10 Best Captain Pike Episodes in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

While fans discuss whether we need more stories focusing on characters like Spock, Uhura, or Nurse Chapel, Captain Christopher Pike’s situation is unique. The Original Series actually reworked its initial, unsuccessful pilot with a new cast, and this led to a tragic end for Pike. Spock put his career and liberty on the line to bring Pike to a planet where he could confront the deceptive reality presented by the Talosians. Thanks to Anson Mount’s portrayal in episodes of Star Trek: Discovery and Strange New Worlds, Captain Pike has finally received the attention he deserves.

Let’s revisit the Star Trek fanbase. It’s interesting how many fans overlook which series actually reintroduced these established characters. Surprisingly, some of Captain Pike’s most compelling episodes appear in Discovery, not Strange New Worlds. His experiences aboard the USS Discovery – including leading a classic, covert “Prime Directive” mission – significantly developed his character. The events of “The Cage,” the original pilot episode, occurred *before* the timeline of this series. (This explains why Anson Mount’s portrayal of Pike is less hardened than Jeffrey Hunter’s.) Understanding this backstory is key to appreciating the strongest Captain Pike-centered episodes of Strange New Worlds. After 60 years with this Star Trek character, fans are at last getting a deeper understanding of the man himself.

The Pilot Episode of Strange New Worlds Shows Why Starfleet Needs Pike and Vice Versa

Season 1, Episode 1

Following the incidents with Discovery, Christopher Pike decided to step down from being a Starfleet captain. He was haunted by the accident that left him scarred and trapped within a painful metal enclosure. Despite the Enterprise being fully restored and upgraded, he hadn’t been absent from the captain’s chair. However, Number One became restless and vanished during a problematic first contact mission. This unexpected event compelled Pike to return to command, ultimately reminding him of his passion for space exploration.

The story explores the reasons behind Starfleet’s initial contact mission, and Pike feels responsible for the difficulties that arise. He deliberately allows himself to be captured, yet maintains complete command even while held prisoner. Pike also gives a memorable Star Trek speech, reminiscent of Captain Kirk, with the intention of improving the planet he’s visiting. It’s the sort of Star Trek challenge all captains encounter, but it also demonstrates why Pike is worthy of his position.

Captain Pike and Spock Have an Away Mission Adventure In ‘Ghosts of Illyria’

Season 1, Episode 3

Actually, Captain Pike isn’t the main Star Trek character whose story drives “Ghosts of Illyria.” The episode really focuses on Number One, Una Chin-Riley, and the hidden details of her illegal genetic enhancements. This backstory is key to her finding a cure for a space-virus that’s affecting the crew and ultimately saving the Enterprise. The moment when Number One offers to resign because of this secret would stand out as one of Strange New Worlds‘ strongest Captain Pike episodes, even on its own. His immediate and unwavering acceptance of her past is a truly powerful scene.

However, Captain Pike is largely stuck on a planet inhabited by Una’s people, known as the Illyrians, for most of the episode due to a severe storm. He and Spock investigate what became of the colonists and their efforts to reverse their genetic augmentations so they could be accepted into the Federation. As the storm intensifies, putting their lives at risk, Pike and Spock are rescued by the ghosts featured in the episode. It turns out the Illyrians transformed into non-physical beings and came together to protect others – a perfect illustration of Starfleet’s core principles.

A Desperate Ship-to-Ship Battle in ‘Memento Mori’ Evokes the Best of Star Trek Conflict

Season 1, Episode 4

As a big Star Trek fan, I recently watched “Memento Mori” and thought it was a clever way to address the continuity issues with the Gorn. It’s an episode all about those reptilian aliens we first met in TOS, and honestly, even the most dedicated canon purists probably won’t find much to complain about. The story throws the Enterprise right into a trap set by the Gorn, and Captain Pike really has to think on his feet when he’s seriously outmatched. To me, it’s a perfect illustration of what Doctor McCoy described a captain should be in Star Trek III: someone who can “turn death into a fighting chance to live.” It’s a really compelling episode that highlights Pike’s character beautifully.

