More of Rebecca Romjin as Number One is my number one wish forStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3. Also known as Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley, Number One is the unflappable and uber-competent First Officer of the USS Enterprise led by Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). Along with Mount and Ethan Peck as Lieutenant Spock,Romijn’s iconic embodiment of Number One is why fans clamored forStar Trek: Strange New Worlds, the trio’s spinoff from their appearances inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldshas already developed Number One’s character more fully than the character ever had a chance to when Majel Barrett-Roddenberry pioneered her inStar Trek’s original pilot, “The Cage.“Strange New Worldsnot only revealed Number One’s full name but that she is from arace that practices genetic engineering called Illyrians. Una’s heritage has been the source of her strength and primary story inStrange New Worldsthus far, as Number One fought for her rights as a member of a race banned by the United Federation of Planets. But now,we need more Number One stories inStrange New Worldsto get to know Una even more.
There Hasn’t Been Enough Of Number One In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Una needs more spotlight.
Considering Number One is part ofStar Trek: Strange New Worlds' ‘Big Three’ along with Captain Pike and Lt. Spock, it feels like there has beencomparatively less emphasis on Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley. Granted,Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' castis large, varied, and extremely talented, and the series has done a spectacular job spotlighting them, from new creations like Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) toStar Treklegacy characters like Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). But it does seem like Una occasionally fades into the background.
Number One only occasionally receives entire episodes centering on her.
Number One is meant to be a formidable presence on the Starship Enterprise. Una is the best First Officer in Starfleet and the rock Captain Pike relies upon. Curiously, however,Una was replaced as First Officera couple of times inStrange New Worldsseason 1, and Number One only occasionally receives entire episodes centering on her. However, Rebecca Romijn is smashing as Una, and she makes every moment Number One is on screen count.Una simply needs more emphasis inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason3 to reveal more of her wit, her personality, and what makes her tick.
Number One Was The Star Of One Of Strange New Worlds’ Best Episodes
When Number One received the spotlight inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2, episode 2, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” the result was one of thebestStar Trekcourtroom episodesever. It can even be argued that “Ad Astra Per Aspera” isStrange New Worldsseason 2’s finest episode, no small feat considering the"big swings"of season 2 likeStar Trek’s first-ever musical and the crossover withStar Trek: Lower Decks. Dramatically,“Ad Astra Per Aspera” is flawless, as is Rebecca Romijn as Una,who refuses to compromise her right to be accepted by Starfleet for who she is, and wins.
Number One’s affection for Gilbert and Sullivan opera was established in theStar Trek: Short Treksepisode “Q&A” and referenced again inStrange New Worlds' “Ad Astra Per Aspera.”
With her plight in “Ad Asta Per Aspera” over, Number One showed her lighter side asStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2 continued. Whether helping a suddenly human Spock act more Vulcan, butting heads with Chief EngineerCommander Pelia (Carol Kane), consoling her closest friend, La’an, in matters of the heart, or unleashing her singing voice and love of Gilbert and Sullivan, Una is a bona fide scene-stealer. Yet, Number One is one ofStrange New Worlds’headliners, soUna shouldn’t be stealing scenes, they should revolve around her far more.
Strange New Worlds Should Start Teasing Number One’s Star Trek Future
What will happen to Una when Kirk eventually takes over?
While I hopeStar Trek: Strange New Worldsrunsfor as long as the executive producers and the cast want to keep making the show, realistically,Strange New Worldsfaces a five-season run likeStar Trek: Discoveryand Star Trek: Lower Decks.This is whyStrange New Worldsseason 3 should start planting the seeds for what happens to Number One in the futurewhen Captain James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) one day takes command of the USS Enterprise. It’s a question that has lingered for almost 60 years: does Number One become Captain of her own starship? Does Una stay in Starfleet, or does she find a new destiny?Strange New Worldsseason 3 is the time to start teasing the answers.
In theStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 clip released at San Diego Comic-Con, it’s heartening to see Number One in command of the Enterprise whenCaptain Pike is turned into a Vulcan, along with La’an, Uhura, and Chapel. This is where Una belongs and excels, asthe stalwart bastion of certainty when things run amok. Rebecca Romijn has teased that Una does show off more of her lightness and personality inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3, and I can’t wait. More Number One is a gift that keeps on giving.
