Kirk’s Best Friend In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Isn’t Spock, It’s An Original Series Villain

Lieutenant James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) has not yet formed his most iconic friendship in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Star Trek: The Original Series established Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) as one of science fiction's most beloved duos. The two Starfleet officers may have had very different personalities, but they complemented one another well. Along with Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Kirk and Spock formed the backbone of Star Trek's earliest stories. Although Kirk and Spock (Ethan Peck) have met as Lieutenants on Strange New Worlds, Kirk has another best friend at this point in his life.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 will take place around 2260, at which time Kirk's best friend is Lt. Gary Mitchell (originally portrayed by Gary Lockwood). Mitchell's first and only onscreen appearance came in Star Trek's second pilot episode, "Where No One Has Gone Before." In that episode, which takes place in 2265, Mitchell was a lieutenant commander serving aboard the USS Enterprise as a helmsman under Captain Kirk's command. When the ship passed through the Galactic Barrier, Mitchell gained powerful telepathic abilities and eventually became a danger to Kirk and his crew aboard the Enterprise.

Kirk’s Best Friend In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Is Gary Mitchell, Not Spock

Kirk & Mitchell's History Traces Back To Their Starfleet Academy Days

Before Gary Mitchell's tragic death, Star Trek's "Where No Man Has Gone Before" offers a glimpse into his friendship with James Kirk. Kirk and Mitchell met sometime in the early 2250s and became friends at Starfleet Academy, whereas Kirk did not meet Spock until after he had been assigned to the USS Farragut. As a cadet, Mitchell was a student in Lt. Kirk's class and fondly remembered Kirk as "a stack of books with legs." As a way to distract Kirk, Mitchell introduced him to a "little blonde lab technician" whom he almost married.

Gary Mitchell landed a position on the USS Enterprise because Captain Kirk personally requested him to be a part of the crew. Kirk and Mitchell went on numerous missions together, and Mitchell saved Kirk's life on at least one occasion. Strange New Worlds has already offered fascinating glimpses at Kirk's life before the Enterprise, and Mitchell was a significant part of that. It remains to be seen whether Strange New Worlds will introduce an updated version of Gary Mitchell, but it would be nice to see more of his friendship with Lt. Kirk.

Strange New Worlds Season 3 Will Begin Building Kirk & Spock’s Star Trek Friendship

"I Have Been And Always Shall Be Your Friend."

Whether Gary Mitchell makes an appearance or not, we do know that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 will dive into the beginnings of Kirk's friendship with Lt. Spock. Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) introduced Kirk and Spock in Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 6, "Lost in Translation," and season 3 will continue to explore their burgeoning friendship. In a 2024 interview with Screen Rant, Ethan Peck described Kirk and Spock's initial meeting as "platonic love at first sight," which makes perfect sense considering how close the two will eventually become.

In many ways, Kirk and Spock are like brothers, and I can't wait to see how Strange New Worlds depicts the earliest days of their friendship. As the First Officer of the USS Farragut, Kirk only pays occasional visits to the Enterprise of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), but he has already begun developing a fondness for the ship. Just as Spock will become Kirk's best friend, the Enterprise will become one of his greatest loves, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has already begun laying the groundwork for both of these iconic relationships.