Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season Two
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 spun into their own series Strange New Worlds starring Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck. Una Chin-Riley, Celia Rose Gooding, Jess Bush, Paul Wesley and Carol Kane. Now the series is back with its second season, but does this latest season offer up more of what the fans want or will it not be a world worth exploring?
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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. In Season Two, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise confronts increasingly dangerous stakes, explores uncharted territories, and embarks on personal journeys that continue to test their resolve and redefine their destinies. Facing friends and enemies both new and familiar, their adventures unfold in surprising ways never seen on any “Star Trek” series.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this latest series, but 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. This new season continues that trend going even deeper with not only more connections to the original series in some fun ways right down to the return of a famed alien race in its finale.
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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. I am so glad they keep it that way in this latest season as well that still feels fresh and new but with that old school familiarity.
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The cast is all great, but it is the swagger of Anson Mount’s Pike that continues to carry 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. Thankfully it never gets too far bogged down with that and lets us just enjoy these characters with more depth and focus across the ship.
They did the one thing that I have hated of late in these gerne shows and that is bring in a musical episode. I love the creativity and how they reacted to it as a story, but just ended up being my least favorite of the entire series. On the opposite side they did a most excellent cross over with the animated series Lower Decks that was a blast. Easily the best episode of the season was “Under The Cloak Of War” focusing on a Klingon and the doctor that was heavy and offered up a great twist to the ending.
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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 especially since the finale ended on a cliffhanger.
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Grab your copy of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season Two available now on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD from from CBS and Paramount Home Entertainment.