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.
This fledgling series barely got off its launch pad before Paramount flipped the abort switch. Here’s what I think went wrong.
Sure, it might have been fun to trash “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” over the past months as many reviewers did. If their goal was to help get the series cancelled, then I suppose they’re happy now. But no true Trekkie can be pleased with the resulting void.
The series began slowly and introduced us to a batch of unknown Starfleet Academy cadets. We also had fragments from the Discovery crew and an unusual captain Aki (played by Holly Hunter) who liked to walk around in her bare feet. Then, there was the return of the famous Doctor from “Star Trek: Voyager” (played by Robert Picardo).
So, there were some interesting ingredients here, even without a break-out star character.
But the storytelling is what’s always most important…. Was it any good?
Well, the first half of the season focused primarily on cadet backstories, and we really didn’t get into compelling “Star Trek” plots until the last few episodes.
By then, it was too late.
It’s Dead, Jim
The viewers apparently never showed up. Season 1 finished its run. And Paramount promptly announced the series had been cancelled.
Season 2 had already been shot. (Principal photography was mostly wrapped before season 1’s first episode even premiered.) But it didn’t matter.
Yes, we’ll eventually get to see season 2, but our cadets from “Starfleet Academy” won’t get past their sophomore year on Paramount+.
There’s really no way to spin this other than “Starfleet Academy” failed.
How could the warp core implode like this?
Navigating in the Dark
You can take issue with the characters and the storytelling. You might debate that the style was a parsec too far from traditional “Star Trek” we know and love. And you can say the producers abandoned the Trekkie base in search of a younger demographic that never showed up.
Fine. There’s plenty to quibble about.
But how strong was the first season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation?”
“Star Trek: Discovery” needed a total retrofit after its first season.
Said another way, the producers fixed those problems. They were offered some time to do that.
But “Starfleet Academy” was set up to navigate its fate without the benefit of any viewer feedback. No ratings. No chance to course correct.
Absence of Strong Scripts
In time, one could see this show find its footing. But time was the one variable “Starfleet Academy” didn’t have.
You can blame this on Alex Kurtzman, who’s been behind all new “Trek” over the past nine years. You can blame Paramount. You can blame the high cost per episode.
Ultimately, I blame the writers. Strong storytelling and good science fiction plots are critical for any successful “Star Trek” series. And I would say there wasn’t enough of either in season 1.
There are likely any number of reasons that I’m not privy to which contributed to “Starfleet Academy’s” early demise. But I believe my core logic as a simple ‘consumer’ still holds.
It’s All Cancelled
So where does this leave us? “Star Trek” as we currently know it has ended.
“Starfleet Academy” is now a dead series walking with one more season.
“Strange New Worlds” has wrapped shooting its fifth and final season containing only 6 episodes. (I think ‘cancellation’ also applies here.)
There’s no “Star Trek” on the horizon other than a ‘promised’ movie reboot in theaters with few details to date.
“Star Trek” in series form has seemingly ended.
As a Trekkie, I find that entirely discouraging.
Nothing Left to Celebrate?
Sure, there are rumors regarding what might come next. Perhaps we’d get “Star Trek: Legacy” which would be a spinoff from “Star Trek: Picard” or maybe “Star Trek: Year One,” which would be the spinoff from “Strange New Worlds” (Kirk’s first year in the Enterprise’s captain’s chair).
But we’re pretty much eating static right now.
I suppose there’s always time for Paramount to keep the series format alive. We’ve still got season 2 of “Starfleet Academy” and seasons 4/5 of “Strange New Worlds” to watch.
This Starfleet Academy in the Federation’s distant future is filled with “Star Trek” references for core Trekkies and populated by college kids to attract the next generation. While the premiere episodes aren’t so compelling, it’s not all bad. Here’s why.
I can’t think of another moment in “Star Trek” history with such low expectations about an upcoming series as with “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” Perhaps because nobody asked for this. I was certainly not interested in the stories of a few unknown cadets roughing it during their first semester at Starfleet Academy. There are so many other seemingly better directions to go with “Star Trek.”
But the state of Trek these days is complicated.
“Discovery” – cancelled
“Lower Decks” – cancelled
“Prodigy” – cancelled
“Strange New Worlds” – to be cancelled after its fifth season
The fourth Kelvin timeline movie that we’ve been patiently waiting for over the past decade – cancelled
For many, including me, the obvious next step would have been to greenlight a spinoff series from “Star Trek: Picard.” It was perfectly set up in the last scene with Seven of Nine as the captain of the rechristened Enterprise-G.
The great cast was already in place with Jeri Ryan front and center. There was even a name: “Star Trek: Legacy.”
But no.
The State of Kurtzman Trek Alex Kurtzman has been at the helm of these newer series on Paramount+, and while I’m pleased that “Star Trek” returned to television with an explosion of content over these past nine years, that streaming spigot has now clearly been severely restricted.
Of course, it’s all about money. (Isn’t it always?)
So where is “Star Trek” going? Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future. (Sorry…. mixing up my sci-fi references.)
But first, let’s kick the tires on “Starfleet Academy,” now that the first two episodes have finally dropped.
Registration is Open As the title suggests, this series follows several young cadets and their adventures at Starfleet Academy. It’s during the same timeline as the later “Discovery” seasons after that ship jumped a whopping 900 years forward. These are the years when a fractured Federation is still rebuilding after “the Burn.” And this is the first Starfleet Academy class to be assembled in over a century.
