Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season four takes bold risks
The series continues to push boundaries in its fourth season.
1The show's inconsistent tone
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has always been uneven in quality and tone, distinct from its intentionally erratic storylines. The series aims to take big swings and push the limits of its format while navigating between genres and tropes.
2Bold moves
In its fourth season, Strange New Worlds remains unafraid to take risks with each episode. News of a puppet episode with Jim Henson Studios has already surfaced. However, the season features more parody episodes than standard Star Trek fare.
3Criticism of violent content
Alongside Muppet-style humor, there's also the heavy gore typical of any Trek show involving Alex Kurtzman. Those who found season three's eye-gouging scene excessive should skip this season's second episode. The timing and place for such hard-edged content is debatable.
4Overuse of Jim Kirk
The insistence on including Paul Wesley's Jim Kirk in as many episodes as possible has become tiresome. Kirk, introduced while Anson Mount was on paternity leave, has grown increasingly annoying over time. It feels like the creative team is trying to sideline Mount from his own show.
5Brilliant moments
Despite this, Strange New Worlds occasionally reminds us why it's the best live-action Trek of the streaming era. The sixth episode stands out not just for the series but in Star Trek's 60-year history. A nod to Burnistoun is a delightful surprise for British viewers.
6Overall assessment
In its fourth season, Strange New Worlds remains tonally inconsistent, erratic in quality, sometimes gratuitously violent yet utterly charming. Despite its flaws, it's best enjoyed now as it may be years before we return to this future.