Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Best Episodes For Each Main Character

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So far, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has given each of its main characters a standout episode – many consider them to be among the best in the series. As a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, Strange New Worlds is planned to have five seasons and a total of 46 episodes, all available on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds returned to the traditional, standalone-episode style of the original Star Trek series. The show follows Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise, which includes familiar characters like Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck) alongside new additions created specifically for Strange New Worlds, such as Lieutenant La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong).

Season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds started taking more risks, notably with a popular comedic crossover episode featuring Star Trek: Lower Decks and the show’s first-ever musical episode. Season 3 continued this trend, pushing boundaries with ambitious storylines and genre explorations, though these bold choices weren’t universally appreciated by viewers.

Thanks to clever writing and direction that really highlights the skills of its amazing cast, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has given every character a chance to stand out. Here’s a look at the best episode for each member of the Starship Enterprise crew (so far):

Captain Christopher Pike – “A Quality of Mercy”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1, Episode 10

The season 1 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was a standout episode for Captain Christopher Pike. “A Quality of Mercy” reimagined the classic Star Trek: The Original Series story, “Balance of Terror,” with a twist: an Admiral Pike from a grim alternate timeline sent Captain Pike on a collision course with a renewed threat from the Romulans.

The episode “A Quality of Mercy” helped Captain Pike come to terms with the terrible accident that would leave him permanently disfigured. He embraced his future and decided to live his remaining time to the fullest. The season 1 finale of Strange New Worlds highlighted Pike’s honorable character, his kindness towards others, and his unwavering bravery.

Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley – “Ad Astra Per Aspera”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 2

Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley, also known as Number One, takes center stage in “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” a standout courtroom episode of Star Trek. She’s on trial for concealing that she’s a genetically engineered Illyrian, and her defense is led by Neera Ketoul (Yetide Badaki), a lawyer who is an old friend.

“Ad Astra Per Aspera” is a moving and insightful episode, with strong performances from Rebecca Romijn and Yetide Badaki. As Una and Neera reconnect after years apart, they challenge the Federation’s strict rules about genetic engineering. The episode importantly gives Number One back her independence by allowing her to openly embrace who she is.

Lt. Spock – “Charades”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 5

A key goal of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is to show a young Lieutenant Spock discovering and embracing his human emotions. This backstory explains how he eventually becomes the calm and logical Vulcan we know from Star Trek: The Original Series. The episode “Charades” is particularly effective, hilariously portraying Spock’s human side and giving actor Ethan Peck a chance to showcase the character in a fresh and unique way.

In the episode “Charades,” Spock reluctantly joins his fiancée T’Pring’s family gathering. Throughout the visit, he demonstrates his affection for his mother, Amanda Grayson, and can’t help but be drawn to Nurse Christine Chapel. This charming and funny episode offers a fresh look at Spock’s personality and is considered one of the best comedic installments of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds focusing on Vulcan culture.

Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh – “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 3

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Lieutenant La’an Noonien-Singh experienced a painful romance while attempting to fix a damaged timeline. As the USS Enterprise’s Security Chief, she was sent on a mission to restore the original Star Trek timeline and unexpectedly fell in love with a version of Captain James T. Kirk (played by Paul Wesley) during a stop in 21st century Toronto.

The strength of “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” comes from the incredible connection between Christina Chong and Paul Wesley. La’an’s heartbreaking experience with Kirk, and her efforts to fix time, really helped her character develop and see things differently. It’s a sincerely moving, humorous, and meaningful episode, and La’an’s time-traveling romance is easily one of the highlights of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Nurse Christine Chapel – “Through the Lens of Time”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 5

Jess Bush consistently shines as Nurse Christine Chapel in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. While the episode “Through the Lens of Time” doesn’t focus solely on her, Christine’s bravery is central to the plot when she and a landing party from the Starship Enterprise become trapped on the planet Vadia Nine.

In the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode “Through the Lens of Time,” Nurse Chapel’s loyalty to her friends and commitment to her responsibilities are highlighted, even as her boyfriend, Dr. Roger Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan), continues his obsessive search for historical artifacts. While previous episodes have shown Chapel’s medical abilities and romantic feelings, this episode really focuses on her inner strength and resilience.

