Bones, Sulu Or Chekov: Which Star Trek: TOS Icon Should Strange New Worlds Season 3 Introduce?

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has introduced a classic legacy character in both of its season finales thus far, so who should appear in season 3? Set years before the events of Star Trek: The Original Series, Strange New Worlds follows the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise. Eventually, Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) will take over command of this iconic starship from Captain Pike. Strange New Worlds' season 1 finale introduced Paul Wesley as an alternate future version of Captain Kirk and as Lt. James T. Kirk in a photo.

With a more substantial role in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, Paul Wesley has made the character of James Kirk his own, while still honoring the actors who played the role before him. Ethan Peck's Lieutenant Spock was introduced in Star Trek: Discovery season 2 and remains central to Strange New Worlds. Future Enterprise Chief Engineer, Lt. Montgomery Scott (Martin Quinn) made his Strange New Worlds debut in the season 2 finale. Since both Kirk and Scotty were introduced in season finales, it raises the question of whether Strange New Worlds will continue this tradition in season 3 - and with which remaining Star Trek: The Original Series icon?

Why Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Should Introduce Dr. Bones McCoy

Strange New Worlds Has Yet To Introduce The 3rd Member Of Star Trek's Most Iconic Trio

As the only member of Star Trek: The Original Series' iconic trio yet to be reintroduced, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) seems like the logical choice to next appear on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Not much has been revealed about McCoy's life prior to joining the Starship Enterprise's crew in Star Trek's Prime Timeline. This leaves the door open for Strange New Worlds to dive into McCoy's history and show how he meets Kirk and Spock. With his irascible personality and questionable bedside manner, McCoy offers a nice contrast to most of Pike's Enterprise crew members.

While Strange New Worlds should keep the focus on Captain Pike and his Enterprise crew, it would be fun to see the origins of the friendship dynamics of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. The friendship between these three characters forms the backbone of Star Trek: The Original Series,and Strange New Worlds should not end without showing how they all met. Pike's Enterprise already has a Chief Medical Officer in Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), but there are many other ways for McCoy to pop up during Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, whether Bones takes over for M'Benga or is serving on another starship.

Why Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Should Introduce Sulu

Sulu Would Be A Fun Addition To Strange New Worlds' Cast

After his tenure aboard the USS Enterprise, Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) became an accomplished starship captain, but very little has been revealed about his early life and Starfleet career. For most of his time on Kirk's Enterprise, Sulu served as the senior helmsman, developing his skills as a pilot. Sulu was skilled in martial arts and had the personality of a swashbuckler. If Sulu appeared on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, he would make a great foil for Lt. Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia), who currently serves as the helmsman on Pike's Enterprise.

Sulu remains one of Star Trek's most accomplished characters, and it would be great to see more of his life's story.

Sulu was born in San Francisco, California, but Star Trek has revealed almost nothing about his childhood or family. This gives Strange New Worlds the opportunity to create Sulu's backstory and reveal more about his early Starfleet career, as well. With his kind and friendly personality, Sulu would make a great addition to the Strange New Worlds cast. He could appear as the helmsman of another ship (perhaps Kirk's USS Farragut), or pop up at a Starbase, or perhaps at Starfleet Headquarters. Sulu remains one of Star Trek's most accomplished characters, and it would be great to see more of his life's story.

Why Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Should Introduce Chekov

Strange New Worlds Could Show Chekov As A Young Teenager

As one of the youngest crew members aboard Captain Kirk's USS Enterprise, Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) would be a teenager during the events of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but he could still make an appearance. Throughout his time on Star Trek: The Original Series and in the subsequent films, Chekov performed many different roles aboard starships. It's possible Strange New Worlds could introduce the young Chekov as a child prodigy, much like Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Chekov would be about the same age as Wesley was, and he could be in some form of accelerated Starfleet program.

As with Dr. McCoy and Sulu, Star Trek: The Original Series only revealed hints about Chekov's history, but never fully explored his backstory. With his boyish good looks and quips about Russia, Chekov often acted as comedic relief on TOS, and Strange New Worlds could add more depth to his character. Either way, it would be fun to see what Chekov was like as a teenager and explore how he landed a posting on the Enterprise at such a young age. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has done an excellent job recasting iconic Trek legacy characters so far, and it remains to be seen who will pop up next.