She doesn’t just fly the ship anymore in the future.
Star Trek fans already know the respective destinies of legacy characters like Lt. Commander James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley), Mr. Spock (Ethan Peck), and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). However, the Strange New Worlds season 4 finale, “Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” finally gave faithful followers a glimpse into the future of Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia).
Ortegas is the helmsman of the USS Enterprise, and she will flat out tell you that she flies the ship, but Navia’s character is relatively new to the Star Trek franchise. Ortegas first appeared on Strange New Worlds when the show debuted back in 2022, so, naturally, fans have wondered what happens to her in the future.
And, if the Strange New Worlds season 4 finale holds up, Ortegas will survive the events of SNW’s fifth and final season when the final six episodes play out in 2027. Not only that, but Erica will still be regarded as the best pilot in Starfleet, as Captain Kirk (Wesley) remarks to both Scotty (Martin Quinn) and Lt. Nyota Uhura (Celia Gooding) during “Tomorrow’s Enterprise.”
What I also love about Ortegas’ future is that she becomes a teacher once she leaves the Enterprise, and I was also blown away when Spock revealed to Uhura that Erica had been promoted to the rank of captain! However, that was revealed during the alternate reality in which Mr. Scott died while the Federation starship explored the white hole. So, what does the actress who portrays Ortegas have to say about the character’s future? Navia said (per TrekMovie.com):
“I say that it’s not over, it’s never done, it’s never done. Because I always say the fans are the other half of what we do. So, I… there’s a world for Ortegas that still exists, without giving anything away. She’s a character who I think was just a wonder to play."
Navia continued by saying:
"I’m so happy that they created the character in the first place. And as a pilot, as a maverick, as somebody who I have gotten to see has influenced so many younger fans, older fans, I keep saying it’s not over. There’s many places yet for Ortegas, and the world that she lives in to go.”
What did you think about Erica Ortegas becoming a teacher and a captain in the future? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And, for those who haven’t seen it yet, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ season 4 finale, “Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” is now streaming on Paramount+.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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