Strange New Worlds' Musical Episode Was Great, But I'm Worried A Season 3 Story Will Make Star Trek Too Meta

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

I ’m impressed byStar Trek : Strange New Worlds ' musical episode , but I ’m concerned that it will direct to a season 3 that ’s more meta . Since time of year 1 , I have have a go at it see the dangerous undertaking of the USS Enterprise beforeCaptain James T. Kirk ( William Shatner and Paul Wesley)took instruction . unknown New Worldshas done an excellent job of tell fresh stories while maintaining the classicStar Trekcanon . TheStrange New Worldsmusical episode , " Subspace Rhapsody , " was innovative , while " Ad Astra Per Aspera " was a trial episode on par withStar Trek : The Next Generation ’s " The quantity of a Man . "

In April 2025,Paramount+ released the first teaser drone forStrange New Worldsseason 3 , and there is already a set to take out . From what look like a Klingon zombie spirit to a noir - murder - mystery sequence directed by Jonathan Frakes , it seems like the 10 episode ofSNWseason 3 should be full of music genre - bend episodesthat cover Captain Christopher Pike ’s ( Anson Mount ) journey . But , if I am being honest , some scenery from the vexer drone make me a little distressed thatStrange New Worldsseason 3may get too meta for its own trade good .

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3’s “Show Within A Show” Episode Might Be Too Meta

Captain Proton Was Cool, But SNW Might Take The Jokes Too Far

In special , the tormenter trailer point a very aureate science fabrication nosepiece with bright colors and levers , that almost looked like a burlesque ofStar Trek : The Original Series . Furthermore , the trailer opens with Ensign Nyota Uhura ( Celia Rose Gooding ) saying,“We want to give audiences a reflection of their own human beings through the lens of fantasy . You acknowledge , science fiction,“and Lt . La’an Noonien - Singh ( Christina Chong ) asking,“All of that with weekly blank adventures?“All this to say , the squad behindStrange New Worldsseason 3 clearly knows what they ’re doing , and they are being by design ego - referential .

He may be one of my favorite characters on Star Trek : The Original Series , but I hope this icon does n’t appear in Strange New Worlds time of year 3 .

This is not to sayStar Trekcan never be self - referential or include nods to its impingement on science fiction . Indeed , one of the best parts ofStar Trek : Voyagerare Lt . Tom Paris ’s ( Robert Duncan McNiell ) dangerous undertaking of " Captain Proton . ” But while " Captain Proton " is somewhat reminiscent ofTOS , it ’s in the end closer to 1950s science fable video and radio dramatic event . I’m worried the new installment ofStrange New Worldswill be a mail - up ofThe Original Seriesitself , and that could deplumate the show in a direction that is far too meta for its own good .

The More Meta Strange New Worlds Goes, The More It Risks Becoming A Star Trek Parody

The Greatest Strength Of Strange New Worlds Is Its Sincerity

The one thing thatStar Trek : Strange New Worldsshould really avoid becoming is a parody ofStar Trek . In the cyclosis epoch , it is uncommon to see show as unapologetically sincere and hopeful asStrange New Worlds , and it would be a literal shame to see season 3 undercut that serious-mindedness with parody . There were moments inStar Trek : Lower Deckswhen ensigns Bradward Boimler ( Jack Quaid ) or Beckett Mariner ( Tawny Newsome ) seemed to be talk more from the perspective ofStar Trekfans than ensigns , such as their noesis of the Omega Directive and the Nexus .

… so far , Strange New Worldshas been a drama with a skilful sense of humor , rather than a comedy .

That do work inLower Decksbecause it was intelligibly aStar Trekcomedy , but so far , Strange New Worldshas been a dramatic event with a well sense of humor , rather than a comedy . I would love it if the show continued playing to its strengths . at last , however , I have been really impressed with the preceding two seasons ofStar Trek : Strange New Worlds , and I think the creative team will be able to strike the right balance between meta humour and new stories in season 3 .