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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 10, “Hegemony,” is a finale with high stakes and emotional drama. This finale effectively concludes this season’s series of adventures and sets up an explosive continuation into the next season. This entire team has continued to face this formidable and daunting foe. This challenge is an opportunity for them each to lean into their own strengths as well as rely on each other as a crew.
It makes sense to begin with the fact that this episode does well to spotlight Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush) and everything she means to this team. It’s heartbreakingly effective to watch her crew seriously consider what her loss would mean to each of them personally. This is a sobering reminder of what’s at stake within this universe. In so many instances, Chapel is the unacknowledged backbone of this team. It is heartwarming to see this acknowledged by the entire crew.
Relatedly, this episode still leaves the question of Christine and Spock’s (Ethan Peck) relationship. Evidently, there are still deep feelings here on both of their parts. This episode does set up a future for them after this crisis is weathered. If the series is going to go forward with these two as a couple, there needs to be more time spent developing them together. They’ve both proven how compelling they are as individual characters. Now, they need to come together if this is to continue into the future.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Episode 10, “Hegemony,” also gives Pike (Anson Mount) a chance to show off his leadership abilities. It’s been a minute since he’s shown the rogue he can be. Watching him make a choice to protect his crew by going against official orders is a testament to Pike‘s character. Watching him settle into and be confident in his own decisions and abilities is a much-needed reminder of what makes him such an effective leader. This unorthodox approach evidently serves his crew well.
Having a faceless enemy could have gone so wrong so quickly. However, this foe is a formidable one, and the fear in the crew is evident. This is an effective way to illustrate the power that exists in this alien species, even if the mechanics may be objectively silly. This silliness pairs well with the drama that permeates this finale. It gives the story to make a strong case that these characters matter.
Finally, this finale is yet another example of what a strong ensemble this series has. Even when they’re paired off and trying their best to survive, it’s clear that when they work together, they are stronger. Each member of this crew has their own strengths that they need to rely on in moments like these. Bringing them together gives them a chance to shine.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues the trend of the premiere season by ending on a cliffhanger. While the wait to next season may feel like a long one, it’s clear that this crew can be counted on to find a way to rescue themselves. These characters are set up to have to get themselves out of a dangerous situation, relying only on each other. The countdown begins now to their next chapter.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 is available to stream on Crave.