The death of Lt. Hemmer (Bruce Horak) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds sadly put an end to the show's unofficial homage to Star Trek: Enterprise. Hemmer, the Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), gave up his life to protect his crew mates from the Gorn in Strange New Worlds episode 9, "All Those Who Wander." Yet Hemmer left an indelible impact in his brief time aboard the Enterprise, especially for his protégé, Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding).
Hemmer was a blind Aenar, a subspecies of the Andorian race. Although lacking sight, Hemmer's remaining senses were "superior," according to him, and more than compensated. Being blind certainly didn't diminish Hemmer's skills or effectiveness as Chief Engineer, and the Aenar was also wise and compassionate once one penetrated his gruff exterior. In this way, Hemmer was like Thy'lek Shran (Jeffrey Combs) on Star Trek: Enterprise. A Commander of the Androrian Imperial Guard in the mid-22nd century, the once hostile Shran grew into a trusted ally of Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) of the NX-01 Enterprise. In fact, Hemmer on Strange New Worlds fulfilled something Star Trek: Enterprise never got to do.
Hemmer's Death Ended Strange New Worlds' Enterprise Tribute
Star Trek: Enterprise was canceled after 4 seasons, but had the prequel series received a fifth season, showrunner Manny Coto stated that Shran may have joined the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise as "an auxiliary or an advisor." Shran grew increasingly popular in his many guest appearances on Enterprise, especially since he was played by Jeffrey Combs, a perennial favorite Star Trek actor who has portrayed multiple characters in the franchise. Shran would have been the second alien character serving as a crew member aboard Captain Archer's Enterprise, along with his Vulcan First Officer, T'Pol (Jolene Blalock).
Strange New Worlds, which takes place in the 23rd century a hundred years after Star Trek: Enterprise, homaged its predecessor series with Lt. Hemmer alongside Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) as part of Captain Pike's Enterprise crew. A Vulcan Science Officer and an Andorian serving together on an Earth vessel, the flagship of the United Federation of Planets, is precisely what Enterprise wanted. Hemmer and Spock also respected each other, and the Vulcan felt the loss of Hemmer as keenly as his human crew mates did. Tragically, Hemmer's death put an end to Strange New Worlds delivering on Star Trek: Enterprise's unrealized ambition.
Why Andordians Are Such Popular Star Trek Characters
Hemmer was always intended to die in Strange New Worlds, and the show's producers were blindsided by how popular the Aenar became. Yet Hemmer's fate was sealed, just as Star Trek: Enterprise's dwindling ratings and a regime change at the United Paramount Network led to that series' demise. But between Shran two decades ago and Hemmer on Strange New Worlds, it's now undeniable that Andorians are immensely popular Star Trek aliens. Further, the Aenar were introduced in Star Trek: Enterprise, which made Hemmer's presence in Strange New Worlds even more fitting.
It really should be no surprise that Androrians have the power to win over Star Trek fans. Andorians are among the earliest aliens introduced in Star Trek, and they were seen in one of the classic Star Trek: The Original Series episodes, "Journey to Babel." The Andorians also visually interesting with their blue skin and prehensile antennae. Just as Star Trek: Enterprise had with Shran, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds struck (blue) gold with Hemmer. And for one shining season, an Aenar served on the Starship Enterprise in the 23rd century, just as Shran was hoped to a century before.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 premieres June 15, 2023, on Paramount+.