‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Recap – ‘Ad Astra per Aspera’

Written by Shae Rufe

Rebecca Romijn as Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley in Episode 202 of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ – ‘Ad Astra per Aspera’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here.
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With Una’s trial underway there are many key things to take into account when it comes to the Federation’s justice system. The charges against Una seem assigning, the cards are stacked against her, and her own lawyer currently works for Starfleet. Starfleet is very firm in its rules, especially when it comes to Genetically Modified people. Starfleet views it as an unfair advantage of sorts, and a reminder of a dark past. Yet, Una, like many Illyrians, was genetically modified before she was even born.

This brings about an interesting topic. As the show comments, there was the Eugenics War, where people who were genetically modified were discriminated against heavily afterwards. An interesting ideology, that would definitely happen too. The idea of genetically modifying humans is not a new concept or discussion. Star Trek, however, does a great job of showcasing the human response to such an idea. For many, the idea of purposefully and knowingly altering the DNA of an unborn child is unheard of. Even seen as taboo in many ways. Others, however, see it as the next step in evolution, eliminating many genetic deformations and diseases. 

Obviously, in the show, those with genetically modified DNA are disease resistant, and have advantages others wouldn’t. The concept however, it still poignant. Would those who were genetically modified really be discriminated against to such a level that they’d have to live in different cities? Absolutely. We’ve already lived through segregation within our own nation.

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(L-R) Eugene Clark, Nicky Guadagni, and David Benjamin Tomlinson as Commander Chiv, Admiral Javas and Space Command Representative Zus Tlaggul in Episode 202 of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ – ‘Ad Astra per Aspera’. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount+.)

​Star Trek has always done an amazing job of calling out points in human history that were, and in some cases, still are, major issues. Discrimination is nothing new, as Una’s amazing Lawyer and friend pointed out. People have been discriminated against for what they look like, how they worship, who they love, and so much more. 

While the happy ending is that Una gets all charges dropped against her and gets to go back to her job, the reality is that very little was done to end the law that prohibits other genetically modified people from joining Starfleet. While the idea of ‘baby steps’ and ‘every little bit forward’ is wonderful, it’s also a stark reminder that change does not ever happen quickly. The topic at hand is still a brittle one with opposing forces continuing to fight on either side. It’s a political dance that transcended all of space and time and it seems to be an inherent flaw in the system.

Star Trek’s commentary on just how slow things change is not the only one it made, however. The show also pointed out the hypocrisy of those that enforce the laws. No different than what we’re currently facing. It’s a wonderful look into the modern times, as Pop Culture reflects real life. We can only be so lucky to have more Una’s and Pikes speaking up and out. The good fights are never over and while the battles are long and slow, true justice always wins out in the end.  

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