Our main cadet character is Caleb Mir, played by Sandro Rosta. In the show’s first scene, we see that when he was a child, he is unfairly separated from his mother by the Federation. He’s been on the run ever since, searching for her.
Our new captain is Nahla Ake, played by Holly Hunter. She’s half-Lanthanite, giving her a life span of some hundreds of years. She becomes the new chancellor of Starfleet Academy and also commands the Starship Athena, which doubles as classroom space for the cadets.
Robert Picardo is back as the Emergency Medical Hologram Doctor (originally from “Star Trek: Voyager”).
We also see a couple returning Discovery characters. There’s Engineer Jett Reno, played by Tig Notaro, who’s now a physics instructor. And also Admiral Charles Vance, played by Oded Fehr.
The great Paul Giamatti plays the evil alien, Nus Braka, in the premiere.
Confusing Syllabus Is “Starfleet Academy” any good? Well… that depends how you approach this series.
It’s sweet at its best with lots of warm and golden imagery to support the optimistic vibe. It’s easy to watch. Feels good. And there are endless “Star Trek” references and easter eggs for core Trekkies.
At its worst, it’s downright silly and even bland.
It plays more like “Lower Decks” or “Prodigy,” where most of the humorous focus is on our younger and untested characters. (We even get to see a direct reference to one of the Prodigy characters from that sadly cancelled series.)
As a result, I’m not really sure who this new series is for.
It’s kind of funny. Sometimes serious. A bit preachy. Often predictable.
Slick Campus Brochure We’re almost constantly presented with cool Trek references… The background is filled with them… from different species you can spot to famous names on buildings (James T. Kirk Pavilion).
Okay, we get it. It’s “Star Trek.”
But is this good science fiction?
Well, not yet… not after the first two episodes, which simply introduce our new characters and show the cadets settling into their college campus. Sure, there’s some obligatory fighting and a space battle in the premiere episode, but we’ve seen it all before.
Easy Classes Won’t be Challenging The show looks great, and the production values are high, but that’s not going to be enough to carry this first season.
As I mentioned, this new Trek is somewhat bland. It’s certainly not disruptive, the way “Discovery” season 1 was. It’s not really a successor to “Discovery” either, other than supporting character crossovers. It’s not classic Trek. “Strange New Worlds” carries that torch. As I mentioned, it plays more like “Lower Decks,” but not as intentionally funny.
That said, in an early scene, a nervous cadet reports to the Doctor that she thinks she swallowed her ‘combadge.’ (What?) I think that’s supposed to be funny. But it also tears away at the foundations of our Trek universe.
This is Starfleet Academy! I know recruitment standards are down (as this is the first class in a while) but come on!
Mixed Feelings After Orientation Sandro Rosta is strong enough as our conflicted main cadet character, but he hardly carries the series. Hopefully, he’s given more to do than search for his long-lost mother.
Holly Hunter certainly breaks the mold for your typical Federation captain. Her Captain Ake is more of a hippy professor who likes to walk around in bare feet. She prefers to scrunch into her captain’s chair, feet tucked in.
Okay. So, Ake is not traditionally tough, like Janeway or Kirk. She’s more caring. And clearly a parental figure for Caleb. Not to jump between genres here, but she’s kind of our Dumbledore. And as I think about it, it’s not a terrible jump to loosely compare this Trek structurally to Harry Potter.
It’s great to see Robert Picardo again reprise his EMH role (as he did in “Prodigy”), and he fits in exceptionally well here.
I also like Ake’s tough Number One… Cadet Master Lura Thock, played by Gina Yashere. (She’s half Klingon, half Jem’Hadar.)
Paul Giamatti adds badly needed dramatic energy to the first episode, though he’s underutilized. Hopefully his future scenes are not simply him screaming and chewing the scenery.
Clearly, there are some strong elements in this young series, but the overall result is hardly ‘compelling.’ I don’t feel like rushing to the next episode.
Unfocused Class Schedule So, where does this leave us?
No, “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” isn’t the disaster as many reviewers would have you believe. But yes, it’s launch is certainly uneven.
Some have called it “Star Trek: 90210.” Of course, I see that. Lots of teen drama here.
I say it’s a “Star Trek” casserole. Fragments from “Discovery.” A dash of “Voyager.” Comedy from “Lower Decks.” And even humpback whales (clearly descendants from “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home”).
But how “Starfleet Academy” truly defines itself as a unique property has yet to be seen.
Alumni Support Still Goes a Long Way Showrunner Alex Kurtzman has apparently created this for the next generation, but I’m not sure they’re going to show up. As for existing Trekkies, there’s not enough strong science fiction storytelling yet.
All this said, here’s the reason why I’m going to keep watching:
Though flawed and uneven, this young series retains the core optimism and positive energy of “Star Trek.” In fact, it exudes it!
Lots of sci-fi shows these days are dark, confusing and project depressing alternate realities. Sure, those main characters may make it through an episode, but just barely. It can leave you feeling really drained.
Alternately, “Starfleet Academy’s” lighter tone has left me feeling more upbeat. And as I typically stream my shows after dinner, it’s a better recipe for a good night’s sleep.
They’d Better Ace the Mid Term Sure, it’s still silly. Predictable. Bland.
But it’s still “Star Trek.” And that counts for something.
I haven’t written off “Starfleet Academy” after just two episodes, and you shouldn’t either.
But these first two episodes get a C+ grade from me at best. So, it’s time to turn it around, please.
The semester is underway, and the clock is ticking.
