Star Trek: Strange New Worlds just tried to answer the oldest Question in Trek History (But did it succeed?)

In the seventh episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ third season, titled “What is Starfleet?”, the Enterprise’s mission seems straightforward on paper – deliver supplies, including a massive, luminous alien being called a Jikaru (dubbed the “space dragon” by the crew), to aid the war-torn planet Lutani VIII. However, as typical in Star Trek, things are seldom as easy as they seem. It quickly becomes clear that this creature has been turned into a weapon by the Lutani, and having it in their arsenal could potentially shift the tide of the ongoing conflict.

Is Starfleet an honorable force working for the greater good… or just another galactic empire hiding behind a deceptive mask?

However, upon reflection, the query “What is Starfleet?” isn’t merely the intriguing question from the episode; instead, it’s the fundamental inquiry that the entire ‘Star Trek’ franchise has been subtly posing for decades.

A Question as Old as Star Trek Itself

In 1966, when Star Trek: The Original Series debuted, it was shaped by the space race, Cold War, and racial issues prevalent in America at the time. Gene Roddenberry envisioned the series as a depiction of an optimistic future, highlighting humanity’s potential as cosmic explorers. Star Trek portrayed the United Federation of Planets as a kind of utopia: devoid of money, minimal prejudice, and governed by an apparently benevolent authority that responded to pleas for help from starving populations. While redshirts, the supporting crew members, often faced high mortality rates during the Enterprise’s adventures and their habit of interfering where they shouldn’t (regardless of the Prime Directive), Starfleet officers were primarily explorers and scientists, with military duties coming second. Although there were traces of unintentional nationalism and a touch of colonialist ideals (Kirk’s act of planting a UFP flag on foreign worlds comes to mind), overall, they were essentially good people.

Starting from the 80s, Star Trek’s first significant spin-off series, excluding The Animated Series, was Star Trek: The Next Generation. This show generally continued the idealistic themes that were characteristic of the original series, with Picard stating, “The pursuit of wealth is no longer our primary goal. We strive to better ourselves.” However, as the 90s approached and society became more cynical and discerning in its entertainment choices, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine started exploring darker themes and questioning the image of benevolence that had been established.

Through its Dominion War storyline and portrayal of less noble aspects of life within Starfleet and the Federation, it underscored the fine line between utopias and dystopian, indifferent states. The Maquis, a resistance group comprising Federation-born colonists and disenchanted Starfleet officers who fought against Cardassian occupation following their abandonment by the Federation during peace negotiations, served as an illustration of how so-called “peace” could come at a cost, not ensuring freedom for all.

Voyager’s predicament became increasingly intricate, leaving its team far from the Federation and posing a dilemma between survival and adherence to principles. The Federation and Starfleet seemed to make minimal efforts to locate or contact their missing colleagues. On the other hand, Enterprise delved deeper into the political underpinnings and early policies of the Federation and Starfleet’s origins. It’s alarming to consider that a conflict, the Earth-Romulan War, was responsible for establishing the Federation. As the quote from The Hunger Games goes, “War – terrible war… then came the peace, hard fought, sorely won,” – unfortunately, we are all familiar with the consequences of such peace.

In today’s Star Trek universe, the transition to a more cynical and grim narrative has sparked debates among fans. Some embrace this fresh perspective, while others yearn for the hopeful outlook of earlier episodes. The first season of Discovery found the Federation embroiled in a severe conflict – the Federation-Klingon War. Interestingly, Michael Burnham, who was court-martialed for defying Starfleet orders, is portrayed as the series’ protagonist. This suggests that even among the many upstanding officers, it’s Burnham, who disobeyed Starfleet, that we are expected to support. The new Picard series exposes corruption and indifference within Starfleet’s upper echelons. Even the JJ Abrams Kelvin timeline movies depict Starfleet as overly militaristic.

Every few years, with each new spin-off and iteration of “Star Trek,” the same persistent question arises – what exactly is Starfleet and what are its core principles? In the episode titled “What Is Starfleet?”, this question isn’t merely hinted at or asked in a rhetorical manner, but rather it is posed directly to the characters.

