Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Finale - "Hegemony"
Summary
In the season 2 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Captain Pike takes charge of a rescue operation aimed at saving the colony planet from the Gorn. Alongside this mission, he embarks on a heartfelt journey to reunite with his beloved partner. Adding to the excitement, Lt. Montgomery Scott, portrayed as a younger rendition of the well-known character, unexpectedly shows up and shares crucial insights about the Gorn with the crew of the Enterprise.
In the upcoming season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the addition of Scotty to the crew raises uncertainty about the future of Commander Pelia, the current Chief Engineer. It remains to be seen if Scotty will assume that role in the next season. The season 2 finale of Strange New Worlds showcases the return of a beloved character from Star Trek: The Original Series. Episode 10, titled "Hegemony," follows Captain Christopher Pike as he leads a rescue mission to Parnassus Beta after it is attacked by the Gorn. Pike is hopeful that his partner, Captain Marie Batel, survived the destruction of the USS Cayuga. However, the mission introduces a surprising Starfleet Officer who will play a significant role in the USS Enterprise's crew in Star Trek: TOS.
The Gorn threat has escalated significantly since the second season of Strange New Worlds premiered. Admiral Robert April (played by Adrian Holmes) and Starfleet Command have closely monitored the alarming surge in Gorn activity, reaching dangerously close to the United Federation of Planets. Starfleet has already encountered the aggressive Gorn species before, particularly when the Starship Enterprise confronted these alien reptiles in the episodes "Memento Mori" and "All Those Who Wander" during the first season of Strange New Worlds. Lt. Hemmer (portrayed by Bruce Horak), the Enterprise's Chief Engineer, bravely sacrificed his own life to protect his crew after being infected by Gorn eggs on Valeo Beta V. However, in the finale of Strange New Worlds' second season, Captain Pike encounters another skilled engineer who may hold the key to defeating the Gorn threat.
Scotty’s Return In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Explained
In the season 2 finale of Strange New Worlds, we are treated to a surprise appearance from Lt. Montgomery Scott (played by Martin Quinn), the beloved star of the original Star Trek series. At the time of the incident, Scotty was serving as a Lieutenant junior grade on the USS Stardiver, a research vessel that fell victim to a vicious attack by the Gorn species. Despite the catastrophic event, Scotty managed to escape the clutches of the Gorn by fleeing on a shuttle, albeit with significant damage to his own ship. He ultimately crash-landed on the planet Parnassus Beta.
However, being the ingenious engineer that he is, Scotty utilized the knowledge he gained during his harrowing escape to construct a "Gorn trap" and gather valuable intelligence about these deadly alien lizards.
Scotty witnessed the Gorn's response to CMEs, which are also known as coronal mass ejections or sunspots, emitted by a nearby star. This phenomenon potentially triggered the Gorn to gather and launch an attack. In addition to this solar vulnerability, Scotty gained knowledge on effectively eluding Gorn sensors by constructing his own Gorn transponder, allowing him to conceal himself in plain sight. As Strange New Worlds season 2 concluded, Scotty was transported back onto the Enterprise, where he encountered his former Starfleet Academy instructor, Commander Pelia (Carol Kane). With their combined engineering brilliance, the duo aims to develop another Gorn transponder that will enable the Enterprise to outsmart the dangerous reptilian species.
What Scotty Means For Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
In Star Trek: The Original Series and its subsequent films, James Doohan portrayed Scotty, while Martin Quinn's Scotty in the season 2 finale of Strange New Worlds is considered the authentic, younger version of the character. It is important to note that Simon Pegg's Scotty belongs to the alternate Kelvin reality in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies. In episode 10 of Strange New Worlds' second season, titled "Hegemony," we witness a significant moment in the canon as Mr. Scott steps foot on the USS Enterprise, the legendary starship where he would later serve as the esteemed Chief Engineer for an impressive 30 years. It is revealed that Commander Pelia, who is Scotty's former teacher, recognized his tremendous engineering talent despite his less-than-stellar grades.
Scotty has joined the ranks of Star Trek: The Original Series icons on board the Starship Enterprise in Strange New Worlds. Alongside Lt. Spock, Ensign Nyota Uhura, Nurse Christine Chapel, Dr. Joseph M'Benga, and Lt. James T. Kirk, they are destined to serve together. However, there is speculation about whether Scotty will replace Pelia as Chief Engineer now that he is on the Enterprise. Pelia has been a beloved presence, so it may be too early to make a decision. While Scotty's destiny on the Enterprise is certain, it is uncertain if he will become Chief Engineer in season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Stream season 2 of the show on Paramount+.