Captain Pike’s Incredible Journey: What He Learned from Archer that Changed Strange New Worlds Forever

Summary

Captain Pike from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds takes a cue from his predecessor, Captain Archer, and embraces the tradition of organizing crew dinners. These gatherings not only foster a stronger connection among the officers but also provide an opportunity for Captain Pike to personally acquaint himself with his team members.

Captain Archer's tenure in the 22nd century is widely regarded as the pinnacle of exploration, often referred to as the "golden age." During this period, he embarked on a multitude of groundbreaking first encounters and successfully navigated the uncharted territories of an expansive frontier.

In a similar vein, both Pike and Archer place utmost importance on their crew, deeply valuing the significance of personal bonds. They actively maintain strong connections with their senior officers by frequently dining together, fostering a sense of unwavering loyalty and fostering camaraderie among their ranks.

Captain Christopher Pike of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds seems to have taken a valuable lesson from his predecessor, Captain Jonathan Archer of Star Trek: Enterprise. Archer, who commanded the legendary NX-01 Enterprise in the 22nd century, established certain aspects that would later define the role of a captain. In a crossover episode with Star Trek: Lower Decks, Captain Pike expressed his deep respect for Archer and his achievements aboard the NX-01 Enterprise.

As a result of Star Trek: Enterprise being a prequel, several significant contributions were made by Jonathan Archer during his tenure as captain. For instance, Archer was the first to have a Vulcan Science Officer, with Subcommander T'Pol serving in this role nearly a century ahead of Mr. Spock. Additionally, Archer prioritized his commitment to the Enterprise, foregoing any long-term romantic relationships like his successors, Captain James T. Kirk and Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Captain Archer also fostered loyalty among his crew on the NX-01 Enterprise, and one particular tradition that he established has been carried on by Captain Pike in Strange New Worlds.

Captain Pike’s Enterprise Crew Dinners Came From Archer

Captain Pike on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has adopted the practice of hosting dinners for his senior staff and crew, possibly inspired by Captain Archer. In the past, Captain Archer would invite his best friend Commander Trip Tucker and T'Pol for dinners, where the Starfleet Officers enjoyed delicious steaks prepared by Enterprise's chef. Occasionally, Archer would extend his invitations to other crew members or visiting dignitaries. This personal touch has been embraced by Captain Pike on Strange New Worlds.

Unlike Archer, Captain Pike is a skilled gourmet chef and personally prepares meals for his crew and special guests, such as his girlfriend, Captain Marie Batel. These dinners have become legendary on Strange New Worlds, and it is rare for the crew to decline an invitation to dine in the Captain's luxurious quarters. Through these gatherings, Pike aims to establish a deeper personal connection with the officers of the Enterprise, following in the footsteps of the friendly and approachable Captain Archer from Star Trek: Enterprise. Despite being from different eras, the shared practice of hosting dinners for their crews creates a bond between Archer and Pike as Captains of the Enterprise.

Why Pike Hero Worships Captain Archer & Star Trek: Enterprise

It's no surprise that Captain Pike admires Captain Archer. Ensign Brad Boimler referred to the 23rd century as the "golden age of exploration," but Pike would argue that Archer's 22nd century truly holds that title. The NX-01 Enterprise was the first Starfleet vessel to venture into deep space, and every encounter with a new species was a significant milestone. Archer's crew had to rely on good fortune, bravery, and occasional assistance from allies they managed to establish friendships with. In comparison to the 23rd century depicted in Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Enterprise's 22nd century was a challenging and untamed frontier brimming with marvels and hazards.

Naturally, Captain Pike romanticizes the "Wild West" era of Starfleet embodied by Captain Archer. Pike often imagines what it would be like to command the less technologically advanced, yet elegant and awe-inspiring NX-01 Enterprise. However, both Pike and Archer recognize that a starship's essence lies within its crew, and they both prioritize developing personal connections with their personnel. Pike took Archer's practice of regularly dining with his Science Officer and Chief Engineer on Star Trek: Enterprise a step further by opening his kitchen and dining room to his senior staff on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.