Image via Paramount+
Published Sep 10, 2026, 9:01 AM EDT
John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 5,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
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Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4, Episode 8 - "Orders of Magnitude"Lt. Commander James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley) faces his first 'badmiral' and learns the magnitude of disobeying orders for moral reasons in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 8. Directed by Sharon Lewis and written by Alan B. McElroy, "Orders of Magnitude" is a nail-biting battle of wills between Kirk and Admiral Simon Reeger (Joe Morton), with hints of Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Chain of Command" and many nods to Star Trek: The Original Series and J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies.
After taking command of the USS Enterprise, the patina of Admiral Reeger's reputation as a hero of the Klingon War quickly wears off. Reeger proves obsessed with destroying a cloaked enemy ship that massacred five million people, including Simon's wife and children. Chasing his prey to Argus II, Reeger intends to annihilate the planet's five thousand inhabitants to exact his revenge. While the reluctant Enterprise crew is bound to follow orders, Kirk, Reeger's First Officer, mutinies to stop the Admiral.
Meanwhile, on an M-Class moon, Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romjin), Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush), Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), and Cadet A'Sha (Bianca Nugara) are taken prisoner by Andorian mercenaries. A'Sha is mortally wounded by the Andorians, forcing Uhura into a desperate gambit to save her Vulcan protégé's life.
Kirk & M’Benga’s Plan To Relieve Admiral Reeger Of Command Explained
Image via Paramount+First Officer James T. Kirk goes rogue to stop Admiral Reeger, getting advice from Scotty (Martin Quinn) about how to disable the USS Enterprise's phasers, and recruiting the help of his brother, Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte). Jim figured that he'd eventually be captured by Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) and her security team, and he made that part of his plan. After enduring the radiation to reroute the Enterprise's phaser array, Kirk was brought to Reeger, where he deftly poisoned the Admiral's coffee with cordrazine.
Cordrazine was first introduced as the compound that drove Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) temporarily insane in Star Trek: The Original Series' "The City on the Edge of Forever." Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 8 is now retconned as the debut of cordrazine.
Earlier, Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) treated Kirk with cordrazine as he recovers from La'an stabbing him aboard the ghost ship in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 2, "The Griffin Incident." Cordrazine causes paranoia and temporary insanity in large doses. Kirk slipped enough cordrazine in coffee fanatic Reeger's cup to induce the Admiral to reveal his dark side.
Under the influence of cordrazine, Admiral Reeger went berzerk on the bridge, admitting he's out for revenge for the death of his family, that he doesn't care about killing innocents to get his revenge, and Simon threatened to "blow a hole" in Kirk's skull with a phaser. It was enough for Dr. M'Benga to declare Reeger medically unfit for command. La'an, who hero-worshiped Reeger, stunned the maniacal admiral with a phaser.
When Captain Pike was back aboard the Enterprise, Reeger regained his faculties and deduced that he was drugged. However, Dr. M'Benga took the fall for Kirk, admitting that he drugged Reeger with cordrazine. Joseph, who served with Reeger aboard the USS Constitution during the Klingon War and knew the truth about then-Captain Reeger, took the blame to protect Kirk's career.
As Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 6, "Off-Hour," revealed, Dr. M'Benga is planning to leave Starfleet. After overhearing M'Benga admit covering for Kirk, Nurse Chapel, who risked her life to save Joseph, was furious that M'Benga intends to use a potential court-marital as his exit from Starfleet.
J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009) popularized relieving a medically unfit and emotionally compromised starship captain of command. Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck) witnessed M'Benga relieve Reeger. After Ambassador Spock (Leonard Nimoy) arrives in the alternate Kelvin timeline, he tells James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) how to relieve Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto) of command, because he was emotionally compromised by Vulcan's destruction, bringing it full circle.
James & Sam Kirk Learn The Truth About Their Father
Image via Paramount+Most fans know about Lieutenant George Kirk (Chris Hemsworth), who commanded the USS Kelvin for 12 minutes and saved hundreds of lives in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009). However, that ultimately set off the alternate Kelvin timeline. In Star Trek's Prime Timeline, very little was known about James and Sam Kirk's father. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds finally reveals George Kirk's canon.
Lt. George Kirk was First Officer of the USS Constitution during the Klingon War, but his sons didn't know the reason why their father never commanded his own starship.
Lt. George Kirk was First Officer of the USS Constitution during the Klingon War, but his sons didn't know the reason why their father never commanded his own starship, despite the heroic acts of the Constitution, led by Captain Reeger, defeating four Klingon ships. George never discussed the truth with his sons, James and Sam, to preserve their idealism of Starfleet.
