This week in The Ready Room, Rebecca Romijn
aka Number One aka Una Chin-Riley is beaming in
along with Co-Executive Producer and Writer Akela Cooper.
We'll have a refresher on La'An's famous ancestor, Khan,
and obviously, I wouldn't leave you hanging
without a look at next week's episode
of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Turn up the lights and report to The Ready Room.
Hey, nerds, I'm Wil Wheaton,
and this is The Ready Room,
your official behind-the-scenes hub
for all things Star Trek Universe.
This week's episode of Strange New Worlds
put Number One front and center
as she held down the Enterprise
during a very enlightening epidemic.
And if talking about this episode already has you feeling
in the dark--
Red alert!
We're jumping head-first into spoilers
around this week's episode, "Ghosts of Illyria,"
and this is not the kind of conversation
you want to go into feeling dim.
If you don't want to feel lightheaded as we move forward,
be sure to watch Episode 3
before joining me here in The Ready Room.
Believe me, you'll see everything
in a whole new light.
Okay, hilariously delightful light puns aside,
what an incredible episode, huh?
That touched on some very important topics
in that way only Star Trek can,
and I am beyond excited to have Rebecca Romijn,
my second-favorite Number One,
here in The Ready Room
along with co-executive producer
and writer of this episode, Akela Cooper,
to talk all about it.
This interview is gonna be lit.
I'm sorry, I know,
I said I wouldn't do it anymore.
That really is the last one.
I promise.
Aside from an Illyrian virus,
this episode gave us more insight
into La'An's feelings about that other Noonien-Singh,
her distant relative, Khan.
Most of us on the other side of the screen know Khan
as one of Star Trek's greatest villains,
but in case you need, or maybe want,
a refresher of the details
of this 20th century eugenicist turned 23rd century tyrant,
later on, we will have a video
that will catch you up on all the Khan canon.
But first, Strange New Worlds has blessed us
with more than just a few familiar names
from Star Trek history.
While the return of Captain Pike, Spock,
and Number One may have been
what inspired Strange New Worlds initially,
a lot of us lost our minds to see so many other TOS-era
characters pop up in the series.
I mean, Sam Kirk and his mustache?
When you got that, were you like, "Yes!"
Because that's what I did.
Let's take a look at our Strange New Worlds characters
and their original series counterparts.
Control room, engage.
Energize.
[Narrator] Star Trek: Strange New Worlds takes us back
a decade before The Original Series,
when Captain Christopher Pike helms the U.S.S. Enterprise.
Cadet Uhura, good to see you.
You, too!
[Narrator] His crew includes quite a few familiar names,
giving us a unique look
at these young Starfleet officers
before they served under Captain Kirk.
Here's what we know about these legacy characters
and their futures in The Original Series.
Your guess is as good as mine.
I suggest we refrain from guessing and find some facts.
Spock out.
[Narrator] Captain Pike is Star Trek's
first Starfleet captain
and the lead in Star Trek's original unaired pilot,
"The Cage."
Scenes from "The Cage" appear in flashback form
in the Season 1 episodes "The Menagerie, Part 1 and 2."
Chris...
was that really you on the screen?
Although The Original Series
ultimately focuses on Captain Kirk and his crew,
Captain Pike is established
as the Enterprise's preceding captain
and Mr. Spock's mentor and friend.
Known as a diligent and dutiful commander,
Pike has already glimpsed the grim future
awaiting him in The Original Series,
but his future holds more than he realizes.
Half Vulcan, half human, Lieutenant Commander Spock,
aka Mr. Spock, is Captain Kirk's right-hand officer
in The Original Series.
However, Spock appears alongside Captain Pike
in "The Menagerie."
Spock served with him for several years.
Eleven years, four months, five days.
[Narrator] Spock even commits mutiny
to ensure his old friend
and captain is afforded the best possible future
in the wake of tragedy.
The inquisitive science officer goes on to develop
a tight bond with Captain Kirk,
all while earning his place
among Starfleet's greatest officers.
I'm...
pleased
to see you, Captain.
[Narrator] Seen only in flashbacks in "The Menagerie,"
Number One, or Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley,
as we now know her, is Captain Pike's first officer
aboard the Enterprise.
