Strange New Worlds Season Two Takes Us to Such Great Heights (and Maybe a Few Lows)
In a way, I feel very connected to Strange New Worlds. While I’ve enjoyed Star Trek for my entire life, it was only in March of 2020 that I truly felt I became a Trekkie. I don’t even know how it happened. I was on my computer and said to myself, you know… I really feel like reading some Star Trek fan fiction. That idle thought has changed my life, as I’ve now devoured every single piece of televised and cinematic Trek and obviously, I spend a lot of time thinking about it, hence my position on the crew of this podcast.
With Strange New Worlds being announced only weeks into my new obsession, my fandom has grown parallel with the production of this show. It has a special place deep within my heart. I suppose in some ways, it feels like a member of my family. I love it, but boy, can I be judgmental about it.
I would like to give the biggest props to the promotional team on Strange New Worlds. They know how to get the hype going. The first season was the most anticipated Star Trek series of the new era (save, perhaps, Picard season three). After it aired, I will admit to being one of the largest detractors of that season. I absolutely found it enjoyable, but I had some issues with the execution. My biggest complaint was the proper utilization of their talented and varied cast. I felt the writers only had a real interest in one or two characters, with everyone else as afterthoughts. I also thought the ten-episode season wasn’t well-suited for an episodic series. It felt like there was so much potential that didn’t quite get the chance to be reached.
Ethan Peck as Spock - Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
As soon as I saw the initial teaser for season two, using the Postal Services’s “Such Great Heights”, all of the reservations I had melted away. I was hyped again. I was so looking forward to this season. I wish I could be more sanguine about it, but the hype machine may be a bit too good at the hype, because I don’t know if anything can stand up to that hype.
That’s not to say the first six episodes aren’t enjoyable. Our courtroom endeavour easily stacks up against classics in that Trek sub-genre like “Measure of a Man” or “The Drumhead”. But I am again feeling some of the complaints I had with season one bubbling up. It feels like we’re missing opportunities. In the effort to keep things episodic, I’m finding myself not retaining an emotional impact from one episode to the next.
Worst of all, my biggest complaint of the first season– the focus on a few specific characters– is not only still in effect, but actually intensified. Perhaps this will be corrected in the back four, but I was baffled by the lack of focus on key players and saddened that some supporting characters have not been bolstered more. I’m pretty sure the calls for #MORTEGAS are going to continue going strong.
But for all of my issues, there is some absolutely stellar work. The production value is top-notch and I am absolutely in awe of what they are able to do on a television budget. The costuming by Bernadette Croft and her team is absolutely gorgeous. We’ve already seen examples of it in the previews and I can tell you… That’s just a portion of it. There are costumes in this season that I can only describe as sumptuous. There will be some very happy (and perhaps frustrated) cosplayers.
Anson Mount as Pike - Photo Cr: Michael Gibson/Paramount+
Nami Melumad’s score was one of the highlights of the first season. This remains a constant. The emotions, the action, the acting… Everything is heightened through the music in this series. It is perfectly woven to match the intensity of the scenes. It hits hard during the action scenes but pulls back during the softer moments. It is the perfect match. I have nothing to complain about other than having to wait a while for the score to be released so I can add it to my writing playlist (Yes, I write while listening to Star Trek scores).
The visual effects are even better than in the first season. When we do go to strange new worlds, they actually do look strange. While I give the season one team props for being able to make Ontario Place and Oshawa look somewhat foreign, this Canadian sees what you did there. They’ve pushed themselves further this season, with everything seeming to be absolutely alien.
The cast is still doing a tremendous job. I never had a problem with anyone’s acting and they’re even better now that they’re getting settled into their roles. While I may complain about the lack of certain characters, what they are given is great and they act the hell out of it. With the death of Hemmer last season, there are some big engineering boots to fill. This role is taken by Carol Kane, playing Chief Engineer Pelia. I don’t think there’s anything I can say about this character that isn’t spoilery other than she’s Carol freakin’ Kane. She effuses the role with the total charm and humor you would expect from an actress of her calibre.
Carol Kane as Pelia - Photo Cr: Paramount+
If you liked the first season of Strange New Worlds, I don’t think you will be disappointed in the second season.
I must admit, after watching these six episodes, I felt a little bit of sadness. While I could find enjoyment in the show, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that Strange New Worlds is not made for me. Because I don’t think it’s bad. I just think what I expected from the show is something different that is being delivered. That’s why the hype gets to me. Because it ramps up my excitement, and I build things up in my head… Then when something else is delivered, I get a bit bummed.
But that’s okay. I hear so much raging in the fandom about things not being perfectly tailored to them. The thing is, Star Trek fandom is so incredibly varied that there’s no way that everything can appeal to everyone. The criticisms I have are not about the quality but what I expected. I think this is going to be a very popular season, just as the first one was. Perhaps, what I need to do come season three is to mitigate my expectations.