With this approach, “Memento Mori” brings to mind another well-known Star Trek movie, The Wrath of Khan, particularly the battles between starships. Strange New Worlds swaps the Mutara Nebula for the environment around a Brown Dwarf star. However, Captain Pike leverages this shared vulnerability to gain an advantage over an enemy the Enterprise couldn’t normally overcome. Instead of fighting until complete defeat, the ship manages to escape by tricking the enemy into believing it was destroyed.

In ‘A Quality of Mercy,’ Strange New Worlds Remixes TOS to Prove Kirk Is Essential

Season 1, Episode 10

Although Captain Pike usually prefers to avoid conflict, the first Strange New Worlds season finale presents a different side to his character. He breaks Starfleet rules about time travel, attempting to alter his future and prevent the accident that left him disabled. This leads to a future version of Captain Pike traveling back in time to reveal that if he refuses a promotion to remain on the Enterprise, it will trigger a devastating and violent war across the galaxy.

“A Quality of Mercy” offers a fascinating “what if?” scenario, reimagining events with Captain Pike at the helm instead of Kirk. What struck me most is that, unlike Kirk’s typical response, Pike doesn’t immediately meet Romulan hostility with force. He genuinely attempts to initiate negotiations – the first in a century with this enigmatic species. Interestingly, mirroring the themes of “Balance of Terror,” the Romulan Commander is actually open to a peaceful resolution. However, things take a tragic turn when his own officers, feeling betrayed by his willingness to talk after the skirmish, assassinate him for what they deem “treason.” This act, of course, ignites a full-blown war. Watching Pike grapple with the realization that Kirk, not himself, is the leader needed for *this* particular crisis, and understanding the weight of that acceptance as it seals his own destiny, was truly compelling. It’s a powerful episode that explores the difficult choices leaders face and the sacrifices they must make.

In ‘Ad Astra per Aspera’ Captain Pike Sides With Loyalty When Starfleet Values Go On Trial

Season 2, Episode 2

The last scene of “A Quality of Mercy” shows Una Chin-Riley being arrested for falsely claiming Illyrian ancestry to get into Starfleet. “Ad Astra Per Aspera” is a well-known Star Trek story that looks at what it means to have an identity and how laws, even when created with good intentions, can be used to unfairly punish people. Unlike those who created Khan through eugenics, Una didn’t willingly change herself. Illyrians used this practice to adapt their bodies to new planets instead of changing the planets themselves.

The story also shows how people within the Federation experienced prejudice due to their negative feelings about the practice. Similar to “Ghosts of Illyria,” Number One is the central character in “Ad Astra Per Aspera.” Captain Pike’s attempts to secure her excellent legal counsel and defend his first officer go against Starfleet rules. However, throughout the episode, it never appears as though he is doing anything incorrect. At no point does it seem like he’s in the wrong.

‘Among the Lotus Eaters’ Is a Sequel to an Unseen Mission Captain Pike Failed

Season 2, Episode 4

The episode “The Cage” begins with Captain Pike feeling defeated after a disastrous mission to Rigel VII cost the lives of his crew. “Among the Lotus Eaters” continues that story, though it was never originally shown to audiences. The plot centers around a member of a previous away team who has violated the Prime Directive, forcing Captain Pike to return to the planet and resolve the situation. The episode reaches its peak when Pike voices his sorrow over failing one of his crew, while simultaneously reprimanding him for disregarding the regulations that all Starfleet officers are expected to follow, even if it means risking their own lives.

That story alone would make this a standout Strange New Worlds episode centered on Captain Pike, but there’s more to it. A meteorite emits sci-fi radiation that causes memory loss in anyone outside the protective walls of a castle. Despite losing all recollection of his past and who he is, Captain Pike immediately steps up as a leader and acts heroically. He bravely puts himself in danger to protect others, and he doesn’t hesitate to fight for them when necessary.

The Lower Decks Crossover Episode, ‘Those Old Scientists,’ Is a Star Trek Celebration

Season 2, Episode 7

In Lower Decks, the animated Starfleet crew members are essentially Trekkies, though they see it as simply their past. When Ensigns Boimler and Mariner go back in time and meet Captain Pike and the crew of the Enterprise, they act much like Star Trek fans would if they suddenly found themselves *inside* an episode-similar to the movie Last Action Hero. Their admiration isn’t limited to just the captain, either. Mariner and Boimler get to work alongside their idols, Uhura and Spock, respectively. However, Captain Pike is the only one who has a birthday celebrated as a holiday. Despite being annoyed by the Lower Decks duo, he’s secretly pleased by their praise. He even tries to impress them, which makes this Star Trek icon more relatable.

