‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Recap – ‘Children of the Comet’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that fans of the Star Trek Universe, hold a common belief when it comes to Starfleet and those who serve within it. In that, those who sign up to serve aboard the fleet’s proud starships… do so because they wish to be part of something special. For Starfleet is composed of the best and the brightest in the galaxy and those who wear the delta, have signed up for something both noble and scary but understand that Starfleet and what it stands for... is a promise. One of nobility and unity and the best parts of humanity and the species that populate the galaxy have to offer, and it takes a true hero or a person that wishes to be more to take part in that promise. 
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In fact, this belief is so engrained in the minds of the fans, that it is downright shocking when we are reminded of the fact that not everyone that joins Starfleet, has thoughts of heroism and nobility in mind. Some are there to find themselves, and to try and be the best officer they can be in the hopes that Starfleet will guide them to the fulfillment they speak. Which speaks wonders to what the service means to the citizens of the galaxy and time and time again, we’ve seen its promise accomplish miracles for those in need of its meaning. But what’s amazing, is that none of us knew that one of Starfleet’s most famous officers, is a person that joined up with that mentality and that made this week’s episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, quite fascinating to say the least.

For ‘Children of the Comet’ wasted little time in informing us of the fact, that Cadet Nyota Uhura wasn’t quite sure what her place and role were going to be in Starfleet. She only knew that she was gifted in linguistics both domestic and foreign and wanted to see where those talents would take her. All because, she’d suffered through great loss since the rest of her family perished in an accident, and joined up to see what Starfleet could offer, and that was… stunning to learn. Because someone as decorated and talented as Uhura, appeared to be the kind of officer that was secure in the knowledge that she was part of something bigger from the get-go when we meet her in The Original Series. Which meant, that this was in essence… an origin story of sorts, one that would teach us how someone as important as the once and future Communications Officer of the Enterprise, would find that value in Starfleet and that sense of duty and nobility that comes with the badge. 

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As it turned out, for Uhura, that involved… getting out there and seeing the wonders and dangers the galaxy had to offer. A feat that was accomplished by having the crew of the NCC-1701 encounter a strange comet in the void. One that was on a collision course with an M-class planet filled with life, and well… it didn’t take long for the ship, or the away team Uhura was on, to discover that this comet was something more, and protected by a species of powerful zealots. A reality that allowed for Uhura to put her skills to the test to try and see how she could communicate with an object from the stars and that… awakened something within her. Because she’d never been challenged like this before and being able to figure out a path toward communication, and the meaning of the message from this strange being, opened her eyes to the reality that the universe is vast and full of wonder and surprises… the kind that can heal when we find ways to join its majesty and be part of it.
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Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Lieutenant Spock was quick to take Uhura under his wing and offer her the beautiful truth that only Spock can speak, giving her perspective that her special talents and intelligence and resourcefulness… could in fact make her one of Starfleet’s best and brightest and a noble hero through and through. Which was… a fascinating journey to go upon. One that allowed for us to finally learn more about a pivotal character in the STU, and what made her the incredible officer we met in the midst of Captain James T. Kirk’s five-year mission. But more importantly, this is a story that spoke to the promise of Starfleet, and what it means to be part of it and how it truly can transform even the ‘lost’ into people that become part of the whole, making this a beautiful and sweeping story when all is said and done… one that was a touch bittersweet in parts.

Largely because the encounter with the zealots and the fate that the comet seemed to predict, once again put Captain Christopher Pike at a mental crossroads. One where he once again pondered, with Una no less, if by chance he could escape the horrible fate he saw on Boreth, and well… that discussion and the raw hope that Chris found in Una’s words… were tragic to say the least. Since we know that Christopher’s fate will end on Talos IV, in the care of a species that will grant him mental peace… and it will be interesting to see if Captain Pike can manage to reconcile his fate, as he and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise continue to explore strange new worlds or if it will continue to haunt him for the remainder of his final five-year mission. Until next time.  

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