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Tag: Trekkie review

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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March 8, 2026

Why Can’t Today’s “Star Trek” Give Us What We Want?

Is “Star Trek” falling into a black hole of missed opportunities and fan disillusionment? Well, here’s one Trekkie’s opinion.

There are numerous theories why “Star Trek” has had a bumpy ride during these past years. While on the one hand, Paramount+ has given us multiple new series, they were often uneven (“Discovery” and “Picard”). Plus, the best ones were cancelled too soon. (“Lower Decks” and “Strange New Worlds.”)

And then there’s the problem with the movies… or lack of them.

Kelvin Timeline Abandoned

We waited ten long years for the fourth Kelvin timeline movie… only to have it recently cancelled after so many false starts. (The Kelvin timeline was a clever ‘alternate reality’ version of the “Star Trek” universe, which allowed the producers creative license to make certain narrative changes in this Kirk-era prequel.) 

I remember reading that the problem was the huge price tag vs. the expected box office. 

The writers would have had Chris Hemsworth come back as Kirk’s father. But Thor was too expensive (not to mention all the other actors).

That would have been a wonderful way to wrap this version of “Star Trek.” And I expect many of the other proposed scripts had potential as well. But the producers clearly couldn’t make it work. 

A New Ship with Nowhere to Go

So, Chris Pine’s Kirk and crew won’t get their final voyage together on their new ship that was constructed at the end of 2016’s “Star Trek: Beyond.”

Sure, I’ve read there’s now a completely new movie reboot in the works. And that’s fine (if it actually happens).

But that doesn’t change the fact that Trekkies waited a decade for the movie they wanted… and then never got. 

“Star Trek” on Paramount+

Instead, we’ve seen a “Star Trek” renaissance explode on television via Paramount+ since 2017. And that’s not so bad, right?

But this great streaming run is seemingly ending. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” has wrapped filming its truncated fifth and final season. 

And the new “Starfleet Academy” has had a rough first season. They’ve already shot the second season, but the series hasn’t been picked up beyond that.

A lot of fans (myself included) are angry that we never got the spin-off series “Star Trek: Legacy” after “Picard.” With Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) helming the new Enterprise-G, that series would have been spectacular. It would be the perfect bridge between the old and the new.

Instead, we got a show about some cadets in Starfleet Academy that nobody asked for.

Kurtzman Trek

It really shouldn’t be that hard to read the room when it comes to satisfying the core fan base.

I certainly understand that the recipe for “Star Trek’s” ongoing success must include bringing in new fans. And that means evolving the franchise.

I know that many Trekkies have been piling blame onto Alex Kurtzman lately. He’s the showrunner behind all the recent Star Trek series on Paramount+. And he’s clearly been tweaking the “Star Trek” formula.

There’s nothing wrong with updating the “Star Trek” universe. But I would say the core elements of great science fiction storytelling must always apply.

No, not every Trek episode has to be perfect, but with so few episodes being created for each season (10), there’s not much room for misfires.

Grading “Starfleet Academy’s” Freshman Year

“Starfleet Academy” has launched to a slow start. Happily, it’s been picking up steam. Episode 9 is the best yet. 

It’s directed by Jonathan Frakes with a more exciting plot that gets out of the classroom and tests the rigor of our cadets. Plus, we get to see Captain Ake, played by Holly Hunter finally act a little more like a strong starship leader.

Still, you might say a good 9th episode is a little late in the semester.

I think the problem with “Starfleet Academy” is that it’s trying so hard to be fresh, it doesn’t feel enough like “Star Trek.” It’s too loose and too often silly.

Sure, it gives us the Doctor from “Star Trek: Voyager” and a couple characters from “Discovery” as anchors. But that’s not enough.

This series has some real work to do, but I’m not sure how you course correct when your second season is already in the can.

“I Don’t Believe in a No-Win Scenario”

I’ve read that some fans are complaining about the politics of “Starfleet Academy.” I don’t think that’s the problem. Being a Trekkie has always required being open to inclusive ideas. That’s the point of “Star Trek.” For 60 years.

Not to oversimplify, but I think this all comes down to the basics. We need to focus more on better storytelling. Better character development. Better science fiction. 

And please just give the core fans more of what we want.

Then, I think more of everyone will show up.

I hope it’s not too late.

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February 8, 2026

Star Trek Finally Confronts the Fate of Benjamin Sisko from Deep Space Nine After 27 Years

Red Alert! “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” attempts to answer the big question from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s” series finale. I was immediately concerned this would cause a rupture in the Trekkie space/time continuum.

