Star Trek: Discovery Will Explore Number One's Relationship with Captain Pike

Despite only a handful of appearances combined, Star Trek: The Original Series' Captain Pike and Number One (who was written off after the pilot "The Cage") continue to endure as beloved characters in Trek lore.

It's not surprising that many latched on to Pike, the physical embodiment of Gene Roddenberry's vision for Starfleet, while Number One's stoic strength, logical mind and high-ranking status as a first officer struck a chord with fans who rarely saw fierce woman represented in the sci-fi genre. Because of their all too short on-screen tenure, though, hardcore fans remain ever curious about their lives, including the exact nature of their close relationship. Were they ever romantic? Or just an example of a great working relationship?

Since Star Trek: Discovery brought in Captain Pike (Anson Mount) for Season 2, the door was also opened for Number One to make her way to the series and address some of the questions that have plagued Trekkies for decades. Rebecca Romijn, who is set to play the high-ranking officer, tells TV Guide that the character "has a special relationship" with Captain Pike.

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"I think that Captain Pike relies on Number One in a very deep way. I think they're very close. I think she's got the skill set that he depends on," she says. "I think that he would feel confident leaving the ship in her hand if he had to and there's room to explore it further."

But just because Discovery will dive into Number One's backstory a bit more, that doesn't necessarily mean it will provide a definitive answer on whether or not she was ever romantically involved with Pike. "There's a little open to interpretation, but yes, I think they have a fondness," Romijn says.

"You might see development in, maybe a step towards answering some of the questions that have always been lingering about that relationship," Anson Mount adds.

Regardless of her relationship to Pike, Number One's appearance is a chance for Discovery to make amends after her frustratingly premature exit in TOS.

Star Trek: Discovery airs Thursdays on CBS All Access.

(Disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS.)