A new Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 video focuses on Lieutenant Erica Ortegas as she prepares for an exciting mission. The latest entry in the longrunning, multi-generational, science-fiction franchise is set five years before Captain James T. Kirk takes over command of the Federation's flagship, the USS Enterprise. The show centers on Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his crew as they embark on their five-year mission to explore uncharted areas of the galaxy.

Strange New Worlds has proved immensely popular with critics and fans alike, as it has returned to the classic feel of Star Trek while blending established characters such as Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) and Spock (Ethan Peck) with new characters such as Ortegas (Melissa Navia), the confident helmsman of the Enterprise. Over the course of season 1, Ortegas exhibited her skill as one of the best pilots in Starfleet. With Strange New Worlds set to return early next year, Navia has recently explained that season 2 will feature a deeper dive into Ortegas' relationship with Captain Pike.

Now, a new clip from season 2 puts Ortegas center-stage. As part of the Star Trek Day event, Paramount Plus gives fans their first look at Strange New Worlds season 2 with a video of Ortegas preparing for a dangerous mission. With voiceover by Ortegas as she chronicles her day in her personal log, she expresses excitement at having to pilot a small shuttle through hazardous conditions as part of a landing party on Rigel VII. Dressed as Kalarans, Ortegas is joined by Dr. M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), La'an Noonien Singh (Christina Chong), and Captain Pike for the mission - until she learns she has to stay back on the Enterprise after all. Check out the scene below:


The scene appears to be from an episode that will likely focus on Ortegas and her desire to be a part of an away assignment, which is something rare for the lieutenant. She has generally stayed with the Enterprise, to navigate the flagship in assistance of the landing party. The season 2 episode may explore her purpose aboard the starship and her significance to her crew in greater depth than has been done so far.

Ortegas notes that they are landing on Rigel VII, a planet that was first mentioned in the franchise during the very first pilot episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, "The Cage." In the episode, it is revealed that Captain Pike had visited the planet weeks prior and suffered the loss of several crew members. "The Cage" occurred years before the events of Strange New Worlds season 2, and Pike's memory of the tragedy will likely weigh heavily on him as he returns to the planet. However, with the new video focused on Ortegas and her relegation to the helm on the Enterprise, it is likely that she will be called into action to save her captain and crew from certain death on the dangerous world.