The Finest Trek In Many years Does not Miss A Beat

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 completely different solutions, in all probability delivered at nice, rambling size. It is the form of world that was constructed to encourage a deep ardour — it is broad 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 attractive and provoking factor about “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” is the way it threads the needle. Sure, it is a prequel collection that is set in a selected time and place and has to repeatedly bend over backwards to suit established canon, however it does so with such mild, easygoing grace that newcomers can get pleasure from it with out subject. At no level does it it appear to be making an attempt too laborious to attraction to old style followers and newbies alike, even because it does so with aplomb. It is a collection 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 attraction 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 boldness of a present that is aware of it is pretty much as good as it’s. Earlier seasons established this as a finest “Trek” collection for the reason that ’90s (with all due respect to the fantastic “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.

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 fluctuate 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 route to a different. Intense, action-driven battle tales give method to playful, foolish character comedy. Darkish tales of moral dilemmas coming residence to roost result in canon-restructuring meta commentaries in regards to the very nature of the collection we’re watching. And in spite of everything that, why not a large 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 unfastened with tone could possibly be complete chaos (typically “Unusual New Worlds” is intentionally chaotic), however it properly facilities all of its greatest swings round its steadfast, charming, and sure, extraordinary photogenic solid. Anson Mount’s Captain Christopher Pike, given a shocking new layer this season that can shock some “Trek” followers, continues to be probably the greatest leads the present has ever seen, along with his “enterprise informal” demeanor and optimistic 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 inconceivable 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 solid continues to shine, with Rebecca Romijn, Christina Chong, Jess Bush, Celia Rose Gooding, and Babs Olusanmokun all re-confirming that this can be 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 provides Melissa Navia’s Ortegas the season-long highlight she’s so desperately wanted.

As a lot as I lengthy for the times of 26-episode seasons, there is no denying that “Unusual New Worlds” is a collection that relishes placing each penny on the display throughout its shorter seasons. Many years after Kirk and Spock stumbled via cardboard caves and fought monsters manufactured from blankets, the slick manufacturing values of this collection by no means stop to impress, particularly once they recreate the acquainted. Starfleet uniforms have by no means regarded 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 will by no means get used to “Trek” wanting prefer it price 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 least one swipe on the distinguished competitors?)

However maybe probably the most thrilling component of season 3, now that the present is so clearly comfy at being what it’s, is the way it embraces the brand new. With out going into spoilers, the collection does proceed to make the most of legacy villains (some scary, some hilarious), however it additionally introduces a brand new menace 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 menace that would, if allowed, give the present a model new, totally chilling antagonist to name its personal. Even because it seems to be again, “Unusual New Worlds” is wanting ahead.

Critics have been equipped with the primary 5 episodes of “Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” for overview, and after 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 beautiful … and I am unable to wait to observe extra of it.

/Movie Score: 9.5 out of 10

“Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds” season 3 will premiere with two episodes on July 17, 2025 on Paramount+.