number 1 star trek next generation

A Brief History of Star Trek 's 'Number Ones'

A lot of times in Star Trek, we tend to focus on the captains. After all, it’s their ship, right? Everyone else is just following orders. But I think it’s high time the second-in-commands got their day in the captain’s chair—after all, the heroine of the newest Star Trek TV series will be among their ranks.

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Star Trek: Discovery showrunner Bryan Fuller appeared on Nerd World Report last week and said the protagonist of the next Star Trek series would be called “Number One.” This confirmed what we already knew about the main character, that she would be a commanding officer but not the captain of her ship.

Number One was originally a moniker adopted by the Royal Navy to describe a first officer or second-in-command on a ship. (It’s also one of Captain Picard’s favorite things to yell out as he’s entering or leaving a room.) Fuller said the name choice is actually an homage to Star Trek ’s original Number One from the unaired pilot. However, every single Star Trek series has had a dynamic second-in-command, each with their own story and perspective.

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Star Trek: The Original Series unaired pilot, “The Cage” Played by: Majel Barrett

Number One, the unnamed character from “The Cage,” was Pike’s first lieutenant who defied her alien captors and helmed the ship in the captain’s absence. She was calm, cool-headed and didn’t let her emotions get in the of her duty.

According to creator Gene Roddenberry, NBC didn’t like that. They felt it would be best not to have a woman in a leadership role on a starship, because it would make audiences uncomfortable. Producer Herbert Solow denied it in his book, Star Trek: The Real Story , saying it was actually because Roddenberry and Barrett were having an affair. However, NBC still insisted Roddenberry give the role to a man.

Roddenberry ended up using a lot of Number One’s traits for Spock’s character, and Barrett stayed on as a vital part of the Star Trek franchise. She voiced the computer for most of the Star Trek series and films. She also played Nurse (later Doctor) Christine Chapel on The Original Series and Ambassador Lwaxana Troi, Deanna Troi’s mother, on The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine . Footage of Barrett’s role as Number One was later used in the “Menagerie” episode of The Original Series.

Commander Spock

Star Trek: The Original Series Played by: Leonard Nimoy / Zachary Quinto

Spock was the only recurring character to transition from the unaired pilot to Star Trek: The Original Series . The half-Vulcan, half-human science officer is one of the most distinguished members of the federation.

Working alongside Captain James T. Kirk, we saw Spock (whose first name is apparently impossible for humans to pronounce) settle into a role as the calm and logical one, to balance out Kirk’s brashness. But he wasn’t completely devoid of emotion, given the fact that he was half human.

Spock quickly became a fan favorite and a sex symbol, with actor William Shatner sometimes fearing that Spock was overshadowing him on the series. In fact, the show’s controversial interracial kiss was originally supposed to be between Uhura and Spock, but Shatner asked for it be him instead.

Even though Leonard Nimoy always had a love-hate relationship with the character of Spock (he especially hated the ears), he still recognized how important the character was, and still is, for millions of Star Trek fans. After the series ended, he said, “If I had to be someone else, I would be Spock.”

Commander William Riker

Star Trek: The Next Generation Played by: Jonathan Frakes, Jonathan Frakes’ beard

The quintessential “Number One,” Captain Picard called Riker that so many times I swear we almost forgot his name. Commander Riker definitely went through some changes over the course of the series. In the first couple of seasons, he was the young, hot-headed first officer to balance out Captain Picard’s calm demeanor. However, over time he became more patient and reserved, learning and growing from Picard’s leadership.

Through it all, Riker’s loyalty to the Enterprise was never in question. He repeatedly turned down offers of his own command, only accepting one at the end of Star Trek: Nemesis . His loyalty to the cast is also famous. The Next Generation cast continually calls him the best director they ever had on the series.

One of the most famous things about Commander Riker was his beard. Riker was clean-shaven for the first season of the show, but between seasons he acted in a Civil War mini-series, so he grew a beard. Gene Roddenberry thought it looked “more nautical” so he told Frakes to keep it. That beard is synonymous with TNG’s improved show quality, hence the phrase “growing the beard” (the opposite of “jumping the shark”).

Colonel Kira Nerys

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Played by: Nana Visitor

Kira Nerys was not a part of Starfleet, but that’s exactly why Commander (later Captain) Sisko wanted her on board. When the Federation agreed to keep an eye on Bajor after the Cardassians retreated, Sisko requested a Bajoran first officer onboard the Deep Space Nine outpost to improve relationships with the budding government.

Kira Nerys, a former underground revolutionary, started out as stubborn and hot-headed, opposed to the Federation’s presence in the Bajoran province. Over time, she and Sisko developed a warm and loving friendship of mutual respect- thanks in no small part to Sisko’s role as the emissary to the Prophets.

One of Kira’s most defining qualities was her unquestionable faith. Throughout her entire life, her faith in the Prophets was what kept her going through occupation, slavery and the resistance. It showed a softer, more compassionate side of the character, but it also came with its problems. Mainly, when Kira put faith before duty, like when she defended teaching Bajoran creationism in public school. She did grow to be more tolerant over the series, but her faith didn’t waver.

Side note, the producers of the series originally wanted Ensign Ro Laren to play Sisko’s first officer in Deep Space Nine , but the actress refused the role, so they created a new (and much better) character instead.

Lieutenant Commander Chakotay

Star Trek: Voyager Played by: Robert Beltran

Umm... well... yikes. Where do I start with this guy? He was Native American, I guess, and he had a cool face tattoo. Let’s face it, Chakotay was boring . And, if you go by the criticisms from people in the Native American community, divisive. Some praised his role as ground breaking, others compared him to Tonto from The Lone Ranger .

Chakotay was a Maquis fighter who, alongside his crew, got pulled some 70,000 light years away into the Delta Quadrant, where the group joined forces with the Voyager to ensure their mutual survival. Captain Kathryn Janeway gave Chakotay the field commission of Lieutenant Commander, hoping to close the divide between the Federation officers and Maquis rebels.

Chakotay served as Janeway’s quasi-enforcer on the ship. He wouldn’t tolerate any bull from those serving under him, and was not afraid of dressing down someone if it helped get the job done. As fellow io9 writer James Whitbrook put it, “If Voyager was a family, Chakotay was the stern dad who’d tell those damn kids like it is.”

Commander T’Pol

Star Trek: Enterprise Played by: Jolene Blalock

T’Pol was the first Vulcan officer to serve for a long time on a human ship. She served as Sub-Commander for the Vulcan High Command to keep an eye on Captain Jonathan Archer and his crew, because the Vulcan High Command were a bunch of dicks who didn’t think Scott Bacula could steer a ship. She grew to care for them, partially because she was more emotional than the typical Vulcan. The Vulcans kept trying to get her off the ship, but she said no, eventually resigning from High Command to join Starfleet.

The character also caused a bit of controversy, mainly regarding her outfits. Her catsuit-like wardrobe was criticized for needlessly over-sexualizing the character. The producers denied this early on, but started leaning more heavily on Blalock’s figure as the show’s ratings tanked. T’Pol got more costumes (40 altogether) and her cleavage continually got lower. She also was the subject of Star Trek ’s first nude scene, showing her full naked backside, which actually got censored in the U.S.

I’ve got to be honest, I’ve never seen a single episode of Star Trek: Enterprise, so any details I give about the character are second-hand. If you enjoyed T’Pol and want to add something you especially liked about the character, more power to you.

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Published Mar 20, 2019

What Does it Take to be 'Number One?'

Hint: Grit, discretion, and a cool head on your shoulders are a great place to start.

StarTrek.com

"Number One." This simple nickname used by many captains when referring to their first officers, is deceptively descriptive. The second-in-command ranks "number one" for multiple points of contact, ranging from being the first person subordinate contacts if they have an issue with a superior, to being their captain's closest confidant when guidance is needed during a difficult mission.

The first officer carries out their captain's orders, suggests alternative strategies, deploys personnel effectively, spearheads away teams, and even handles crew evaluations and transfers. Captains may set the destination, but first officers ensure safe arrivals. Being able to handle that type of pressure takes a special person with a few essential qualities that every first officer needs.

1. Protect Your Captain

Whether dangers manifest themselves as physical threats or emotional strains, a first officer's duty is to know how to prevent those hazards from harming their senior officer. As their landing party surveyed Gamma Trianguli VI in " The Apple ," Spock noticed that a deadly plant with the ability to launch poisonous thorns targeted Captain Kirk. Spock maneuvered swiftly, pushing Kirk to safety just in time for the fatal projectiles to strike the Vulcan instead. Fortunately, Dr. McCoy's medical treatment revived Spock, who had been prepared to die to shield his captain from harm.

2. Place Your Loyalty to the Crew Over Your Own Well-Being

Circumstances in which a Number One's duty clashes with their reputation may arise, prompting them to decide whether or not they should compromise their morals to protect themselves. Forced to choose between obeying Admiral Pressman and saving the U.S.S. Enterprise-D 's crew from Romulan imprisonment in Star Trek: The Next Generation 's " The Pegasus ," Commander Riker willingly divulged the illegal cloaking technology he and Pressman recovered, preferring to risk a court martial rather than jeopardize his colleagues. In the revelation's aftermath, Captain Picard supplied this sage advice to Riker: "You chose to tell the truth and face the consequences... I will still be proud to have you as my first officer."

