Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds still lacks one important thing that other Star Trek captains have. Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds have made Captain Christopher Pike more well-known than the footnote in Star Trek history that Pike once was. Pike combines the best of Star Trek's past captains, with Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) eager curiosity, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard's (Patrick Stewart) diplomacy-first approach. Like Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), Pike understands his own destiny, and like Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), Pike is unerringly devoted to his crew.
Captain Pike is undoubtedly a great Star Trek captain, with all the best qualities of a Starfleet legend, but who is Christopher Pike when the chips are down? Captain Pike has faced challenges, to be sure, from pirates to Klingons to Star Trek's first musical. So far, Pike's greatest enemy is his own future, looming darkly ahead with unavoidable certainty, since Pike's survival means war with the Romulans. Pike's dilemma is a fantastic Star Trek story, but no single voice has risen up to push the Captain of the Enterprise into the desperate corner that would reveal the true moral center of Pike's character.
Captain Pike Needs His Own Star Trek Arch Enemy
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Gorn Aren't Pike's Arch Enemy
Unlike other Star Trek captains, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Captain Pike is missing an important arch enemy. More than being an antagonist, Pike's enemy should be a singular character who stands strong as Chris' moral opposite. Christopher Pike's best quality as a leader is his compassion, so Pike's nemesis should be selfish. Captain Pike views the Starship Enterprise crew as a family, so Pike's enemy would taint that concept by treating family members as objects instead of people. Pike's acts of self-sacrifice might be considered weakness by a rival who values self-preservation over all else.
Pike buries his compassion and redefines the Gorn as monsters to do his job.
Because Chris is missing an arch enemy, Pike's leadership lacks the conviction that other Starfleet captains have.Strange New Worlds' Gorn Hegemony come close, but as a force of nature without a representative, Pike's usual talk-first approach won't work. Pike's only recourse is to destroy the Gorn before they destroy his crew. Against the Gorn, Pike can't lead by reaching across the aisle, so Pike buries his compassion and redefines the Gorn as monsters to do his job. A true enemy would force Captain Pike's character development by pushing Pike to stick by his morals, and that hasn't happened yet.
Why An Arch Enemy Can Define A Star Trek Captain
Star Trek Captains' Enemies Are The Opposite Side Of The Coin
Arch enemies define Star Trek captains by being their direct and equal opposite. As a genetically-engineered despot, Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) defies Captain Kirk's love for the galaxy's diversity. The Borg Queen (Alice Krige, Susanna Thompson) is the greatest nemesis of both Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Captain Kathryn Janeway, assimilating Picard's natural diplomacy by making Jean-Luc Locutus, and commanding drones in a dark reflection of Janeway's steadfast care for her crew. Gul Dukat's (Marc Alaimo) fall from grace inverts Captain Sisko's ascension as Bajor's Emissary. Captain Pike has yet to be defined by an equal opposite.
Like Captain Pike, Star Trek: Discovery 's Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) lacks a single primary nemesis, but Discovery 's season-long arcs feature a series of adversaries, like season 1's Captain Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs), season 3's Osyraa (Janet Kidder), and season 5's Moll (Eve Harlow), who help define Burnham's character by opposing Burnham's best qualities.
By giving a Star Trek captain something to stand against, what captains stand for becomes clearer. Sisko's confident responsibility is thrown into stark relief when contrasted with Dukat's careless entitlement. Janeway values curiosity and independence even more after encountering the Borg. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek: First Contact make Kirk and Picard, respectively, dig their metaphorical heels in as cinematic heroes after their USS Enterprise shows end. Hopefully, it won't take a Star Trek: Strange New Worlds movie to reveal an arch enemy who defines Captain Pike by more than his future alone.
