Summary
- Lieutenant Hemmer, as a blind Aenar on USS Enterprise, embodies Starfleet's core values of loyalty and selflessness in Strange New Worlds.
- Hemmer's pacifism and sacrifice highlight Starfleet's mission of exploration and protection in times of conflict.
- Hemmer's unique perspective on Starfleet, as portrayed by Bruce Horak, brings a refreshing focus on ideals over fighting in the show.
Lieutenant Hemmer (Bruce Horak), the late Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, represents everything good about Starfleet. As an Aenar, a subspecies of the Andorians, Hemmer was blind but made up for his lack of vision by being highly telepathic, a skill he used to "see" people and objects around him. Hemmer often used his telepathic abilities to help other characters in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Hemmer was often a little cranky to other crew members, but he remained loyal to them and Starfleet until the very end.
As one of Star Trek''s Chief Cngineers, Hemmer shined in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1. Hemmer quickly became a staple for the Starship Enterprise's crew, befriending Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) and, more closely, Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding). Henmer sacrificed himself to save his crew from the Gorn before the end of Strange New Worlds season 1, but his impact on the show and its characters can't be understated. Hemmer's loyalty, bravery, selflessness, and realism exemplify everything good about Starfleet, reminding the audience and characters about Starfleet's core values and mission.
Bruce Horak, who plays Lt. Hemmer on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , is the first legally blind actor in Star Trek .
Hemmer Believed In A Peaceful Starfleet
Hemmer says he won't fight for Starfleet, but he will fight for its ideals
Lt. Hemmer embodied the Aenar's pacifism but broke away from the Aenar's somewhat isolationist tendencies to join Starfleet. Thanks to the Chief Engineer's close friendship with Uhura, we know just a little about Hemmer's backstory. According to Hemmer in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 4, "Memento Mori," he fell in love with botany and wished to study flora. However, he became a gifted engineer and instead vowed "to fix what is broken." As Chief Engineer on the Starship Enterprise, Hemmer did plenty of classic Star Trek makeshift repairs — but he never did any fighting.
Instead of fighting for Starfleet, Hemmer just wanted to defend its ideals.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds does a lot to bring back classic Star Trek, like utilizing mid-century props and bringing back classic characters like Lt. James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) and Lt. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (Martin Quinn). However, Lt. Hemmer's contribution to reviving iconic Star Trek themes is more subtle. He believed in Starfleet as a mode of exploration, not a military organization, redirecting the show's focus from the militarized fights with the Gorn to actively protecting people needing help. Instead of fighting for Starfleet, Hemmer just wanted to defend its ideals.
Hemmer's Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Sacrifice Proves Starfleet Is Important
Hemmer's sacrifice embodies the honor of Starfleet
At the end of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1, Lt. Hemmer is infected by Gorn and finds himself harboring their eggs. Hemmer ends up sacrificing himself to prevent the crew of the Enterprise from the Gorn that would spawn from the eggs growing inside of him. Hemmer's true impact on Star Trek is most evident when viewing this sacrifice not only as a choice to save his friends, but as an embodiment of Starfleet's ideals. In preventing the Gorn inside him from living, Hemmer prevented more fighting. He kept the peace for a little while longer.
After all, Hemmer was right: Starfleet is about exploration, not fighting.
Replacing Lt. Hemmer in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was difficult after his death, reminding both characters and viewers of the reality of Starfleet and fighting — or protecting — its ideals. While new Chief Engineer Commander Pelia (Carol Kane) is a fun new addition, Hemmer's ideals can't be easily replicated. After all, Hemmer was right: Starfleet is about exploration, not fighting. Hemmer claimed that "pacifism isn't passivity," striking a delicate balance between violence and protection. With the Gorn and other enemies drawing ever closer to the Federation, more of Lt. Hemmer's steadfast belief in Starfleet is just what Star Trek needs.