A Space Dragon & A Larger Metaphor

The documentary-like approach used in “What Is Starfleet?” isn’t entirely novel for Star Trek; shows like “Deep Space Nine” and “Lower Decks” have previously experimented with shifting perspectives to test Starfleet’s ideals. However, this episode seems particularly significant as it explores the idea that Starfleet might not be as different from the empires it opposes as it claims to be. The documentary-like style presents Pike’s crew being monitored, interrogated, and manipulated by Beto’s lens, both literal and metaphorical, forcing both characters and viewers to question what truly sets Starfleet apart. This episode, which some might argue is biased, serves as a miniature reflection of the long-standing questions and critiques that Star Trek has faced over the years, both within the universe and in reality. Episodes from The Next Generation to Discovery have touched upon these issues, but “What Is Starfleet?” brings them to the forefront in a more raw and personal manner. It’s almost like giving the characters a chance to express their thoughts on the universe they inhabit, which could be seen as the ultimate fan service!

In this narrative, the storyteller’s identity – Beto, brother of a respected Starfleet Officer – is nearly as significant as the tale itself. One could argue that Beto’s skepticism is fueled and intensified by personal bitterness: it’s worth noting that Starfleet came close to costing his sister her life when she was captured by the Gorn this very season. It’s clear that Beto has a complex history with Starfleet, yet he presents some persuasive arguments, echoing doubts that many viewers might harbor. Beto functions as a representative for every critic who has ever scrutinized the Federation’s idealistic image. Is the Federation a radiant symbol of hope, or merely a more benevolent empire? Is Starfleet’s mission about exploration or control? Star Trek has posed these questions before – but rarely in a manner that so closely challenges the fourth wall. Beto essentially bridges the gap between the characters and us, their silent audience, prompting Uhura and others to reconsider the orders they receive.

For Beto, their most recent mission exposes the hypocrisy of Starfleet. However, matters become more intricate when the Jikaru requests to die, aiming to end a prolonged captivity and abuse by the Lutani. In an attempt to reverse the tide in their war, Pike and his crew disregard Starfleet orders and their Lutani allies, honoring the Jikaru’s wish by helping it journey towards a nearby star. This act by the Enterprise crew adds a fresh perspective to whether Starfleet stands for good, but also introduces a new moral dilemma: are they interfering and taking away a crucial weapon from the Lutani, or upholding the dignity of a sentient being? A tale that once revolved around colonialist themes transforms into one about empathy and respect. For Beto, this presents an unexpected challenge to his beliefs. To viewers, it serves as a reminder that Starfleet’s power lies in empathy rather than dominance – something we’ve come to expect from Star Trek.

Starfleet on Trial

As a die-hard Trekkie, I’ve always admired how officers like Pike and his crew, including my personal heroes like Captain Kirk, Spock, and many others, aren’t just blind followers of Starfleet’s orders. They understand that sometimes, it takes a little rule bending or rebellion to do what feels right in their hearts.

Pike, much like the legendary James T. Kirk, has shown this act of mercy, which is a testament to his character as an officer. Even Kirk himself was known for subtly altering reports here and there to hide actions Starfleet might not approve of, but he believed were necessary.

Even Mr. Spock, the logical Vulcan First Officer, had his moments where he bent the rules – all in the name of logic, of course! In fact, if you look closely at every prominent officer from each Star Trek series, they all share this quality of challenging authority to some degree. They’re rule-breakers, risk-takers, but most importantly, they know when to stand up to Starfleet Command and give them a well-deserved raise of the middle finger!

If it’s true that Starfleet sometimes needs to be challenged because they don’t always act in the best interests of their officers and allies, then what kind of organization is Starfleet? Are they a perfect utopia or just a powerful force disguised by noble ideals? Uhura clarifies: Starfleet isn’t defined by its leadership, but by its crew. It’s not about the high-ranking officers who haven’t faced hardships, nor the bureaucracy, but the crews who consistently choose compassion and selflessness over easy dominance. This idea seems to reflect on Star Trek itself. Fans don’t stick around for special effects, maps, aliens, or even space battles; they stay for the characters like Pike, Spock, Ortegas, and Uhura – these are the individuals who embody the show’s ideals.

