The thing I love about this episode is that it doesn't throw Pike under the bus in favor of Kirk. Each decision Pike makes throughout the episode and his overall more reserved approach has logical reasons behind it, the overall result just happens to be war with the Romulans. A lesser show would have just had Pike be incompetant and Kirk come in, be super awesome and know exactly what to do. But here the point wasn't that the situation needed a "better" captain, just a different captain.

I can see how Spock and Pike on the last scene sets the stage of why Spock was willing to throw his entire career to transport Pike to Talos IV later on the timeline.

I like how they treated the Wrath of Khan uniform style with more respect than most episodes of TNG did.

Great scene in a great episode. My two favorite bits: when Older Pike realizes Kirk's about to come in and says "Oh yeah," remembering fondly what's about to happen, and then Pike's brilliant, funny-in-context line of "Just talking to myself."

It's admirable to see someone who can face his dreadful fate with dignity.

"Now, your father was captain of a Starship for 12 minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your mother's and yours, I dare you to do better." - Kelvin Timeline Pike

My favorite Kirk line ever is: "No. I'm from Iowa. I work in outer space." It grounds the viewer and reminds them that these characters are part of a real place.

It's interesting to see a more subdued version of Kirk. It's easy to forget that Shatner's portrayal of him was meant to be well into his career. He's gained confidence, he's gotten used to being looked up to, and he's in the prime of his career. Paul Wesley's Kirk is a younger, less sure of himself Kirk. He hasn't developed that swagger yet because he doesn't have the experience it takes to be that comfortable in the captain's chair. I hope we continue to see this version of Kirk slowly evolve into the self-assured, larger-than-life character he would become.

Just gotta point this out. The divergent point between the Kelvin timeline and Prime timeline isn't that George Kirk served on the Kelvin. It's that the Narada went back in time and was used to destroy the Kelvin and kill George Kirk. So in both timelines, George Kirk served on the Kelvin. That fact alone is not indicative of either timeline.

This show was so good. Made me feel passionate about Star Trek again like I was as a kid.

I like the small chuckle and "oh, yeah" from Adm. Pike when Kirk comes. Something about that feels very reminiscent, like a fond remembrance, whether of a simpler time or the start of a new friendship.

Even Pike can't take his own dad jokes.

This whole episode is brilliant, I love the end conversation between Pike and Spock. It really reveals why Spock would risk his career to bring Pike to Talos.

I wonder if these events are what inspires Pike, when offered a promotion to Fleet Captain, to recommend Kirk as his successor as captain of the Enterprise?

In Balance of Terror, Kirk didn't wait for Starfleet to tell him what to do. He immediately started chasing the Romulan ship after sending off a report to Starfleet. At the end of the episode, a reply comes back from Starfleet saying "Do what you have to do." If Starfleet had come back and told him not to engage, he would have been screwed.

I love the final scene with Pike and Spock. The emotions that are conveyed in their body language and few words spoken is amazing. The music too delivers it well

Liked that in this timeline, George Kirk (Sam and Jim Kirk's father) served in the Kelvin "before moving to..." they made sure to put that in the captions when Jim was telling Pike about his dad. That means that in THIS timeline, George Kirk didn't die in the Kelvin and, as we all know, in the prime timeline, he survives to see Jim Kirk take command of the Enterprise. These writers are en pointe... Nice.

Pike and Spock were very good friends. After serving together for 11 years, they developed a bond akin to being brothers. After the accident that crippled Pike, Spock was the one to take him to the transporters to let his friend and surrogate brother live the rest of his days in relative peace. In this instance, Pike was mulling about trying to avoid being crippled, but saw Spock be the one get hurt instead. He couldn't let Spock take his place. He saw dark times without Spock there. Each person in the timeline had a role to play, and Pike knew that his role wasn't to be on the Enterprise forever.

I wrote this elsewhere, but the thing that makes Wesley's performance work is that the character of Kirk isn't written for laughs. He's written exactly how he's portrayed in the original show: as a top-tier officer, tactical genius and natural leader, and deadly serious where ship, crew, and Federation are concerned. I've not liked any of the new ST stuff, unfortunately even Picard, but credit to Strange New Worlds for slowly winning me over. Their willingness to understand and emulate what made the original series work is what makes this show work, with its various modern twists.

This show vastly surpassed my expectations and Mount's Pike is already a classic Trek captain. It's great to see a show portray a positive male role. All credit to everyone involved in this season.

