Energize: The Best of Star Trek Strange New Worlds (So Far)

Happy Star Trek Day to all the Trekkies who celebrate, in this quadrant and the next. Fifty-nine years ago, the series determined to boldly go and promptly took hold of our TV screens. A trailblazer in televised science fiction, Star Trek: The Original Series paved the way for future shows in the franchise like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, even though the latter is actually a prequel of the former.

Strange New Worlds feels the closest to The Original Series out of all the modern Star Trek shows, delivering thought-provoking analysis of the human condition and humorous space shenanigans. It’s a worthy successor of TOS – well, predecessor, depending on how you look at it.

To celebrate Star Trek Day, I’m sharing my favorite episodes in the series thus far.

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“Spock Amok” (Season 1 Episode 5)

Amok! Amok! Amok! Season 1 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds does a great job of introducing (or reintroducing to those familiar with the franchise) Spock’s internal struggle regarding his Vulcan and human sides. This struggle bears fruit in the form of a compelling meditation on identity and what it means to identify as multiple things.

However, “Spock Amok” is more a comedy of errors than a moving drama. It’s proof positive that, despite an irritatingly loud minority, this series excels at both campy stories and poignant, character-driven pieces. The Original Series has its fair share of comedic plotlines. Additionally, the episode shines a light on the other dynamics aboard Enterprise, including one of my favorites: La’an and Una’s friendship.

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“A Quality of Mercy” (Season 1 Episode 10)

Fun fact: This is also the title of a season 3 episode of The Twilight Zone. However, that episode doesn’t have Lieutenant James T. Kirk. The season 1 finale sees Captain Pike come face-to-face with his inevitable fate as his future self pays him a visit. Confronted with the consequences of his choices, he realizes he can’t outrun or outmaneuver his destiny. It reminds us just how much of life is out of our control.

In addition to the exciting Romulan action, it’s a blast witnessing Kirk’s introduction in Strange New Worlds. He’s younger here and not the same captain we know from TOS. However, Paul Wesley’s portrayal offers glimpses of who this iconic character will become.

“A Quality of Mercy” ends on a massive cliffhanger as Starfleet arrests Una for failing to disclose that she’s Illyrian. Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with Pike.

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“Ad Astra per Aspera” (Season 2 Episode 2)

“To the stars, through hardships…”

The above is not only the motto of Kansas, but a key motivator for Una Chin-Riley, AKA Number One, in joining Starfleet. “Ad Astra per Aspera” finds Una on trial for the terrifying (sarcasm) crime of being a first officer while Illyrian. Illyrians practice genetic engineering so their bodies can better suit their environments. However, the Federation banned genetic augmentations, rendering the humanoid race as outcasts.

Una advocates for her people during her trial and fights tooth and nail to remove the stigma surrounding them. The Enterprise crew testifies on her behalf. If anyone represents the best of Starfleet, its strong moral compass and predilection for benevolence, it’s our Una. “Ad Astra per Aspera” is a moving, emotional episode, a reminder not to judge a book by its cover. In the immortal words of Ted Lasso, “Be curious, not judgmental.”

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“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” (Season 2 Episode 3)

“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow / creeps in this petty pace from day to day.” Star Trek and Shakespeare go hand-in-hand. Season 2’s third episode is another strong showing for the series. In fact, season 2 is my favorite season so far.

In the outing, we see La’an travel to an alternate dimension and then go back in time to our present with none other than Kirk – well, an alternate version of him, anyway. La’an reckons with the albatross around her neck, the specter of her infamous ancestor, Khan Noonien Singh. She learns that just because he committed unspeakable atrocities, it doesn’t mean she’s doomed to do the same. She can forge her own path.

“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” also sees a La’an and Alt Kirk romance bloom, and right when La’an finally gets to be happy, a Romulan murders him. It’s absolutely devastating.

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“Those Old Scientists” (Season 2 Episode 7)

So, “TOS” stands for “Those Old Scientists”? I knew it. This episode blesses us with the crossover we didn’t know we needed: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the animated comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks. Bradward Boimler and Beckett Mariner of the U.S.S. Cerritos wind up in live-action form when they travel back in time.