3. Don't Criticize the Captain in Public

An executive officer must show respect for the command structure, and support their captain in front of the crew. This fosters trust among the lower ranks and reinforces the notion that the commanding officer reserves the right to a final say in an y situation. Michael Burnham erred when she openly challenged Captain Georgiou's judgment to avoid conflict with the Klingons in Star Trek: Discovery 's "The Vulcan Hello." When Picard and Riker were otherwise occupied in " Gambit, Part II ," Data and Worf acted as their temporary replacements. Worf breached etiquette by questioning Data's decisions on the bridge, leading Data to privately brief Worf about a true Number One's adherence to protocol.

4. Tell the Captain Exactly What Is on Your Mind

While captains do not wish to be contradicted before crew members, they do want their Number One to confide in them and offer strong opinions in a private setting. Commander Chakotay held significant reservations about Captain Janeway's proposition to ally with the Borg Collective in order to repel Species 8472 in Star Trek: Voyager 's " Scorpion, Part I ." Chakotay relayed his concerns in a one-on-one discussion with Janeway while reinforcing his intention to follow her directives despite his disagreement. The first officer purposely refrained from voicing his dissent in front of the bridge crew, demonstrating his regard for her rank.

5. Have Trust in Your Capabilities and in Your Subordinates

Responsibilities abound in a first officer's daily routine, and a Number One needs to have confidence in themselves and in those that report to them. Number Ones oversee department heads who are specialists in their fields, requiring them to temper their own approach to problems with the expertise provided by their subordinates. Commander Saru doubted himself when the Klingons captured Captain Lorca in " Choose Your Pain ," allowing his emotions to run wild and hamper him from heeding crucial opinions about the tardigrade from Burnham, Paul Stamets, and Dr. Culber. Stamets gambled with his life to safeguard Ripper, provoking Saru to rethink his choices upon Lorca's return. Realizing his errors, Saru opened up to Burnham, permitted her to release the tardigrade, began believing in himself to a greater extent, and acquired valuable command experience in the process.

6. Always Be Ready to Take the Center Seat

From shore leave to a sudden death, various events can cause a first officer to sit in the big chair. Usually brief, these situations inevitably place the burden of command firmly on a Number One's shoulders. The most extreme example occurred during the Borg incursion depicted in the TNG two-parter " The Best of Both Worlds ." With Picard assimilated by the Collective, Riker took charge over in unenviable conditions which entailed defeating the Borg, and facing off against the tactical knowledge the Borg absorbed from his mentor. After receiving advice from Guinan, Riker employed an unorthodox scheme that harnessed Picard's awareness of their previous plan to fool the Borg and successfully retrieve the captain. Riker magnificently adapted to the evolving hostilities and proved more than worthy to continue as the Enterprise-D 's executive officer.

Jay Stobie is a freelance science fiction writer who contributes articles to the official Star Trek website and Star Trek Magazine . He can be found on Twitter at @CaptStobie and Instagram @JayStobie.

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A Short History Of Number One In The Star Trek Universe

If you're exploring the cosmos and going where no one has gone before, it makes sense to have someone reliable at your side. In "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," Captain Christopher Pike commands the classic Enterprise with Lieutenant Spock as his third. His second-in-command is the steadfast Number One.

But "Number One" is just a nickname. The character's real name is Commander Una Chin-Riley, with Rebecca Romjin reprising the role after her appearances in "Star Trek: Discovery." Like Pike himself and the ship's medical officer, Doctor M'Benga, "Strange New Worlds" has the chance to finally add some more color and life to characters that had only brief appearances in the original "Star Trek".

Trapped in the Cage

Number One first appeared in the original pilot episode of "Star Trek." Entitled "The Cage," the pilot introduces us to the crew of the starship Enterprise, though it's a slightly different iteration from the one most people know. At the helm of this ship is Captain Christopher Pike and his first officer a woman simply known as Number One.

The character was played by actress Majel Barrett, who would transition over to the original series as a different character, Nurse Christine Chapel. In the pilot episode, Number One is a stoic figure, betraying very little emotion and focusing entirely on the business at hand. When Pike is kidnapped on a mission to Talos IV, Number One elects to be a part of the landing party that goes to find him.

Things don't go as planned and Number One becomes kidnapped by the Talosians as well, with the aim of providing Pike with a selection of potential mates. The leader of the Talosians, the Keeper, even notes that Number One's professional demeanor is a shield over her feelings for Pike. Ultimately, Number One sets her weapon to overload in an attempt to stop the Talosians' plans.

Number One was never seen again in the original continuity, as Barrett was now playing Nurse Chapel. There's no indication whether she had a further career with Starfleet after the mission shown in "The Cage." Barrett would later marry series creator Gene Roddenberry, becoming Majel Barrett Roddenberry, and appear as Lwaxana Troi in "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Discovering a new side of yourself

Number One returned later in "Star Trek: Discovery" and the adjoining "Short Treks" mini-series. In the "Short Treks" episode "Q&A," the newly-assigned Ensign Spock finds himself trapped in a turbolift with the Enterprise's first officer, giving him a chance to ask her about the Captain and the rest of the ship. It's a light episode, mostly played for laughs.

Writer Michael Chabon told Syfy Wire that he also used the episode to explain the differences between the more emotive Spock in the pilot and his later characterization in "Star Trek." The answer? He took after the first officer he met on his first day on the Enterprise — the impassive Number One.

Number One guest-starred on "Discovery" when Pike took over as Captain for the Discovery in season 2. In the episode "An Obol for Charon," the Enterprise itself is disabled and in spacedock, giving Number One and Pike the chance to discuss murder allegations against Spock. Number One comes across as fiercely protective of Spock, even noting that she did some sanctioned digging to find information about the case.

Number One appears again in the season finale for the second season of "Discovery," welcoming Pike and Spock back to the ship.

More than just a number

In "Strange New Worlds," Number One is finally given her full name: Una Chin-Riley. And as we see in the new Paramount+ show, Commander Una is a first officer who is more than willing to take charge of a situation. She's sadly missing for most of the first episode however, as her capture during First Contact is what gets Pike back onboard the Enterprise.

Still, the series now has a chance to define Number One far beyond her brief appearance in the pilot episode. And Rebeccca Romjin gets the chance to show why Pike calls her "the best first officer in the fleet."

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54 years after 'The Cage,' the original Number One is about to board Star Trek: Discovery

Credit: Michael Gibson/CBS

The pilot for the original Star Trek series was shown to NBC executives in 1965 — they rejected it, so  Gene Roddenberry made a different pilot, which they liked much more. The very first Trek  pilot that ever boldly went (titled "The Cage") had no Captain Kirk in sight — Jeffrey Hunter played Captain Christopher Pike, and Majel Barrett played his first officer, referred to only as "Number One." Others have been called this name over the years (Commander Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation , most notably), but 54 years later, the original Number One is finally ready to boldly go once more.

In new photos released by CBS on Tuesday, we now have our first official image of Number One’s return, in Star Trek: Discovery .

She figured into the original series episode "The Menagerie" in 1966, but that's because that particular episode hacked up the original pilot, put a frame around it, and used it to tell a slightly different story. It's mostly through that episode that viewers first got to know the story of "The Cage," Captain Pike, and that Spock was once one of his officers. The truncated version of the episode (magically shown to Kirk, Spock, and a Starfleet tribunal ... because of reasons) actually worked better for most fans, with some of Pike's most dated lines getting the ax. Most notoriously, Pike remarking on "not liking women on the bridge" was dropped. It wasn't missed.

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The events of "The Cage" became canon thanks to "The Menagerie," and Star Trek: Discovery's second season takes place after those strange events on Talos IV. We've already met the series' new take on Pike ( Anson Mount ), who has temporarily taken command of the Discovery . There's also a whole new "Search for Spock" going on, which means that Number One is holding things down over on the U.S.S. Enterprise while it undergoes repairs. We've known that Discovery  was going to bring in Number One, now played by Rebecca Romijn , and she's finally about to make her first appearance in Episode 4 of this season, titled "An Obol for Charon."

Number One returning to Trek lore is a big deal, and not just because she only appeared once and it was over 50 years ago. She was a formidable officer in a powerful position, and television in 1965 wasn't famous for featuring that kind of character. We barely got to know her, and this is something that Rebecca Romijn is very much aware of.

“I want to help unfold this character because we didn’t get to know enough ... She knows her s**t, and I kind of want her to be like, a broad, like a fast-talkin’ dame," Romijn told SYFY WIRE on the red carpet for the Season 2 premiere . "It’s slightly period, the Enterprise obviously was in the '60s, and so the look of my character is of that era, slightly, which I love. It’s fun to keep discovering things about a character that we didn’t get to know enough about the first time around."

Number One won't be the only one returning this week — per other new images released by CBS, we can look forward to Jett Reno ( Tig Notaro ) making her second appearance after being featured in the Season 2 opener.

Fans are no doubt delighted that Notaro is sticking around after being so entertaining in the premiere, but the photo above holds an even bigger promise. Notaro's Reno is clearly in the engineering section of the Discovery (naturally), and it certainly looks like she's got her hands on one of the spore drive's components. We truly hope that this means that she'll have at least one scene with Paul Stamets ( Anthony Rapp ), because it will either be instant love or nonstop insults between the two. Either way, expect some fireworks.

