Melissa Navia, who plays Lieutenant Erica Ortegas onStar Trek: Strange New Worlds, is braver than you think. Lieutenant Ortegas was one of the brand-newcharacters inStar Trek: Strange New Worlds,and viewers looked forward to getting to know Melissa Navia’s Erica Ortegas through a character-building episode. Unfortunately,Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 1 didn’t have an Ortegas-centric episode, solearning more about Ortegas would have to wait untilStrange New Worldsseason 2. WhenStrange New Worlds’second season finally aired, however, an episode that fully centered on Erica Ortegas wasn’t part of it.
There seemed to be a very good reason for the lack of Lieutenant Ortegas inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2, sinceMelissa Navia’s partner passed awayin December 2021, not long before filming onStrange New Worlds’second season began. This unexpected tragedy could have put a damper on production ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2, butMelissa Navia still came to work while grieving the loss of her partner, Brian Bannon.Erica Ortegas was still very much a part ofStrange New Worlds, even if in an apparently limited capacity.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Melissa Navia Explains Erica Ortegas' Season 2 Screentime
“No Scripts Were Changed”
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Melissa Naviaaddressed the lack of Lt. Erica Ortegas' screentime inStrange New Worldsseason 2 during a panel at Creation’sTrek to Chicagoconvention. It’s true that Navia was grieving whileStar Trek: Strange New Worldswas undergoing principal photography, butStrange New Worlds' writers never had to alter course.Storylines and scripts forStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2 did not have to be changed to accommodate Navia by giving Ortegas less to do, because Melissa Navia truly wanted to be on set with her"support group". Navia said atTrek to Chicago:
Melissa Navia: “People were saying the reason there was less Ortegas in season 2 was because I needed time to grieve. That’s not the case. Going back to work and going back to set was the most amazing thing. The crew was extraordinary. … I couldn’t have asked for a better support group than Strange New Worlds. No scripts were changed.”
The fact there’s no alternate version ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2 that had different screen time for Ortegas is an impressive testament to Navia’s bravery and the strength of theStar Trek: Strange New Worldscast and crew. With theStrange New Worldsteam’s support,Melissa Navia showed up and brought Erica Ortegas to life inStrange New Worldsseason 2, exactly as it was intended to be, without any script changes. And even without a singular Ortegas episode,Strange New Worlds' second season revealed ' Starfleet career as a pilotand a Federation-Klingon War veteran.
Melissa Navia Promises More Lt. Ortegas in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3
After Not Making The Cut, Strange New Worlds Season 3 Can Feature Lt. Ortegas
During theTrek to Chicagopanel, Melissa Navia promised that Lieutenant Ortegas would have more screen time inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3, compared toStrange New Worlds' first 2 seasons.Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 2 was written before season 1 was even released, soit’s possible the writers hadn’t expected how popular Erica Ortegas would be,and held off on a season 2 Ortegas episode. Fortunately, that’s changed. As Navia explains,“The fans want more Ortegas and the writers have heard it. If you’re a fan of Ortegas, you’re gonna be a fan of season 3.”
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 Ending & Cliffhanger Explained
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2’s finale nailbiter brings back the fearsome Gorn and ends with Captain Pike facing an impossible choice.
Star Trekhas changed from the days ofStar Trek: The Next Generationand its 90s spin-off shows, when a slate of 26 episodes per season meant that each individual character could have their turn in the spotlight.Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseeks to emulate that episodic storytelling style, buthaving only ten episodes per season makes it difficult to devote a story to every memberofStrange New Worlds' ensemble cast,and Ortegas just didn’t make the cut. Hopefully,Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 3 will change that with opportunities to know Melissa Navia’s Erica Ortegas better.
