For 60 years, “Star Trek” has stubbornly and steadfastly refused to be a single factor. Ask three followers what they treasure about Gene Roddenberry’s science fiction universe and you will probably get very totally different solutions, in all probability delivered at nice, rambling size. It is the sort of world that was constructed to encourage a deep ardour — it is extensive sufficient to get misplaced in, deep sufficient to constantly fascinate, and inconsistent sufficient to maintain everybody complaining and nitpicking as solely true lovers might.
The attractive and provoking factor about “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” is the way it threads the needle. Sure, it is a prequel sequence that is set in a selected time and place and has to constantly bend over backwards to suit established canon, but it surely does so with such light, easygoing grace that newcomers can get pleasure from it with out situation. At no level does it it appear to be attempting too laborious to enchantment to old style followers and newbies alike, even because it does so with aplomb. It is a sequence devoid of flop sweat. It is uncommon to observe any TV present and expertise a way of pure, exuberant pleasure. Not simply over the storytelling and the characters, however on the sheer cleverness of the way it respects and adores the universe through which it’s set. This can be a present designed to enchantment to these three followers described above in equal measure.
“Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” season 3 does not pause or stumble for even a second, taking the momentum of the staggering, humorous, and invigorating second season and sprinting ahead with the arrogance of a present that is aware of it is pretty much as good as it’s. Earlier seasons established this as a finest “Trek” sequence because the ’90s (with all due respect to the fantastic “Star Trek: Decrease Decks”), and season 3 is sort of a seasoned athlete on the prime of his sport. Rattling, he is good, and too charming and humble to even remotely dislike.
Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds is extra assured than ever in season 3
As anticipated, “Unusual New Worlds” must wrap up the dramatic cliffhanger from the season 2 finale earlier than it get again to doing what it does finest: inform one-off area adventures that fluctuate in tone and style from episode to episode, offering the identical sort of whiplash that has at all times been a defining trait of “Trek” since its infancy. Season 3 relishes the chance to playfully whip the viewers from one route to a different. Intense, action-driven conflict tales give technique to playful, foolish character comedy. Darkish tales of moral dilemmas coming house to roost result in canon-restructuring meta commentaries in regards to the very nature of the sequence we’re watching. And in spite of everything that, why not a large dose of cosmic area horror powered by sufficient dread to make H.P. Lovecraft rise from his grave?
A present that performs so quick and unfastened with tone might be complete chaos (generally “Unusual New Worlds” is intentionally chaotic), but it surely properly facilities all of its greatest swings round its steadfast, charming, and sure, extraordinary photogenic forged. Anson Mount’s Captain Christopher Pike, given a shocking new layer this season that can shock some “Trek” followers, continues to be among the best leads the present has ever seen, together with his “enterprise informal” demeanor and constructive masculinity providing a novel taste that differs wildly from the likes of Kirk and Picard whereas complementing them at each step. Because the younger Spock, Ethan Peck continues to do the unimaginable by reminding us constantly of why everybody adores Leonard Nimoy whereas carving his personal path. Not each actor can seize the deadpan humor and wry supply that makes the most effective Vulcan characters come to life, and Peck is up there with the most effective of them.
The remainder of the forged continues to shine, with Rebecca Romijn, Christina Chong, Jess Bush, Celia Rose Gooding, and Babs Olusanmokun all re-confirming that it is a Bridge crew value celebrating (and sure, value your fan fiction and cosplay efforts). And after two seasons of being largely allowed to exist (colorfully and joyfully) within the background, season 3 lastly offers Melissa Navia’s Ortegas the season-long highlight she’s so desperately wanted.
Unusual New Worlds at all times appears to be like ahead, even when it is trying again
As a lot as I lengthy for the times of 26-episode seasons, there is not any denying that “Unusual New Worlds” is a sequence that relishes placing each penny on the display screen throughout its shorter seasons. A long time after Kirk and Spock stumbled via cardboard caves and fought monsters product of blankets, the slick manufacturing values of this sequence by no means stop to impress, particularly after they recreate the acquainted. Starfleet uniforms have by no means seemed this good, the Enterprise has by no means been this cool, and each alien and creature, whether or not realized virtually or via digital results, is a pleasure to behold. I am going to by no means get used to “Trek” trying prefer it value precise cash, however the mix of standing units and digital backgrounds is wholly profitable, and usually feels extra convincing and tangible than the typical episode of “The Mandalorian.” (What, was I, a “Trek” fan, not going to take no less than one swipe on the distinguished competitors?)
However maybe essentially the most thrilling component of season 3, now that the present is so clearly snug at being what it’s, is the way it embraces the brand new. With out going into spoilers, the sequence does proceed to make the most of legacy villains (some horrifying, some hilarious), but it surely additionally introduces a brand new menace that’s as unsettling as something we have ever seen in “Trek.” On the threat of hyperbole, this feels just like the present has lastly discovered its Borg or its Dominion, the brand new menace that would, if allowed, give the present a model new, completely chilling antagonist to name its personal. Even because it appears to be like again, “Unusual New Worlds” is trying ahead.
Critics have been equipped with the primary 5 episodes of “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” for evaluation, and once I completed, after intentionally watching them as soon as per day to make them final, I used to be irritated that I ran out of “Star Trek.” That is good, and perhaps even the most effective, downside for any present to have. “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” season 3 is hopeful and humorous and thrilling and foolish and considerate and scary and unusual and beautiful … and I am unable to wait to observe extra of it.
/Movie Ranking: 9.5 out of 10
“Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” season 3 will premiere with two episodes on July 17, 2025 on Paramount+.