In reality, Captain Reeger suffered a head injury and was incapacitated. Lt. George Kirk took command of the Constitution and led the defeat of the Klingons. However, once Reeger recovered, he altered the ship's logs to say that he was in command, not Kirk. Reeger then stymied George's career, preventing him from becoming a starship captain, while Simon himself accepted a promotion to admiral.
Dr. M'Benga, who served aboard the USS Constitution, told James Kirk that Reeger's promotion was a means by Starfleet Command to prevent him from commanding another starship while acknowledging Simon as a war hero.
However, Sam and Jim now know the truth about their father. James also realized that he inherited his emerging prowess as a starship commander and fearlessness in battle from George.
Image via Paramount+For her heroism against the Andorians, Nyota Uhura receives a battlefield promotion to Lieutenant, junior grade. Uhura was incredible as she single-handedly outwitted and incapacitated the Andorian smugglers after pretending she would fix their damaged communications array. Nyota acted out of desperation to secure Nurse Chapel's medkit to save A'Sha's life.
Uhura took her responsibility as A'Sha's Starfleet mentor seriously, despite the Vulcan cadet's cold indifference. However, once A'Sha recovered from her injuries, she informed Uhura that she doesn't belong in Starfleet and is returning to Vulcan. Uhura took A'Sha quitting as a failure on her part, but her promotion to Lieutenant took the sting out of her would-be protégé choosing life away from Starfleet.
This is Uhura's second promotion in four seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Like A'Sha, Nyota came aboard the USS Enterprise as a Starfleet cadet, and she was promoted to Ensign at the start of Strange New Worlds season 2.
Firmly entrenched as Communications Officer and a valued member of the bridge crew, Nyota's promotion is a massive step towards becoming the Lieutenant Uhura Nichelle Nichols played in Star Trek: The Original Series. Uhura will literally meet her future self in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4's finale, "Tomorrow's Enterprise."
Will Admiral Reeger Return In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 5?
Joe Morton's powerhouse performance as Admiral Reeger and conflict with Lt. Commander Kirk in "Orders of Magnitude" echoes Ronny Cox's Captain Edward Jellico taking command of the USS Enterprise-D and clashes with Commander Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Chain of Command" two-parter. However, there are signs that Reeger might return.
Stardate 47988.1 · Crew Assessment
The Final Frontier
Trivia Challenge
🚀ShipsEnterprise!
⭐CrewMake it so
☠EnemiesResistance is…
⚡TechWarp speed!
📖LoreLive long…
ENGAGE →
01
The USS Enterprise is the most iconic starship in science fiction. What is the registry number of Captain Kirk’s original Enterprise from The Original Series?
ANCC-1701-D BNX-01 CNCC-1701 DNCC-74656
✓ Correct! NCC-1701 is the registry of Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise. The “-D” suffix belongs to Picard’s Galaxy-class ship, NX-01 is Archer’s Enterprise, and NCC-74656 is Voyager.
✗ Red alert! The answer is NCC-1701. Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise carried this now-legendary registry. NCC-1701-D is Picard’s Enterprise from TNG, NX-01 is Captain Archer’s, and NCC-74656 belongs to Voyager.
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02
Kirk’s most trusted officer is a half-human, half-Vulcan science officer famous for his logic and iconic salute. Who is this legendary character?
AData BSpock CTuvok DSarek
✓ Correct! Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, is the half-Vulcan science officer whose “Live long and prosper” salute became a cultural icon. His struggle between logic and emotion defines the heart of the Original Series.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Spock. Data is an android from TNG, Tuvok is Voyager’s Vulcan tactical officer, and Sarek is Spock’s Vulcan father. Only Spock is the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of Kirk’s Enterprise.
NEXT →
03
Starfleet’s most important regulation forbids interference with the natural development of alien civilizations. What is this guiding principle called?
AThe Temporal Accord BGeneral Order One CThe Omega Directive DThe Prime Directive
✓ Correct! The Prime Directive (also known as General Order 1) is Starfleet’s most sacred law. It prohibits interfering with less-developed civilizations — though Kirk, Picard, and Janeway have all famously bent or broken it when lives were at stake.
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Prime Directive. While “General Order One” is technically another name for it, the Prime Directive is the universally known term. The Omega Directive and Temporal Accord are separate, more specialized Starfleet protocols.
NEXT →
04
“Resistance is futile.” This chilling declaration belongs to a cybernetic collective that assimilates entire civilizations into its hive mind. What is this fearsome species called?
AThe Borg BThe Dominion CThe Romulans DSpecies 8472
✓ Correct! The Borg are Star Trek’s most terrifying villains — a hive-mind collective that forcibly assimilates species and technology. Captain Picard was famously assimilated and transformed into Locutus in the landmark TNG episode “The Best of Both Worlds.”
