Despite being a well-respected and highly decorated Starfleet officer, Spock rarely sought out command, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 might explain why. Perhaps the most famous Star Trek character, Spock (originally played by Leonard Nimoy) has made appearances across several eras of Star Trek. Though many of his fellow officers would have loved to have a shot at the Captain's chair, Spock seemed reluctant to take on that role. The trailer for Strange New Worlds season 2 shows Spock (Ethan Peck) in command of the Enterprise, and it could be that very mission that made him decide not to pursue the Captaincy.

Spock seems to accept that Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) is better at commanding a starship, so Spock yields command to him at every opportunity. The Spock of Star Trek: The Original Series knows where his strengths lie, and believes he will be most helpful in his positions of Science Officer and First Officer. Later in his career, Spock chooses to become an Ambassador and works to achieve peace between various factions of the Federation, the Klingons, the Vulcans, and the Romulans. By putting Spock in the Captain's chair, Strange New Worlds has the opportunity to explore the beginnings of Spock's journey and why he chooses his eventual career path.

Strange New Worlds Could Explain Why Spock Doesn't Want To Be Captain Of The Enterprise

Star Trek Strange New Worlds Spock

There are several times throughout Star Trek: The Original Series where Spock expresses that he has no desire for command. In TOS season 1's "The Galileo Seven," Spock leads an away mission that does not go particularly well, and he must confront the idea that a logical approach does not always work. Early in the episode, he says: "I neither enjoy the idea of command, nor am I frightened of it. It simply exists. And I will do whatever logically needs to be done." While Spock will always try to make the smartest decisions, he acknowledges that command is not something he wishes to seek out. In season 2's "Mirror, Mirror," even the Mirror Universe version of Spock says: "I do not desire the captaincy. I much prefer my scientific duties." It seems no matter what universe he's in, Spock has aspirations other than the Captain's chair.

Since Star Trek: Strange New Worlds takes place before The Original Series, it has the opportunity to explain why Spock is reluctant to take command. Perhaps the mission he leads in season 2 turns out to be a disaster and marks the beginning of Spock's realization that command is not the best position for him. The Spock of Strange New Worlds is still figuring out who he is and what he wants from his career. It will be interesting to see how this younger version of Spock reacts to command and what he takes away from the experience. Whether or not this particular mission proves to be a failure, Spock will eventually realize that becoming Captain of a Starship may not be the best path for him.

Spock Does Become Captain In Star Trek: TOS, But With A Twist

Star Trek Wrath of Khan Spock

Spock does become Captain of the Enterprise in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but the Enterprise is being used for training exercises at the time. As soon as the Enterprise gets called into action, Spock gladly yields the Captain's chair to iral Kirk to take command, reminding his best friend that it was a mistake for Kirk to accept a promotion. As Spock told Kirk, "Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny. Anything else is a waste of material."

Being half-Vulcan, Spock does not have a strong ego to be bruised by yielding command to Kirk, which he reminded Jim when he offered him the Captain's chair. Spock is well aware of his strengths and limitations, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds may show the younger Spock discovering this about himself.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 premieres Thursday, June 15 on Paramount+.