I find it funny that - in the Kelvin timeline - Pike is Kirk's father figure... but in the prime timeline he's the father to Spock that Sarek couldn't be It's a very well done dynamic

My soul is satisfied. I saw why the best first officer in Starfleet stole a UFP queen of the line starship: so his friend could live in peace.

I really like Pike's version of the "movie era" uniforms. I'm not super into Star Trek cosplay, but I think I need one.

2:47 - I can live with it... ... ... ... ... I *can* live with it

I love how fucking smart they allow Spock to be in this series.

Absolutely loved this episode, there were so many good moments that hit me in the nostalgia feels. I loved them bringing back TOS movie uniform, the spock eyebrow raise moment, the setting for the episode(almost immediately realized what episode this corresponded to in TOS), and the conversation between kirk n pike.

I absolutely love the connections made, that help to explain a lot of the Trek history and timelines. Love this series.

An amazing episode, Pike actually said Enterprise will be lucky to have you as their captain.

Kirk's greatest strengths was his warrior nature and his improvisation. He would take the risks most men wouldn't and he was come up with unique solutions that helped defy the odds against success.

Love the seamless moments between characters, ... great acting, dialogue and story.

And now we know the basis on which Spock transports Pike to Talos IV... nicely done SNW.

The fleshing out of characters in the show is off the charts.

Spock discovers the importance of friendship with PIke and then strengthens it with Jim

So, I have three things to say about this episode. One, I was surprised and relieved with how they handled the role of Kirk in this episode. He's not supposed to be the kirk we know from TOS or the TMP era films. Two, I love that they mention the Kelvin as being the ship Kirk's dad served on. Three, I have to say it's eerie how Pike was willing to give his life to save Spock, and yet both of them essentially die due to being exposed to warp field radiation (or delta rays) from being in close proximity to damaged warp cores (even though we never actually see Pike die in the prime timeline, I imagine he would have died due to complications from his injuries).

I have a feeling Spock is going to take a trip to Talos IV to set the stage for the events of The Menagerie at some point. He'll advise the Talosians about Pike's future and that they will be prepared for everything

I've watched "Quality of Mercy" three times(that's sad isn't it?) and it's amazing how fast Wesley's Kirk grows on you. He can act, that's not an issue. And being a supporting character in someone else's show doesn't give you a lot of options for establishing yourself the way you would with episodes you're the star of week after week. I think he's fine, a little 50's geeky. He reminds me of Dick York who played Darrin on "Bewitched".

Picard was one i grew up with.. I love Picard, Mon Capitan. Sisko.. such a badass. Janeway got her people home and shared her torpedo tech I hope. Archer dared to be bold in a strange new world. Kirk was lucky, but also so damn brave and great with it.. Always entertained us. But Pike... Damn it Captain Pike is the BEST Captain.

I believe that Pike knew that Kirk would eventually succeed him as Captain of the Enterprise and sensed that Uhura would find where she belongs. RIP Nichelle Nichols.

i totally just got chocked up and a few tears when he said "You are very important to me." I've never heard that in my life.

Have not seen the whole episodes, just the UKposts clips and this one made me quite emotional. Subtle performances and dialogue syncing perfectly. Bravo Strange New Worlds.

They both experienced being in multiple timelines , yet can't speak about em, unless altering the time line they're currently on...what trippy conversation...😬😳🤯

Lot of negative comments I've seen so far on Paul Wesley's Kirk. Honestly, he was fine. No actor is ever in a great position to play the role because people either think you aren't doing enough Shatner or overdoing it. Important to remember this is a different Kirk. Different ship, different crew and he hasn't had Spock and McCoy with him for any period of time either (I've always thought those two at his back gave him more swagger/bravado because he essentially was confident in his counsel). I'll reserve more judgement when we see more of Wesley in season two as a younger version of Kirk. That's kinda what this came off to me as even though they essentially asked him to play mature Kirk from the TOS era and an all-time classic episode (again, tough ask to start with when you're main role moving forward will be to establish a version of the character we've as yet not seen).

Something that older Pike said made me think. He said that in every other eventual outcome Spock died (presumably at any time in the future) but in this episode there was a lot of emphasis on Pike analysing Kirk, like Kirk was being tested. Did older Pike know that Kirk and Spock would become friends and Kirk would take his regenerated body back to Vulcan and re-unite his Katra with his body, thus eventually saving Spock. Was younger Pike's mission this episode just to set the course for things to come and eventually unite Kirk and Spock thus saving himself and Spock in the that future. Pike's eventual evaluation of Kirk is that he could command the Enterprise when Pike took a desk job, I mean he must be pondering Kirk's future in the scene as Spock walks in towards the end, he has his file on screen.

