They might be saving Captain Pike's "problem" for the next movie.

Well, I saw it today and it's GREAT!!! Way better than I'd ever have expected. Matter of fact, it's almost perfect.

Peter T, you're quite right about the blatant (and largely unaware) perpetuation of the American-centric view of the world (and life) that is embodied in the very fabric of Star Trek...hell, the ships are labelled "USS" whatever...how likely is that???

But it's virtually inevitable it would be that way, because the series was invented and made IN the USA. Most movies we watch are made in the USA and they all repeat the old myths. So what else is new? The USA is a country that sees itself as the center of the Universe, the one place on planet Earth that really matters, the place that is the home of liberty, freedom, technology, justice, government, and God. That won't change until some other nation on this planet becomes a much greater military and political power than the USA...and that will happen...but not for a little while yet.

In the meantime, the American myth will, like Celine Dionne in the Titanic song, go on and on...