Ortegas' Wish Brings Unexpected Chaos to New Star Trek Worlds
Ortegas' wish for a thrilling adventure takes a disastrous turn in 'Strange New Worlds,' as the Enterprise crew faces a perilous encounter with the formidable Gorn Can they survive this deadly encounter?
Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Finale - "Hegemony"
Summary
Lt. Erica Ortegas embarks on her first landing party, but it quickly spirals into chaos when the Gorn overrun Parnassus Beta, devouring colonists and infecting Captain Marie Batel.
To their dismay, Ortegas, accompanied by La'an, M'Benga, and Sam, finds themselves transported onto a Gorn vessel, facing imprisonment and the imminent danger of becoming prey for the reptilian species.
Ortegas, La'an, and M'Benga's experience in the Klingon War may equip them with the resilience and determination required to withstand the Gorn's capture until they can be rescued by Captain Pike's Enterprise.
Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) finally had her wish fulfilled in the season 2 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but she might soon come to regret it. In episode 10, titled "Hegemony," the Gorn, a ruthless reptilian species that has tormented Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the USS Enterprise since season 1, make a menacing return. The Gorn have already caused harm to the Enterprise crew; Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) survived a Gorn abduction during her childhood, while Lt. Hemmer (Bruce Horak) met a tragic end by committing suicide after being infected by Gorn eggs in season 1's episode 9, "All Those Who Wander."
Ortegas Gets Her Landing Party Wish In Strange New Worlds & It's A Disaster
In the finale of Strange New Worlds season 2, the colony world of Parnassus Beta fell victim to the invasion of the Gorn. Located outside of Federation space, this incursion may have been seen by the Gorn as a violation of their territory. An interesting theory proposed by Lt. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (Martin Quinn) is that the Gorn's aggression could be fueled by their fascination with coronal mass discharges and sun spots. This notion arises from the Gorn's overwhelming attack on the USS Stardiver, with Scotty being the only survivor. During the invasion of Parnassus Beta, the Gorn devoured the majority of the 5,000 colonists, while Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) fell victim to Gorn eggs. Undoubtedly, Parnassus Beta emerges as an arduous first landing party assignment for any Starfleet officer.
After being refused permission to join the landing party on Rigel VII in episode 4 of season 2, titled "Among the Lotus Eaters," Lt. Erica Ortegas finally had her chance to leave the USS Enterprise for an away mission. Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan. Ortegas' impressive piloting skills allowed the Enterprise shuttle to elude the Gorn sensors, but upon setting foot on the ground, Captain Pike's team witnessed the devastating aftermath left by the Gorn on Parnassus Beta. Ortegas and her fellow Starfleet Officers found themselves quickly surrounded by the Gorn and sought shelter among the surviving individuals. It wasn't until Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) devised a brilliant plan, executed by Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck), that the Gorn's interference field was destroyed. However, this led to Ortegas, La'an, Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), and Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte) being transported aboard a Gorn ship along with the survivors from Parnassus Beta.
How Ortegas & Enterprise Crew Can Survive The Gorn In Strange New Worlds
Erica Ortegas might have found herself regretting her decision to make Rigel VII her first landing party assignment. Unfortunately, Pike, La'an, and M'Benga were all affected by the radiation on Rigel VII, causing them to lose their memories along with the rest of the crew on the Enterprise. Fortunately, Ortegas, who had remained on the starship, relied on her natural skill as a helmsman to rescue the crew despite her own memory loss. Captain Pike had chosen Ortegas for the mission to Parnassus Beta because she was the top pilot in Starfleet. However, falling into the clutches of the Gorn would prove to be a much graver fate than being imprisoned by the Kalarans on Rigel VII.
The fortunate aspect of Erica Ortegas, La'an Noonien-Singh, and Dr. M'Benga being abducted by the Gorn in the finale of Strange New Worlds season 2 is that all three are seasoned veterans of Star Trek: Discovery's Klingon War. Having emerged from the horrors of that catastrophic conflict with the Klingons, Ortegas, La'an, and M'Benga bear the emotional scars left by the war. However, their combat experiences have instilled in them a resilience and determination, equipping them to face the daunting alien threat posed by the Gorn. In addition to her prior knowledge of the Gorn, La'an can utilize her past experiences to make a significant impact. Meanwhile, M'Benga's exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills, as one of Starfleet's finest, further contribute to their collective abilities.
Ortegas, La'an, M'Benga, and Sam must find a way to survive their imprisonment on a Gorn ship, as the reptiles are known to prey on their captives. However, this resilient group is determined to escape and await rescue from Captain Pike's Enterprise. Lt. Erica Ortegas may regret her decision to join the landing party, but she hopes that her next venture in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will not be as disastrous as Parnassus Beta. You can now stream season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+.
