Season Two Was Already Creating a New Tone
Season two of Strange New Worlds had already begun to take on a darker and more serious tone than season one. Episodes such as “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” and “Under the Cloak of War” provide a glimpse into the trauma and pain that can arise as a result of vicious attacks and unnecessary war. “Hegomony” brings it all home by delivering a finale that was as thoughtful and substantive as it was full of action.
“Hegemony” gives the crew of the Enterprise an impossible question to answer. Race to rescue the crew of the Cayuga and the colonists of Parnassus Beta in Gorn space, or sit idly by while their fellow humans are slaughtered. Captain Pike succeeds in rescuing a few survivors, but the Gorn attack the Enterprise, forcing Pike to decide if he will need to retreat, resulting in a cliffhanger.
What Does the Future Hold?
The episode provides the perfect platform for classic characters such as James Kirk, Spock, Montgomery Scott, and Nyota Uhura to meet and connect over such a large undertaking. By introducing Scotty, the series continues to bridge the gap between the Original Series crew and the original crew of the Enterprise. Doing so allows the show to stick to its Star Trek roots, all while continuing to usher in a new age with the depiction of high-stakes threats such as the Gorn.
Strange New Worlds will never be the same after “Hegemony,” it simply cannot be. Viewers of the show have now come to view the Gorn for what they are: savage and unyielding villains who will stop at nothing to destroy the Federation. While we will continue to receive weekly adventures in the manner we have come to know and love, the boldness of the Gorn will remain in the back of our minds and continue to set the tone for the rest of the series until the storyline is resolved. For now, we can only wait for the premiere of Season three on July 17th.