Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Review – Why Can’t Star Wars Shows Be This Good?!

Trying to become a Star Trek fan is overwhelming, mostly because there’s six decades’ worth of material to get through. Where do you start, and how much do you need to know before watching another show or movie? As someone who isn’t a Trekkie, knowing only the basics of the franchise and the odd viewing of The Next Generation, it’s refreshing to see a show like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds be inclusive and welcoming to newbies. Now, in its third season, the sci-fi series continues to fill the gap of the events prior to Star Trek: The Original Series, while capturing the heartbeat of what the show is actually about: humanity.

The previous season’s finale, “Hegemony,” ended on a cliffhanger, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 wastes no time in closing the story loop. It’s an episode that has immense repercussions for what’s to come, even if it might not seem like it at the time. That’s the beauty of the show; each episode can be enjoyed in isolation, but there are minor threads stitched into the fabric of the season that impact the overarching storyline.

At the same time, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 makes bold and confident decisions, embracing a wide range of genres and not being afraid to take maximum creative risk. Don’t be surprised to watch a wacky episode inspired by Clue, only to be blindsided by the next episode where a heart-wrenching event changes everything (and everyone) on the Enterprise. It’s unpredictable – in a good way – as the series refuses to be confined by generic conventions and keeps everyone guessing about its next step.

In terms of character development, this season finds the right balance of giving the large cast their respective moments in the spotlight. Melissa Navia’s Erica Ortegas is afforded a meatier arc than before, while Babs Olusanmokun’s Joseph M’Benga grapples with his actions of the previous season. In addition, Ethan Peck’s Spock and Jess Bush’s Christine Chapel continue to explore the complicated nature of their relationship, even though there are a few spanners thrown into the works here. There are a few new faces on the Enterprise, too, as Martin Quinn’s Montgomery Scott becomes a series regular after debuting in the Season 2 finale, while Paul Wesley’s James Kirk pops up unexpectedly – much like in the previous seasons.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 exudes self-assurance in all it does. There’s no apprehension nor uncertainty in its approach, as it’s clear that everyone – from cast to crew – feels conviction in their creative choices. Look at Peck’s Spock, for example. Leonard Nimoy’s shadow looms large over such an iconic character, but Peck continues to make Spock his own – without nullifying what came before (or is it after him in the timeline?).

So, remember the initial statement about how tough it is to get into Star Trek because of the information overload and where to start? Well, it looks like the franchise has finally solved this problem with this series. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 continues to capture the essence of what makes Star Trek a pop culture phenomenon to begin with. Yeah, it boldly goes where the other shows have gone before, but it’s a special voyage in its own right. Just when you think you have reached the final frontier, the series surprises you and proves there’s more to come.

RELATED: Murderbot Review – Apple TV+ Builds a Killer Sci-Fi Hit