In Anson Mount we have another iconic Captain. Genius casting choice. He IS Captain Pike.

I still remember watching this I thought to myself this was from the scenes beginning to end the best I have seen from strange new worlds

Spock: "I believe I may owe you a debt of gratitude, Captain..." Pike (in Picard's voice): *"YOU'RE DAMMED RIGHT!"*

This Kirk + Pike = best modern Trek.

Yup, had to check. Kirk's serial number is the same as mentioned in TOS "Court Martial". Lifelong trekkies really appreciate little bits like that.

Wonderful episode! Star Trek has mostly hit the mark with What If shows. Like Star Trek TNG Yesterday’s Enterprise to many others.

Honestly, Wesley was okay as Kirk. I think in time, he'll grow into the role.

The actor that plays kirk is great the entire cast is great, the writing is great i wish they would have said its an alternate time line which would explain the look...... it erks me but the acting from all the actors are awesome..

Paul Wesley clearly doesn’t look or sound like Shatner and that’s fine. But he doesn’t have the presence as an actor to convince you that he could lead several hundred people. That becomes more obvious when he’s standing next to Anson Mount, who makes Wesley look like a junior officer. I do like that this scene clearly establishes why Spock is willing to risk his own future to help Pike return to Talos. He knows Pike saved him.

The actor playing Captain Kirk looks more like a young Dr. McCoy. He doesn't seem to have much screen presence like the last two actors who played Kirk.

This is, nuance. I can love the Kelvin, Pike, too.

Finally some good Star Trek. Very good scene. 🙏🏻🤘🏻🖖🏻

FINALLY, Trek that's Trek ! Anson Mount , Ethan Peck, and everybody made this entire season work. Oh, and sailingmaster is right - THIS is the universe George Kirk lived and raised his boys, and yeah, he served on the Kelvin, but didn't die on it.

Love the soundtrack in this scene. Pike learns fate can be kind as well as cruel. Kirk will cheat death for a chance to live cause he believes every problem can have a favorable solution. Spock is the bridge between two worlds. 🙂

I was about to wonder about how strange the TWOK-Uniform looks but then I noticed the Shoulderparts and realized this isn’t even supposed to be the exact same design.

This scene gets me in the feels. Good acting and writing here IMO.

I believe that captain Kirk final dialogue was "my father George was first officer on the Kelvin before moving to Tarsus" If that's so, does that mean that in this universe his parents were killed on Tarsus IV? TOS never admitted that fact, but I always assumed that was what happened

The facial expressions of the actor playing Pike really remind me of Shatner’s Kirk and Wesley(especially in the thumbnail for this clip) looks like Darin from Bewitched

How loyalty crosses species, times, events, we may never know. But Spock's unwavering loyalty to both the truth, and those he serves with, truly make the words T'Pring once told him all the more relevanr: "You are known among our people, almost a legend. I did not want to be the consort of a legend." So even T'Pring realized Spock's importance and chose a more "Salt of Vulcan" type in Stonn. But Spock truly became one of the Federation's finest minds. And truly earned the moniker of "legend".

Love the fact that Pike's quarters are about the size of the Recreation Deck on the Enterprise in the Motion Picture

I like the music. So thematic but understated.

It's a very tricky task to play Kirk without succumbing to the temptation to parody Shatner, but this version is excellent

You know, I love Star Trek. And I love the first one, The Original Series (TOS), the one made in the 60s. The visuals we're horrible, ridicolous sometimes, nearly cartoonish, but the stories were great. Well written, compact sci fi tales that kept you watching and ignore the fact that you've already seen that scenario 12 times before in 12 previous episodes, or the fact that you see the ship's wires. And I love Shatner's Kirk (it's even weird say "Shatner's Kirk"). I kept rewatching the entire series from time to time. With that said, that someone thinks into doing a remake of Kirk's adventures, it's something I not only understand, but I even find that idea exciting. It gives me hype to think into those stories I loved so much told again with a 2022 persepective, and the visuals today's technology can bring, detailed, action thrilled shootings with unknow, terrifyng aliens, wit and will competitions with cosmic forces of unfathomable power, space dogfights done with incredible CGI media. Imagine the Wrath of Khan done with 2022 visual tech. And I like this James T. Kirk very much. This actor has done Kirk's persona his own instead of imitate Shatner's performance. He's not Shatner, he doesn't have to. Same with Spock, I like this Spock. A lot. The thing is, this series is proof that a Star Trek TOS remake can be done for younger generations (I'm saying like I'm 50 years old, while I'm in my earlies 30s) to watch and enjoy. And can be done very well, trying to bring both new and old together. Nostalgia isn't the reason I say, said and will always say, Abraham's movies were a mess, a mediocre, souless corporate garbage. It was because... Well, they were written for what it seems to be a cocaine addicted psychotic monkey with a fetish for lens flares. This show is proof a remake of TOS can be made without insulting every single trekker's memory. I love the feeling to be excited for Star Trek's next week episode, or next season, or whatever. And frakly, yes, there are some mistakes made that contradict trek's canon universe. But I don't care. This show is fantastic.