She leads the search for Pike
when he goes missing on Talos IV
during the events of "The Cage."
Una reunites with Pike
in Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery
with information about Spock's whereabouts,
affirming the trio's strong bond.
In The Original Series,
Lieutenant Uhura is the U.S.S. Enterprise's
communications officer,
a role she has only just begun training for
as a cadet on Pike's Enterprise.
Uhura's pride for her African heritage is well-documented
in The Original Series,
and aside from her keen intellect
and command of linguistics,
Uhura is also the Enterprise's most talented songstress.
[Uhura humming]
Doctor M'Benga, like Number One, is only briefly featured
in The Original Series
and given a greater introduction in Strange New Worlds.
In the Star Trek episode "A Private Little War,"
Dr. M'Benga, who has special experience
with Vulcan physiology, treats Spock
with the aid of Nurse Chapel
after the science officer is injured on an away mission.
Resuscitating Spock out of his Vulcan healing state,
however, proves a bit unorthodox.
Thank you, Doctor.
Serving aside Dr. M'Benga in both The Original Series
and Strange New Worlds is Nurse Christine Chapel.
Tenacious from the outset, Nurse Chapel also serves
under Dr. McCoy on Kirk's Enterprise
and has never been afraid to question his methods
or jump in to serve.
Thank you, Nurse.
[Narrator] Aside from the medical adeptness
she proves time and again,
Nurse Chapel holds a special friendship,
and often flirtation, with Spock.
That was not my intention.
I've noticed.
[Narrator] Science Officer Sam Kirk,
brother to Captain James Tiberius Kirk,
appears only once in The Original Series--
[Dr. McCoy] Is this your brother, Jim?
[Narrator] Unfortunately, on the day of his death.
While Sam faces an unfortunate future,
we do know he also goes on
to be a great scientist, husband, and father,
and that his resemblance to his brother is beyond uncanny.
The Original Series lays the groundwork
for some of Star Trek's greatest characters,
and now Strange New Worlds provides an exciting glimpse
into an early chapter in these characters' stories.
I am now joined by our until-recently secret Illyrian,
Rebecca Romijn, who plays Una Chin-Riley,
better known as Number One,
and Co-Executive Producer Akela Cooper,
who also co-wrote this episode.
I'm thrilled that you are both here to be with us today.
Thank you.
I am super excited about this.
Yeah, me too.
Rebecca, it has been so much fun
getting to know Number One,
who was just hinted at in The Original Series.
Now, every Star Trek series is constructed
around a big three,
and you are one of them this time around,
alongside Anson and Ethan.
What has it been like for you to step up
into that type of role?
It's been incredible.
This is a character that was from the original pilot,
so she's a character that was introduced
almost 60 years ago,
brought to life by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry,
and she was never fleshed out.
I don't think she ever got more than 14 minutes
of screen time,
so we never knew that much about her
in terms of character.
And she was really just in that pilot,
dealing with the task at hand,
so we never knew her as a fleshed-out character,
and to have this blank slate
and get to flesh her out has just been incredible.
It's like a dream come true.
Is Strange New Worlds,
and Una on Strange New Worlds,
significantly different from Discovery
in any ways that you didn't expect?
Well, again, she was just...
coming in certain episodes
in Discovery here and there.
We still didn't quite know who she was as a character.
Of course, now, we know much more about her,
including her deepest, darkest secret,
which just got revealed.
Captain.
I'm an Illyrian.
Not from this colony, from far away.
Starfleet policy is clear.
By not disclosing my genetic augmentation,
worse, by enlisting in Starfleet,
I've committed a Federation offense.
I am resigning my commission
and surrendering myself for disciplinary review.
We learned today
that Number One is an Illyrian.
This is a little bit of an issue with Starfleet
on account of the whole Eugenics War thing.
It makes things a bit awkward
in the recruitment process.
But I loved--
and this is just a comment to both of you--
I was so moved by how we witnessed
- Yeah. - showing without telling
the futility and immaturity of prejudice.
So, Pike clearly has her back, but we know
that institutionalized prejudice is a hell of a drug.
- Yes.
How is this going to affect her relationship
with the rest of the crew
now that she's out?
