Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has yet to introduce the iconic Star Trek: The Original Series character, Hikaru Suku, who could be the perfect rival for Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia). As a prequel to TOS, Strange New Worlds has introduced updated versions of beloved characters alongside some great new faces. From Celia Rose Gooding's Lt. Nyota Uhura to Christina Chong's Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh, Strange New Worlds has done an excellent job casting Star Trek characters both old and new.
While several characters from Star Trek: The Original Series have already appeared on Strange New Worlds, a couple of the biggest names have yet to debut. Lt. Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) was a key part of Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) Starship Enterprise crew from the beginning and became most well-known as the ship's pilot. Sulu was initially conceived as a physicist and wore science division blue, but he soon took on the role of helmsman and began wearing command gold. Sulu has yet to pop up on Strange New Worlds, but he would make an excellent rival for Pike's USS Enterprise pilot, Lt. Ortegas.
Why Sulu Would Be The Perfect Rival For Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Ortegas
These Two Star Trek Pilots Would Make A Great Rivalry
Mr. Sulu filled many different roles throughout his Star Trek career, but he was best known for being a highly skilled pilot. Sulu was also a swashbuckler at heart, and a rivalry with Ortegas would likely bring out his competitive side. Not only is Ortegas one of the best pilots in Starfleet, but she also has a competitive spirit and enjoys performing difficult flight maneuvers. Erica has not gotten as much character development on Strange New Worlds as some of her friends aboard the USS Enterprise, and a rivalry with a new hotshot pilot would allow the show to explore more about her.
Sulu and Ortegas are both fun characters, and it would be incredibly entertaining watching them compete with one another to see who is the better starship pilot. From serving on the USS Enterprise to commanding the USS Excelsior, Sulu has one of Star Trek's most impressive and celebrated careers. Despite this, not much has been revealed about his life before the Enterprise. Strange New Worlds has the opportunity to dive into Sulu's backstory, perhaps showing him as the helmsman of another Starfleet ship, such as the USS Farragut alongside Lieutenant James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley).
Sulu Is One Of Only 2 Star Trek: TOS Icons Missing From Strange New Worlds
Dr. McCoy Has Not Yet Appeared On Strange New Worlds, Either
Sulu is not the only Star Trek: The Original Series main character who has yet to make an appearance on Strange New Worlds. While Paul Wesley and Ethan Peck have brought new life to Kirk and Spock, the third member of Star Trek's classic trio has not yet been cast. DeForest Kelley remains the only actor to have portrayed Dr. Leonard McCoy in Star Trek's Prime Universe, and it remains to be seen whether the character will pop up on Strange New Worlds.
Karl Urban perfectly embodied Dr. Leonard McCoy in the Kelvin Timeline of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies.
As Strange New Worlds' timeline moves closer and closer to the beginning of Star Trek: The Original Series, it seems inevitable that Sulu and Bones will appear. Star Trek has revealed a few hints about Dr. McCoy's life before the Starship Enterprise, but Strange New Worlds could explore more about his early Starfleet days. Whether or not Sulu or McCoy become major characters on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, they should make at least a cameo appearance before the series comes to an end, and Sulu vs. Ortegas would be natural rivals.
