Star Trek: Strange New Worldshas yet to introduce the iconicStar Trek: The Original Seriescharacter,Hikaru Suku, who could be the perfect rival for Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia). As a prequel toTOS, Strange New Worldshas introduced updated versions of beloved characters alongside some great new faces. From Celia Rose Gooding’s Lt. Nyota Uhura to Christina Chong’s Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh,Strange New Worldshas done an excellent job castingStar Trekcharacters both old and new.
While severalcharacters fromStar Trek: The Original Serieshave already appeared onStrange New Worlds, a couple of the biggest names have yet to debut.Lt. Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) was a key part of Captain James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) Starship Enterprise crew from the beginningand became most well-known as the ship’s pilot. Sulu was initially conceived as a physicist and wore science division blue, but he soon took on the role of helmsman and began wearing command gold. Sulu has yet to pop up onStrange New Worlds,but he would make an excellent rival for Pike’s USS Enterprise pilot, Lt. Ortegas.
Why Sulu Would Be The Perfect Rival For Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Ortegas
These Two Star Trek Pilots Would Make A Great Rivalry
Mr. Sulu filled many different roles throughout hisStar Trekcareer, but he was best known for being a highly skilled pilot. Sulu was also a swashbuckler at heart, and a rivalry with Ortegas would likely bring out his competitive side. Not only is Ortegas one of thebest pilots in Starfleet, butshe also has a competitive spirit and enjoys performing difficult flight maneuvers.Erica has not gotten as much character development onStrange New Worldsas some of her friends aboard the USS Enterprise, and a rivalry with a new hotshot pilot would allow the show to explore more about her.
Star Trek’s Mr. Sulu History In TOS, Movies & Beyond Explained
Since his introduction in Star Trek: The Original Series, Hikaru Sulu has had a long and varied career in the franchise, appearing in many projects.
Sulu and Ortegas are both fun characters, and it would be incredibly entertaining watching them compete with one another to see who is the better starship pilot. From serving on the USS Enterprise to commanding the USS Excelsior,Sulu has one ofStar Trek’smost impressive and celebrated careers.Despite this, not much has been revealed about his life before the Enterprise.Strange New Worldshas the opportunity to dive into Sulu’s backstory, perhaps showing him as the helmsman of another Starfleet ship, such as the USS Farragut alongside Lieutenant James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley).
Sulu Is One Of Only 2 Star Trek: TOS Icons Missing From Strange New Worlds
Dr. McCoy Has Not Yet Appeared On Strange New Worlds, Either
Sulu is not the onlyStar Trek: The Original Seriesmain character who has yet to make an appearance onStrange New Worlds. WhilePaul Wesley and Ethan Peck have brought new life to Kirk and Spock,the third member ofStar Trek’sclassic trio has not yet been cast. DeForest Kelley remains the onlyactor to have portrayed Dr. Leonard McCoyinStar Trek’sPrime Universe, and it remains to be seen whether the character will pop up onStrange New Worlds.
Karl Urban perfectly embodied Dr. Leonard McCoy in the Kelvin Timeline of J.J. Abrams’Star Trekmovies.
AsStrange New Worlds’timeline moves closer and closer to the beginning ofStar Trek: The Original Series,it seems inevitable that Sulu and Bones will appear.Star Trekhas revealed a few hints about Dr. McCoy’s life before the Starship Enterprise, butStrange New Worldscould explore more about his early Starfleet days. Whether or not Sulu or McCoy become major characters onStar Trek: Strange New Worlds,they should make at least a cameo appearance before the series comes to an end, and Sulu vs. Ortegas would be natural rivals.
