‘Star Trek: SNW’ was the best thing I streamed this week
‘Star Trek: SNW’ was the best thing I streamed this week
The new season of “Strange New Worlds” picks up right where the previous season left off, offering thrilling adventure where no one has gone before.
If you’re anything like me, you watch a little more TV than is probably good for you. The upshot for me with this problem is that I have a platform to share my thoughts on the best titles I watch on a week-in, week-out basis with readers. Not only does this give me an outlet for my thoughts, but it hopefully can be a help to confused cord-cutters in a world where streaming services are constantly bombarding viewers with more and more titles.
With that in mind, I wanted to share the best title I streamed this week. As may come as no surprise to anyone who knows me (or read my bio), I picked the new season of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which premiered on Paramount+ on Thursday, July 17.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Follow Captain Christopher Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
Why ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ S3 was the best thing I streamed this week
Okay, sure, I’m a huge Star Trek fan, but “Strange New Worlds” scratches an itch that very few other titles from the franchise have in the past decade or two.
The series follows the adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise under the command of Captain Christopher Pike. As many Trek fans no doubt already know, Pike was captain of the famed vessel in the years before James T. Kirk took command. It may seem tricky to try and create a show that serves as a prequel to a series made in the 1960s, but “Strange New World” balances the technological upgrades in TV making with a decidedly retro vibe. Perhaps the most complimentary thing I can say about the show is it feels like Star Trek.
That includes a setting in a future where humanity has become decidedly more progressive and tolerant, which has always been a hallmark of the franchise since its inception. That’s not to say that the characters of “Strange New Worlds” aren’t flawed and complex; they are indeed. One of the top subplots of the series is the fallout from a devastating war between the Klingon Empire and the Federation, and the prejudices developed by characters as a result of that deadly conflict.
Season 3 of the series picks up where Season 2 left off, with the Enterprise facing a harrowing mission to rescue several crew members from the clutches of the Gorn. The debut episodes showcase why the series is quintessential Trek: the show’s heroes face lethal peril, but somehow manage to science their way out of a seemingly impossible situation in episode one. Episode two is more humorous in nature, but is still packed with sincere emotion, which has become all too rare in a TV landscape where audience engagement has become the most important thing.
I don’t think the show is hostile in any way to those not well initiated in the Star Trek universe. Watching Spock awkwardly try to learn a few new dance moves to impress Nurse Chapel is relatable to just about everyone, regardless of whether or not you ultimately know what happens to these characters in the future.
“Strange New Worlds” is fantastic escapism, packed with sci-fi action, comedy, heart, and sincerity. The actors in the series have made the characters within their own, whether or not they’ve been previously established in Trek canon. I can’t recommend it highly enough to fans of the franchise or to viewers who are coming to the show for the first time.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” stars Anson Mount as Christopher Pike, Ethan Peck as Spock, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’An Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia as Erica Ortegas, Babs Olusanmokun as Joseph M’Benga, Rebecca Romijn as Number One, and Martin Quinn as Montgomery Scott.
How to watch ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’
All available episodes of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” are found on Paramount+. The series is available to stream on both plans of the service, with prices starting at $8 per month for the ad-supported Essential plan, or $13 per month to upgrade to the ad-free Premium plan.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.