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 doubtless get very totally different solutions, most likely delivered at nice, rambling size. It is the form of world that was constructed to encourage a deep ardour — it is extensive sufficient to get misplaced in, deep sufficient to repeatedly fascinate, and inconsistent sufficient to maintain everybody complaining and nitpicking as solely true lovers may.
The gorgeous and galvanizing 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 particular time and place and has to repeatedly bend over backwards to suit established canon, nevertheless it does so with such mild, easygoing grace that newcomers can take pleasure in it with out problem. At no level does it it appear to be attempting too laborious to enchantment to old fashioned followers and newbies alike, even because it does so with aplomb. It is a sequence devoid of flop sweat. It is uncommon to look at 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. It is 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 for the reason that ’90s (with all due respect to the great “Star Trek: Decrease Decks”), and season 3 is sort of a seasoned athlete on the high 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 house adventures that modify in tone and style from episode to episode, offering the identical form 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 path to a different. Intense, action-driven warfare tales give option to playful, foolish character comedy. Darkish tales of moral dilemmas coming residence to roost result in canon-restructuring meta commentaries concerning the very nature of the sequence we’re watching. And in any case that, why not an enormous dose of cosmic house horror powered by sufficient dread to make H.P. Lovecraft rise from his grave?
A present that performs so quick and free with tone may very well be whole chaos (typically “Unusual New Worlds” is intentionally chaotic), nevertheless it properly facilities all of its greatest swings round its steadfast, charming, and sure, extraordinary photogenic forged. Anson Mount’s Captain Christopher Pike, given a stunning new layer this season that may shock some “Trek” followers, continues to be among the best leads the present has ever seen, along with his “enterprise informal” demeanor and constructive masculinity providing a singular 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 repeatedly of why everybody adores Leonard Nimoy whereas carving his personal path. Not each actor can seize the deadpan humor and wry supply that makes one of the best Vulcan characters come to life, and Peck is up there with one of the best 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 price celebrating (and sure, price 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 ahead, even when it is trying again
As a lot as I lengthy for the times of 26-episode seasons, there isn’t any denying that “Unusual New Worlds” is a sequence that relishes placing each penny on the display screen throughout its shorter seasons. Many years after Kirk and Spock stumbled by means of cardboard caves and fought monsters manufactured from 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 appeared this good, the Enterprise has by no means been this cool, and each alien and creature, whether or not realized virtually or by means of digital results, is a pleasure to behold. I will 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 common episode of “The Mandalorian.” (What, was I, a “Trek” fan, not going to take at the very least one swipe on the distinguished competitors?)
However maybe probably 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), nevertheless it additionally introduces a brand new risk that’s as unsettling as something we have ever seen in “Trek.” On the danger of hyperbole, this feels just like the present has lastly discovered its Borg or its Dominion, the brand new risk that might, if allowed, give the present a model new, completely chilling antagonist to name its personal. Even because it appears again, “Unusual New Worlds” is trying ahead.
Critics have been provided 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 aggravated that I ran out of “Star Trek.” That is good, and possibly even one of the best, 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 wonderful … and I am unable to wait to look at 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+.
