After Watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode 3, I Realized Kirk Becoming Captain Of The Enterprise Is Unfair To Pike’s Other Successor

After watching Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, episode 3, "Shuttle to Kenfori", I realized that Captain James Kirk (Paul Wesley) becoming Captain of the USS Enterprise isn't fair to Captain Christopher Pike's (Anson Mount) other successor. Star Trek canon dictates that Kirk will succeed Pike, but another Starfleet officer deserves to sit in the chair, too.

In "Shuttle to Kenfori", Captain Pike spends most of the episode on an away mission to Kenfori with Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), in search of a cure for Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano). Pike's absence leaves Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn)—aka Number One—in command of the Starship Enterprise, with some tough decisions to make.

Number One Proved She Is A Great Captain In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 3

Commander Una Chin-Riley Commands The USS Enterprise Crew With Strategy & Grace

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, episode 3, isn't the first time that Una has been left in charge of the Enterprise while Pike is elsewhere, but "Shuttle to Kenfori" proves that Number One is a great captain. Commander Chin-Riley's leadership style balances strategic command decisions and the safety of her crew—whether they're away or on the bridge.

Una's decision to play it safe while faced with the threat of a Klingon cruiser lurking nearby proves Number One prioritizes the safety of everyone aboard the Enterprise. It's a tough call, but a good one, because Una knows that Captain Pike and Dr. M'Benga are capable officers, even if they're stranded on Kenfori.Number One also handles disciplining a valued officer with a firm, but graceful hand. Una is perceptive enough to notice when Lieutenant Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) deliberately sabotages the safe plan in favor of her own riskier strategy. Una calls Ortegas in, rather than out, knowing that Erica needs guidance after Ortegas' ordeal with the Gorn.

Even though the Enterprise bridge crew were delighted to see Ortegas back after the Gorn attack in Strange New Worlds season 3's premiere, Commander Chin-Riley knows the best solution to Ortegas' rash decision is removal from active duty. But what cinches Number One's candidacy as a great captain is how Una's unflappable demeanor actually softens after disciplining Ortegas.

Like Captain Pike, Number One deeply cares. Commander Una Chin-Riley values the Enterprise crew members as people first. After the first two seasons of Strange New Worlds, Number One isn't afraid to show compassion to the crew; she even tells Lieutenant James Kirk to "connect to your crew" in Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 9, "Subspace Rhapsody".

Kirk Will Be Pike’s Successor As Captain Of The Enterprise, But It’s Still Unfair To Number One

Number One Deserves Her Own Command, Too

James Kirk will be captain of the Enterprise after Pike, and rightly so. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is already setting Lieutenant Kirk up as the great leader we know he will be. If the rumors about Star Trek: Year One hold out, Paul Wesley has the chops to carry the show as a worthy successor to Anson Mount's Pike.

But what James Kirk accomplishes in the future of Strange New Worlds doesn't negate Number One's strengths as a leader. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has elevated Commander Chin-Riley far above Majel Barrett-Roddenberry's lone appearance as Number One in Star Trek's first pilot, "The Cage". Una is a rich character who deserves a command of her own.

Nothing in Star Trek canon definitively says what Commander Chin-Riley's future will be after Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, so we can only speculate on what lies ahead for Number One. Hopefully, Una does get her own command at the end of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' five-year mission. Even if it isn't the Enterprise, Number One certainly deserves it.