Anson Mount Wanted Pike To Take Star Trek Captains Where They've Never Gone Before

Over the years, there have been many kinds of "Star Trek" captains represented onscreen, but one thing they all have in common was self-assured leadership. Whether it's Captain Kirk (William Shatner) leading the charge to explore some hostile alien world or Captain Sisko (Avery Brooks) helping bridge communication between the Prophets and beings stuck in linear time, Starfleet Captains always seem extremely sure about what they're doing. After all, someone doesn't make it to the role of Captain of a starship without having good judgement and confidence, right? 

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" challenges that notion, giving fans a captain who's very much in the mold of creator Gene Roddenberry's original hopes for "Trek," but one who is also willing to admit that sometimes he has no idea what he's doing. In an interview with Collider, Anson Mount, who plays Captain Pike, explained that he loved the idea of a leader who was more interested in collaboration and supporting his team instead of one who constantly took charge. 

Each of the captains over the years have led their crews in their own way, but Captain Pike's use of radical empathy, cooking for his crew, and his willingness to set aside ego for the team honestly might make him the best "Trek" captain of all time. He occasionally jokes in a cocky manner, but he's impressively humble for a Starfleet captain, allowing his team to shine instead of taking all of the trouble and glory for himself. Mount explained how that not only makes him a great captain, but it makes for more entertaining television:

"I just love our writer's instinct to make Pike, really, the first captain we've seen who has the ability to turn to his crew and go, 'I have no idea what's going on. Does anybody have any idea? Best idea wins, go!' If Pike had a superpower, it would be turning that bridge crew into a big brain. I think it makes for much more exciting bridge scenes that way."

By giving the bridge crew a chance to offer their suggestions, he not only gives them a chance to contribute to the team, but he shows his trust and confidence in them. Sometimes just knowing that your boss trusts you enough to ask your opinion can be a massive morale boost, and I can't imagine anywhere that would require more morale boosts than a Starfleet ship bridge. Seriously, it's life or death every week, so a little team-building and reassurance can be huge. Besides, it's nice knowing that your Captain is willing to admit when he's out of his element, because you can trust in him fully when he leads with confidence. 

Fans can enjoy Captain Pike's unique leadership skills by streaming season 1 of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," available now on Paramount+.