Naturally, they encounter our Enterprise crew. Boimler, in particular, is thrilled to meet Una, his Starfleet hero. Mariner refers to Spock as “Hot Spock,” voicing aloud what we all collectively think: Ethan Peck makes for a dashing half-Vulcan. Our dynamic duo even discusses Pike’s fate with him since they would know what happened to him. Boimler offers resonant advice to help the captain cope with the unchangeable.

It’s a wonderful hour of escapism, packed with humor and heart. As the cherry on top, the Enterprise crew gets the animation treatment in the episode’s final minutes. The universe craves balance.

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“Subspace Rhapsody” (Season 2 Episode 9)

Surprisingly, “Subspace Rhapsody” marks the franchise’s first-ever musical episode. It’s a bit polarizing among fans, but as a musical theater gal, I love it. The writers find a way to incorporate singing into the narrative in a manner that’s organic to the series. Hijinks and mayhem ensue. The songs are genuinely catchy and well-written.

Plus, who knew we had multiple talented vocalists in the cast? Celia Rose Gooding performs the 11 o’clock number as Uhura, delivering powerhouse vocals and a showstopping performance. Of course, they’re a Broadway vet. Christina Chong is another incredible singer. And unsurprisingly, Gregory Peck’s grandson also has pipes.

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“The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail” (Season 3 Episode 6)

Kirk is no stranger to having the conn in times of crisis, but “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail” is the first time on Strange New Worlds wherein we see most of The Original Series crew join forces to save the day.

Admittedly, I geeked out, especially seeing Kirk and Scotty deepen their friendship. Paul Wesley showcases his versatility here, adding nuance to his portrayal of an uncertain Kirk who learns to grow into his leadership style. The big plot twist in “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail” packs an emotional wallop, once again leaning into a topic Star Trek explores well: compassion for your enemy, which leads me into my next entry…

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“Terrarium” (Season 3 Episode 9)

Finally, More-tegas! Erica Ortegas gets her very own episode in season 3, which zeroes in on her Gorn-related trauma borne from the beginning of the season. In it, Ortegas crashes on a dangerous moon after traveling through a wormhole. There, she must survive alongside a stranded Gorn pilot while awaiting rescue from Enterprise.

Ortegas develops a surprising friendship with the Gorn, learning to see past her preconceived notions and traumatic experience with the alien race. The many do not represent the individual. It tackles themes of passing judgment and extending the hand of compassion to all beings, even those who, perhaps at face value, might do you harm. Maybe they’re misunderstood and hurting themselves.

Through a kind of exposure therapy, Ortegas makes progress on her path to healing. Unfortunately, the Gorn pilot’s fate was sealed the minute she crashed on the moon, and La’an kills her when rescuing Ortegas. To top it all off, a Metron appears to Ortegas to tell her they’ve orchestrated this survival scenario to study two barbaric races: the Gorn and humans. It’s never fun to be pawns in someone’s experiment.

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Honorable Mention: “A Space Adventure Hour” (Season 3 Episode 4)

Strange New Worlds does kooky well, so it’s no surprise that “A Space Adventure Hour” is a solid hour of murder mystery (prototype) holodeck shenanigans with a smattering of parody. The episode kicks off the festivities with a cheeky homage to the OG Star Trek. Paul Wesley offers his best William Shatner impression in a hilariously fake TOS-esque series.

Then, La’an tests out a prototype holodeck, bringing Spock along as her assistant in solving a ’70s-themed murder mystery. The rest of the crew gets to don fabulous outfits and play different characters. Anson Mount delivers a fun portrayal of a Gene Roddenberry-type character. Rebecca Romijn’s Sunny Lupino is clearly a nod to Lucille Ball, the mother of Star Trek. It’s a fun outing that ends with the beginnings of a La’an/Spock romance. Ooh la la.

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What are your favorite episodes from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Join the conversation alongside other Star Trek fans at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Trekkie Sideshow!