“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Season Three Feels Like Coming Home Again

What do you say about something that you love takes a break for a while, only to come back two years later looking like a million bucks?

That’s Strange New Worlds season three, at least when it comes to the first half. A little over three years ago, I wrote that Strange New Worlds’ freshman season felt like coming home. Well, season three feels like coming home all over again, with what is arguably its strongest start to a season yet.

And Now…the Gornclusion

When we last saw Captain Pike and the Enterprise, things weren’t looking good. The ship was under a furious attack from the Gorn, and crewmembers like La’an, Ortegas, and M’Benga had been captured by the reptilian-like bad guys. On the bridge, it sure seemed like Pike was way out of his depth before those three magical words Star Trek loves using popped up on our screens: TO BE CONTINUED. Not since “The Best of Both Worlds” had there been a cliffhanger quite like “Hegemony, Pt. 1” and who knew we would have to wait nearly two years for the conclusion.

Anson Mount as Pike in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, episode 1, season 3, streaming on Paramount+, 2025. Photo Credit: Marni Grossman Paramount+

That’s why it’s such a relief to say that “Hegemony, Pt. 2” sticks the landing and then some. I have to keep coming back to “The Best of Both Worlds” because the conclusion of the Gorn arc has everything you’re probably expecting: action, emotional drama, and stakes. “Hegemony, Pt. 2” also features Anson Mount giving what is in my opinion, the best performance of the series so far. For more details on the season premiere…well, you’ll just have to wait a few more weeks.

Laughs, Fun, and Adventure at Full Impulse

Just going by the trailer alone, you’ll notice a plethora of smiles, adventure, and an aura of, to put it simply, fun. This isn’t a marketing trick, the first five episodes of season three are a joy ride, plain and simple. Those on the edge of their seat waiting to find out who Rhys Darby is playing won’t have to wait long. It’s a lot of fun, with just the right amount of chaos.

Another trailer reveal that Trekkies won’t have to wait for is something we discussed in our Wants & Don’t Wants episode with Open Pike Night, and that’s some more time with Pike & M’Benga. Both the teaser and latest trailer show them on an away mission together, along with that magic word…ZOMBIES?! Getting to see a bit more of this friendship during what is definitely not a great situation is everything I wanted and I hope it’s something we get to explore just a bit more later in the season.

And without giving away any details, it is refreshing for a show like Strange New Worlds that could have just gone ultra serious with a subject matter like zombies (looking at you Walking Dead), and managed to leave me with what is probably my favorite episode of SNW so far and not make me want to call my therapist.

Christina Chong as La'an and Ethan Peck as Spock in season 3, Episode 4 of Strange New Worlds streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Marni Grossman Paramount+

We also have to talk about “A Space Adventure Hour,” the highly anticipated Hollywood Murder Mystery episode directed by none other then Jonathan Frakes. I knew I wanted a hollywood murder mystery, but I didn’t know I wanted it in this way until I watched the episode. You’ve already seen some of the promo images from this episode, so you already know the costume department nails the assignment, but I have to put the spotlight on Christina Chong. Last week on the pod during our trailer breakdown, we talked about how we see La’an smiling a lot this season, and she certainly comes into her own in these first five episodes, and no more so than in “A Space Adventure Hour.”

Strange New Worlds

Yes. The name sake of the show. If there’s one complaint that has surrounded this series for its first two seasons, is that for a show called Strange New Worlds, they don’t visit that many. Luckily, season three changes that, and I say this as the ultimate compliment, season three very much has an original series vibe going for it, especially when it comes to “Through the Lens of Time.” The fifth episode of season three harkens back to the “planet of the week” blue print of old, giving us a sci-fi adventure with stakes, which heavily features Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) and newcomer Dr. Roger Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan).

Chapel and Korby Sitting in a Tree

If you’ve been around since 1966, it’s no secret to you that Dr. Roger Korby will eventually become engaged to Nurse Chapel. And while “What Little Girls Are Made OF” from TOS is a pretty problematic episode, getting a bit of that back story on how this came to be (and eventually end), is definitely a story that needs to be told. Strange New Worlds season three gives us the birth of that relationship, and I’m really curious where it will all end up when it’s all said and done.

And while Cillian O’Sullivan doesn’t really look or sound like the 1960s version of the character, it doesn’t take any time at all getting used to him in the role; his chemistry with Jess Bush really make him the perfect casting choice. 

Listen, it’s no secret that Trekkies are divided on all the romance in Strange New Worlds, but if that’s your thing (me, I’m a giant sap, so I’m happy), you’re going to be eating well in season three.

Montgomery Scott, At Your Service

Dan Jeannotte as Sam Kirk, Carol Kane as Pelia and Martin Quinn as Scotty in season 3, Episode 5 of Strange New Worlds streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Marni Grossman Paramount+

I have not been as hesitant about Strange New Worlds adding legacy characters, and Martin Quinn joining the cast as Scotty this season has been such a delight. This isn’t a Scotty that has fallen in love with the Enterprise yet. In fact, this Scotty is a bit trepidatious, but Pelia (Carol Kane) is always in the background trying to get the best out of him, whether through some tough love, some well intentioned jokes, or sometimes, even giving that disappointed professor look that Carol Kane has absolutely mastered. I can’t wait to see Scotty over the next couple of seasons grow and flourish into the miracle worker we all know him to be.

The Pike of it All

Another complaint about Strange New Worlds when it came to its second season was the lack of Captain Pike. For much of the season, some would say he felt like more of a background character than the Captain and lead of the show. It’s hard to argue with this, but I’d like to remind folks that Anson Mount went on paternity leave, and as a father of two, there’s nothing more important than being with your family during those first few months of parenthood, so let’s give this a rest.

Anson Mount as Capt. Pike and Rebecca Romijn as Una in season 3, Episode 6 of Strange New Worlds streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Marni Grossman Paramount+

And by give it a rest I mean that season three of Strange New Worlds is a Pike package full of charm, big hair, one liners, and well, yeah, more hair. Obviously what I mean to say by all this is that Pike is never in the shadows this season and more often than not, heavily featured.

Final (Frontier) Thoughts

There’s no way Trekkies can go into season three of Strange New Worlds after waiting nearly two years without the slightest bit of doubt. Will it live up to the hype after waiting for this long. The short answer and really only answer is a resounding, YES. Season three lives up to the hype and then some. A thrilling conclusion to “Hegemony” will probably be talked about in conversations with the same fanfare as “The Best of Both Worlds.” Episodes like “Wedding Bell Blues” and “A Space Adventure Hour” will lay in on laughs as well as mystery, and finally, “Shuttle to Kenfori” will lean heavily into the adventurous and sometimes dangerous elements that we love seeing from Star Trek.

Will there be some things that turn people off? Sure. If you’re not here for romance, there will probably be some shrugs. Canon purists (yawn) might find things to nitpick. But honestly, that comes with the territory of being a Star Trek series. For everyone else who just loves having new Trek on television, you’re going to be in for a wild and hella fun ride.Star Trek Strange New Worlds premieres on

Paramount Plus on Thursday July 17th with a two-episode premiere!