2. Character development: the crew at the center
Making character development seem natural is something Strange New Worlds regularly excels at. Instead of pausing to share what they've learned, people grow as a result of the decisions they make.
The show deftly allows that impending doom to provide depth without overpowering everything else as Pike struggles with the future he already knows is in store for him.
While that silent burden lurks beneath the surface, Pike is nonetheless kind, upbeat, and able to motivate those around him, even as he keeps himself busy trying to forget the loss of his love, Captain Batel (Melanie Scrofano).
Una also stands tall during several significant moments which demonstrate why she is still such a successful first officer. Una's long-deserved promotion to commander is without question the character-development moment of the episode.
Romijn does a fantastic job portraying her quiet authority, and her confidence never comes across as performative; rather, it is a natural part of who she is.
La’an remains one of the show’s most compelling characters because the writers never reduce her to a one-note security officer. Each episode seems to reveal another layer, and “Valles Marineris” continues that trend.
It's revealed in episode 1 that La'an is literally evolving because of her Augment genes, and this marks a key moment of character development for the fan-favorite Enterprise officer.
Even the smaller crew interactions, like the feud brewing between Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) and Scotty (Martin Quinn), suggest relationships are still evolving, which keeps the Enterprise feeling like a real workplace and a real home.
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