The excitement is palpable as we warp ever closer to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3. We at Trek Central are celebrating with a series of articles exploring the main characters from the show. With Pelia (Carol Kane) and M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) down, next to discuss is Enterprise helmsman Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia). So, engage those impulse engines as we review Ortegas’ highlights from seasons 1 and 2.
🔷 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds To End With Season 5
Where She Belongs
The show introduces Ortegas in season 1 on the bridge of the Enterprise, in her realm of the pilot seat. She is comfortable working away at her console, preparing the ship for departure from dry dock. It’s clear Ortegas is also happy doing what she does, giving Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) a warm smile whilst confirming their course.
It’s not long before we see a different side to the Enterprise pilot. While Pike, Spock (Ethan Peck), and La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) head out on an away mission, Ortegas is placed in command. She sits in the captain’s chair without hesitation, making it clear this isn’t her first rodeo. She also brings to the centre seat a part of herself, throwing out witty comments and one-liners which land well.
Initiation
Ortegas’ witty humour is an important part of her personality, setting her apart from some of her colleagues. In the season 1 episode ‘Children of the Comet’, she pranks budding Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding). Uhura appears at the Captain’s dinner in formal dress uniform, much to the amusement of Pike and the crew, who are all dressed casually.
Some might consider this a bit mean. However, this prank could also be seen as a helpful gesture. Perhaps Ortegas read that Uhura was nervous about the upcoming dinner and figured this prank would help break the ice. If that was the intention, it succeeded, with everyone (including Pike) appreciating the initiation Uhura had been put through. It put a smile on their faces, which may have helped ease Uhura’s nerves.
A Good Bad Influence
Lieutenant Ortegas is unquestionably dedicated to her job. But she’s learned through her experiences during the Klingon war how important it is to recharge. She tries to impart this hard-earned wisdom in season 2 episode ‘Those Old Scientists’.
It’s become apparent Uhura is a bit of a workaholic. So, time-travelling Lower Decker Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) accepts the challenge to force some downtime onto the overworked Ensign. She takes her to the bar where they meet with Ortegas to share some drinks and relax.
While Mariner and Ortegas bond over some (kind of) Orion Hurricanes, Uhura sneakily continues working. When she finally caves and takes a drink, Ortegas recognises something on Uhura’s PADD. This ultimately leads her to the answer she’s been looking for. Mariner and Ortegas celebrate being good bad influences, believing they’ve proved that breaks help!
I Fly the Ship
Certain characters in the show go through periods where they question their place on the Enterprise or who they are. Not Erica Ortegas, who throughout the first two seasons of Strange New Worlds holds her identity firmly in her grasp. First and foremost, she is a pilot – she flies the ship.
We see her at the helm in every episode, so as viewers, we’re probably quite comfortable with this identity. But just in case we needed further clarification, we got it in ‘Among the Lotus Eaters’.
During the episode, the crew starts to lose their explicit memory, including their identities. To combat this, Ortegas repeatedly tells herself, “I fly the ship”. Okay, so she does forget. But a frantic and confused chat with the computer in her quarters quickly brings Ortegas back to these four words. This ultimately allows her to keep the Enterprise out of a debris field and saves the ship and crew.
Fly Me to Season 3
And that’s a whirlwind tour of the Enterprise’s top pilot, Erica Ortegas! We don’t have long to wait to learn what season 3 has in store for the helmsman. And we’ve had a sneak peek of this in the recently released full trailer for season 3!
Strange New Worlds Season 3 premieres on July 17th (2025) on Paramount+ in the US, UK, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Japan. It will also stream on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Central and Eastern Europe.
More From Trek Central
📰 – Strange New Worlds To End With Season 5!
🔥 – Strange New Worlds Season 3 Full Trailer!
🔍️ – Fanhome’s U.S.S. Enterprise-F Starship Model Review!
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