“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” has defied a ton of “Star Trek” norms in its freshman year. It’s often silly and sometimes cringy for anyone who considers themselves a Trekkie. The best I can say about this series is it feels “Star Trek” adjacent, but it dances very much to its own beat.

  • It’s Star Trek-lite
  • Star Trek-teen
  • Star Trek-after-school-special
  • Star Trek-Hogwarts
  • Perhaps, Star Trek-fun

Fine. That’s what it is. Take it or leave it. But please don’t break anything.

Did Sisko Die?
So when I realized episode 5 would tackle the big question about what happened to Captain Benjamin Sisko (played by Avery Brooks) from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” centuries back (and 27 years ago for us), I got worried. 

For those who don’t remember, (spoiler alert) in the series finale, Sisko either fell heroically to a fiery death or joined the Bajoran prophets in the celestial temple. 

Hey, “Starfleet Academy” has the right to reinvent “Star Trek” if it wants. But don’t you dare mess with “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” (1993-1999), which is arguably the best Star Trek series of them all. 

Stop!!
It’s a risky idea at best, and yet the writers of the young “Starfleet Academy” decide to boldly confront “Deep Space Nine’s” cliffhanger. 

As the episode begins, I felt this huge impulse to somehow leap across space/time and stop it from happening. No. No. No! You’re going to create a warp core breach!

This series has yet to demonstrate the capability to responsibly handle this delicate topic, which is sealed in Trek canon. This is serious “Star Trek” stuff, and “Starfleet Academy” has been anything but serious.

Stop!!
It’s a risky idea at best, and yet the writers of the young “Starfleet Academy” decide to boldly confront “Deep Space Nine’s” cliffhanger. 

As the episode begins, I felt this huge impulse to somehow leap across space/time and stop it from happening. No. No. No! 

You’re going to create a warp core breach!

This series has yet to demonstrate the capability to responsibly handle this delicate topic, which is sealed in Trek canon. This is serious “Star Trek” stuff, and “Starfleet Academy” has been anything but serious.

Good Writing Matters
This episode benefits from two writers with deep “Star Trek” experience, and it shows.

“Series Acclimation Mil” is written by Kirsten Beyer and Tawny Newsome (who also has an important role in this episode). On a side note, you’ll remember Newsome as the voice of Ensign Mariner from the animated “Lower Decks.” She also appears in that great crossover episode from “Strange New Worlds.”

Our New Data?
The story focuses on SAM, the alien AI-photonic, played by Kerrice Brooks. She’s got plenty of problems and struggles as the emissary from her home world. So of course, she finds common ground when she comes across the old story of Captain and Emissary Sisko. 

So, SAM decides she wants to solve the unsolvable Sisko mystery. On paper, that may sound like a disastrous plot that would likely upset most Trekkies. But the writers demonstrate a serious respect for the challenge. And they successfully work through it using this unlikeliest of cadet characters. 

It’s impressive that SAM, who has so far been a silly, two-dimensional character totally carries this episode. It’s due to the writing as well as some strong directing and acting. Who knew that SAM, who seems inspired by Mork from Ork, would break through like this and become our new Spock or Data?

Classic Trek Storytelling
SAM gets to ask the classic Star Trek question, “What does it mean to be human?” Or this case… an ‘organic.’

As a photonic, SAM is not traditionally ‘real.’ Her mission to understand humanity, and her impossible search for Sisko, ultimately supports her own journey of self-discovery.

Yup. Classic Trek.

Jake Sisko is the Key
Then, the episode successfully tethers itself to the world of “Deep Space Nine” by reintroducing us all these years later to Jake Sisko, Captain Sisko’s son.

Now, we see an adult Jake Sisko (in hologram form) who is again played by Cirroc Lofton. And this series crossover provides the important weight this episode needs.

His presence gives the necessary permission to revisit this closed chapter in “Star Trek” history.

There are Always Possibilities
We all know that “Star Trek” is at its best when it presents us with challenging questions without all the answers. And that’s what we get here.

Don’t worry. We know the fate of Benjamin Sisko is unanswerable. That’s how the writers set it up 27 years ago, and Beyer and Newsome respect the boundaries. But that doesn’t mean they don’t offer up some clever and satisfying surprises.

Ultimately, this episode is a worthy love letter to “Deep Space Nine.” And I highly recommend it.

That said, one good episode does not yet make for a strong “Star Trek” series. But it does extend my hope that “Starfleet Academy” will eventually find its warp drive.

Please make it so.

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