Oh, you're gonna see a lot more where that came from,
but it's just,
it was such an interesting layer to add to this character
who seems to be the most fastidious, meticulous,
perfect first officer,
and I believe that she hides this horrible, deep secret
by being as perfect as she can possibly be in the workplace.
I couldn't wait.
The layer of being an Illyrian
and having to hide this shameful, shameful secret
just felt like...
Ah, I just couldn't wait.
I was so excited when they first floated the idea to me.
And you're gonna see that play out in a pretty intense way.
Akela, we found out this week
that Number One belongs to a species
that is banned from Starfleet.
Mm-hmm.
But the reason she is banned
from Starfleet is the reason she can save the crew.
Yeah.
You took my blood earlier.
Did you find anything that could help synthesize a cure?
Just because you
- haven't caught this thing-- - I'm immune.
You don't know that.
I've already come down with it.
And my immune system did what it was bioengineered to do.
I didn't tell you earlier because...
I'm an Illyrian.
Would that even work?
- No. - Why not?
My body knew how to fight off the infection.
It's not that simple.
There are other factors.
Neither of us has any experience
with your unique metabolism.
Reading between the lines a little bit,
I recognized a very classic science fiction story,
and I would love for you to talk about that.
Star Trek was supposed to be a utopia.
- Yeah. - Far in the future,
everyone has worked out their differences.
There's a Russian on the crew,
there's a Black woman,
there's a Japanese man.
Everyone gets along, that was the idea.
But there were still, even in The Original Series,
these instances of prejudice,
and the show found unique and different ways
to address what, in the '60s, were current issues
through a sci-fi lens,
and we wanted to keep that tradition,
- most definitely. - Mm-hmm.
So this was a way of not only exploring a great character
like Una and building that out for the audience,
but also exploring how prejudice hinders Starfleet
and can work against it
because they won't even give them a chance, basically.
But it does really go to show
how Una, in her struggle,
is so devoted to Starfleet and dedicated to the ship
and the crew that she stays, and she saves everyone.
And now, she has this albatross kind of around her neck,
this secret that, if it actually did get back
to the admirals and Starfleet,
she could be court-martialed,
she could be kicked out.
So she's gonna have to carry that,
but she still loves it so much,
she risked that to be a part of it.
There is a thing that happens in science fiction
where there are characters
who have something that makes them special
- Mm. - and important and valuable
in the science fiction universe
that tends to mirror something
that, when it expresses itself in our prime universe,
it makes them weird.
So I always felt like a weird outcast kid
- Yeah. - 'cause of the stuff
that I liked.
And I really identified with characters,
especially in Star Trek,
where the thing that made them weird made them special
- and valuable. - Mm.
And I really was moved by the way you showed us
that that is a thing that we need to keep in mind
and need to think about,
and prejudice short circuits that.
- Yes. - Another big theme
of Star Trek, obviously, is acceptance
and people from all different types
of backgrounds learning to work together,
so prejudice definitely gets in the way of any of that.
At the end of this episode,
there is an extremely beautiful, really touching scene
where Una's recording her log.
To me, it felt very vulnerable and uncertain
in a way that was surprising to me
after everything I had seen her go through.
I thought it told us a lot about her character
and who she is,
and then she deletes that log at the end.
This is a super fan question.
I try to focus on process and things here,
but that was a moment that was really--
it really stuck with me.
Why did she choose to not keep that in her records?
Because that is the one thing
that could get her kicked
out of Starfleet,
and she just loves Starfleet.
She's so devoted to Starfleet.
And when I say that she carries this deep shame,
it's because of the secret
and because she knows it's against the Starfleet regulation
for an Illyrian to be there,
but Una's not ashamed of being an Illyrian.
I think Una's very proud of being an Illyrian.
Yeah, I get that.
I think it really tears her up, you know,
and I think deleting that,
making the decision to delete that log,
was to protect herself.
That makes me so sad.
I get it,
but just as a fan of the show,
I'm just speaking purely as a fan right now,
I'm so bummed about that.
I look forward to her changing Starfleet.
The idea is that rules should support us, you know?
Rules should support us
and protect us, and every now and then,
we find out that a rule is unfair or unjust or unnecessary.
