Two seasons might be left before the series finale but Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is back for season 3 with new episodes taking us on classic adventures.

Season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds picks up with the U.S.S. Enterprise crew, still under the command of Captain Pike, as they face the fallout from their intense showdown with the Gorn. But the mission of exploration continues, leading them to new civilizations—and a dangerous new enemy that will push them to their limits. The season builds on the show’s signature blend of character-driven storytelling and genre experimentation, offering bold adventures that explore themes of faith, duty, romance, humor, and mystery in ways no previous Star Trek series has attempted.

I’ll have more to say about season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, including some thoughts about the first two episodes, below the photo.

The joy of watching the first five episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 lies in how confidently the creative team blends classic Star Trek storytelling with fresh tonal variety. As hinted in the trailer, each episode brings a distinct genre and atmosphere. More than just playful experimentation, these episodes channel the spirit of classic Trek while embracing bold stylistic shifts. Are they risks? Absolutely. But at the end of the day, this series is doing what Star Trek has always done at its best—reminding fans why they fell in love with it in the first place. Episodic storytelling is what sets it apart from Star Trek: Discovery, and in this case, that’s a good thing.

The season premiere wraps up the tense standoff with the Gorn… for now. But it’s the second episode, “Wedding Bell Blues,” that shifts gears entirely. Here, we’re introduced to Roger Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan), a character from The Original Series who at this point is in a romantic relationship with Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). Chaos quickly follows: Korby remembers their relationship, but no one else does. The crew mistakenly believes Chapel is marrying Spock (Ethan Peck), and once Spock regains clarity, it’s a matter of convincing everyone else. The tonal shift between the first two episodes couldn’t be more dramatic—but that’s exactly what makes Star Trek: Strange New Worlds so enjoyable to watch.

If the early episodes are any indication, Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia) is on track for a meaningful arc this season. It’s not entirely clear how deeply the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds premiere’s events affect her, but episode two strongly hints that something is amiss—especially when she abruptly leaves while the rest of the crew dances to Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” during a closing sequence.

One of the standout episodes in the first half of the season—teased in the season’s first trailer—is a murder mystery set within a Holodeck simulation. Directed by Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes, it’s the most meta that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has ever been. The story deals with The Last Frontier, a fictional sci-fi series reminiscent of The Original Series, complete with heightened performances and stylized sets. It’s a loving homage to classic television, with one character even delivering a monologue about what shows like this mean to the fans. It’s playful, self-aware, and one of the boldest tonal swings the show has attempted so far—and it absolutely works.

The storytelling remains largely episodic—a hallmark of this series, though your mileage may vary. This is the structure that ultimately works for the series so I’m not complaining. With new episodes arriving through early-to-mid September, there’s plenty of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds still to come. I’ve already rewatched the first half, though mostly because my initial viewing was spread out over several busy days rather than all at once—my preferred way to take in this crew’s latest adventures.

CREATORS: Akiva Goldsman & Alex Kurtzman & Jenny Lumet
SHOWRUNNERS: Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers
DIRECTORS: Chris Fisher (3×01), Jordan Canning (3×02), Jonathan Frakes (3×04)
WRITERS:
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers, Aaron Baiers, Dana Horgan, Davy Perez, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Chris Fisher, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth
CAST: Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, Martin Quinn, and Rebecca Romijn
GUEST STARS: Rhys Darby, Patton Oswalt, Cillian O’Sullivan, Melanie Scrofano, Carol Kane
SPECIAL GUEST STAR: Paul Wesley

Paramount+ will release season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds with two episodes on July 17, 2025. New episodes will premiere weekly on Thursdays through September 11, 2025. Grade: 4/5

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