As usual, the overseas Netflix Instagram page for Star Trek: Discovery  has a trailer for the episode, which is a little longer than the one they showed on CBS All Access:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Star Trek: Discovery (@startreknetflix)

We see both Number One and Jett Reno in action, as well as an illness befalling Commander Saru ( Doug Jones ), and Ensign Tilly ( Mary Wiseman ) still dealing with the mycelial fallout from last week. How are they all connected? We'll have to boldly stream to find out.

Star Trek: Discovery returns this Thursday on CBS All Access. Welcome back, Number One.

• Rebecca Romijn
• Star Trek: Discovery
• Star Trek: Discovery Season 2

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Interview: Rebecca Romijn On Number One’s Secret And Why ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Is For Moms

| April 20, 2022 | By: Anthony Pascale 41 comments so far

TrekMovie joined a group press interview with Rebecca Romijn to talk about her role as Number One (Una Chin-Riley) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds . The actress revealed how this character which, previously only appeared in “The Cage”/”The Menagerie” before Romijn took on the role in season two of Star Trek: Discovery , is being fleshed out in the new series.

Note: The interview contains some minor spoilers and has been edited for brevity and clarity. 

What excited you about what Number One gets to do and her arc over the first season?

Well, she was a blank slate of a character who was introduced in the original rejected pilot of Star Trek , and we didn’t even know she had a name. She does have a name now: Una Chin-Riley. So that was exciting, getting to have a name. She’s very, very good at her job. And I think what we see in the development, is we learn a secret about her in episode three. I think we find out that that’s why she’s so good at her job. She sort of hides behind meticulous work and she is slightly intimidating to the rest of the crew to keep her distance so that nobody finds out the secret that she’s hiding. So it’s a fun layer to play. The writers floated this idea to me pretty early on and I just thought it was such an incredible layer to the character. And we were going to keep exploring that in a pretty major way throughout the season.

You’ve talked about how Una is a blank slate character, but what of that original performance and original character do you want to endure? What do you see as quintessential to Number One?

Her fastidious, meticulous nature. She is very, very, very good. And no one loves Starfleet more than Una. That is the North Star for Una. No one loves the stars more than Una. No one loves Starfleet more than Una and she is extremely good at what she does. And in what we learn about her in episode three, we find that she’s hiding something and she keeps her distance to protect what she’s hiding.

What kind of backstory were you given on the relationship between Number One and La’an ?

That La’an was like a protégé… You’re going to see more about La’an’s backstory and I think Una is very protective of La’an. And she knows that La’an had this really horrible childhood and wants to help her find levity. She wants to help her find some light in the universe. So she’s sort of taken her on as a lifelong personal project. I think she adores her.

Rebecca Romijn as Una

It’s been three years since the season two finale of Discovery and so you’ve been part of Star Trek fandom for a while. What’s the most striking thing that has happened to you or someone said to you since joining the franchise?

We’re now past the middle of our second season. We’ve made 16 episodes, and we love them all. We’re so excited to finally introduce this show. It’s like the longest pregnancy in history. I haven’t done too many of the conventions. I just went to [Star Trek: Mission Chicago] last weekend. And it’s nice. I was introduced to Star Trek by my mom at the age of eight, to The Original Series . And I think a lot of us were. I know Anson [Mount] was also introduced to Star Trek: The Original Series at the age of eight by his mom.

And I think that that’s not by accident. I think moms want to introduce their kids to Star Trek because when you look into your child’s eyes – and I can say this as the only mom on our cast, I have kids – you see curiosity. You see a need for exploration. You want your kids to think universally and think totally outside the box. And that’s what The Original Series did. It sparked a lot of conversation between my mom and me about whether or not we’re the only ones in this universe, about acceptance, about people from all different backgrounds coming together and working in harmony, and about exploration and curiosity. These are all things that mothers foster in their children. When I said that at the convention in Chicago, all day long, everybody I passed said, “My mom introduced me to Star Trek.” … I just kept hearing that over and over and over again, and I just love that. I hope we do that for a new generation of Star Trek fans.

Were you surprised at how much of a reception people gave to Una after just a few episodes in Discovery ?

Again, she was never developed. So our writers are incredible. And we’ve all been having such a fun time fleshing her out. And it’s just been this great opportunity. And Star Trek is such a great platform for storytelling. And because we’re standalone episodes, each episode is a different opportunity to tell a new story with important messaging. Yeah, Una was kind of a real mystery until now. So yeah, it’s been a blast. Also, I feel very protective of her. The Star Trek fans are very protective of this canon and of these characters. And so I think I’m a caretaker. We’re caretakers. We’re custodians, taking care of these beloved characters.

Going back to your Short Treks episode “Q&A,” and Una’s connection to Gilbert and Sullivan. Did her secret talent become common knowledge?

No, I made him swear to secrecy that he would never let anybody know that Una loves Gilbert and Sullivan. Una’s got lots of secrets. You just reminded me that Unu’a got all these crazy secrets. The truth is, I as in me Rebecca, I was in the Gilbert and Sullivan troupe as a kid. I was in like six different Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. So I actually knew that song before we even shot that Short Treks . But yeah, it’s a funny connection with Spock and Una that they have that little shared memory together.  

Rebecca Romijn as Una, Anson Mount as Pike and Ethan Peck as Spock

All three of the roles played by Majel Barrett in The Original Series (Number One, Chapel, and the Enterprise computer) are in Strange New Worlds . Was there any preliminary discussion of you taking on more than just Number One?

It never came up, but that’s a hilarious question. I appreciate the question, but that never came up, though.

You have been lucky enough to be involved in a lot of projects from X-Men , Chuck , and the DC cartoons. And now you’re in Star Trek. Do you seek out these more nerdy roles or is this just something that’s brought to you?

I would say I definitely have an inner nerd that I embrace. I don’t necessarily seek them out. Except I will say that the more fulfilling female characters are usually within that genre… Especially as the mother of daughters, those are the roles that are more interesting to me to play.

More to come

TrekMovie will have interviews with more of the Strange New Worlds cast including Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, and others in the coming days, so stay tuned.

The first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will arrive on May 5.

Strange New Worlds poster

Find more stories on the  Star Trek Universe .

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geez, even in a neutral body position the costumes are puckering in the field of the piece of fabric and along the seams… for cryin’ out loud Paramount, you can’t fix everything in post – especially in HD!!

You know, their are times when I question the sanity of some Star Trek fans.

Same here. There is nothing wrong with these uniforms. They’re cool-looking and flattering.

I start questioning the sanity all the time after reading the comments. It’s difficult to actually find something positive in all the negative comments. And the comments are SO repetitive too. I didn’t think it was possible, but it seems Star Trek fans have actually got worse than the complaining of Star Wars fans.

worfsayingsomeinfirstcontact.gif

I don’t really see it myself. To me it just seems that a few Picard maneuvers are needed.

Well, yeah.

That’s what happens when you put actual cloth costumes that aren’t skin-tight on human bodies. :)

no, this is what happens when you don’t fabric that is heavy enough for a camera-ready costume. Dragon-con proves this every year…

I could sit here and talk about how folds and “puckering” are good and make costumes look more real, and when costumers on TV shows try too hard to avoid folds it’s both unnecessary and ugly.

But at the end of the day, the truth is that nobody cares about what you’re talking about. Move on.

I’m really happy for you that you’ve found something to complain about. You do you! :)

Heavy fabric under bright lights = sweaty, uncomfortable actors. I’d much rather have a little puckering along the seams. :-)

I’m shocked you didn’t count her arm hairs.

I think the costumes are pretty good, considering they’re probably trying to be different than the TOS versions. But I don’t understand why these uniforms can’t fit as well as the 1960s versions. The TOS versions seemed to fit better. Fabric?

The TOS versions were cut very tightly. Which cut down on wrinkles, but was very unforgiving when it came to carrying a few extra pounds. (*cough cough Bill Shatner cough*) :)

The original TNG ones were so bad for being overly tight they had to replace them with looser fitting ones to avoid injuring the actors.

Right. And the original Discovery uniforms didn’t look like a picnic to wear either.

yes, the fabric was heavier, put the costumer and seamstresses also knew the difference between a costume and a shirt – – that’s why you can actually see the stitching on the uniform hems – the Captain’s is actually puckering along the hem – how do you dry-clean that 3 or 4 dozen times in a season of shooting?

I just can’t imagine how this stuff will look reaching, running, and scuffling with the baddy of the week.

They should have hired one of the terrific costumers that outfit the best uniforms at Dragon-Con every year.

Costumes at dragon con are fine for cosplay. I’ve been there. Impressive stuff for fan made attire. Keep them away from Trek.

I’m actually surprised at how much I like the costumes. After really disliking the DSC uniforms (which again, is nitpicking, if the show were better I could easily overlook them), these are both excellent updates to the classic uniforms while still somehow looking like they belong next to the Discovery costumes.

Very impressive work. Hoping we see an update to the captain’s green tunic and we’ve already seen the away jackets, which are a nice touch.

She is a Gilbert and Sullivan fan… my interest has shot up. That’s super cool.

Same, we need more Gilbert and Sullivan in Trek again :)

“Mr. Worf, do you know Gilbert and Sullivan?” “No sir, I have not had a chance meet all the new crew members since I have been back.”

Q & A is a good watch in preparation for SNW’s….

I’m actually thinking about doing a Pike mini-rewatch. I’ll start with The Cage first obviously and then some of the Discovery episodes. Brother for sure, If Memory Serves (works great for both Pike and Spock) and the final three episodes of season 2 followed by the relevant Short Treks. Not sure I will yet and if only I can make the time.

