Trekkies had to wait a tick, but the beloved legacy character Montgomery Scott finally joined the adventures of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 — and just in time to face off against the Gorn. While Simon Pegg did a fine job portraying Mr. Scott in J.J. Abrams’ Kelvin Timeline films, Scotty will always be synonymous with the late James Doohan. Today, though, the mantle resides in the capable hands of Martin Quinn, who is teasing more of Mr. Scott’s backstory in SNW season 4. Quinn said in an interview with Collider:
“I really enjoyed throughout season 4, there is a bit more of Scotty’s kind of backstory comes through. I’m really enjoying that. This kind of building up the world of Scotty is crystallizing, and it’s getting more vivid.”
Scotty isn’t the only Strange New Worlds character fans will learn more about. One of the show’s original characters, Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia), has become a fan favorite. And why wouldn’t that be the case? After all, Ortegas is the Enterprise’s ace helmsman, and, as she’ll remind you… Ortegas flies the ship! However, fans will learn that the Enterprise isn’t Ortegas’ only focus. Navia talked about discovering more about her character in SNW season 4 during the same interview by saying:
“For season 4, Ortegas’ role as the helmsman… I’ve really taken that on. For her, the Enterprise is everything. In Star Trek, the Enterprise is its own character. And so the fact that she has this fantastic camaraderie with the crew, we delve into things in season 4 that we haven’t seen her delve into."
Navia, who has played the role of Ortegas from the very beginning in Strange New Worlds, continued by saying in the same sit-down:
"But underneath all that is always her skill as a pilot, and also her military background, which we don’t touch too much on. But that’s always playing underneath everything I do. And so what I loved — and what you will see when we get to season 4 — is all these other facets of Ortegas and of her interactions with the crew.”
A lackluster Strange New Worlds season 3 has left some of the fandom fed up with the prequel series, while others, including this Trekkie, feels that SNW season 4 has the opportunity to wipe the slate clean. If so, fans can return to the compelling storytelling evident in the first two seasons.
Are you excited to learn more about Scotty's backstory and Ortegas' evolving relationship with her crewmates? Most importantly, though, have you put SNW season 3 behind you yet?
For more Star Trek content, plus to share your thoughts and comments on the matter, visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!