Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) becomes a Fleet Captain after his time in command of the USS Enterprise, raising questions about why didn’t become an Admiral. As portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter, Captain Pike was originally going to be the leading man ofStar Trek: The Original Series.However, NBC rejectedStar Trek’soriginal pilot, “The Cage,” and most of the show’s cast were replaced. TheTOStwo-parter, “The Menagerie” later reused footage from “The Cage,” establishing Christopher Pike as thecaptain of the Enterpriseprior to Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner).
By the time of “The Menagerie,“Pike had suffered a horrific injurywhile rescuing several Starfleet cadets, leaving him confined to a wheelchair and barely able to communicate. At the time of his accident,Pike held the position of Fleet Captainand had already passed command of the Enterprise to Kirk. Pike learned of his fate inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2, and the knowledge continues to shape many of his choices. This could bewhy Pike remains a Fleet Captain rather than an Admiral, but audiences will have to wait for moreStrange New Worldsto see Pike’s future play out.
The Difference Between Fleet Captain & Admiral In Star Trek Explained
An Admiral Ranks Considerably Higher Than A Fleet Captain
A Fleet Captain has different responsibilities than a regular ship’s captain, often commanding several vessels or Starfleet facilities.The position of Fleet Captain allowed one officer to be placed in command of multiple vessels or stations,often making them the highest ranking officer during important missions. For example, Captain Pike was temporarily promoted to Fleet Captain inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2, episode 5, “Lost in Translation,” taking over command of the USS Farragut and Bavali Station as it was brought online.
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Fleet Captain is ultimately less of a rank and more of an honorary title given to particularly exceptional officers. Ranking just below a Commodore, it has a more active role in ongoing missions and training exercises than an Admiral.An Admiral is the highest normal rank in Starfleetand a considerably higher rank than a Fleet Captain.A Fleet Captain sometimes acts as a chief of staff for an Admiral,serving as an intermediary between the Admiral and the officers under their command. In Starfleet, a Fleet Captain might also oversee training exercises, as Captain Pike did before his accident.
Captain Pike May Have Chosen To Remain A Fleet Captain
Star Trekhas not yet revealed why Captain Pike was only a Fleet Captain at the time of his accident, rather than an Admiral. By the end of his tenure as Enterprise captain, Pike surely had the credentials to become an Admiral, but there are a few reasons why he might have remained a Fleet Captain.It’s possible Pike chose to remain a Fleet Captainbecause he knows he has to save the cadets in the explosion that cripples him. Plus, like many Starfleet captains, Pike enjoys being on the bridge of a starship more than sitting behind a desk.
In an alternate timeline where Pike avoided his accident, he did make it to the rank of Admiral. The Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood) of the Kelvin Timeline was also promoted to Admiral before his death.
Knowing his time is short, Pike may have chosen to take on a more active role for the remainder of his Starfleet career. It’s also possible thatStrange New Worldscould altertheStar Trektimelinea bit, and have Pike’s injury occur while he’s still in command of the Enterprise. As seen in “Lost in Translation,” Pike could have been temporarily promoted to Fleet Captain. Regardless, Captain Pike will go down in history as one of Starfleet’s greatest captains, but it remains to be seen howStar Trek: Strange New Worldswill depict his future.
