Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season One
review by Bobby Blakey
There are few sci-fi franchises that have had the staying power and impact of Star Trek. The original short run series has spawned numerous films and TV series. In 2017 they unleashed yet another new series with Star Trek: Discovery on Paramount+. In the second season of the series they introduced Captain Pike and crew that has now spun into their own series Strange New Worlds starring Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, and Ethan Peck. Could this latest entry into the franchise offer up more of what the fans want or will it not be a world worth exploring?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds follows the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise alongside Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this latest series, but think I thought it might be more of the same in the vein of Picard or Discovery which would have been totally fine. To my surprise it is way more along the lines of the original series, as it obviously should be with the timeline, while still infusing it with some of the new vibes and works to perfection.
I love all Star Trek that has been made, but clearly some have been better than others. Within this new universe they have created this is the most Star Trek series they have done to date and I love it. As someone that isn’t a huge fan of the original series I was worried the tone of the time might not work for me, but it is well crafted and brings everything we love about the Trek to the table for both old and new fans.
The cast is all great, but it is the swagger of Anson Mount’s Pike that
carries this show. He is the perfect leader for this crew and has some great interactions with them all. I love the world building bringing in younger versions of the classic characters that we all know from their original appearances, but here getting to see a take on their journey to that place. The stories are interesting and take us right into the mix without feeling like an origin tale, but also allows us to meet them all in fun and exciting ways.
The effects are top notch on par with the stunning visuals and perfection we have come to see in the new series which is the only thing that kind of separates it from the original series outside of the cast. It would be hard to let this one lead into that series given the visuals alone, but who knows where it will all be headed in the end. For now I am ready for more adventures with this crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise and hope it is a journey that lasts for a long time.
Grab your copy of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season One available now on DVD from CBS and Paramount Home Entertainment.