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Category: Star Trek

August 23, 2026

Has “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Jumped the Shark?

If you’ve noticed that season 4 of “Strange New Worlds” has been warping through entirely different storytelling genres, you’re not alone. Confused? Is there some logic behind all this? Let’s explore…

What do the following movie and TV genres have in common?

  • Dinosaurs
  • Zombie ghosts
  • Piecing together a blackout night of mayhem
  • 1942’s “Casablanca”
  • And the Muppets

Yes, it would be the first half of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” season 4.

Based on the first five episodes, “Strange New Worlds” has settled into a certain genre-of-the-week groove. And it’s certainly not what you might say is classic Trek. 

Puppets in Space?

We just got the long-teased comedic puppet adventure. (Yes, the crew is turned into puppets by a transporter accident.) 

This comes after the film noir episode, the ‘Hangover’ homage, the horror episode and the time-travel dinosaur plot.

Boldy Go?

With the writers exploring a different genre each week, you might simply conclude the show is taking some big swings or alternately feel it’s become a bit gimmicky. 

It’s not that “Strange New Worlds” hasn’t explored varied storytelling genres before (such as season two’s musical episode). And even the original series had its comedic plots like the famous “The Trouble with Tribbles.”

But we’re halfway through this second-to-last season for “Strange New Worlds.” Except for the premiere, which was solid science fiction (the dinosaur-punch notwithstanding) the show is acting like it has all the time in the world to have its fun.

Lost in Space?

But the reality is we’ve only got 11 episodes left to the series finale. (Season five will contain only six episodes.)

Shouldn’t the writers be giving us more serious plots that try to push the boundaries of science fiction? Well, they’re certainly pushing “Star Trek” norms. 

So, you might conclude that “Strange New Worlds” is off course and jumped the shark.

But you’d be wrong, And I’ve got two reasons why…

Reason #1 
Look Under the Hood of the Gimmick

Sure, transforming the crew into puppets (via Jim Henson’ Creature Shop) may seems like a silly gimmick. But when you move beyond the plot device and realize it’s just a metaphor for what show is really about (just wait for the ‘aha moment’), you understand how clever this concept really is. 

Then, you can rewatch “Level-Five Transporter Accident” and enjoy the episode on a totally new level. 

Many great “Star Trek” stories are often just metaphors for something entirely different. Let’s not forget that.

Reason #2
Let the Show Have its Fun. The End is Near.

“Strange new Worlds” has already served up a variety of lighter plots in its first three seasons. We just happened to get a grouped set of these ‘unique’ episodes at the top of this season.

Let’s enjoy this fun… because we know it’s not going to last.

There’s a lot of ground to cover to get from Captain Pike’s Starship Enterprise to a very different Enterprise crew let by Kirk.

I imagine there’s going to be choppy waters ahead for this ship and crew. Plus, we already know Pike’s fate. And unless the writers are going to reveal a sci-fi deus ex machina to soften that blow (like the Klingon ‘time crystal’ from the season 1 finale), we’ll be shedding a few tears next year.

There’s a Method to this Madness

So why not enjoy some hijinks before we need to get to that finish line? Spock and Scotty are still in their formative years, which the writers are clearly leaning into. Every episode doesn’t have to be a universe-saving venture.

And despite the tonal swings, the writers are demonstrating intention with each episode’s messaging. Plus, they pull regularly from Star Trek canon. I love that. And I will trust there is some logic in the larger plan.

The Warp Core is Sound

I’ve read some critics’ conclusions that there are too few episodes left to waste on ‘fun’ episodes. And they may have a point.

But “Strange New Worlds” has already proven itself during the past three seasons. It’s earned the opportunity to take some creative license.

Enjoy the Last Days of Summer

Season 4 has been a perfect summer series. And don’t forget, winter’s coming.

For now, I’m going to sit back and happily enjoy my Trek.

