Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Cast: Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, Martin Quinn, Rebecca Romijn, Melanie Scrofano, Dan Jeannotte, Carol Kane, Cillian O’Sullivan, Mynor Luken, Chris Myers, Paul Wesley, Adrian Holmes, John de Lancie, Rhys Darby, Patton Oswalt.
The third series of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is one where subtly and humour merge with intent and add to the overall charm that has been evident since the first episode that frames the time before Captain James T. Kirk was a hero on board the Enterprise and sheds more light on the life of the doomed Captain Pike and the early roles of those who would become legendary in television history, and within the overall arc of the world of science fiction.
The ten-part series is one where the serious nature of humanity’s attempts to bring together an order, a unity of planets and species is one that is tested, both personally with the intriguing revulsion felt by the crew of The Gorn, and The Federation as they learn to be explorers rather than soldiers. It is to this the viewer feels the join of the original undertaking of the original series and its mission, to educate the masses on why Earth is not just our home but a stepping stone to the stars; without this constant mantra would millions of children have grown up believing that humanity’s destiny was to travel beyond the confines of our planet, would we still be enamoured with stories that are far into our future.
What was lacking in say Discovery is fully developed in Strange New Worlds, the passion of the characters, the familiarity of their strengths and their vulnerabilities, the humour that hits with a certain kind of pride, the underpinning of values that add to the franchise’s universally enjoyed premise, and with story lines involving the offspring of Q, voiced once again by the ever gracious John de Lancie, and with the erudite and comical Rhys Darby in fine form as Trelane, the elegance of Patton Oswalt making a superb appearance as a former lover of Rebecca Romijn’s character of Number One, and the near seamless integration of Montgomery Scott, played by the talented Martin Quinn, series three gallops along at a pace that is faithful to what has already been, but fills with sincerity the gaps that have emerged about the young crew under the command of the Enterprise.
An admirable series, one of consist enjoyment, of direction, of possibility, and whilst the eventual is already known and understood, finding the path to the conclusion is one creative hope and endearing magic. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds continues to charm and push the boundary between drama and fiction.
Ian D. Hall