stefan really broadened his horizons, more so with his hairstyle and severe lack of brooding than anything else lol

a 56 year old puzzle, finally comes together 1966-2022, now that's crazy, well if you live long enough you find the answer

I think Kirk's line about his father affirmed SNW is in the non- Kelvin timeline. Tarsus is where TOS Kirk was living with his father, who lived beyond his birth.

I cannot find/see the series. Hence, these 4-5 minute pieces on UKposts let me see how the writing for this series just keeps on getting better and better! 🖖🏿

I see that Kirk doesn't have Stefan Salvatore's "Hero Hair"😉😁.

We see 3 captains of the USS Enterprise. Even Spock gets to become a captain eventually.

"no, really. I'm just... talking to myself" peak pike

Kirk looks and sounds like a young Jim Carrey trying his best to do a serious take on Kirk.

This Spock… Chef’s kiss. Perfection

Nice to see my favorite Starfleet uniform again.

Pike looks more to me like Kirk than Kirk.

Chris has no idea HOW important he is to Spock at this moment. Spock will break Federation law and court the death penalty for Chris in the future.

Love this show. ❤️

"I'm just talking to myself..." ROFL

Fate is fate no matter which way you turn it is always there to meet you.

The writing here is some of the best in all of star trek

He doesn’t just sound like Nimoy, he just has his cadence & essence down

What performances… 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I really did love this episode and i love both seasons so far it really makes you feel for Pike and it make the episodes in TOS where Spock comits mutiny much more better as it shows spock showing his captain debt of gratitude by taking him to Talos 4

Up until I started watching Fan films I very much doubted anyone else could play Kirk other than William Shatner. Now I look forward to see other actors portray these characters just to see how they interpret them.

I absolutely love the sets. The openness of them is spectacular. This is what you hope for the future. Not the closet spaces of TOS or even TNG. At first, I wasn't really happy about the Quantum Disregard for Trek Canon. But I do believe Gene and the others are very content with this continuation of their voyages. I know I am. 🖖

Captain Pike will always be one of the greatest Captains in starfleet. The sacrifices he made knowing what would happen if he didn’t make certain decisions and still made them with the knowledge of what awaited him is a level of courage few would have.

This is easy why both captains were different. Kirk knew the rule bend them most of the time. Pike knew the rules only bend them when it was no other choice. Pike great quality during peace time. Kirk great quality all the time. Why when the poop hits the fan rules most of the time get in the way. Out of the box thinking almost always wins

well. Ya tried for Kirk. Ya got Darren from Bewitched. Lol

Shatner and Nirmoy who play most Icon sifi character ever can never be replace , However Am glad the TOS still around .

Thats why Pike was given a choice to choose, its either him or spock, which means spock is an important character, not just being the best in starfleet and being the best officer at the enterprise but also the character that created the split in parallel timeline from the prime timeline also known as the kelvin timeline. So if Pike saves himself and the cadets and in result the death of spock, the kelvin timeline would not be created

I'm happy with SNW so far, did they bring in James T a little bit too early? In my opinion yes, but everyone needs to remember that what they showed here is just one possible future, remember, TIME CRYSTAL, we all know this won't happen, but it was nice to get an introduction to Kirk, and honestly he's portraying the character well.

I'd still like to see a series where Captain Robert April, as we saw him in the cartoon series, was in command of the enterprise. Changing his race and age for the show, or putting relatives of villains in the show... It's not like a captain to not read reports of previous captains and crew.

gotta love how they mentioned the Kelvin

Admiral Kirk

Stefan Salvatore 😱 Paul Wesley ❤

everything looks like they hit it with a buffer. the custodians must be on overtime polishing every square inch of the ship lol

My original composed alternate intro music ;) ukposts.info/have/v-deo/oYNio6eijmyFs3U.html

Can't wait for the second season.