Ensign Nyota Uhura – “Subspace Rhapsody”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 9

The recent series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds delved deeper into the character of Ensign Nyota Uhura (played by Celia Rose Gooding), giving her a richer history and clearer motivations than the original Star Trek ever did for Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols). All the character development for Uhura in Strange New Worlds culminated beautifully in the episode “Subspace Rhapsody.”

The first musical episode of Star Trek really highlighted how vital Uhura is as the communications officer on the USS Enterprise, showcasing her special talent for connecting with the crew. “Subspace Rhapsody” also let Grammy winner Celia Rose Gooding truly shine with her incredible voice. It was a breakout moment for Uhura, establishing her as a key character.

Lt. Erica Ortegas – “Terrarrium”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 9

Fans of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds had been hoping for a long time to see an episode focused on Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia), the Enterprise’s incredibly skilled pilot. The episode “Terrarrum,” considered one of the best of the show’s third season, finally gave them what they wanted, putting Ortegas in a dangerous situation: stranded on a small planet with a Gorn – her greatest fear.

Melissa Navia delivers a stunning performance in “Terrarium,” practically carrying the entire episode on her own. Through Ortega’s resourcefulness, determination, and ability to find the good in even her Gorn enemy – whom she ultimately befriends – we see Erica at her best, and a true example of the ideals of Starfleet.

Dr. Joseph M’Benga – “Under the Cloak of War”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 8

As a critic, I can confidently say “Under the Cloak of War” is easily the most emotionally challenging episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds yet. It’s a truly unforgettable dive into the trauma of Dr. Joseph M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), revealing the heavy cost of his hidden past – that he was once Starfleet’s deadliest assassin. Babs Olusanmokun delivers a powerhouse performance, really digging deep to portray the pain and damage within M’Benga’s character.

In a shocking turn of events, Dr. M’Benga, faced with a ghost from his past – Klingon Ambassador Dak’Rah (Robert Wisdom) – gives in to his rage and kills his longtime enemy. The episode ends with M’Benga covering up the murder, a dark conclusion that explores the consequences of past actions and leaves viewers with unsettling questions rather than simple resolutions.

Commander Pelia – “Hegemony, Part 2”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 1

Commander Pelia, played by Carol Kane and first appearing in the season 2 premiere of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, has quickly become a beloved source of quirky humor in the series. While she consistently adds memorable moments, her performance in “Hegemony, Part 2” – widely considered one of the strongest episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – is particularly noteworthy.

Commander Pelia set aside her playful banter and dedicated herself to helping Lieutenant Montgomery Scott (Martin Quinn) build his confidence and overcome his anxieties. She challenged Scotty to reach his full potential, leading by example and showing him what it takes to be a truly exceptional engineer – a “miracle worker.” Pelia thrives as a mentor, inspiring those around her.

Lt. Montgomery Scott – “A Space Adventure Hour”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 4

Lieutenant Montgomery Scott, the newest member of the Starship Enterprise crew, is slowly becoming the Chief Engineer we know and love. While he hasn’t had his own dedicated episode on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds yet, his most memorable appearance so far is in the holodeck mystery, “A Space Adventure Hour.”

In the episode “A Space Adventure Hour,” a standout moment features Scotty frantically trying to prevent a disaster on the Enterprise’s new holodeck. Left to oversee the system, he’s comically stressed when he realizes how dangerous the power surges are. Martin Quinn perfectly portrays Scotty’s desperation, and watching him hilariously enlist Uhura’s assistance to avert a potential catastrophe is one of the most enjoyable scenes in the episode.

Lt. Commander James T. Kirk – “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 6

The third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds reaches its peak with the episode “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail,” which is also a standout moment for Captain James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley). In this episode, Kirk experiences command of a starship for the first time and must find his confidence to lead a rescue mission when the Starship Enterprise faces a powerful group of galactic Scavengers.

The episode “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail” is a key moment in showing how Paul Wesley’s version of Kirk will develop into the iconic Captain Kirk played by William Shatner. It demonstrates Kirk earning the respect of his future crew on the USS Enterprise and highlights the beginning of the strong bond between Kirk and Spock, making it one of the best episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3.

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2025-11-19 23:43