Melanie Scrofano, who plays Captain Marie Batel, reveals Anson Mount's Captain Christopher Pike was not the first to wear Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Captain's uniform. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds debuted new uniforms that differed from what Mount wore as Captain Pike on Star Trek: Discovery. Strange New Worlds updated the colorful Starfleet uniforms worn in Star Trek: The Original Series, which Strange New Worlds is a prequel to.
Appearing on stage at STLV: Trek to Vegas with their Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast mates Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Celia Rose Gooding, and Carol Kane, Anson Mount and Melanie Scrofano discuss the first day of shooting the series, which was the scene with Captain Pike and Captain Batel in his cabin. Scrofano reveals that Batel is actually the first person to wear Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' gold Captain's uniform. Read Melanie and Anson's quotes and watch the video posted by DTRShow below:
Melanie Scrofano: I remember our first day. It was Anson and I.
Anson Mount: It was the first day of the show.
Melanie Scrofano: The first day of the show. In the cabin. And I was the first one to wear the Captain’s uniform. And even Anson hadn’t worn it yet. I remember coming down the stairs and being like, ‘This is wrong. This can’t be right.’ And Akiva [Goldsman] was directing, and I like, ‘Oh my god, it’s Akiva.’ Did you buy that I wasn’t panicking or did you see?
Anson Mount: I had no idea. I promise you.
Melanie Scrofano: Yes! I’m an actor.
Will Captain Batel Survive Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Batel was infected by the Gorn in Strange New Worlds season 2
Captain Marie Batel was in dire straights at the end of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2. The Captain of the USS Cayuga was ambushed by the Gorn on Parnassus Beta, and her starship was destroyed in orbit. When Captain Pike and members of the USS Enterprise arrived to rescue Batel, they were stranded on the planet thanks to the Gorn. Worse, Batel was infected with baby Gorn eggs. Marie was brought aboard the Enterprise for medical attention, but it's unclear if Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) can save Batel's life from the Gorn.
Putting Batel's life in danger and possibly killing her off is a trope.
Pike and Batel's relationship is rare for Star Trek Captains, as Chris and Marie are trying to balance their Starfleet duties and their romantic relationship. Putting Batel's life in danger and possibly killing her off is a trope that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is flirting with, but the bolder choice is for Marie to live instead of her death adding anguish and drama to Pike's life. Melanie Scrofano appearing with her Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast at STLV: Trek to Vegas is a positive sign that Captain Batel survives, but audiences won't know for sure until season 3 premieres in 2025 on Paramount+.
