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News.com.au
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season three review: Warp five or so, but the speed is increasing
Remarkably few elements of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ' third season work as well as they could or should. Its action is decent but never great. Moments intended to convey emotional weight feel just a touch too shallow. The humour mostly elicits more of a bark, a brief 'Ha!', than a full, proper laugh. And its performances fluctuate between being oddly flat, on the one hand, and overly melodramatic on the other. Always, something feels a teensy bit off. But there is also plenty worth pursuing here; occasional flashes that suggest Strange New Worlds is capable of matching its franchise's previous heights. Mixed signals, I know. This is a television show you constantly find yourself wanting to enjoy, because like pretty much all Star Trek projects, it offers an earnestness and optimism rarely found elsewhere. It's ironic, then, that Strange New Worlds' strongest moments are also its darkest. We were given access to half of the ten-episode season, and until I viewed the very last episode of that batch, this review was not going to double as a recommendation for anyone outside the show's existing fanbase. Now I find myself in the unusual position of feeling sceptical towards my own scepticism. I still cannot describe this as essential viewing, even for sci-fi tragics, but the potential is there to take this story in genuinely intriguing directions, and when the final five episodes drop, I will be watching. What can you expect, then? The marketing for season three promises 'thrilling adventures of faith, duty, romance, comedy, and mystery, with varying genres never before seen on any other Star Trek '. I'm not sure about the 'never before seen' claim, there. Across its hundreds of previous episodes Trek has done plenty of experimentation. But yes, this season of television does play with different genres. One episode, featuring an early prototype of the holodecks we see later in the timeline, turns into a fun Knives Out -style murder mystery. Another flirts with horror, to surprisingly haunting effect, and introduces a chilling new villain to the universe. (You will be either greatly relieved or greatly disappointed to learn there is no musical episode this time around.) The tonal shifts don't all work. One episode, which includes a guest appearance from the forever delightful Kiwi comedic actor Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death), ultimately strays just a bit too far into silliness. Not egregiously so! But far enough to be jarring. Previous Star Trek TV shows have gotten away with weirdness and inconsistency, partly because they lived in an era of 20-plus episode seasons which would inevitably include duds, and partly because of their strong ensemble casts. You would happily watch the characters when they were inserted into lesser, or even quite stupid plots. That is where I worry most about Strange New Worlds. Not so long ago, ten-episode seasons were the mark of prestige television, with almost no room for inert space. There is inert space here. And on top of it, these characters do not always ooze charisma. That sounds more insulting than intended. No actor is doing a particularly bad job. But the characters, as written and performed, lack the same force of personality as Kirk, Bones and the original Spock, or Picard, Riker and Data. The standout performers are Christina Chong as Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh, the Enterprise's outwardly confident but inwardly churning chief of security, and Ethan Peck as our latest iteration of Spock. (Though it must be said, an inordinate amount of time is spent exploring his love life.) The other characters ... they're not quite what you would call one dimensional. But something is missing. Whatever depth they show does not quite clear the 'compelling' threshold. Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) lacks the sheer screen presence we saw from previous Star Trek captains. First Officer Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) is too restrained and tight-lipped. Carol Kane's acting as the Chief Engineer, Pelia, is hobbled by a completely unnecessary exaggeration of her real-world accent. The characterisation of Nurse Christine Chapel (Australian actress Jess Bush) feels inconsistent. You end up with line reads that fluctuate between flat, where you can feel there should be more emphasis and emotion, and cartoonish, where you can feel it should have been toned down. Both problems occur here, sometimes in the same scene. And no one wants to be making mental directing notes while watching a television show. The heart of Star Trek is still there, the thing common to all its iterations: a crew of fundamentally goofy people who support each other like family despite having wildly different personalities. That is intact and, as a concept, it's as charming as ever. It's just the individuals aren't as colourful as before, which makes the final product suffer. There are other issues, including eye roll-inducing plot contrivances. But the show does play with some interesting scientific ideas, quantum physics being a highlight. And that fifth episode. Hmmmmm. I can't recall being particularly interested in a new Star Trek villain since ... maybe the Dominion? Strange New Worlds captures some magic halfway through this season, with an hour of television that could have been a film. Will it go anywhere, or was it a one off? No idea. Regardless, there is something of very high quality to mine here. It is, as yet, unrealised, and the first half of season three mostly just goes, not so boldly, where other Star Trek shows have gone before. But there is something here. Luckily, with season four already confirmed and an abbreviated fifth season likely to follow after it, we do not lack for time.
Geek Tyrant
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Actor Anson Mount Breaks Silence on the Show's Final Season Announcement — GeekTyrant
It was announced this week that Paramount+ has given Star Trek: Strange New Worlds a renewal for a fifth and final season. Ahead of the show's much-anticipated Season 3 premiere, the streamer officially confirmed that Strange New Worlds will conclude with a six-episode fifth season. Production on that final voyage is slated to begin later this year. Star of the series Anson Mount, who plays Captain Pike on the show, has spoken out on Instagram about the news with a photo of him in costume overlaid with the announcement and the words, 'I could not be more grateful.' In the body of the post, he told fans: 'I grew up watching Bill Shatner strut his stuff across the bridge and sit in a chair that I could not fathom would one day be mine to occupy. It has been a dream fulfilled. Thank you to Paramount, to Akiva, Alex and Henry who all believed in me, to Sonequa for lighting the way, and to all of you for your faith and support. But stick around. We still have many more stories to tell before we hang up these phasers.' There are still three full seasons left to watch, including Season 3, which kicks off with a two-episode drop on Thursday, July 17, followed by weekly episodes through September 11. Season 4 is currently in production, so there's still plenty of star-hopping and Gorn-dodging ahead.
