The Ultimate Revelation: Star Trek’s Jaw-Dropping Truth About Kirk & Pike Fan Theory

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 6 - "Lost in Translation"

In this episode, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) encounters Lieutenant James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 6. This significant event in the Star Trek canon disproves a popular fan theory. Initially, Kirk boards the USS Enterprise to reunite with his brother, Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte). However, he quickly becomes involved in resolving a distressing situation with Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding). Together, Kirk and Uhura unravel the mystery behind unsettling waking visions and their connection to the alien inhabitants of Bannon's Nebula.

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1's finale, "A Quality of Mercy," Captain Pike encounters an alternate future version of Captain Kirk. This alternate timeline, which has since been deleted, portrays Pike holding command of the USS Enterprise due to never experiencing a delta-ray accident. Kirk, on the other hand, serves as the Captain of the USS Farragut. They join forces to combat a cloaked Romulan Bird-of-Prey attacking Federation bases along the Neutral Zone. However, the choices made by Captain Pike differ significantly from those of Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series' "Balance of Terror," resulting in inadvertently provoking a decades-long war with the Romulans. After returning to his proper timeline, Pike examines the Starfleet service record of Lt. James T. Kirk, thus giving rise to a widely held fan theory.

Strange New Worlds Debunks Pike & Kirk Enterprise Fan Theory

After the conclusion of Strange New Worlds season 1, many Star Trek enthusiasts believed that Captain Pike would groom Kirk to become his successor as the Captain of the Enterprise. However, episode 6 of season 2 proved otherwise. In this episode, while the Enterprise and Farragut were collaborating in Bannon's Nebula, Kirk took the opportunity to visit his brother aboard the flagship of the Federation. Their reunion didn't go as planned, and Kirk found solace in the Port Galley until he encountered Uhura.

Captain Pike was aware of Lieutenant Kirk's identity when they met, aligning with the events depicted in Star Trek: The Original Series' "The Menagerie," where Captain Kirk mentioned his previous encounter with Pike during the latter's promotion to Fleet Captain. In Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 6, Pike temporarily held the rank of Fleet Captain to oversee the joint mission of the Enterprise and Farragut. However, there was no indication in the episode that Pike had intentions of grooming James to succeed him as Captain of the Enterprise, thus debunking the fan theory.

Does Captain Pike Think Kirk Should Be The Next Enterprise Captain?

Captain Pike keeps his thoughts about Lt. Kirk to himself in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. While Pike had no objections to Kirk staying on the Enterprise to assist Ensign Uhura, it is unclear if Pike was evaluating Kirk for the role of future Captain of the Enterprise. There was minimal personal interaction between Pike and Kirk, leaving the question of Kirk's future open-ended. It remains uncertain if Lt. Kirk will return in future episodes of Strange New Worlds and how he will fit into the remaining seasons. Pike may still consider grooming Kirk as his successor, but it is also possible that Pike has resolved his own conflicts and intends to enjoy his remaining time as the Captain of the Enterprise in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.