Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 1, “Hegemony, Part II” & Episode 2, “Wedding Bell Blues”
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3’s first two episodes give Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) something greater in common with Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). Batel and Pike have been seeing one another since the pilot episode ofStrange New Worlds,and their relationship appears to be stronger than ever in season 3.
At theend ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2,Captain Batel was infected with Gorn eggs,and her life was left hanging in the balance when the episode came to an end.Nurse Christine Chapel(Jess Bush) and Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) saved Batel’s life inStrange New Worlds' season 3 premiere, but it remains to be seen if the solution is permanent.
Captain Batel Still May Not Survive Her Gorn Infection
Batel Seems To Be Doing Well For Now, But It Might Not Last
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3, episode 2 jumps ahead three months and finds Captain Batel living on the USS Enterprise with Captain Pike.Batel’s body has reabsorbed the Gorn eggs,and she’s contemplating taking over command of a new starship.
Pike told Batel about the tragedy that looms in his own future.
In an adorable scene in Pike’s quarters, Batel tells Pike that she should’ve died and thatshe’s now"on borrowed time.“He replies that she’s"preaching to the choir on that one,“revealing that Pike told Batel about the tragedy that looms in his own future. Unlike many of thecharacters inStrange New Worlds,Batel’sStar Trekfuture remains unknown.
AlthoughBatel seems to be in the clear for now,the infusions of Illyrian blood used to cure her were experimental, meaning there could be unforeseen side effects or complications that arise in the future. From what has been shown about Pike’s future accident, Batel does not seem to be in his life anymore by that point, which doesn’t bode well for her future.
Captain Pike’s Terrible Future Is Still Unavoidable
Pike Is Still Destined To Suffer A Tragic Accident
Captain Pike’s tragic fatehas unfortunately been set in stone since theStar Trek: The Original Seriestwo-parter entitled “The Menagerie.” That storyline reveals thatPike had been horrifically injured while saving a group of Starfleet cadets,leaving him confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak.
In “The Menagerie,” Spock (Leonard Nimoy) risks a court-martial to give Pike a chance for a better future on Talos IV, where the Talosians can create realistic illusions.
Pike saw his future inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2,and the knowledge affected him throughoutStrange New Worldsseason 1. At theend ofStrange New Worldsseason 1, Pike tried to avoid his future by alerting the Starfleet cadets he was meant to save. However, Pike learned that this would ignite a war with the Romulans and result in Pike’s fate transferring to Spock.
Captain Pike eventually came to accept his future, and, as long asStrange New Worldssticks to establishedStar Trekcanon, his tragic accident remains inevitable. While Captain Batel’s future remains up in the air, Pike’s is effectively set in stone, no matter what happens throughout the rest of his journey onStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.