The Verge
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is getting a fifth and final season
We're still over a month away from the premiere of season three, but Paramount has announced that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is getting a fifth season — and that it will be its last. While Strange New Worlds ' first four seasons are (or will be) all ten episodes long, the fifth will run for just six. Still, executive producers Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers, and Alex Kurtzman said in a joint statement that they'll 'complete our five-season mission, just as we envisioned it.' 'From the very beginning, Strange New Worlds set out to honor what Star Trek has always stood for — boundless curiosity, hope and the belief that a better future is possible,' the statement reads. 'And to the passionate fans who've boldly joined us on this journey — thank you. With three more spectacular seasons ahead for you to see and enjoy, this adventure is far from over.' The prequel, which follows the USS Enterprise under Captain Pike (portrayed by Anson Mount), complete with younger versions of a few members of the original crew, was renewed for a fourth season in April 2024. That's now in production, with the fifth set to follow later this year, but before either airs the series will return to Paramount Plus with a two-part season three premiere on July 17th. The other Trek series on the way right now are Starfleet Academy and an untitled live action comedy.
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" Canceled
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" will reach the end of its interstellar journey with a shortened fifth season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount+ announced that "Strange New Worlds" has been renewed for a fifth season, but that Season 5 will be its last. The season will also be shorter than previous seasons, consisting only of six episodes. Read More: 'Harry Potter' Reboot Series Casts Four of Its Best Villains The good news for "Star Trek" fans is that there's still three seasons left to the series. Season 3 doesn't premiere until July 17 and Season 4 is currently in production. Anson Mount in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds". Anson Mount in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds". Paramount This development comes as Paramount Global announces a number of cost cutting measures, including reducing its US-based workforce by 15 percent. Executive producers Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers and Alex Kurtzman released a joint statement, saying, "From the very beginning, 'Strange New Worlds' set out to honor what 'Star Trek' has always stood for — boundless curiosity, hope and the belief that a better future is possible." "We're deeply grateful to Paramount+ for the chance to complete our five-season mission, just as we envisioned it, alongside our extraordinary cast and crew. And to the passionate fans who've boldly joined us on this journey — THANK YOU. With three more spectacular seasons ahead for you to see and enjoy, this adventure is far from over." This news makes "Strange New Worlds" the third of recent "Star Trek" series to be cut off at the fifth season. Both "Star Trek: Discovery" and the animated comedy series "Star Trek: Lower Decks" were likewise ended at the Season 5 mark. The intention of the producers was to bring "Strange New Worlds" into the era of "Star Trek: The Original Series" and it remains to be seen whether or not the remaining three seasons will succeed in doing so. The end of "Strange New Worlds" thankfully doesn't mean the end of "Star Trek". Still to come is "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy," following a brand new group of Starfleet recruits as they learn what it means to be Starfleet officers. The series is expected to premiere sometime either later this year or in early 2026. There's also Tawny Newsome's so far untitled "Star Trek" workplace comedy still in development. In the meantime, there are still three seasons of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" on the way, starting with Season 3, which debuts Thursday, July 17. More TV: 'Mass Effect' Series Moving Forward With 'Star Trek' Writer Everything We Know About Netflix's Season 4 of 'Ginny & Georgia'
Geek Girl Authority
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Season 3 Trailer Promises Romance, Action and Exploration
Paramount has unveiled the official trailer for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, which you can watch below. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds The new trailer features the main cast, guest stars and Cillian O'Sullivan as legacy character Roger Korby. Expect the 10-episode new season to debut this summer. As the release date for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 creeps ever closer, Paramount+ has released a full trailer. This trailer features a ton of tantalizing clips, including guest stars and sci-fi action and adventure. Scroll down to the bottom of the article to see it for yourself. Photo Credit: Marni Grossman/Paramount+ Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Trailer The trailer features plenty of footage of the main cast. This includes Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) and Spock (Ethan Peck). Also featured are Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) and Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia). We get to see both engineers, Pelia (Carol Kane) and Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott (Martin Quinn). Representing medical are M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) and Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). RELATED: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Releases Episode Titles and More Posters There are also plentiful glimpses of some beloved returning guest stars. These are James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley), Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte), Jenna Mitchell (Rong Fu) and Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano). But we also get to see some new guest stars, too. These include Ortegas' little brother Beto (Mynor Luken). And we get to see legacy character Roger Korby (Cillian O'Sullivan). Finally, we get a tasty clip of Doug the Vulcan (Patton Oswalt) interacting with Spock. And of course, in addition to the impressively-sized ensemble cast and the exciting guest stars, the trailer also promises some strange new sci-fi adventures. The trailer includes more Klingon action, a glimpse of something that might be undead and Kirk taking the U.S.S. Enterprise 's center seat for the very first time. And there's also some lighthearted action, including sharing wine, at least one party and — dare I type it — even some hijinks? RELATED: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Gets Release Date (and New Poster) Two episodes of Strange New Worlds Season 3 will debut for streaming on Paramount+ on Thursday, July 17, 2025. But before that, the season is set to premiere at the Tribeca Festival 2025 in just one week, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Will you be checking out the new episodes when they beam in? Catch up with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Seasons 1 and 2, currently available for streaming on Paramount+. STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Season 3 Will Debut at Tribeca Festival 2025 Avery Kaplan is the author of several books and the Features Editor at Comics Beat. She was honored to serve as a judge for the 2021 Cartoonist Studio Prize Award and the 2021 Prism Awards. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her partner and a pile of cats, and her favorite place to visit is the cemetery. You can also find her writing on Comics Bookcase, NeoText, Shelfdust, the Mary Sue, in many issues of PanelxPanel, and in the margins of the books in her personal library.