And I see the groundwork being laid for that
in a way that is interesting to me.
Akela, we got this interesting
new Star Trek entity this week
in the form of the plasma beings on Hemitet IX.
- Yes. - Right?
The beings were especially interesting to me
because they are revealed to be
the Illyrian colonists, right?
- Mm-hmm. Yeah. - Classic Trek turnaround,
the monster turns out to be way more complex
and actually on our side.
I saw that
as part of this thread
you have woven through this episode,
and I think expertly woven
- through this episode - Thank you.
about bigotry.
You addressed that specific theme
in a lot of different levels
and a lot of different ways
that all create a tapestry in this episode.
I would love to hear about breaking this story.
It started from, "What character are we gonna focus on
in this episode?"
And it was Una.
And then that became the discussion.
We'd had the discussions
about, like, "We know she's Illyrian,
is this gonna be the episode where we get that out?
Yes." And then, "How?"
And it's Strange New Worlds,
so let's visit a strange, new world
that also has to do with her backstory
so that way, it's like, at the top of the episode,
she is tense because she's in an Illyrian colony.
She is a secret Illyrian.
She is already just on edge about that,
and hearing the crew talk
badly about Illyrians.
And it's like, "All right, we need to get here
and get what we need and get out."
And then Pike and Spock get trapped on the planet,
unfortunately.
And Pike has his ideas about Illyrians,
- which we're gonna challenge. - Yeah.
And it is, as you said,
the classic, "Oh my God, these things are probably
what killed the colonists.
They're going to kill us."
And it's like prejudice,
just automatically assuming
that because these things are different,
and they're scary,
they're there to harm you.
And then having to overcome that
and realize, "Actually, no.
If we pay attention to their actions,
we will see that they are trying to help us."
And it's having to take that step back
and look at what the person is doing
and not what you think they're trying to do,
that the prejudice can then come down,
and it's like, "Oh, I was wrong about them.
I was wrong about this."
And now Pike is like, "Yeah, no,
I need to rethink what I thought
about Illyrians to begin with."
Because it's the sad realization.
It's them wanting to be a part of Starfleet
and then de-engineering themselves
is sadly what got them killed and turned
into those things.
- So, it's a tragedy. - It's that idea
of trying to change yourself to conform
to someone else's unreasonable expectations.
[Akela] Yeah.
I feel like this episode provides
incredible conversation inspiration,
particularly for parents and kids.
Awesome. Yeah.
And I hope that that happens.
Yeah, that was our intention,
for people to see this
and then keep the conversation going
long after the episode's over.
Rebecca, last question.
Anson mentioned to me
that he played an inexcusably cruel prank on you
after you had gone home at the end of Season 1.
He tells me that he either texted you or called you
and said, "Hey, they've added another episode.
- You've gotta come back." - Yes.
I've heard it from Anson's side.
I just wondered if you wanted to share any
- about that from our side - It was just sad,
- 'cause I'd be like, - but you know what?
"Dude, I love you, but f*** you."
Yeah, it was literally like,
"Anson, you didn't get me."
Like, "There is no way.
There's no way."
I hadn't seen my kids in almost four months.
It was crazy.
There was no way I was going back up.
- It was so funny, yeah. - That's amazing.
I believe that I can speak for fandom
when I just say thank you for what you did
through the pandemic to bring Season 1 to life.
We're only three episodes in,
and we're already on our way to seeing
what I imagine is going to be a legendary
and beloved Star Trek franchise.
It is such a pleasure and a privilege to speak to you both,
- Thank you. - and I am proud
to share a universe with you.
- Same! - Thank you, Wil!
We're loving every second of it.
We hope we continue to deliver and to delight.
Thank you.
The Enterprise's La'An Noonien-Singh joins the ranks
of stoic, resilient types
who make up the very best of Starfleet security officers.
She is terrific.
But, of course,
many of us Star Trek fans did a double take
when we heard her last name.
The most notable Noonien-Singh
in Star Trek history is known to most of us
as Khan, a human augment straight out
of the 20th century Earth Eugenics Wars,
who fled the planet and woke up in the 23rd century.