I have always been a fan of Rebecca’s, since the first X-Men film. So,LET’s GO!

I have no idea if this show will be any good, but that lady is smokin’ hot. That is all.

A redone TOS era show with awesome people exploring space is def the way to bring in people vs complex Time loop Trek the fourth generation combined with the second next generation or whatever..

Also don’t know why but reminds me when my gf (wife now) heard stories of how I was a super Trekkie as a kid and got me a TNG gift and could tell I was just pretending to like it. So I explained how Time Trek TNG isn’t the Trek I liked. Anyway she researched it and then wore a TOS uniform for Halloween… the ST II TWOK maroon uniforms are no longer my favourite Star Trek uniforms lol

My mom introduced me to Trek as well. TOS. I was *much* younger than 8. :)

Anthony, make sure to ask Ethan about what’s up with the sideburns. And other important issues like that. ; )

Her Number One was a hit the minute she transported on the Discovery lol. It’s amazing what fans gravitate too so quickly. But she definitely fits the role and certainly looks like she will be a lot of fun to watch. And I like when she says how devoted to Starfleet the character is. Most Starfleet officers seem to view Starfleet and the Federation as almost a religion but it’s something many were all born into I guess and literally willing to sacrifice their lives for it, so not a shock. I did like shows like DS9 and Voyager because they had characters who questioned the great Federation for a change but even many of those came around in the end. It is like root beer after all! ;D

Let me solve this one for you. The fans immediately liked Number One character and Pike on DSC because, unlike other characters on board the Discovery, they acted in a collected, professional way. They didn’t shout, cry, cheer, swear, run, dance, stutter, mutiny. In other words: they behaved like highly trained Starfleet officers, like ambassadors of Earth and the Federation.

I didn’t say it was a mystery. I liked her immediately too.

And some characters you just have an instant liking for. I knew I was going to love Janeway 30 seconds into her first scene. And 25 years later, still do!

My Mom introduced me to Star Trek when I was a kid too. But only because she know I was a TJ Hooker fan lol.

Hope this ends up a largely family friendly show, unlike S1 of Discovery and all of Picard to date. Kids need some Trek optimism and inspiration right now just like us adults…

Just out of curiosity, would you consider DS9 “family friendly”?

I always find it very odd the way people single out Disco as not catering to the “family” audience when it’s actually no darker than what’s come before it. I just finished a rewatch of DS9 and was amazed at how I’d forgotten about what an incredibly dark and brutal turn the stories took during the end of the Dominion War (think the female changeling ordering the extermination of the entire Cardassian population).

It’s hard to really put my finger on it, and I’m not saying you’re doing this, but I think a lot of people confuse “family friendly” with “meant for kids”.

I would consider DS9 “family friendly”. It certainly isn’t “kid” friendly, but DS9 was something designed for practically all audiences.

I was 9 when the show premiered and was watching it from the start. Some of the deeper/darker themes of the earlier seasons were lost on me at that age, but it’s stories and conflict were something I could enjoy alongside my parents and my sibling, and I found greater appreciation for the stuff I missed as a kid watching the show.

I’d say that DS9 was handled more *maturely* than Discovery or Picard have been handled.

The themes of DS9 could be dark, but the show wasn’t brutal, at least compared to the kind of pervasive brutality that has appeared in Secret Hideout Trek. I’m not personally phased by violence or language or an overly depressing tone, but there’s a time and place for all of that. Trek shouldn’t be the place to show Icheb getting his eye removed from it’s socket or continually trying to humanize Empress Space Hitler. There’s a lack of optimism that is pervasive in Discovery and Picard that is off-putting to a lot of the detractors. More people should be concerned that production has been floating the idea for 4+ years about creating a show centered around a truly detestable (and evil) Starfleet organization.

It appears that Discovery S3 was meant to set up the S31 show, but look what happened instead!

I’m actually much more concerned that the Trek fanbase can no longer even agree about what Trek means, or is supposed to mean, at all. I’ve been a fan since the Seventies, and that wasn’t the way it was back then.

On the TNG blu ray extras the writers did talk about a strain of negative fans even back then. Almost all the writers quit after season 3 because of it. Not sure how prevalent it was I didn’t talk to other fans back then just enjoyed the show.

Every since SNW was announced with that title–no “Enterprise” or “Pike” in sight–I’ve hoped that when canon no longer allows Spock, Pike, and the Enterprise to be the focus that we get Captain Chin-Riley own her own ship, exploring even more strange new worlds… And heck, now we’ve got a Kirk, so we could have guest appearances of the ship and crew of Kirk’s Enterprise! There’s plenty of space between TOS episodes to allow for other “previously unseen” adventures for them. I know, I know, THIS show has to happen first…but I like the idea that things could continue on beyond the constrains of the timeline, and I think she’d be a great one to lead the way.

That would have been pretty cool if they had had her play both Number One and Nurse Chapel.

Una Chin-Riley

Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley , commonly known professionally as Number One , was a female Illyrian Starfleet command division officer who lived during the mid- 23rd century . Through the 2250s , she served aboard the USS Enterprise as Christopher Pike 's executive officer and helmsman . ( TOS : " The Cage "; DIS : " An Obol for Charon ")

• 1 Early life
• 2.1 Starfleet Academy
• 2.2 Early postings and assignments
• 3.1 Hobbies
• 4.1 La'an Noonien-Singh
• 4.2 Christopher Pike
• 5 Alternate timelines
• 6 Awards and honors
• 7 Key dates
• 8.1 Appearances
• 8.2 Background information
• 8.3 Apocrypha
• 8.4 External links

Early life [ ]

Una and her parents in their youth

Chin-Riley was born on Illyria in the early 23rd century. As a member of the Illyrian species, Chin-Riley was genetically-engineered before birth , as it was part of her family tradition and heritage. ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ") Her physical strength was greatly improved, allowing her to carry a grown person with no visible effort, while her immune system would also glow , and as well, could burn out infectious agents from her body without having to rely on antibodies . ( SNW : " Ghosts of Illyria ", " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

Chin-Riley grew up on a Federation colony in the Vaultera Nebula . She had one brother . ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

In her personnel file, Chin-Riley was said to have been born on Illyria or on Colony 9-A. However, a notation to her file stated that verification of her being born on this colony was pending and that the information came from an unreliable source.

Additional notations to her file state that Chin-Riley's parents and brother were possibly deceased. Like her dob (date-of-birth), the verification of this information was pending and that the information came from unreliable sources.

When she was five or six years old, encountered Starfleet crew that visited her planet. According to her, " They were all so... different from one another. So many crew members from so many planets. It was beautiful. I thought if all those people from all those worlds can work together, side by side, maybe I could, too. Maybe I could be a part of something bigger than myself. " ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ") Her dream of joining Starfleet, however, due to the Federation ban on genetic engineering, she had to hide her true nature and history. ( SNW : " Ghosts of Illyria ")

Later, she fractured her leg after she attempted to stop a fight at school, which had broken out after one boy had accused another of being an Illyrian. In spite of the break being a simple fix with modern medicine , her parents wouldn't take her to a hospital out of fear of being arrested. In spite of her modifications, the leg became infected , and she nearly died, until she was able to be treated by a Illyrian doctor who visited her family in the middle of the night. ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

Starfleet career [ ]

Starfleet academy [ ].

Captain Robert April sponsored Chin-Riley's application to Starfleet Academy . ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

She first met Christopher Pike following an inspiring speech he gave at the Academy. ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

She had Pelia for an Instructor for Starship Maintenance 307 and was given a "C" on her final paper, a "C" Pelia felt was sloppy but well deserved. ( SNW : " Lost in Translation ")

Early postings and assignments [ ]

In 2234 , Chin-Riley began her Starfleet career. ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

In her personnel file, it was stated that she was a member of the graduating class of 2335.

As an ensign , was assigned to the USS Martin Luther King Jr. During her assignment aboard the " King Junior ", she was involved in the rescue of La'an Noonien-Singh . ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ")

While questioning Ensign Zier , Chin-Riley sympathized, saying that she, too, was once an ensign, and understood being nervous. ( SNW : " Spock Amok ")

At some point in her early career, Chin-Riley served aboard the USS Antares , the USS Chatelet , and the USS Aryabhatta , all ships that her future commanding officer Christopher Pike also served on. ( DIS : " Brother "; SNW : " Memento Mori ", " Ad Astra per Aspera "; display graphic )

According to Pike, Chin-Riley had a habit of jumping from department to department, although she claimed that it only happened once. ( SNW : " Children of the Comet ")

On her personnel file, the name of one of her postings is redacted, with the information about it being restricted.

