Pike's monologue to himself in Through the Valley of Shadows was one of the most moving if not the most moving performances of the streaming Trek Era. Its the backbone of this entire show.
To put in context, every captain has had a character journey:
Jonathan Archer: butthead to slightly not so great of a butthead.
Kirk's journey in the first few movies was dealing with a change of circumstances, loss, and leaving behind a destiny he was better suited to.
Picard: work in progress. I used to know what it was with BoBW, but Pic Season 2 has kind of pulled it like Silly Putty and I am not entirely sure now. Doing the right thing vs acting on guilt. Or something.
The Sisko: Recovering from loss, accepting a roll that you are destined for, but which no one could have prepared for.
Janeway: difficult. Her journey is more o an actual journey. Her writing was as much a reset button as that of her ship.
Saru: overcoming inherent fears and anxieties while opening up to those around him and embracing his strengths and embracing a hot Vulcan head of state.
Burnham: the foundling arc. literally. found in a reed basket along the banks of the River Nile by Sarek, raised by Pharaoh and led her people to the promised century.. start again.. from disgrace to captaincy. there.
Freeman: She went from not respecting her crew, to understanding the importance of buffer time, to forgetting her crew, to fighting for their right to get into an awesome party.
Pike's journey is more about how to deal with a destiny that may be unavoidable, while still finding the courage and freedom to live each day the best way possible.
