Introduction to Season Three of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
This preview of the first five episodes of season three is completely spoiler-free.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds concluded its second season on a remarkably high note, showcasing unparalleled confidence across all aspects of production. However, following its transition to being the sole representative of modern Trek, it has noticeably declined in consistency and strength.
Retaining Core Strengths
After viewing the first five episodes, it’s evident that many elements which made Strange New Worlds stand out remain intact. The series continues to excel in character development, allowing viewers to connect with the crew as they engage in everyday activities. The show’s format, blending standalone adventures with serialized character drama, offers a fresh experience each week.
Recalling the first season, episodes like “Memento Mori” and “Spock Amock” demonstrated the show’s versatility, effortlessly shifting from intense action to comedic moments. Strange New Worlds uniquely understands that audiences crave more than just relentless, grim storylines, setting it apart from other series like Picard and Section 31.
Balancing Act
Despite its strengths, the series faces a delicate balancing act to prevent veering too far into extremes. Unfortunately, the first five episodes of season three sees the show struggling with this balance, at times tipping too far in both directions. One episode, reminiscent of last season’s musical episode, falls short due to its self-indulgence in silliness.
Challenges and Concerns
On the other end of the spectrum, the series sometimes leans into excessively grim and dark themes, feeling forced rather than organically integrated. A cynic might argue that the increased influence of franchise overseer Alex Kurtzman, known for pushing the franchise towards “grittier” territory, is a contributing factor.
The soapier elements and continuing plotlines dominate more of each episode’s runtime, resulting in weaker and less coherent storylines of the week. One episode’s pivot to resolve a thread from season two feels like an afterthought, lacking the time and development it deserves.
The Bigger Picture
This issue is not unique to Strange New Worlds but is a common problem in streaming-era shows, which often have limited episode orders. Unlike traditional broadcast networks, these shows must make each episode count, leading to an exhausting viewing experience.
While Strange New Worlds cannot single-handedly resolve the economic issues with the streaming model, it’s hopeful that the weaker episodes are concentrated in the first half, making way for stronger moments towards the season’s conclusion.
Conclusion and Future
Shortly before publication, it was announced that Strange New Worlds would conclude with a truncated fifth season. Although not surprising, given the similar fate of Lower Decks, it’s disappointing. The hope is that the final season will not awkwardly kill! off the young ensemble to replace them with the original series’ roster but will instead let them stand on their own merit.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-third-season-falls-short-of-its-second-020030139.html?src=rss
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