10 MORE Greatest Battles In Star Trek
3. Balance Of Terror Redux
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds benefits from its episodic nature, combined with the updated budget of a modern Trek show. To be blunt this is some of the best looking Star Trek we've ever seen, balancing the flashy nature of what CGI can do with the restraint of practical sets, giving the show a lived-in, real feel.
The finale of the first season A Quality Of Mercy offers a new take on an old tale. Balance Of Terror is easily the best battle of The Original Series, regardless of budget or 60s era effects. The time travel shenanigans that put Pike in the big chair, rather than Kirk, gives the audience a chance to see what two fleets clashing might look like - and spoiler alert: it looks good.
In the grand scheme of things, we are grateful this was a temporal anomaly (poor Spock!), yet getting to see what the Enterprise can do against an armada of Romulan Birds-of-Prey, among other ships, was a treat for the audience, both new and old. It also served as a reminder that Pike, as experienced and vital as he is, was simply the wrong man for that particular encounter. It was a bold, honest statement about the confidence in Strange New Worlds, and a perfect ending to the series.