Unveiling Number One's Destiny: Astonishing Revelations in the Strange New Worlds Crossover
The Strange New Worlds Crossover hints at an intriguing future for Number One, a genetically engineered member of Starfleet in the 24th century Discover how this revelation impacts the storyline and the perception of Number One within Star Trek
Summary
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds sheds light on the significance of Number One in shaping Starfleet's future, as she emerges as the actual face of recruitment in the 24th century.Number One's past challenges, stemming from her genetic enhancement in season 2, appear to hold little importance to the future Starfleet, hinting at a possible relaxation of genetic engineering regulations within the franchise.
Confirmation of Number One's future significance raises hopes for her potential involvement in other aspects of the Star Trek franchise. SPOILER ALERT: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 7 - "Those Old Scientists" reveals crucial information about the importance of Number One (Rebecca Romijn) in Starfleet's future. This anticipated crossover episode with characters from Star Trek: Lower Decks showcases comedic moments as Ensign Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) and Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) unintentionally encounter Captain Pike's (Anson Mount) USS Enterprise crew while time-traveling. Among the numerous exciting Easter eggs, a noteworthy interaction between Boimler and Number One stands out.
Strange New Worlds Crossover’s Big Clue About Number One’s Future
Commander Una Chin-Riley's character in the Star Trek franchise had always been underappreciated until Star Trek: Strange New Worlds came along. She was originally cut from Star Trek: The Original Series after the first pilot failed, and subsequently remained obscure. However, Star Trek: Discovery reintroduced her and Captain Pike in 2019, and it was in the first season of Strange New Worlds that Number One finally received the much-needed development and backstory. Now, in season 2, it is revealed that her significance extends even beyond her death, as a conversation with Mariner and Boimler in episode 7 uncovers her lasting impact on Starfleet.
Boimler and Mariner state that Number One is highly respected in Star Trek's 24th century, to the extent that she is featured as the face of Starfleet recruitment. This revelation greatly impacts Number One, shedding light on her future like never before. Una's journey in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 begins with immense challenges, as she must battle for her career in Starfleet due to her genetic enhancements as an Illyrian. Despite being arrested for violating Federation laws regarding genetics, Number One successfully fights her way back onto the Enterprise, cementing her place on the starship once again.
However, it has been confirmed by Star Trek: Strange New Worlds that Una is remembered in the future as an inspiration rather than a disgrace. Additionally, Number One is deeply moved by the association of the phrase "Ad Astra, Per Aspera" with her name and its use in Starfleet recruitment. This confirmation of Number One's ongoing significance in the future adds greatly to the episode and serves as a hopeful indication that, despite facing challenges along her character journey, Una can continue to have a meaningful role in other aspects of the franchise.
24th Century Starfleet Doesn’t Care Number One Is Genetically Engineered
Mariner and Boimler's revelation deeply impacts Number One for a particular reason – the apparent indifference of future Starfleet towards her genetic enhancement. The events she endured in the initial stages of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 have instilled a concern about how she will be remembered in the times to come. Despite the presence of anti-genetic enhancement laws within Starfleet and the Federation during the 24th century, it appears that Una's genetic engineering holds no significance to them.
Intriguingly, unlike other 24th-century characters, the eugenics laws seem to have taken a different turn. In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Dr. Julain Bashir (Alexander Siddig) faced potential expulsion from Starfleet, much like Una, when his genetic enhancements were revealed. Similarly, Dal R'El (Brett Gray) from Star Trek: Prodigy was effectively barred from Starfleet Academy due to being an augment. Nonetheless, the 24th-century celebration surrounding Number One in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could be seen as an indication that Starfleet's stance on genetic enhancement may gradually relax as the franchise progresses.
