YMMV / Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S1E10 "A Quality of Mercy"

• Alternative Character Interpretation: While on a surface level, the episode implies that Pike was too diplomatically-minded to effectively deter the Romulans and that Kirk having a more confrontational approach was what won the day in the prime timeline, it could also be said that Pike had very little choice; with damaged weaponry after the first attack, there was no way Enterprise could shoot back, so trying to talk it out was the only option left. His entertaining of Kirk's backup plan showed a continuing willingness to play hardball if it came down to it.
• Complete Monster: The Praetor is the monstrous leader of the Romulan Star Empire in this alternate timeline. As in the original timeline, the Praetor orders one of her commanders to destroy several Federation outposts along the Neutral Zone. Christopher Pike tries to stop the Romulan Commander but is confronted by the Praetor and her fleet. The Romulan Praetor has the Commander and his crew destroyed for being caught by the Federation and declares war on the Federation, declaring them to be weak. The resulting war kills millions of people.

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