Service aboard the Enterprise [ ]

Number One on the bridge of the USS Enterprise

Upon her assignment as science officer to the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain April, she witnessed a triple-mode high-amplitude Delta Scuti star on her first deep-space cruise that took her within a half light year of 99 Pegasi . ( ST : " Q&A "; SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera "; display graphic )

In 2248 , Captain April recommended to Starfleet Command that Una Chin-Riley receive the Starfleet Medal of Gallantry for her actions during the Marcel disaster . ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

In 2250 , Chin-Riley was assigned as the first officer of Enterprise under the command of Captain Pike, also serving as the ship's helmsman . She went professionally by the name "Number One". ( TOS : " The Cage "; ST : " Q&A "; SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera " display graphic ) Before she took up her new position, Chin-Riley spent a week shadowing Pike, a week she later believed made all the difference in her performance as first officer. ( SNW : " Subspace Rhapsody ")

Lieutenant Una Chin-Riley and Ensign Spock in 2253

In 2253 , Number One greeted Ensign Spock on his first day aboard the Enterprise after departing from Starbase 40 . She encouraged him to barrage her with questions, which he returned in kind. While talking, however, the two were trapped in a turbolift , where they bonded and Una gave advice to the young officer before they were rescued by Lieutenant Amin . ( ST : " Q&A "; SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ", " Among the Lotus Eaters " display graphic )

By 2254 , she was considered one of the most experienced members of the crew. According to the Talosian magistrate known as The Keeper , she had "the superior mind and would produce highly intelligent children", adding that, " Although she seems to lack emotion, this is largely a pretense. She has often had fantasies involving [Pike]. " ( TOS : " The Cage ")

Number One with the captives on Talos IV

With Pike kidnapped by the Talosians, Number One led the effort to rescue him, first by unsuccessfully attempting to use a laser cannon to blast open an entry to a Talosian underground lair where Pike was being held, and then by using the transporter in an attempt to infiltrate this lair. Number One was subsequently kidnapped, along with Yeoman Colt , for the purpose of providing Pike with a mate with whom he could procreate. In response to this, Una set her laser pistol to overload, telling the Talosian Keeper that it was wrong to keep a colony of Humans as slaves, and that they would rather die. This, combined with an examination of the Enterprise 's historical records, convinced the Talosians that Humans' unique hatred of captivity made them nonviable subjects, and they were subsequently allowed to return to the Enterprise . ( TOS : " The Cage ")

Footage of her experience aboard the Enterprise under Captain Pike during the original visit to Talos IV, from thirteen years prior, was transmitted from that planet during Spock's fictional court martial aboard the same ship in 2267 . ( TOS : " The Menagerie, Part I ", " The Menagerie, Part II ")

Like most of the Enterprise crew, Number One sat out the Klingon War which, like it did to everyone else aboard the Enterprise , took its toll on her. ( DIS : " Brother ")

Una lends a hand to Pike aboard Discovery

In 2257 , Chin-Riley remained with the ship while it underwent major repairs, only briefly visited Pike aboard the USS Discovery to provide him with information on Spock's recent escape from Starbase 5 . The two officers sat and talked briefly in the mess hall. During their conversation, Una admitted that she went through unofficial channels to obtain the information, noting that the entire situation was extremely odd. Una stated plainly that she was not going to let Spock go without a fight and Pike noted that as usual they both were in agreement. Before they parted she warned Pike to be careful and Pike told her the same. She returned to the Enterprise shortly thereafter. ( DIS : " An Obol for Charon ")

Number One in 2258

In 2258 , following the mission to get a time crystal from the monastery on Boreth , Christopher Pike asked R.A. Bryce to send a message to the Enterprise 's XO, Number One, to have the Enterprise rendezvous with the Discovery to take on the Discovery 's crew. ( DIS : " Through the Valley of Shadows ")

During the Battle near Xahea , Number One manned the helm of the Enterprise , and later worked with Admiral Katrina Cornwell in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to disarm an undetonated photon torpedo that had lodged in the saucer section 's hull .

After the disappearance of the Discovery , Pike, Ash Tyler , and Number One were debriefed at Starfleet Command in San Francisco . Following the debriefing, Number One and the others who knew of the Discovery 's fate were sworn to never speak of the Discovery or its crew again.

After a hundred and twenty four days of repair, Lieutenant Chin-Riley was still aboard the Enterprise as it traveled to Edrin II . ( DIS : " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 ")

In 2259 , the Enterprise returned to Earth for scheduled maintenance. Because she did not deal well with downtime, Number One was assigned to command the USS Archer to initiate a first contact mission to Kiley 279 after Starfleet detected signs of warp drive on the planet. However, the Kiley had in fact developed a warp bomb based on observations made from the battle near Xahea . The Kiley reacted negatively towards the first contact overtures and Number One, as well as the two other members of the Archer 's crew, were wounded and captured by the Kiley.

After Number One and the Archer crew were rescued by Pike and an Enterprise away team, Number One returned to her post as first officer of the Enterprise . ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ")

When the Enterprise was infected by a light virus , Una proved to be the only person immune to it, due to her undisclosed status as a genetically modified Illyrian . With Captain Pike trapped on the surface of a former Illyrian colony , Una assumed command and initiated a ship-wide lockdown . While she could not pass antibodies on directly to the crew to cure the contagion , she was able to engineer a situation where she could induce the same antibodies in La'an Noonien-Singh , which could then be used to save the others. When the crisis had passed Una disclosed her genetic identity to Pike and offered her resignation, but he refused to accept it as he considered Una 'the best first officer in the fleet'. ( SNW : " Ghosts of Illyria ")

Una was seriously injured during a surprise attack by the Gorn , sustaining shrapnel wounds to her abdomen that could not be treated conventionally due to battle damage. With dwindling medical supplies available, Una ordered that the last remaining supply of blood plasma be given to another injured crewmember that needed it. Christine Chapel was able to treat her wounds with her knowledge of archaeological medicine , and Joseph M'Benga donated his own blood to aid Una's recovery, ignoring the stigma that existed at the time regarding Humans and Illyrians sharing blood. ( SNW : " Memento Mori ")

When an alien consciousness from the Jonisian Nebula brought the fairy tale The Kingdom of Elysian to life on the Enterprise , Una was used for the character of Z'ymira the Huntress. Una had no memory of the events after the ship was returned to normal. ( SNW : " The Elysian Kingdom ")

While Captain Pike resolved to protect her from Starfleet, Una was arrested a few months later when her illegal genetic status was revealed. When a team of officers from the USS Cayuga arrived to arrest Una, Pike physically intervened on her behalf. Una warned him not to fight back, as she had known that such an outcome was likely. As she was beamed away, Captain Pike vowed that he would fight on her behalf. ( SNW : " A Quality of Mercy ")

Una's commendations, by the time of her arrest, included Starfleet Award of Valor , Medal of Excellence , Order of Tactics , Legion of Honor , and Medal of Commendation . ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera " display graphic )

Una remained in Starfleet custody pending trial for concealing her genetic heritage, while Captain Pike attempted to secure her a good lawyer. ( SNW : " The Broken Circle ")

Before her court martial , Una was offered a deal by Captain Marie Batel where Una would go free in exchange for a dishonorable discharge , but she refused the deal. Subsequently and in retaliation, two sedition charges were added (falsifying her records and violating Starfleet's code against genetic engineering ), leaving Una facing twenty years in a Federation penal colony .

Pike was able to secure Una the help of her former best friend Neera Ketoul , who used Una's trial as a platform to overturn the genetic modification law, and to broadcast her hatred of Federation policies regarding Illyrians. Katoul had Una retell the history of discrimination and persecution that she had faced, eventually admitting that she had turned herself in, as she was tired of living a lie. Katoul argued that, in essence, Una had sought asylum with Starfleet from the hardships she faced for being an Illyrian, and that Pike had exercised his judgement and granted it to Una after she had revealed herself to him .

Although the Federation wasn't willing to change their laws regarding genetic engineering for the time being, Una was acquitted, officially granted asylum and allowed to return to duty as first officer of the Enterprise . Una reconciled with Katoul, who saw Una's exoneration (and being allowed to openly serve as an Illyrian commander on a Federation starship) as a first step towards change. ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

A Starfleet recruitment poster featuring Una Chin-Riley

Despite Starfleet's attempt to use Una as a scapegoat for their anti-Augment stance, Una would go on to be remembered as one of the finest first officers in Federation history. By 2381 , recruitment posters featuring Una were widely distributed, with Ensign Brad Boimler keeping one in his bunk onboard the USS Cerritos , citing it and her as his inspiration for joining Starfleet. Una was initially horrified to learn of her status as a 'pin-up' from Beckett Mariner , but was deeply moved upon learning the full context, particularly due to the poster's use of Starfleet's "Ad Astra per Aspera" motto. ( SNW : " Those Old Scientists ")

Personal interests [ ]

Hobbies [ ].

Chin-Riley secretly enjoyed the music of Gilbert and Sullivan . When trapped in a turbolift with Spock on his first day on the Enterprise , she sang " I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General ", but ordered Spock to forget it. ( ST : " Q&A "; SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

She also enjoyed spicy food. When she met Pike on Discovery , she ordered a cheeseburger and french fries with habanero sauce . ( DIS : " An Obol for Charon ") Her comfort food, however, was strawberries . ( SNW : " Ghosts of Illyria ")

Relationships [ ]

La'an noonien-singh [ ].

