Spoiler alert (but the light kind): We’ll be talking about some early scenes from Season 3—nothing too revealing, promise!
If there’s one thing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has consistently gotten right, it’s the balance between character-driven storytelling and classic sci-fi adventure. And just a few episodes into Season 3, it’s already clear: this show hasn’t lost its stride. In fact, it’s boldly going deeper—with richer moments, bigger emotions, and a crew that feels more connected than ever.
Whether you’re a longtime Trekkie or someone who just stumbled upon the series thanks to all the buzz, the early stretch of this season is packed with moments that hit all the right notes. Let’s talk about the ones that stood out the most—and why they hit harder than a photon torpedo.
1. Captain Pike Returns—and He’s Even More Compelling
Anson Mount’s Captain Pike has always brought a quiet strength to the bridge, but this season? There’s a heavier layer to him. His return to the captain’s chair feels less like a grand reentrance and more like someone picking up the weight of leadership again—deliberate, thoughtful, a little bruised by past decisions.
There’s a moment early on where he simply sits and surveys the bridge—no big speech, no music swell. But you feel it. That kind of subtle storytelling is what Strange New Worlds does best.
2. Spock Breaks Out the Lute (Yes, Again—and We Love It)
Spock playing music might seem like a throwback gimmick, but the way Ethan Peck brings it to life? It’s anything but filler. His return to the Vulcan lute this season feels almost meditative—a rare pause in the chaos of space life. And it’s not just nostalgia; it’s growth.
Spock’s emotional journey has been slowly unraveling for two seasons now, and this quieter, more expressive version of him is beautifully complex. Plus, Trek Twitter has already unofficially dubbed his new haircut the “Season 3 glow-up,” and we’re not mad about it.
3. Una Chin-Riley Is All Business—and All Heart
Can we just talk about Rebecca Romijn as Commander Una for a second? Her presence this season is sharper, more commanding, and somehow more grounded than ever. One early episode puts her smack in the middle of a near-impossible rescue op, and she handles it like… well, like the unshakable First Officer we’ve come to rely on.
She doesn’t need flashy hero moments—her brilliance is in her calm, calculated decisions and how deeply she cares about her crew. It’s impossible not to admire her, and Romijn plays every beat with a perfect mix of warmth and steel.
4. La’an + Ortegas = Unexpected Bestie Energy
Honestly, we didn’t know we needed more scenes with La’an and Ortega’s teaming up, but now we’re craving a spin-off. Their chemistry is off the charts in Season 3. One early mission puts them in a high-stakes, low-gravity situation (yes, it’s exactly as cool as it sounds), and the result is pure TV gold.
La’an’s no-nonsense intensity paired with Ortega’s sarcastic edge? It’s the perfect odd-couple dynamic. And the fact that their friendship is unfolding slowly, mission by mission, makes it feel real. No shortcuts—just two strong women learning how to trust each other in impossible situations.
5. First Contact Gets Complicated (As It Should)
It wouldn’t be Star Trek without a thought-provoking first contact story, right? One early episode throws the crew into a textbook alien encounter—only to flip the script halfway through. Without giving too much away, it’s one of those episodes that leaves you staring at the credits thinking, “Wait… was the alien really the problem?”
It’s Trek at its finest—forcing us to ask tough questions about empathy, responsibility, and who really defines what’s “right.” And it’s all told through the eyes of Nurse Chapel and Dr. M’Benga, who shine.
6. Chapel and M’Benga Deserve Their Flowers
Speaking of Chapel and M’Benga, wow—the writers are finally giving them the layers they deserve. Jess Bush’s Chapel continues to be a revelation, blending vulnerability with fierce independence. Her character arc this season feels raw in the best way.
And Babs Olusanmokun’s Dr. M’Benga? Still one of the most emotionally complex characters on the show. His quiet moments hit just as hard as his heroic ones. Together, these two form a bond that feels lived-in, tested, and deeply human.
One early episode that centers on their trauma, healing, and friendship? Easily one of the most affecting of the season so far.
7. The Offbeat, Holodeck-Adjacent Mission We Didn’t Know We Needed
While Strange New Worlds doesn’t technically have a holodeck (yet), that hasn’t stopped the show from leaning into some Trek-style playfulness. One episode throws the crew into a historical simulation situation, and let’s just say… it’s delightfully ridiculous.
Think fancy costumes, awkward roleplay, and characters completely out of their element. It’s funny, it’s bizarre, and it weirdly ends up being kind of profound. These oddball episodes are what make this series feel like such a love letter to classic Trek—unafraid to get weird in the name of character growth.
Also, seeing Spock in period garb? 10/10, no notes.
The Verdict So Far: Season 3 Is a Win
We’re only a few episodes into Season 3, but Strange New Worlds already feels like it’s firing on all cylinders. The characters we love are growing, the stakes are rising, and the storytelling is just as smart, bold, and heartfelt as ever.
There’s a confidence to the show now—a sense that it knows what it wants to say and exactly how it wants to say it. And that balance of classic Trek ideals with modern storytelling? It’s working so well.
If the rest of the season keeps up this momentum, we might be looking at the best season yet.
