Strange New Worlds" Season 1 Finale Subtly Shouts Out Another Sci-Fi Franchise

Summary

• Strange New Worlds season 1's finale pays tribute to another iconic 1960s science fiction franchise, particularly The Twilight Zone.
• Captain Pike's journey in the finale reflects themes of alternate futures and gaining different perspectives, similar to "A Quality of Mercy" episode of The Twilight Zone.
• Star Trek: The Original Series and The Twilight Zone influenced each other, both in terms of actors appearing and borrowing story elements, demonstrating their shared impact on science fiction.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1's finale gives a shout to another iconic science fiction franchise from the 1960s. Strange New Worlds season 1's ender, "A Quality of Mercy," follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) as he confronts the quandary of his future accident and disfigurement. When an alternate future version of Admiral Pike appears in Captain Pike's quarters, he warns his younger self what might happen if he avoids his tragic fate. Captain Pike's future has been determined since Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episodes 11 & 12, "The Menagerie," when it was revealed that he sustained horrific injuries while saving a group of Starfleet cadets.
After learning about this future in Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Captain Pike struggles to accept the death of the man he is and move past it. In Strange New Worlds season 1's finale, Pike comes face to face with an alternate future in which he avoids his injury, but others suffer the consequences, especially Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck). Not only does this plot feel reminiscent of a story from The Twilight Zone, but Strange New Worlds also shares a title with The Twilight Zone season 2, episode 15, "A Quality of Mercy." While the phrase itself originates from William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, both of these episodes also share other similarities.


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