Today the 22nd of June is certainly an important date for UK-based Trekkies as the highly-anticipated streaming service Paramount+  finally lands on our shores and with it comes the first three episodes of the latest iteration from the Star Trek universe, Strange New Worlds. A show that truly harkens back to the original ideology and themes of episodic exploration. This is the twelve TV show in the franchise’s history and the sixth one to arrive on the streaming service. After Discovery’s innovations and Picard’s personal mind-bending adventure, creators Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, and Jenny Lumet have stroked gold as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has perfect action, humour and heart. These are the founding principles of the show that Gene Roddenberry started, it’s a show that features a deeply personal story of the captain at its centre. 

Space, the final frontier. These are the voyagers of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations. To boldly go where no one has gone before. Before this review, I was lucky enough to see the first three episodes thanks to the Paramount+ team. 

Synopsis

Based on the year’s Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds follows Captain Pike (played by Anson Mount), Science Officer Spock (Ethan Peck) and Number One (Rebecca Romijn) in the decade before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy. 

Review

It’s truly been a long time coming for Paramount+/Star Trek content in the UK as fans like myself are eager to see the new adventures of Pike, Spock and the Enterprise crew. With Picard’s both seasons, Lower Decks and Prodigy now on our screens it was only a matter of time before the Enterprise landed and successfully today is that day, so get ready to boldly go to uncharted territories. The self-titled premiere initially picks up with everyone we originally met on Discovery, and the series showcases where their stories have gone. Strange New Worlds introduces Pike as a man who’s haunted by his inevitably, as he’s foreseen his death ten years into the future, this is a key event in Star Trek lore, one that launches the career of Captain Kirk. This makes him very reluctant to return to space, but its Number One’s (Rebecca Romijn) disappearance on a mission that brings Pike and the Enterprise crew back to space, though slightly earlier than originally scheduled. This introduces us to the rest of the series’ main cast, which includes a mixture of new and familiar faces. 

Intergalactic Cast of Characters

Everyone will definitely know Spock and how his vulcan knowledge made him famous across the galaxy. Spock has had serval appearances in Star Trek from television and film. We as viewers gradually learn more about him and as Spock entered Star Trek: Discovery we learned that Michael Burnham was his adopted sister. 

Una Chin-Reilly might not be a name you may recognise, but Number One most certainly is. She is the second in command to Captain Pike and Strange New Worlds perfectly broadens her story.

There’s Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) the show’s new take on the younger version of the iconic character portrayed by Nichelle Nichols. The character was a Lieutenant and Chief Communications Officer in the Original Star Trek series. Now in Strange New Worlds, she begins her Starfleet journey as a Cadet. She’s also an incredible linguistic prodigy who is deeply anxious and excited about all the adventures that await her. 

Dr M’ Benga (Babs Olusanmokunn) is a character who first appeared in the original series for only two episodes. He interned on Vulcan which is certainly good news for Spock. He’s running things in Sickbay alongside Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) who also worked for Dr McCoy in the original series. She demonstrates smartness and the ability to think outside the box to any solution. 

New Security Officer La’an Noonien-Singh is a character new to the franchise but also a character that has a familiar name and a dark history of her own. feisty helmsman Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) has the coolest job of all steering the Enterprise. Lastly, another new character in the franchise is Hemmer played by Bruce Horak, he’s an Aenar, which is a type of albino Andorian species. 

Set Phasers to Stun

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds does a phenomenal job of incorporating modern visual effects with the original materials, costumes, and gadgets. I love the 1960s influence which is nostalgic to the Original Series as the clunky hand-held devices are here such as the phasers, communicators, and tricorders, all are futuristic but certainly not dated. I also love the use of practical and visuals, technology is so advanced now that Strange New Worlds, as well as Discovery, use an AR wall to help create the alien worlds but also create virtual backdrops and sets for the U.S.S. Enterprise. Thanks to Pixomondo who utilise this technology through Unreal Engine. I’m also a big fan of the costuming as the Starfleet uniforms are simple, yet minimal and updates the classical look. 

Verdict

The first three episodes take time to build up moments for main cast and all the supporting players as the quality of writing in this show is outstanding. Strange New Worlds truly delivers a narrative-driven plot and can leave feeling like you on the edge of your Captains Chair. Nami Melumad’s score is otherworldly and ethereal which is beautifully connected to Jeff Russo’s epic main theme with Mount’s opening narration. The show is truly something special and will continue to be a joy to watch. 

The first three episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ UK from 22nd June 2022. Then expect new episodes weekly every Wednesday.