Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

After the rather drab, talky and alienating Alex Kurtzman soap operas of Picard and Discovery, Strange New Worlds returns us to the Roddenberry version of the show (ST, ST:NG, ST:Voyager, movies). Once again, we can imagine ourselves on the bridge, empathize with real characters and most of all, enjoy tightly-written scripts that don't insult the audience with dull backstory or gratuitous dialog.

It's not all perfect. There are no characters that immediately shine like a Data or a Seven, the bridge is a little too busy in its design. But the writing is the sharpest since Deep Space Nine, the actors better cast and most of all, while there's no acting on par with Stewart or Mulgrew, there's reason to celebrate this return to the Roddenberry version where disciplined writing and a well-lit Enterprise invite us in to experience adventures that include all of us. Hooray!

I have to admit that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was so much better than I expected. This is the prequel to the original Star Trek and even has some familiar characters like Spock and Uhura. It's led by Captain Pike (Anson Mount) and has basically the same plot as the original in where they explore the galaxy. This is actually one of the most well received Star Trek shows ever by both the critics and fans, it currently has a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. It has a new fresh feel while also honoring the original. This is a show that both new fans and longtime fans can both enjoy. This hooked me from the very first episode and didn't let go. I binged the entire first season over a weekend and I'm already looking forward for next season.

In terms of when this is set, it's important to remember it's just before the original series with Kirk and way before The Next Generation. You need to take this into account when evaluating, looking at what the mission is, looking at the sets, costumes and all round character of the show.

It has embraced that which we're all used to from that era of the Trek universe.

The rule breaking, edge of your seat decision making, pushing boundaries, constant uncertainty and volatility, tongue in cheek scenarios, a healthy dose of sarcasm, wit and humour all mixed with a decent amount of action, wide variety of aliens and great effects and CGI.

Anson Mount nails Pike. Particularly as a predecessor to Kirk who was a happy maverick. The surrounding cast just excel it even further and it's tough to fault any of them.

The mention of other reviewers with "wokeness" I believe are mixing it up with ethnic diversity, which is beautiful and rich across the entire cast.

If you're looking for wokeness and a trek through emotions.......watch Star Trek Discovery.

This, nails what Star Trek is. Great stories, on a 5 year mission with wonderful diversity and a fresh take on that era of the trek universe.

Long may it last. They have so many possibilities to deepen a lot of the characters and expand the universe even further.

Quip filled marvel style dialogue that ruins tension with cringey, unfunny one liners, characters who talk and act like high schoolers, extremely dumbed down and expository 5th grade level writing, excessive meta callback references, a lack of any compelling political or philosophical themes, etc

It's so incredibly dumb. Every single line of dialogue is infuriatingly stupid. The entire show is just action scenes and eye roll inducing attempts at comedic relief with generic background music. It has exactly the same writing and directing style as the average Marvel or Disney movie.

It's nowhere close to the quality of Next Gen or Deep Space Nine. Even Voyager and Enterprise are in a totally different ballpark. I hate this show.

Strange New Worlds is a fabulous Trekverse series in contrast to some recent offerings. Vintage stylistic choices from uniforms, through technology to sounds, together with opening credits and episodic stories make this a joy to watch for lovers of original Trek.

The stories are focussed, setting the tone, challenges and developing relationships between the crew members very well. The inclusion of younger versions of familiar characters, is a welcome and relatable anchoring to the series.

SNW comes with the familiar plot holes and humour blended nicely together with subtle references to earth's history and Kirk-like problem solving.

Mix all the above together with an excellent cast, this is a winner - I, for one, am very much looking forward to seeing more.