Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 1 Finale - "A Quality of Mercy"
Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) is arrested in Una is an Illyrian and genetic modification is practiced by her people. Una lied about being an Augment to get into Starfleet but her deception was finally discovered, which led to her arrest in Strange New Worlds' finale cliffhanger. What will this mean for Una's future and will she be permanently replaced as the Starship Enterprise's Number One in Strange New Worlds season 2?
Una Chin-Riley has a reputation as the best First Officer in Starfleet, and Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) agrees. Una has been Number One on the USS Enterprise for years, and she is respected by the entire crew. (Although, the crew also gave the by-the-book Una the unflattering nickname "Where Fun Goes To Die.") However, Strange New Worlds season 1 hasn't spotlighted Una as expected. With the exception of episode 3, "Ghosts of Illyria," which explained Number One's heretofore unknown backstory, Una has played more of a ing role overall. In fact, Una has been replaced twice as Number One in Strange New Worlds season 1 by Lt. La'an Noonien Singh (Christina Chong), Una's friend and protege. La'an served as Acting Number One in Strange New Worlds' premiere to rescue Una from Riley 279, and Noonien Singh became First Officer again when Una was injured by the Gorn in episode 4, "Memento Mori."
Related: Pike Avoids Kirk's Biggest Captain Mistake In Strange New Worlds
Una's Illyrian storyline is certainly compelling and relevant but it is curious that she keeps getting replaced as Number One in Strange New Worlds. Being the best First Officer in Starfleet - literally 'Number One' - is Una's entire reason for being, and she is indeed phenomenal in her role. Yet Una's arrest at the end of Strange New Worlds' season 1 finale means that she will be replaced as Number One yet again. Indeed, Strange New Worlds has given more of a spotlight to new characters like La'an, who has stepped in for Una as Number One twice already. Further, as Pike's "Balance of Terror" future indicated, Una could be sent to a penal colony for years with no outside , so the Enterprise's next Number One could have the job permanently.
Will Spock Become Pike's New First Officer In Strange New Worlds Season 2?
With Una hailed off in irons by Captain Batel (Melanie Scrofano), Captain Pike and the USS Enterprise will need a new Number One. The logical replacement is Star Trek: The Original Series. Indeed, in the alternate "Balance of Terror" future Pike lived through in Strange New Worlds' season 1 finale, Spock replaced Una as the Enterprise's First Officer. However, La'an could return to the Enterprise and take over as Number One again in Strange New Worlds season 2. La'an has already proven she's a capable First Officer, although Noonien Singh is currently decommissioned and looking to reunite a young victim of the Gorn with her family.
Another possibility is that Starfleet will assign someone new to the Enterprise to replace Una as Number One. It would be fascinating if that character is James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley). Kirk appeared in Pike's "Balance of Terror" future as the Captain of the USS Farragut, but in Strange New Worlds' present-day circa 2259, Jim is still a Lieutenant. The younger Kirk could be transferred to become Pike's First Officer, allowing Jim to meet his future best friend, Spock, and to begin his transition as the future Captain of the Enterprise. If and how Una returns to the Enterprise as Number One in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 remains to be seen, and it will be interesting to see how long Una's trial will last and what it will ultimately mean for other genetically-engineered people in the galaxy.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 premieres in 2o23 on Paramount+.