People who resonate with Beto’s skepticism might strongly believe that Starfleet and The Federation aren’t flawless, and they’d probably be correct. However, many fans would also acknowledge that regardless of its crew, the Enterprise symbolizes the finest aspects of Starfleet and the potential it embodies for what the organization aims to achieve. This juxtaposition between skepticism and optimism is precisely what makes the episode so intriguing, even if the presentation isn’t always polished.

Pike’s Crew As the Answer

It’s clear that the question “What is Starfleet?” was posed in an episode, but the answer seems to take an excessive amount of time to reveal. Despite labels indicating declassification, space FOIA requests, and hints about ‘Starfleet’s orders’ from Pike and his crew, we never actually get to learn about these orders, as they remain classified. A more in-depth exploration of Starfleet’s policies and directives could have provided a better understanding of the organization, an opportunity that writers Kathryn Lyn & Alan B. McElroy may have overlooked, something longtime Trekkies have been eager to see for years.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share my perspective: While delving too deeply into the intricacies of Starfleet’s command structure could potentially miss the mark, this episode instead emphasizes the actions of Captain Pike and his crew – La’an, Spock, Chapel, Ortegas, and Uhura. They embody the belief that Starfleet is shaped by its officers, demonstrating that it’s not just a hierarchy but a reflection of their compassionate nature. When Pike honors the Jikaru’s wish to die, it serves as a powerful response to Beto’s cynicism, reminding us that although the Federation isn’t flawless, on the ground or up on the bridge, its people are defined by their compassion – a trait that sets Starfleet apart from the Empire.

Why “What Is Starfleet?” Matters

Trek’s optimism doesn’t stem from overlooking Starfleet’s imperfections, although it might appear so occasionally. Instead, it lies in the steadfastness of believing that a united group of decent individuals can strive for and achieve greatness. In current fiction, where antiheroes and skepticism are prevalent, this optimism remains as revolutionary as ever.

Might it be more appropriate to consider whether Star Trek’s idealistic concept could find success in today’s more cynical and scrutinizing television environment?

Despite some shortcomings such as uneven rhythm, overbearing camera angles, and an argument that appears insufficiently developed, “What Is Starfleet?” resonates strongly as a credible manifesto for the Strange New Worlds series. Previously, this show has ventured into various genre explorations including musicals and courtroom dramas. However, this episode distinctly articulates its core values and remains resolute in doing so. The takeaway is obvious: contemporary Trek continues to uphold its optimistic ideals fervently.

In a time where shows like “House of the Dragon” and “Andor” present a bleak outlook on future narratives, “What Is Starfleet?” stands as Strange New Worlds championing optimism once more. It suggests that despite the darker times, the core values of the institution – goodwill, kindness, and integrity – are still worth fighting for, as embodied by Captain Pike and his crew. Essentially, in a cynical world, “Strange New Worlds” reaffirms that optimism, compassion, and decency continue to be revolutionary ideals deserving of protection.

What This Means for Strange New Worlds

This raises an engaging question for the remainder of the season – if Starfleet truly represents the people, what happens when these individuals face challenges? This certainly opens up some thought-provoking scenarios. So far this season, Pike’s crew has faced considerable hardships – Ortegas is still dealing with emotional scars from her Gorn encounter, La’an continues to grapple with loss and sorrow, Spock remains conflicted as he navigates an identity crisis… It’s unclear whether the theme “What Is Starfleet?” will become a recurring motif or a standalone exploration. However, it seems that the season finale might put these ideals to the test, not just in terms of institutional shortcomings, but also on a personal level.

The Boldest Question

It’s undeniable: by reviving the most daring and ancient question ever posed in the Star Trek universe, Strange New Worlds has once again highlighted why Star Trek continues to thrive. The response, that Starfleet consists of individuals who embrace its principles, holds a timeless and vital significance. Ultimately, this is what makes “What Is Starfleet?” one of the most significant episodes in Strange New Worlds so far.

New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 premiere on Thursdays on Paramount+.

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2025-08-29 20:42