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Borg. The Dominion is the Gamma Quadrant empire from DS9, the Romulans are a rival empire, and Species 8472 is actually one of the few species that the Borg themselves fear. Only the Borg declare “Resistance is futile.”
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05
Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the Enterprise-D in The Next Generation and later received his own series, Star Trek: Picard. Which acclaimed actor portrays him?
AWilliam Shatner BAvery Brooks CPatrick Stewart DScott Bakula
✓ Correct! Sir Patrick Stewart brought gravitas, Shakespeare, and Earl Grey tea to the captain’s chair for seven seasons of TNG, four films, and three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. His “Make it so” is one of TV’s most iconic catchphrases.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Patrick Stewart. William Shatner plays Captain Kirk, Avery Brooks is Captain Sisko on Deep Space Nine, and Scott Bakula captains the NX-01 Enterprise. Only Sir Patrick Stewart portrays the legendary Jean-Luc Picard.
NEXT →
06
Starfleet vessels travel faster than light by bending space around them using a matter-antimatter reaction. What is this propulsion system called?
ATranswarp Drive BWarp Drive CSlipstream Drive DSpore Drive
✓ Correct! Warp Drive is the standard faster-than-light propulsion in Star Trek, powered by dilithium-regulated matter-antimatter reactions. Zefram Cochrane invented it in 2063, which led to humanity’s first contact with the Vulcans.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Warp Drive. Transwarp is an advanced Borg technology, Slipstream is an experimental quantum drive, and the Spore Drive uses mycelial network navigation (from Discovery). Standard Starfleet vessels use Warp Drive.
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07
At Starfleet Academy, cadets face a notorious no-win scenario designed to test their character under impossible circumstances. James Kirk is the only cadet who ever beat it — by cheating. What is this test called?
AThe Prometheus Trial BThe Omega Simulation CThe Corbomite Maneuver DThe Kobayashi Maru
✓ Correct! The Kobayashi Maru is an unwinnable rescue simulation that tests how cadets handle certain death. Kirk reprogrammed it so he could win — earning a commendation for original thinking. It was memorably featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
✗ Red alert! The answer is the Kobayashi Maru. The Corbomite Maneuver is a TOS episode, not an Academy test. The Kobayashi Maru is the famous no-win scenario that Kirk defeated by reprogramming the simulation — because he doesn’t believe in the no-win scenario.
NEXT →
08
In the widely regarded greatest Star Trek film, a genetically enhanced superhuman from Earth’s past seeks revenge against Captain Kirk. “KHAAAAN!” Who is this iconic villain?
AKhan Noonien Singh BGeneral Chang CQ DGul Dukat
✓ Correct! Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalbán, is Star Trek’s greatest villain. First appearing in the TOS episode “Space Seed,” he returned in The Wrath of Khan (1982) for a devastating revenge plot that cost Spock his life.
✗ Red alert! The answer is Khan Noonien Singh. General Chang is a Klingon from Star Trek VI, Q is TNG’s omnipotent trickster, and Gul Dukat is DS9’s Cardassian antagonist. Only Khan inspired Kirk’s legendary scream across the cosmos.
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Mission Complete Your Starfleet Record
/ 8
Are you an Admiral — or still a cadet on deck-scrubbing duty?
↻ RE-ENGAGE
Two major plot threads were left unresolved at the end of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 8. First is the pending court-martial of Dr. M'Benga. It would be logical for Admiral Reeger to return in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 5 to prosecute M'Benga. The other is that the unidentified cloaked ship Reeger chased was never captured, destroyed, or even identified.
Reeger is the newest, and one of the most compelling 'badmirals' Star Trek has introduced, thanks to sharp writing by Alan B. McElroy, Sharon Lewis' insightful direction, and Joe Morton's commanding force. Lt. Commander James T. Kirk facing his first twisted flag officer in Star Trek's Prime Timeline also parallels Captain Kirk's fatal encounter with the dangerous Admiral Alexander Marcus (Peter Weller) in Star Trek Into Darkness.
The phantom menace that Admiral Reeger wanted to destroy may very well return, perhaps as the main adversary of the USS Enterprise, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 5. After all, a cloaked enemy vessel capable of wiping out five million people seems like a threat worthy of Strange New Worlds' final season.
It also doesn't make sense to introduce such an adversary and leave it unresolved, and the mystery starship is an excellent cause for Joe Morton to reprise Admiral Reeger in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 5.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4's new episodes premiere Thursdays on Paramount+
Release Date 2022 - 2027-00-00
Network Paramount+
Showrunner Henry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman
Writers Onitra Johnson
English (US) ·