Unveiling the Surprising Link Between Cary Grant and Star Trek Crossovers

Summary

The quote is sourced from "Cary Grant: A Biography" by Marc Eliot, published in 1960. Adding depth to its meaning, Carol Kane, the actress portraying Commander Pelia, had a personal connection with Cary Grant.

In the crossover episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks, there is a scene where Commander Pelia, played by Carol Kane, quotes a memorable line to Ensign Brad Boimler, played by Jack Quaid. This line has been attributed to the Hollywood legend Cary Grant. Pelia offers Boimler comfort in the Engineering section of the USS Enterprise in a scene towards the end of "Those Old Scientists." She tells the time-displaced Ensign, "Most heroes I've seen are just pretending half the time. There's this one guy I remember, he said to me, 'I always pretended to be someone I wanted to be, until finally, I became that someone, or he became me.'"

Jörg Hillebrand (@gaghyogi49) on Twitter, who worked as a researcher for Star Trek: Picard season 3, has solved the mystery behind Pelia's quote in Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 7. According to Hillebrand, the quote is indeed from Cary Grant. See his Tweet below:

Commander Pelia’s Long Lanthanite Life In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Explained

The quote by Pelia is derived from "Cary Grant: A Biography" by Marc Eliot, originally published in 1960. Cary Grant, a captivating and adored actor in Hollywood, was born Archibald Leach, a British-American, and openly discussed the contrast between his personal life and his on-screen persona. Interestingly, Carol Kane's connection to Cary Grant adds an additional dimension to her statement to Brad Boimler in the crossover episode of Strange New Worlds.

Commander Pelia's addition to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 has been nothing short of extraordinary. Taking on the role of the USS Enterprise's new Chief Engineer, she faced the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of the beloved late Lt. Hemmer (Bruce Horak), who captivated audiences in season 1. Nevertheless, Pelia effortlessly infuses the series with a delightful blend of wit and depth, while her enigmatic past as a Lanthanite brings a fascinating layer of intrigue to this unique member of the Enterprise crew. As a Lanthanite, Pelia has roamed the Earth for thousands of years, and she even claims to have personally known the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras when he first discovered the principles of mathematics.

Commander Pelia's eccentricity shines through her lack of camaraderie with the rest of the USS Enterprise crew. Her inclination to hoard stolen artworks throughout the centuries has caused security concerns for Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh, while Number One holds disdain for Pelia due to a low grade received at Starfleet Academy. However, as the crew of Captain Christopher Pike's Enterprise grows closer as a family, Pelia's outsider perspective both unsettles and amuses. Beyond her quirkiness, Commander Pelia proves to be a knowledgeable source in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, with a remarkable familiarity with various historical figures, including the infamous Cary Grant. Catch the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streaming every Thursday on Paramount+.

Source: Twitter