Compared to Mariner, Boimler is a much bigger admirer of Captain Pike. He even dressed up as Pike for Halloween. Whenever Boimler sees him, he gets overly excited-he even exclaims “computer end program,” suggesting he often uses the holodeck to spend time with Pike, much like Reg Barclay did with the crew of the USS Voyager. Although the episode is hilarious, the scene where Boimler and Mariner attempt to persuade Pike to allow a birthday celebration for him is genuinely heartwarming. Pike shares that this is the first birthday he’ll celebrate after surpassing his father’s lifespan. “Those Old Scientists” both idealizes Captain Pike and highlights his vulnerabilities as a person.

In “Hegemony, Part II,” Captain Pike Balances Wartime Command and Personal Loss

Season 3, Episode 1

The first episode of Strange New Worlds Season 3 continues the story right after the Season 2 finale, which was a strong episode focusing on Captain Pike. In “Hegemony, Part II,” Pike saved the woman he loves from a Gorn attack, but she was seriously injured and carrying a Gorn offspring. Now, he must deal with his worry for her well-being (and rely on Nurse Chapel and Spock) while pursuing a large Gorn ship that has taken his crew hostage. This time, unlike in “Memento Mori,” he has to confront these enemies directly.

Captain Pike must put aside his worries about Marie Batel and his captured crew members to protect the Enterprise from being destroyed. He depended on his intelligence and the scientific and technical skills of his team – now including Montgomery Scott – to evade the Gorn fleet and rescue those he’d lost. However, when faced with a risky plan that *could* stop the Gorn attacks for about ten years? He accepts it, endangering the ship to save the lives of people he doesn’t even know and giving Starfleet time to prevent a war with the Gorn Hegemony. He’s willing to take a big gamble to ensure peace.

In “Shuttle to Kenfori,” Pike Breaks Starfleet Rules and Regulations for the Right Reasons

Season 3, Episode 3

In the Season 3 premiere, Pike put aside his own worries and emotions regarding Batel so she could become a Starfleet captain. Then, in “Shuttle to Kenfori,” he leveraged his authority as a starship captain to bend Starfleet rules and risk a confrontation with the Klingons. He took this chance because a unique flower might be able to save Batel from a Gorn infection. This act of defiance even motivated Helm officer Lieutenant Erica Ortegas to disobey Number One’s orders and rescue him and Doctor M’Benga when a conflict did occur.

Pike certainly has his moments of exciting action, battling space zombies and Klingon attackers. However, this episode focuses more on his personal life than his role as a captain. He wrestles with being afraid of losing the woman he loves and with disagreeing with the only possible cure for her illness. As established in Discovery Season 1, he didn’t participate in the Klingon war, and he refrains from criticizing .

Pike Lives the Future He Never Got In ‘New Life and New Civilizations’

Season 3, Episode 10

Although fans were aware of the tragic destiny awaiting Captain Pike after Strange New Worlds concluded, Captain Marie Batel’s fate was unexpected. She managed to survive an encounter with the Gorn, but ultimately sacrificed herself to stop a dangerous, ancient alien species from conquering the galaxy. He accompanies her in a last battle against them within a prison constructed using incredibly advanced technology that transcends the normal constraints of time and space. Despite losing the woman he loves due to a complex time loop, he paradoxically gains a life he was never meant to have.

Before taking on the role of protector of this ancient prison, he and Batel share a glimpse of the life they’ll have to leave behind. It’s a different reality where both of them make it through their dangerous missions, fall in love, and have a family. Within this imagined world, they have a daughter, watch her build a family, and enjoy a long life together. Strange New Worlds didn’t change Pike’s ultimate destiny, but this episode allowed him to experience an alternate life nonetheless.

You can find the first three seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on DVD, Blu-ray, and digitally. They are also available to stream on Paramount+. Season 4 is anticipated to arrive in 2026, and filming for the last season is currently underway.

2025-10-03 22:26