When Does Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Fit in the Star Trek Timeline?
The question of where Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (SNW) fits in the broader Star Trek timeline has been a topic of much discussion among fans. The series presents a complex narrative that intersects with other canonical Star Trek episodes and series. This article aims to clarify the timeline and explore how SNW fits into the Star Trek universe.
Chronology and Context
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set between the events of Star Trek Discovery Season 2 and the original Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS). Specifically, it takes place prior to Captain Pike's tenure as the starship's commanding officer in TOS, which is introduced in the first-season episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before."
Why It's Before The Original Series
The series Strange New Worlds is indeed set before the original series, primarily because the events involving Captain Christopher Pike and the Enterprise crew occur after Discovery Season 2. Captain Pike is portrayed by Anson Mount, and he has already experienced several events that would impact his future, including his brief command of the Enterprise and his encounter with a Klingon time crystal.
Confusing Timeline: The Original Series and Its Pilot
However, there's an interesting twist. The original pilot episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, "The Cage," features Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike and Mere Barrett as Number One. This episode was later reworked into the pilot "The Menagerie," but it contains elements that remain key to the series. The historians among you might argue that bits from "The Cage" can be considered part of the Star Trek: The Original Series.
There are two timelines to consider:
Timeline 1: SNW is set after the events of Discovery Season 2 and before Captain Pike's first command in the original Star Trek. Timeline 2: If you include "The Cage" as part of the original series, SNW could be set before "The Cage" and potentially even before "Where No Man Has Gone Before."The Time Travel Element
Another element to consider is the time travel aspect of Star Trek. The Original Series episodes like "Assignment: Earth" introduce characters traveling through time, further blurring the lines on chronology. If one includes these events as part of the Original Series, then SNW could technically be the earliest series in the mainline timeline of Star Trek.
Role of Captain Pike and the Enterprise in SNW
In Strange New Worlds, Anson Mount's Pike is seen briefly as the commanding officer of the Discovery during its mission to the Binary Stars. This defines the timeline for SNW. The series focuses on the adventures of the Pike-led Enterprise as it prepares for future missions and explores new worlds. The events in this series are, therefore, set before the events in The Original Series, but after the events of Discovery Season 2.
Conclusion
The placement of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds within the Star Trek timeline is a nuanced topic that can vary based on one's interpretation of how the original Star Trek pilot fits into the canon. Fans and scholars often debate whether "The Cage" should be considered part of the original series or a separate entity. Regardless, Strange New Worlds clearly predates The Original Series as it deals with events that occur before Captain Pike's encounter with Number One and his placement in a life support chair.
As with many aspects of fan works and the expansive Star Trek universe, the timeline remains a topic of discussion and interpretation. It's a testament to the rich and complex storylines that fans and creators continue to explore and debate.