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July 26, 2026

These are the Final Voyages of the Starship Enterprise

If Trekkies from the past had invented a time portal TV that could pull in shows from the future, they would have loved watching the season 4 premiere of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” And so did I. Just don’t tell them there are only 15 episodes left.

This has not exactly been a good year for the “Star Trek” franchise. 

“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” was immediately cancelled after its first season. (The second season had already been shot by that point. So, we will eventually get to see it.) 

The Kelvin timeline movie franchise by J.J. Abrams was officially cancelled after failing for many years to get a fourth film into production.

Arguably the jewel of the new Trek universe, “Strange New Worlds” got its decommission orders to wrap it up after five seasons (and a shorter 6-episode final season at that).

All this on the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek.”

This Trekkie is not celebrating.

The Beginning of the End of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”

No new series in the pipeline. There is some vague discussion about a movie reboot. (We’ve heard this before.)

Is the Federation breaking up? Are these the final voyages of the Starship Enterprise?

Well, we’ve known for almost 60 years how “Strange New Worlds” is supposed to end. And as much as any faithful Trekkie wants the writers to surprise us, they’ve already shown us the implications of changing the timeline.

Fate can be a bummer.

All this said, yes, I’m still clinging on to that Kirk line (quoting Spock) from the end of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”

“…there are always possibilities.”

So, it’s under this near-universal dark cloud that season 4 of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” launches…

My Thoughts on the Season 4 Premiere: “Valles Marineris”

Yes, of course, I immediately watched the season premiere. 

What’s the plot about? I’ll only say that (slight spoiler) it involves time travel… and dinosaurs. But it was really about purpose, ethics and destiny.  

Yep… classic Trek.

An hour later, I turned off the TV as the credits rolled. I stood up from my couch and smiled. I felt like a kid again. Wow.

This was a really good episode. In fact, it was fantastic! Most importantly, it was solid science fiction with strong writing.

We’ve already got an excellent cast of established characters, led by Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike. You just need a script that makes you think a bit and then say, “Whoa!”That’s always been the promise of “Star Trek.” And that’s what “Valles Marineris.” gave us.

This is as Good as It Gets

And to all those reviewers who pulverized “Starfleet Academy” to a quick demise earlier this year (and not entirely undeservedly), let me say this:

You must admit that “Strange New Worlds” is as close to capturing the core spirit of classic Trek as any of the newer series. Yes, this is as good as it gets. It takes big swings, and I believe it’s worth watching. No, every episode isn’t perfect, and the writing has sometimes been uneven.

But remember, every episode of the original series or “The Next Generation” wasn’t a gem either.

The Needs of the Many

“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is deserving of way more support.

Because the alternative is… nothing. No “Star Trek.” And that’s currently what’s in the pipeline.

I think we can all agree that we need a little ongoing optimistic “Star Trek” in our lives.

Sure, it might be fun to pick at little problems in the remaining episodes, and that may get reviewers more readers or clicks. 

But any true Trekkie must acknowledge this series continues to successfully ‘hit it’ most of the time. (It’s the only logical conclusion.)

“Strange New Worlds” has always been a shining beacon for the new “Trek” era. 

Fate and Season 5

Season 5 will have to focus on wrapping it all up to the point when Captain Kirk takes command. And that’s going to be bittersweet. I really like this crew, but we know that a few aren’t part of Kirk’s bridge. So, their futures are a huge question mark.

And we also know Pike’s fate as explained in “The Menagerie” from the original series. But that’s for season 5 to work through.

So, this 10-episode fourth season is the last time we can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.

Trekkies Unite!

Both seasons 4 and 5 of “Strange New Worlds” are in the can. This series is ‘officially’ over with 15 episodes left to watch.

But after watching the confident season 4 premiere, I can’t help but feel that the best is yet to come. 

And I hope that the ratings skyrocket for these final voyages of Pike’s Starship Enterprise.

Because if that happens… there are always possibilities.

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June 7, 2026

Why “The Mandalorian and Grogu” Didn’t Fill Theaters

This is a good summer movie that lots of Star Wars fans skipped. Here is why I think so many people didn’t come back for more Mando and Baby Yoda.

“Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” has clearly underperformed at the box office. This is not the way. So, what went wrong?

First off, this is not a bad movie. In many ways, director John Favreau has given us the perfect summer flick. Action-packed. Fun. Great special effects.  And the cutest character in a galaxy far, far away.

Plus, it’s fresh “Star Wars” material. We haven’t seen a new movie in over six years.

But with all that is good with it, there’s also this feeling of… been there/seen that.

Nothing New

If there had not been three previous streaming seasons of “The Mandalorian” on Disney+ (2019-2023), I think this movie would have performed much better.

The series had time to provide a deep experience regarding Din Djarin’s backstory. His bounty hunting adventures were only part of the larger narrative, including the Mandalorian people and culture.

But the movie couldn’t simply pick up from where the series left off, because not all movie goers would know (or remember) the previous plot points.

So, the movie was effectively forced to exist as a standalone and otherwise disconnected bounty-hunting adventure. Everything else from the series had to be stripped away.

As a result, Mandalorian fans didn’t get to see anything especially new.

A Razor Crest Isn’t Just Another Ship

Sure, there are a few new characters here, but if you’re a Mando fan, you might be disappointed after watching the movie, because the larger story arc didn’t move forward.

Yes, there were lots of background references to the larger series, but few were allowed enough time to create emotional impact. 

Even the moment when (minor spoiler) we see the new Razor Crest, there’s barely a pause in the dialogue as Mando takes this replacement for his previously destroyed ship (season 2, episode 6).

I listened for an emotional surge in the music, but it never came. He admired this particular ship’s restoration, but you wouldn’t otherwise know the importance of Mando flying another Razor Crest.

The ‘Dadalorian’

I’ve read many reviews that said this felt like a few episodes stitched together. Yes, I agree this could easily have been part of a season 4.

But guess what? We didn’t get season 4.

And quite frankly, I was happy to get to watch a few more episodes, so to speak.

And it’s always nice to spend a little more time with Pedro Paskal’s ‘Dadalorian’ and Grogu.

Baby Yoda Rocks

And if you’re a Grogu fan, you’re in luck. Baby Yoda has a lot to do here.

He delighted the row of kids who were sitting in front of me in the theater. But they certainly weren’t old enough to officially be part of the PG-13 crowd.

Which makes you wonder about the target audience for this movie. It’s PG-13 for all the fighting. And G-rated for Grogu. That’s a difficult balance to maintain to satisfy everyone.

The Challenge Turning a Series into a Movie

I think in many ways it just comes down to this: Successfully converting a TV series into a big screen movie with the same cast is often hard to do.

“Firefly” couldn’t get “Serenity” to fly.

Sure, “Star Trek” did it, but it needed two attempts, and “The Wrath of Khan” certainly didn’t play it safe.

Sigourney Weaver Stopped By

Not only did this Mandalorian flick play it safe, it felt like an extended premiere of season 4.

And while that was fine with me, that won’t draw the crowds who will otherwise watch it in a few months (weeks?) on Disney+.

But wait! This movie’s got the great Sigourney Weaver. Hmmm… well, she actually didn’t seem that excited to be there.

Hold on… We’re introduced to not one, but three Hutt characters, including Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White), who is Jabba the Hutt’s son. While that’s certainly interesting to some, more giant slug Hutts didn’t fill seats.

Grogu is Sad

Still, this is a solid movie, and I enjoyed seeing it in a theater. But it was just not enough to satisfy the broader fan base. It feels like the entire human race is quickly losing interest in this particular galaxy that’s now almost half a century old.

As a result, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” has already disappeared from my local multiplex on week 3 of its release. (I’m sure that made Grogu cry.)

At this point, can anything save this franchise? 

“Star Wars: Starfighter,” directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling is set to launch in theaters on May 28, 2027.

I certainly hope the Force is stronger with this next one.

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