Una and La'an met when Chin-Riley met when she was an Ensign aboard the USS Martin King, Jr. . The two would strike up a friendship that would last for a long time. La'an would affectionally call Una "Chief", and Una would come to act as a mentor for her. ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ")

Christopher Pike [ ]

Pike and Una hugging

Una and Christopher Pike first met when he gave a speech to her Academy class about a test mission he had flown. Following Pike's speech, Chin-Riley approached him and pointed out a flaw he had made during reentry. He found it bold and annoying but recognized that she was correct. Over the years, the two would be assigned to several vessels including the USS Enterprise . When Pike was made captain of the Enterprise he promoted Chin-Riley to First officer. ( SNW : " Strange New Worlds ", " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

When Pike learned of Chin-Riley's Illyrian heritage, he told her that he didn't care and that he would deal with fallout with Starfleet. ( SNW : " Ghosts of Illyria ")

Una would keep a photograph of the two of them in her quarters aboard the Enterprise . Upon her return to the ship following her exoneration, a visibly relieved Pike hugged Una before regaining his composure. ( SNW : " Ad Astra per Aspera ")

Alternate timelines [ ]

In an alternate timeline where Pike was able to avoid his crippling fate, he asked La'an Noonien-Singh about Una. La'an told him that Una wasn't allowed to have contact with anyone. Spock later revealed that in this timeline, Una had been locked up in a Federation prison colony for nearly seven years for her illegal modifications. ( SNW : " A Quality of Mercy ")

Awards and honors [ ]

Key dates [ ].

• 2234 : Begins her Starfleet career
• Assigned to the USS Martin Luther King Jr.
• Assigned to the USS Antares
• Assigned to the USS Chatelet
• Assigned to a classified vessel
• Assigned to the USS Enterprise as science officer under Captain Robert April
• 2248 : Awarded the Starfleet Medal of Gallantry during the Marcel disaster
• 2250 : Promoted to first officer under Captain Christopher Pike
• 2256 – 2257 : Along with the rest of the Enterprise crew, sits out the Federation-Klingon War
• 2257: Travels to the USS Discovery to update Captain Pike on the status of Spock and the Enterprise
• 2258 : Takes part in the Battle near Xahea
• Assigned to the USS Archer
• Reassigned back to the Enterprise as first officer
• Arrested by Captain Marie Batel after it became known she was Illyrian.
• Cleared of all charges and resumes her duties aboard the USS Enterprise

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

• " The Cage "
• " The Menagerie, Part I " (archive footage)
• " The Menagerie, Part II " (archive footage)
• " An Obol for Charon "
• " If Memory Serves " (archive footage)
• " Such Sweet Sorrow "
• " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 "
• " Q&A "
• " Ask Not "
• " Strange New Worlds "
• " Children of the Comet "
• " Ghosts of Illyria "
• " Memento Mori "
• " Spock Amok "
• " Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach "
• " The Serene Squall "
• " The Elysian Kingdom "
• " All Those Who Wander "
• " A Quality of Mercy "
• " The Broken Circle "
• " Ad Astra per Aspera "
• " Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow "
• " Among the Lotus Eaters "
• " Charades "
• " Lost in Translation "
• " Those Old Scientists "
• " Under the Cloak of War "
• " Subspace Rhapsody "
• " Hegemony "
• LD : " I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee " (image on poster)
• VST : " Holiday Party "

Background information [ ]

Number One's original portrayal by Majel Barrett

Number One was originally portrayed by Majel Barrett in the Star Trek pilot, "The Cage", but credited as M. Leigh Hudec for her subsequent archival appearance featured in both episodes of "The Menagerie". When her character was reintroduced for Star Trek: Discovery , and its subsequent spin-offs, she was portrayed by Rebecca Romijn . Additionally, Anna Claire Beitel portrayed Una as a child in "Ad Astra per Aspera".

In the original version of the series outline Star Trek is... (as reprinted in The Making of Star Trek , pp. 22-30), Number One was initially described as "a glacierlike, efficient female who serves as ship's Executive Officer." ( The Making of Star Trek , p. 24) A more detailed description of the character from exactly the same document stated;

In the scripts of "The Cage", Number One was described as " Female, slim and dark in a Nile Valley way, age uncertain, one of those women who will always look the same between the ages of twenty and fifty [....] Almost glacier-like in her imperturbability and precision. From time to time we'll wonder just how much female exists under that icy facade. " She was also scripted to be slightly more wary of J.M. Colt than she is in the final version of the episode, such as being initially reluctant about allowing her to join a landing party assigned to rescue the captain. [1]

Number One was dropped from the series as NBC executives did not respond well to her character. Reactions to her in the screen test of "The Cage" were also poor (by the women more negatively than the men, according to Gene Roddenberry ). Her highly logical, steel-trap mind was given to the character of Spock in " Where No Man Has Gone Before " and maintained there onward.

Although Majel Barrett-Roddenberry was credited as Majel Barrett in the unaired episode "The Cage", she was credited as "M. Leigh Hudec" – Barrett's birth name – in the televised two-part episode " The Menagerie, Part I " and " The Menagerie, Part II ", because the production team was endeavoring to hide from NBC the fact that the actress, not to be signed for either the second pilot or the regular show as had been demanded by the network, had actually returned to Star Trek: The Original Series as the recurring Nurse Christine Chapel by Gene Roddenberry's doing. ( Inside Star Trek: The Real Story , 1997, pp. 223-224; These Are the Voyages: TOS Season One , 1st ed, pp. 25-27) An unintended ironic twist in Star Trek history was that when Roddenberry surreptitiously brought the natural brunette Barrett back on the Original Series , he had her also disguised as a blonde to mislead the NBC network executives, who adamantly did not want her back on the show, whereas the natural blonde Romijn had to have her hair dyed to have her appear as the brunette Number One in Discovery .

In " The Cage ", Number One was referred to as "lieutenant." Within Starfleet, it was rare for a lieutenant to serve as the first officer of a starship. The likely reason she was originally assigned this rank was that, when Gene Roddenberry first created Star Trek , the rank structure he employed was based on that of the 18th and 19th century Royal Navy, in which a ship's second in command was generally a first lieutenant , rather than the ranks used by the 20th century United States Navy we have come to associate with Starfleet. George Kirk is the only other known instance of a lieutenant serving as a ship's first officer.

In Number One's subsequent appearances in Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Short Treks , her rank insignia is indicates she was a lieutenant, although she was identified as a lieutenant commander on a PADD in " Q&A ", which takes place before "The Cage". By Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Chin-Riley wore the insignia of lieutenant commander and has been repeatedly identified as such in the show. There was at least one instance, however, where, in an apparent art design error, she is clearly listed as "Lt. Una" on an internal communication in the episode " Subspace Rhapsody ".

Did I mumble?

In an interview with TrekCore, the co-writer of " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 " and Star Trek: Discovery third season co-showrunner Michelle Paradise confirmed that Christopher Pike called Number One "Una" in that episode. [2] This is one of several names which had been used for this character in non-canon material. Subtitles on Netflix and the second season Blu-ray release misspelled it as "Noona" (the Netflix subtitles have since been corrected), while the CBSAA captions say that he merely said "and, uh..." while transitioning to a question directed at Admiral Cornwell. Dialogue and PADD graphics in the Star Trek: Short Treks episode " Q&A " definitively confirm that Number One's name is "Una," and that she insists on being addressed as "Number One".

According to The Autobiography of Mr. Spock , Una's full name is Una Chin-Riley, a fact later revealed in the Strange New Worlds premiere episode "Strange New Worlds".

Apocrypha [ ]

In the Marvel Star Trek: Early Voyages comic book series, this character was named Lieutenant Commander Robbins. Her first name was interrupted by other dialogue, but starts with "Eure-."

The novel Vulcan's Glory , by Star Trek: The Original Series writer D.C. Fontana , suggested this character's moniker was not simply a nickname or title – she was an Illyrian who was called "Number One," as the best intellect among her generation. The novels The Children of Kings and Child of Two Worlds explain that Number One does have a given name, but it's difficult to pronounce for non-Illyrians; the former suggests that she liked to be called by this name rather than her own as it enabled her to maintain a professional relationship with her captain. The novel The Enterprise War describes her as having been raised in Illyrian colonies and thus, while not actually being Illyrian herself, having adapted much of that species' emotional self-control. Her actually being Illyrian and raised in an Illyrian colony was confirmed canon in SNW : " Ghosts of Illyria ".

In the novel Captain to Captain she is referred to as "Una". The novel explained that she had adopted the name Una as far back as her Academy days, due to her real name being all but impossible to pronounce. The name "Una" was also used in the Star Trek: Discovery novel Desperate Hours and was subsequently used in DIS : " Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 " and ST : " Q&A ".

Star Trek II: Biographies gives her real name as Leigh Hudec (after "M. Leigh Hudec", the name under which Majel Barrett was credited in The Cage ).

Peter David 's New Frontier series of novels had a character named "Morgan Primus" who was an immortal like Flint (from TOS : " Requiem for Methuselah ") and was the mother of Robin Lefler . It is hinted that she and Number One are the same person.

In the Captain's Table novel Where Sea Meets Sky , Number One was given the last name "Lefler" (an allusion to Robin Lefler ).

The early days of Number One were chronicled in the IDW Publishing miniseries Star Trek: Crew .

In the IDW Publishing comic Star Trek: Romulans - Schism , she is a commodore in command of the USS Yorktown testing the cloaking device stolen from the Romulans during the events of " The Enterprise Incident ". No name is mentioned.

In the miniseries Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor , Number One was promoted to admiral in the 2270s and continued to command the Yorktown .

In the first issue of the 2013 comic series Star Trek: New Visions , Kirk, Spock, and McCoy report to a commodore who is not named but is clearly Number One and Spock did say it was pleasant to see her again.

In Who's Who in Star Trek , Number One is said to have been descended from colonists on a planet inhabited by telepathic humanoids who are peaceful. She is described as having entered Starfleet after saving the life of Earth's leader when his shuttle crashed on her planet, he having waived all psychological and physical testing on her behalf. She is also described as having suffered severe injuries just prior to the end of Pike's tenure as captain of the Enterprise , forcing her to retire from exploration and become an instructor at Starfleet Academy .

