Unveiling the Enigmatic Lanthanites of Star Trek

The introduction of the Lanthanites in Star Trek is a contrast to the dramatic entrance of the previous alien race. Unlike the Kelpiens and Ba’ul in Star Trek: Discovery, who had a captivating storyline involving Saru and his sister Siranna embracing leadership roles and bringing their home planet into the United Federation of Planets, the Lanthanites had a different kind of introduction.

Pelia, played by Carol Kane, enters the scene hilariously as the witty wine aunt with a talent for engines. She is the first of potentially many Lanthanites to appear in the season premiere of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. In season 2, episode 1, "The Broken Circle," La'an Noonien-Singh, played by Christina Chong, sends a distress signal to the Enterprise crew. When Admiral Bob April denies Spock's request for action, they decide to take matters into their own hands. Pelia gets caught in the middle when Jenna Mitchell is instructed to simulate an engineering emergency. However, it turns out that Pelia is an immortal being who is more than willing to cause trouble.

The Lifespan of Lanthanites

Assuming Pelia is not an anomaly, the Lanthanites in Star Trek bear such a striking resemblance to their Earth counterparts that telling them apart is nearly impossible. Pelia herself possesses voluminous curly hair, a wise countenance with mischievous eyes, and can raise an eyebrow with the same intensity as any Vulcan. She appears as though she would feel equally comfortable managing a bookstore in San Francisco as she does navigating her petite 5'2" frame through the intricacies of Starfleet technology. However, one advantage Pelia's people possess over humans is an exceptionally long lifespan.

In Strange New Worlds, Pelia divulges that she has already surpassed the 100-year mark by the time Nyota Uhura (portrayed by Celia Rose Gooding) identifies her accent as that of a Lanthanite. Later in season 2, Pelia exclaims that she has not "taken a math class since Pythagoras conjured it up!" It's no wonder she readily embraces the thrill of defying rules and coming to the aid of her comrades; she truly has nothing to lose. The extent to which other Lanthanites would be as benevolent with their time remains uncertain. Nevertheless, considering the propensity for most of them to succumb to boredom, it is not far-fetched to imagine them being as eager to partake in the ensuing chaos.

Pelia on Alternate Earth

Strange New Worlds skillfully incorporates classic Star Trek themes in a fresh and enjoyable manner. In the third episode of Season 2, titled "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow," the show takes fans on a familiar journey through time travel, featuring La'an and James Kirk (played by Paul Wesley). During their adventure, they encounter Pelia, who resides in Vermont and operates a charming antique store called The Archeology Department, which possesses dubious integrity. This establishment bears resemblance to a curio shop introduced in Star Trek: Enterprise and is equally entangled in intergalactic misadventures.

Pelia, although not yet an accomplished engineer, manages to guide the two protagonists towards a significant source of cold fusion material, despite initially doubting its existence. However, this interaction raises more questions than it provides answers. Are there other Lanthanites present in this alternate Earth? Do they, like Pelia, live in obscurity, taking a chance that the notion of a "no money, socialist utopia" will fade away as a passing fad? Star Trek has yet to introduce other Lanthanite characters, fueling fan curiosity about the characteristics and nature of this enigmatic alien race.

Pelia and Star Trek Legacy Characters

The introduction of Lanthanites in the universe sets them apart from other aliens in a unique manner. Unlike most aliens, Pelia is the first and only of her kind to be introduced, rather than being one of many. Additionally, she is connected to other legacy characters that have been brought back in Strange New Worlds. Interestingly, her initial meeting with Spock allows her to recognize his mother, Amanda Grayson, as one of the first Humans to whom she revealed her true heritage. Unfortunately, this interaction takes place offscreen, disappointing fans who were eager to witness it in season 2, episode 5, "Charades."

Fortunately, fans have the privilege of witnessing the reunion between Pelia and a young and enthusiastic Montgomery Scott. Scott proudly showcases a mishmash of technological scraps, indicative of his ability to create something valuable out of practically nothing. Pelia fondly recalls Scott being both her most challenging and beloved student. This encounter hints at the potential for an unusual yet beautiful friendship and leaves fans eager to discover more about Pelia and the other enigmatic Lanthanites.

Lanthanites are a mysterious group that remains largely unknown to fans, with their only appearance being in Strange New Worlds through Pelia. It is uncertain whether the rest of her people share her eccentricity or have also achieved a curious equilibrium between being frazzled and unbothered. If they resemble Pelia in any way, they too would undoubtedly succeed in exasperating Una Chin-Riley/Number One (Rebecca Romijn). However, any plans to introduce more Lanthanites have been indefinitely delayed due to the ongoing actors' strike.

However, there is no need to be concerned. Star Trek enthusiasts have always gone beyond just relying on the original content to satisfy their creative world-building desires. Instead, they engage in online discussions where they blend new information, references from the past, and their own vivid imaginations. With the addition of Lanthanites in Strange New Worlds, fans have been given enough material to explore. Until the series delves deeper into their story, it is now the responsibility of Star Trek fans to collectively unravel the mysteries surrounding this intriguing new alien race.