As he is one of the most legendary of Star Trek foes,
now is a great time to go all the way back
to the beginning
when the first "Space Seed" was planted
as we look back on all we know
about La'An's villainous ancestor.
Weapon up, people.
[Narrator] Star Trek: Strange New Worlds introduces
Security Officer La'An Noonien-Singh,
a strong and no-nonsense addition to Captain Pike's crew.
A long-time friend of Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley,
the two officers' friendship is tested
in Season 1, Episode 3,
when Una's secret status
as a genetically-modified Illyrian is revealed.
I'm your friend.
You lied to me every day for years.
What kind of friend is that?
Do you want me to tell you
it was just the sickness talking?
I don't know.
Was it?
[Narrator] La'An's anger toward Una and her secret stems
from a deeply personal history with augmented humans.
I imagine you know all about that period in history.
Well, you don't grow up
with a bio-engineered mass murderer
as your ancestor and not develop a thick skin.
Khan Noonien-Singh.
[Narrator] As one of Star Trek's greatest villains,
Khan and his sordid history warrant La'An's wariness
for augmentation,
and fuel her desire to distance herself
from his reputation.
"Augment!"
That's what the other kids called me
when they heard my name.
"Augment!" "Monster!"
[Uhura] I'm picking up a signal, sir.
[Narrator] In the Star Trek: The Original Series
Season 1 episode, "Space Seed,"
Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew stumble
upon the S.S. Botany Bay,
an old Earth ship from the 1990s,
A relic from a turbulent time in Earth's history,
when World War III threatened much of Earth's population,
the signs of life present
aboard the ancient vessel are a surprise
to Kirk and the crew.
When resuscitation procedures kick in aboard the Botany Bay,
the humans' leader is taken to sick bay for recovery
and is more than a little aggressive upon waking.
Where am I?
You're in bed,
holding a knife at your doctor's throat.
[Narrator] The leader Khan immediately wants to study
the ship's engineering manuals,
intrigued by 23rd century technology,
but also avoids revealing details of his people's mission.
Khan is my name.
Khan? Nothing else?
Khan.
Kirk discovers Khan's last name,
and they discuss the historical events
of the 1990s.
Kirk's fears that Khan was indeed among those who fought
for eugenics are confirmed.
I've never been afraid.
But you left at the very time mankind needed courage.
We offered the world order!
We?
Khan and a cadre of other scientists escaped
from a penal colony to find a new world
where they could enhance humanity.
Superior ability breeds superior ambition.
[Narrator] After seducing the ship's historian,
Dr. McGivers,
and using his superhuman strength
to break free of his quarters,
Khan and his recently revived crew attempt to take control
of the ship.
Ultimately, his efforts prove fruitless
when he is bested by Captain Kirk.
Kirk banishes Khan and his followers
to an uninhabited world,
though any Star Trek fan knows
they are destined to meet again.
In Strange New Worlds, Commander La'An
isn't aware that Khan Noonien-Singh is very much alive,
floating through the galaxy
and awaiting the events of "Space Seed."
Time will tell if La'An
and her ancestor Khan will ever cross paths.
But in the meantime,
his nefarious shadow falls on her
from both the past and the future.
I love diving into all this early Star Trek canon,
and my conversation today has me impatient
for next week's episode.
If you're feeling similarly,
we're both in luck.
We've got an exclusive look at next week's episode.
Check it out.
[Una] There are supposed to be hundreds of people here.
[Man] I'm not getting any human life signs.
[Una] Rushed evacuation?
[La'An] Rushed under fire.
Those are blast marks,
definitely a skirmish here.
[growling sound]
[dog barks loudly]
It's always this incredible mix of excitement
and frustration to watch a clip
of an episode we won't get to see for a week, right?
It's all part of the life
of a modern Star Trek fan.
Friends, thank you so much
for watching this week's episode of The Ready Room.
I am continuously humbled to be part
of your weekly Trek experience,
and I am thrilled that you are part of mine.
Next week,
Christina Chong must know
we've been discussing her character La'An this week
because she'll be joining me
along with Strange New Worlds Writer Davy Perez
here in The Ready Room.
I can't wait to break down Episode 4,
called "Memento Mori," with the two of them.
Until then, I'm Wil Wheaton.
Live long and prosper.