External links [ ]

• Number One at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Morgan Primus at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Number One at Wikipedia
• 1 Daniels (Crewman)

'Star Trek: The Next Generation' Episodes Ranked

1. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The best of both worlds: part 1.

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The inner light.

3. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The measure of a man.

4. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Yesterday's enterprise.

5. Star Trek: The Next Generation

All good things....

6. Star Trek: The Next Generation

7. Star Trek: The Next Generation

8. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The best of both worlds: part 2.

9. Star Trek: The Next Generation

10. Star Trek: The Next Generation

11. Star Trek: The Next Generation

12. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The offspring.

13. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Cause and effect.

14. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Lower decks.

15. Star Trek: The Next Generation

16. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Elementary, dear data.

17. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The next phase.

18. Star Trek: The Next Generation

A matter of honor.

19. Star Trek: The Next Generation

20. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The defector.

21. Star Trek: The Next Generation

Where no one has gone before.

22. Star Trek: The Next Generation

23. Star Trek: The Next Generation

The big goodbye.

24. Star Trek: The Next Generation

25. Star Trek: The Next Generation

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Cast & Crew

Gene Roddenberry

Patrick Stewart

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Jonathan Frakes

Cmdr. William Riker

LeVar Burton

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Michael Dorn

Gates McFadden

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Why The Number 47 Is So Important In Star Trek: The Next Generation

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" kept the iconic sci-fi franchise firmly in the mainstream mind, with over 100 memorable episodes and multiple movies detailing the adventures of the Enterprise-D and her captain, Jean-Luc Picard. "The Next Generation" is nearly as iconic and influential as the original "Star Trek" and helped launch the careers of LeVar Burton and Patrick Stewart into household names. 

Eagle-eyed Trekkies undoubtedly noticed a strange pattern throughout the show — the number 47 and its variations appear frequently in dialogue and on-screen. On  Stack Exchange , one fan claims 47 is spoken in some form over 200 times throughout the show's run and also finds its way onto computer screens and visuals. Picard receives a bottle of wine from "47," an authorization code will be Alpha-4-7, and so on. Interestingly, this running easter egg can be traced to one of the show's writers and his alma mater's strange superstition surrounding the number.

47 comes from a college tradition

The connection between "The Next Generation" and 47 began with writer Joe Menosky, according to Marketplace . Starting in Season 4, Menosky began sneaking in the number 47 as a reference to a superstition from Pomona College in California, his alma mater. Pomona has a fascination with the number 47, calling it the "quintessential random number," and references are found throughout campus. Other writers picked up on the inside joke, and soon, 47s were seen in practically every episode.

References to 47 were not just limited to TNG, as Menosky was also a writer for "Star Trek: Voyager" (via Memory Alpha ). Along with some of the movies of this era, 47 found its way into "Deep Space 9," although the writing staff eventually grew tired of the joke and began to phase out the mysterious number. The number has seen a revival recently, however, appearing in the J.J Abrams "Star Trek" movies and the MMORPG "Star Trek Online." Indeed, 47 and "Star Trek" have become intertwined, going where no number has gone before.

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Star trek: why number one was cut from tos (& what her return means).

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After 57 Years, Star Trek Settles the Truth About Trelane's Godlike Species

Captain kirk's "death" proves a truly dark fact about star trek's entire universe, star trek expands lore surrounding mysterious tholians, revealing direct link to the gods.

Number One was cut from Star Trek: The Original Series after the first pilot, but the character is set to make a redeeming comeback in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds . Star Trek: The Original Series  aired from 1966 to 1969, and was the first show in what would eventually become the Star Trek franchise. TOS focused on Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise. However, Kirk and his crew were not part of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's earliest ideas for the show.

The original pilot episode for TOS , subsequently dubbed "The Cage," had an almost entirely different cast from the one that would come to make up the show. "The Cage" featured Christopher Pike as the captain of the Enterprise, with a crew that included Pike's female First Officer, Number One. Number One was the first of several  Star Trek  roles played by Majel Barrett , who at the time was Roddenberry's girlfriend and would later become Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. The character description from Number One described her as "mysterious" and possessing an "icy façade," with an extremely efficient work ethic and knowledge of the crew and vessel surpassing that of even the captain's.

Related: How Star Trek Would've Been Different With The Cage's Original Cast

Barrett-Roddenberry portrayed the character true to this description in "The Cage," but once the episode had been made, NBC rejected the pilot and cited Number One as one of the changes they wished Roddenberry to make to the show. There have been conflicting reports over the years about why NBC disliked Number One so much. Producer Robert Justman and Executive Herb Solow stated that it was because the network thought Barrett-Roddenberry was a weak actress, while Gene Roddenberry asserted that he had been told the idea of a female first officer wouldn't play well with audiences. This is something that was apparently born out in early audience tests of "The Cage," with female audience members responding more negatively to Number One than male audience members in a surprising twist.

Regardless of the truth, by the time Star Trek: The Original Series officially aired, Number One had been cut from the show entirely. Many of her characteristics ended up being given to the character of Spock, the only holdover character from the original pilot. As Star Trek fans will know, Barrett-Roddenberry went on to play Nurse Christine Chapel on TOS as well as a number of other characters throughout the franchise. These included Lwaxana Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation and the voice of the computer for several different series. She is also sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Star Trek " because of her marriage to Gene Roddenberry and her heavy involvement with the franchise.

Still, for many fans, it has always been a disappointment that Barrett-Roddenberry's original character was never given the chance to realize her full potential. Number One would have represented a step forward for women on television, precisely because she was so different from the feminine archetype of the 1960s. Unlike most female characters at the time, Number One was emotionally reserved, highly intelligent, and held a position of power over her male counterparts aboard the Enterprise . This is likely why she didn't play well with 1960s audiences, but for more modern audiences who are used to more dynamic and complex female characters, Number One seems ahead of her time

Fortunately for those fans who have always been curious about her, Number One has recently been given a chance at redemption. After making appearances in  Star Trek: Discovery and  Short Treks , she is slated to appear as part of the main cast on the upcoming Star Trek: Strange New Worlds . Now played by Rebecca Romjin, Number One's appearances in Discovery  season 2 demonstrated that Star Trek's creative team had fleshed out her character while still keeping the things that made her so originally intriguing. It seems that  Strange New Worlds will give fans a chance to find out what Number One could have become if she had been allowed to remain in Star Trek: The Original Series , and her return arguably acts as a tribute to Majel Barrett-Roddenberry and her legacy. Ultimately, Number One's upcoming return signals exciting things for the Star Trek franchise.

More:  Star Trek: Every Captain's First Ship (& How They Earned Command)

• SR Originals
• Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)

“It was a move to sabotage my career”: Wil Wheaton’s Career Would’ve Hit the Doldrums Had He Listened to a Cheating Star Trek: The Next Generation Producer

W il Wheaton is known for starring in the iconic Star Trek franchise in the role of Wesley Crusher in the iconic 1987 series Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, the actor revealed that some of the people were not honest with him, which could have potentially ruined his career!

Starring in the iconic series, Wheaton found worldwide fame for his portrayal of Crusher. When he joined another movie, one of the producers of the series straight up lied to Wheaton that they needed him on an urgent basis!

Wil Wheaton Found Another Opportunity

After the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation ended, Wil Wheaton got the amazing opportunity to work with notable director Miloš Forman in Valmont.

With the production of the next season some months away, Wheaton agreed to star in the film and was quite excited about the opportunity. According to the book The Fifty-Year Mission , Wil Wheaton revealed that the shooting of Valmont would end when the next season of Star Trek: The Next Generation would be in its first week of production.

“There’s really an infinite number of stories to tell”: The Strict Rule Star Trek Must Follow May Help Avoid Dumpster Fires Like ‘Discovery’

Since they were shooting out of order, Wil Wheaton wasn’t worried since he had no scenes in that particular episode that they were shooting. However, things weren’t quite as simple as they seemed.

The shooting schedule for that movie would have run over into the first week of production on ‘Next Generation,’ which wasn’t going to be a problem because, for whatever reason, we were shooting that season out-of-order and we were shooting the second episode first.

Things took a turn for the worse for Wil Wheaton when one of the producers of Star Trek: The Next Generation called his agent and said that the episode was Wheaton-centric!

One of the producers told my agent that they could not write me out of that episode because it was a Wesley-focused episode, and I couldn’t go work for Miloš Forman in Paris.

While stating that the episode would focus on Wesley Crusher and his relationship with his mother, the producer stated that the scene was very important to the series.

Star Trek Fans May Never Forgive What Gene Roddenberry Did to Marina Sirtis’ Deanna Troi: “When the cleavage came, I became… like a potted palm on the bridge”

The producer stated that it was of paramount importance that Wheaton abandon his project with Miloš Forman and join the production of Star Trek: The Next Generation . However, it wasn’t the truth.

Wil Wheaton Was Lied To By One of The Producers!

As the discussion further continued, Wil Wheaton revealed that he was completely heartbroken by the recent update. Stating that he had found an amazing opportunity to work with Miloš Forman, Wheaton revealed that it was devastating for him.

Wheaton had ultimately no choice but to drop out of that project and rejoin the production of the next season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, the actor revealed that another tragedy was awaiting him.

