In only two seasons ofStar Trek: Strange New Worlds,Anson Mount has turned Captain Christopher Pike into one ofStar Trek’smost beloved captains, repairing any problems with Jeffrey Hunter’s original Captain Pike. When Gene Roddenberry was conceptualizingStar Trek: The Original Series,the story revolved around Captain Pike and his Enterprise crew. Finding an actor to portray Pike was one of Roddenberry’s most difficult tasks, but Jeffrey Hunter eventually landed the role. However, after NBC rejected the show’s first pilot, “The Cage,“Jeffrey Hunter leftStar Trek’s production.
Star Trekfans first met Pike inTOSseason 1, episodes 11 & 12, “The Menagerie,” after the formerEnterprise captain had suffered his devastating accident. Captain Pike then became a footnote inStar Trekhistory, untilStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2 reintroduced Anson Mount as a new and improved Christoper Pike.Fans took an instant liking to Mount’s portrayal of Pike, which eventually convinced Paramount to give him his own series,Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.Strange New Worldshas become an ensemble show that showcases the entire Enterprise crew, but Captain Pike has already joined the ranks ofTrek’sbest captains.
Anson Mount Fixed Star Trek’s Problem With Jeffrey Hunter’s Captain Pike
Mount’s Pike Is Instantly More Likable Than Hunter’s Ever Was
After a screening of “The Cage,” NBC famously rejected theStar Trekpilot, claiming that it was “too cerebral” for audiences of the time. The studio was unhappy with many of the casting choices, findingJeffrey Hunter’s take on Captain Pike to be overly serious.When NBC made the unprecedented decision to order a second pilot, Hunter left the production, leaving Roddenberry and his team to find another captain. Still, Captain Pike became a part ofStar Trekcanon, giving modernTrekthe chance to further develop the character.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Timeline Explained - When Does Pike’s Show Happen Compared To TOS & Discovery?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds explores a time period of the 23rd century that Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: The Original Series didn’t.
Anson Mount’s Captain Pike retains Hunter’s thoughtfulness but is less temperamental and more personable. The Pike ofStrange New Worldstreats his crew like family, hosting dinners in his personal quarters, something it’s hard to imagine Hunter’s Pike doing.Anson Mount’s Pike has the same attractive leading man qualities as Hunterbut is more charismatic and likable.Strange New Worldshas provided more insight into Pike, and Mount has truly made the role his own, bringing a compelling and dynamic energy to the character.
Captain Pike Is A Star Trek Throwback Who Is Also Modern
Pike Is The Perfect Male Hero For Modern Television
Captain Pike feels like a classicStar Trekcaptain in many ways, but he’s far more sentimental than previousStar Trekcaptains were allowed to be. Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) may have had very different command styles, butthey both devoted themselves to their careers at the expense of personal relationships.Picard, in particular, always kept himself at a distance from his crew. Pike, on the other hand, remains open, treating his crew members like equals and inviting them to challenge him with their own ideas.
Pike has also managed to maintain a steady and healthy relationship — with Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) — a feat fewStar Trekcaptains have managed.
Captain Pike is romantic in every sense of the word.He has all the positive attributes of a classic male hero without the arrogance and remotenessoften associated with those kinds of characters. Perhaps most importantly, Pike is a good man, which feels like a breath of fresh air in a television landscape full of bitter antiheroes. Evenknowing his eventual fate, Pike remains a beacon of hope, and his dynamic with his crew makesStar Trek: Strange New Worldsone of the franchise’s most enjoyable shows.
