah would be fantastic as Carol Marcus on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. In Mike White's Thailand-set dramedy, Hook's Piper Ratliff was a conflicted college student searching for an escape from her wealthy family's materialistic lifestyle. The relatively 'normal' one among the Ratliffs, Piper was horrified to find that she couldn't stick to her belief that she was a Buddhist. Piper realized she was more like her mother, Victoria (Parker Posey), than she thought.
Hook, an Alabama native, is 30, but she is often cast as college-aged characters because of her youthful appearance. Beyond Piper Ratliff, however, Sarah has also played characters with a harder edge. In Prime Video's reboot of Cruel Intentions, Hook led the cast as the domineering and intimidating Caroline Merteuil, a role diametrically opposed to Piper Ratliff. Hook also played teenage vampire Juliette Fairmont in Netflix's First Kill.
Sarah's talent and versatility can be further tested by playing Carol Marcus.
Carol Marcus Has Only Appeared Twice In Star Trek
Carol Has Never Appeared In A Star Trek TV Series
Carol Marcus has only appeared twice in Star Trek, which is remarkable considering how well-known she is, especially in relation to Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner). Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan introduced Carol as Admiral Kirk's ex, the mother of their son, David Marcus (Merritt Butrick), and the co-creator of Project Genesis with David. Carol was a source of bitterness and regret for Kirk, who agreed to her terms and stayed out of David's life. Carol and Kirk reconciled at the end of Star Trek II, but she didn't make any further appearances.
Why Carol Marcus Is So Important To Kirk’s Star Trek Story
Carol Gave Kirk His Only Son
Captain James T. Kirk is known for many romances throughout Star Trek: The Original Series, but only a few women truly mattered to Kirk. Along with Edith Keeler (Joan Collins) in Star Trek's classic, "The City on the Edge of Forever," Carol Marcus tops the list of Kirk's great relationships, even if it was already long over in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Unlike Keeler, however, Carol's importance still resonates, and Marcus continues to be relevant over 40 years after her introduction in Star Trek II.
The implied way Jim and Carol's relationship ended was a hurt that the Captain of the Enterprise carried with him for decades.
Carol Marcus is the only woman to have a child with James T. Kirk, though David's life was tragically cut short in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. This makes Carol a significant love interest for Kirk, and the implied way Jim and Carol's relationship ended was a hurt that the Captain of the Enterprise carried with him for decades until fate reunited them in Star Trek II.
Will Carol Marcus Appear In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Strange New Worlds Must Deliver On Their Carol Marcus Tease
LIke Sybok, the older brother of Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck), it's doubtful that Carol Marcus' name was dropped frivolously in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2. Strange New Worlds hopefully intends to make good on introducing a younger version of Carol. Although Paul Wesley's Kirk is, himself, a recurring Special Guest Star on Strange New Worlds, the prequel is the only place where Kirk's relationship with Carol, which was only spoken of in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, can be fully explored.
Even if Star Trek: Strange New Worlds only depicts the breakup of Kirk and Carol, with Marcus taking David away to raise him on her own, it would still be a pivotal event that Star Trek fans have only imagined for over 40 years. If Carol does appear, Strange New Worlds will need an actor who can hold her own with Paul Wesley's charming Kirk while also bringing an opposing energy to Christina Chong's stern but evolving La'an. Sarah Catherine Hook from The White Lotus would be sensational at bringing Carol Marcus to life in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