I was really upset, because I was excited to have the opportunity to work with this amazing director in an amazing movie and in an amazing role that I thought really would have solidified my credentials as a young actor. I was really disappointed.

A few days before they began production on the next season of the series, Wil Wheaton’s character of Wesley Crusher was completely written out of the episode!

A few days before we began production on that season of ‘Next Generation,’ this producer wrote me out of the script entirely, and it was appalling to me. The message was very clear — we own you — and it was a move to sabotage my career.

The actor further continued that years down the line, Marina Sirtis (actress) told him that if he had done the film, he would have been a bigger star than they could have handled!

Beloved Star Trek Actors Who Still Regret The Day They Said Yes To This Franchise

Wheaton learned an important lesson that not everyone is what they seem to be but he ultimately let it go.

Known for his iconic portrayal as Wesley Crusher, Wil Wheaton can be seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation which is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.

Follow us for more entertainment coverage on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Instagram , and  YouTube .

Why Wasn't Admiral Janeway in Star Trek: Picard?

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Picard showrunner terry matalas wanted admiral janeway in picard season 3, admiral janeway is already appearing in star trek: prodigy, did star trek: picard suffer because admiral janeway didn't appear, could star trek make a janeway series like the one centered on picard.

The third wave of Star Trek series have tried to strike a balance between telling new stories with new characters and honoring the legacy figures from the universe originally created by Gene Roddenberry. Star Trek: Picard brought back characters from both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager , but Admiral Kathryn Janeway never appeared. She was mentioned a number of times, and the character appears in the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy . Still, while Picard producers wanted to bring Kate Mulgrew back as Janeway, a combination of real-world factors prevented it. Outside of her cameo appearance in Star Trek: Nemesis , Admiral Janeway and then-Captain Picard didn't have an established relationship.

Of all the past characters from Star Trek 's second wave to appear in Picard , Janeway wasn't originally one fans expected. However, the inclusion of Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine in all three seasons of Picard made it seem like only a matter of time before Seven's first captain showed up. Yet, it never happened. Instead, Janeway is mentioned a few times by characters in passing, establishing only that she's still alive and has a continued relationship with her former crew. Simply put, Janeway only gets mentioned because both time and budgetary limitations meant a cameo appearance wasn't possible. There is also the fact that Janeway was appearing on Star Trek: Prodigy , which was airing its first season when Picard Season 3 was filming. There was likely a sense that using Janeway in the 25th Century story in Picard might undercut the 24th Century adventure in Prodigy .

Star Trek: Picard Showrunner Joins Remake of 1980s Sci-Fi Film

Terry Matalas' next project will reimagine a sci-fi classic from 1985.

A veteran of the second-wave series, Terry Matalas helmed Picard Season 3 as both showrunner and fan. In the final episodes, Starfleet gathers all its ships near Earth to celebrate Frontier Day, the launch of the first warp-five ship as seen in Star Trek: Enterprise . Not only was Janeway considered for a cameo, but so was Garrett Wang's Harry Kim and other Star Trek legacy characters from other series.

"I would have had as many as we could get. I would have made that Star Trek Avengers: Endgame . I would have made Frontier Day with many ships… I would have Kira [Nerys from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ] there, even if all you get is a bridge shot. But all of that is very expensive. We were already way too ambitious," Matalas said via TrekMovie.com . In the same interview, he revealed Paramount was skeptical the show could pull off what was scripted based on the budget and schedule.

One of the best moments in Picard Season 3 is when Tim Russ's Tuvok denies Seven of Nine's resignation because she is being promoted to captain. Matalas originally wanted Admiral Janeway there to do it. They "couldn't afford Kate even if we wanted," he said, adding that making that scene Janeway's Picard debut could've made the scene more about her than Seven's journey from Starfleet outcast to captain of the USS Enterprise-G.

Why Wesley Crusher Left Star Trek, and Why He Came Back

Wil Wheaton's Wesley Crusher disappeared from Star Trek: The Next Generation, but he came back for select episodes, movies, and Picard. Here's why.

While Star Trek: Picard offered fans a sequel story to Voyager for Seven of Nine, the universe's animated series for all ages does that, too. Star Trek: Prodigy is essentially a Voyager sequel , especially in Season 2, because the characters are traveling on the USS Voyager-A. Janeway appears both as a holographic training program on the (now destroyed) USS Protostar, and the very human Vice Admiral Janeway is also a regular character. In fact, that Prodigy introduced the next ship to bear the name "Voyager" helps explain why some of Picard 's returns didn't happen.

The inclusion of Harry Kim would've promoted Star Trek 's "forever ensign" to the captain of the USS Voyager-B, according to Matalas. Had this happened, it would've stepped on the toes of Prodigy 's toes by putting an expiration date on their new hero ship. Also, if Prodigy wanted to bring in Kim's character, they would be pigeon-holed into ensuring he ended up where Picard 's storytellers put him. While the mere mention of Janeway means she survives whatever Prodigy throws at her, that's really all fans know.

Janeway is alive and still a high-ranking admiral in Starfleet, but beyond that, anything is possible. She could be in the 25th Century version of one of those Christopher Pike life support units. While it would've warmed the hearts of all Star Trek fans to see Janeway and Seven (as well as Kate Mulgrew and Ryan) on screen together again, it limited what Prodigy could do with the character. Prodigy's showrunners want seven seasons of adventures (and then feature films). Keeping Janeway out of Picard gives them maximum freedom to tell their story and imperil Vice Admiral Janeway .

Every Episode of Star Trek: Picard Season 2, Ranked

Star Trek: Picard Season 2 was a varied and emotionally heavy season, and here's how critics and fans ranked each episode in the time-travel saga.

On one hand, the lack of any appearance by Admiral Janeway feels like how Supergirl Season 1 treated Superman . The storytellers want to ensure audiences understand the character is around and has a close, important relationship with characters in the show. However, because the actor couldn't appear, that has to be done through dialogue exclusively. It has the unfortunate side effect of making Janeway feel distant or even uncaring. After all, Tuvok was kidnapped by Changelings, and Seven of Nine was on-the-run with her supposed friend and fellow admiral, Jean-Luc Picard.

Just as it stretched suspension of disbelief that Superman didn't fly over to help his cousin, Janeway was notable for her absence. However, a Star Trek captain who led a series is a powerful figure in the mythology of this universe. Matalas is correct that if Admiral Janeway showed up to promote Seven of Nine, her presence would've overtaken the scene . Just by nature, viewers would be more focused on the return of the beloved Voyager captain than the series regular who just helped save Earth from the Borg. Tuvok doesn't dominate the moment, in large part because he is unemotional. It allows all the feeling in that scene to come from Seven of Nine.

Their shared history on Voyager is nonetheless relevant, and it's still meaningful her promotion comes from a member of that family. Yet, Tuvok and Seven were peers on the ship, despite Seven holding no actual rank. The dynamic between Seven and Janeway was too big for just one scene. Even if Mulgrew was able to deliver a performance that kept Seven's experience in the spotlight, it simply wouldn't be enough to do justice to that reunion. A reunion could still happen in Prodigy , or it could happen if Star Trek: Legacy ever happens at Paramount . Picard wasn't the right venue for it, at least not if the Janeway appearance was a cameo.

'Keep Being Noisy': Picard Star Provides Star Trek: Legacy Update

Star Trek: Picard's Ed Speleers shares how fans can help get Paramount to greenlight the proposed sequel spinoff series, Star Trek: Legacy.

Despite shows like Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Lower Decks ending, the universe still spins on. Starfleet Academy is the next series coming to Paramount+, and Strange New Worlds is still going, too. If Prodigy does well for Netflix, the streamer could order a third season of the show (or more). In fact, for those who want a Janeway series, Star Trek: Prodigy is a must-watch show. Vice Admiral Janeway is a central figure in Season 2, and her guidance is crucial to shaping the new cast of characters into bona fide Star Trek heroes. However, when it comes to this universe, fans should learn to never say "never."

There were apparently already talks for a Janeway spinoff series , according to Kate Mulgrew . As Paramount deals with economic realities, there is a limit on how many ongoing projects the studio can support. Yet, given the success of Picard , it is not inconceivable that a series centered on Admiral Kathryn Janeway could happen in the future. However, with a mini- Voyager reunion already happening on Prodigy , a live action series might not be what fans expect. After all, despite the near-universal praise for Picard Season 3, its first two seasons were less warmly received as actor Patrick Stewart wanted to do something new. Mulgrew might similarly want a live-action return to look forward for the character rather than backwards .

Still, Star Trek: Prodigy is an excellent series to tide Janeway fans over, because the character appears (in one form or another) in every single episode. Robert Beltran reprised his role as Chakotay for Season 1, and he returns along with Robert Picardo's holographic Doctor in Season 2 . While the target audience for Prodigy is younger viewers and their families, the story serves all Star Trek fans, especially those who want more Kathryn Janeway.

Star Trek: Picard streams on Paramount+, while Star Trek: Prodigy Seasons 1 and 2 stream in their entirety on Netflix as of July 1, 2024.

Star Trek: Picard

Retired Admiral Jean-Luc Picard is drawn back into action when a mysterious young woman seeks his help, triggering a journey that leads him to confront the ghosts of his past. As he assembles a new crew to uncover the truth behind a dangerous conspiracy, Picard navigates a galaxy that has changed significantly since his days aboard the Enterprise.