Finally, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has returned to our screens. It’s been almost TWO YEARS since the end of Season 2, but we’re back. Strange New Worlds Season 3 picks up right after the cliffhanger of Season 2’s “Hegemony” episode, with The Gorn bearing down on Captain Pike’s (Anson Mount) USS Enterprise. However, we have a double episode premiere. In this review, we’ll be taking a look at “Hegemony, Part II” and the second episode, “Wedding Bell Blues”.
The Enterprise is in a warzone, about half of the main characters have been kidnapped. Pike’s responsible not only for his crew, but also for the love of his life, all while the safety of the Federation hangs in the balance. After all that, love’s in the air and it’s time for a wedding! It’s a very exciting, very long awaited season premiere, but is it everything we’ve been hoping for? Let’s get into it!
🚨 SPOILER WARNING 🚨 – This review contains spoilers for the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Premiere Episodes. You have been warned!
“Hegemony, Part II” – Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode One – Review
“Hegemony, Part II” opens up fairly well, diving straight into the action. Watching Pike bend his orders to retreat, desperately trying to save the kidnapped crew, was awesome. However, after that cold open, the episode begins to fall apart a bit. With saving Batel (Melanie Scrofano), Pike’s decision making on the Bridge, Scotty (Martin Quinn) in Engineering, and of course the prisoners on the Gorn ship, there’s a lot going on.
The Gorn present a credible threat, even with questionable accuracy to the Gorn faced in “Arena”. Visual updates aside, their characterisation feels far more akin to generic evil bug aliens, using the Gorn name for sheer nostalgic value. Speaking of nostalgia, Pike all but winked into the camera, hinting at their return in “Arena” felt beyond forced. Overreliance on name-value Original Series nostalgia is fast becoming a problem for the series.
Not to mention, but the end, status quo is also completely restored. Everyone’s saved, Batel turns out fine, and even with the darker fight scenes in the Gorn ship, everything’s fine. The day’s saved by a bit of technobabble, in an admittedly stunning visual sequence by the twin suns. It’s not a bad season premiere, but it wraps up a little too neatly, considering the scale. Outside of some mental scars for Ortegas (Melissa Navia), I struggle to see much in the way of long-term ripple effects for the season’s story.
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“Wedding Bell Blues” – Strange New Worlds Season 3 Episode Two – Review
The second episode is where the season feels like it begins in earnest. After a 3 month gap, the Enterprise is all fixed up, and Chapel (Jess Bush) is back from her time with Dr Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan). We all knew where this story was going, and centering Spock (Ethan Peck) as he adjusts to losing Chapel. Using an altered reality, which Spock fights alongside Korby to correct, was a great way to show his journey of acceptance through the episode.
Rhys Darby as the trickster Trelane was a treat, stealing every scene he was in. As he became increasingly malicious toward the episode’s conclusion, it was simply delightful to watch. The episode even confirms the long-held fan theory that he’s a member of the Q Continuum, with a voice-only cameo from John DeLancie. Although the resolution is nearly identical to “The Squire of Gothos”.
It also calls into question how nobody recognised the obvious similarities in The Original Series episode. But that’s a problem with most prequels, and a hoop that Strange New Worlds has found itself jumping through more than once. Also breaking the episode were the contemporary Guinness and the 80s needle drop, which felt out of character for the franchise. Ending on that note felt out of character for Star Trek, which is a shame because there’s a lot more to love with this one.
Concluding Thoughts
Expectations going into this were high, as they would be after a nearly two-year wait. The show’s as gorgeous as ever. There’s also the familiar emphasis on character, with spotlights on La’An’s childhood and the romance between Spock and Chapel. Also returning is the show’s use of Original Series characters and concepts. Though this reverence is beginning to come at the cost of questionable canon issues and the show’s own voice being squandered in the process.
Pushing aside those reservations, there’s a lot of fun to be had in this premiere. I particularly enjoyed the second episode, which successfully juggles a character-driven romantic drama with the comedic trickster. Having powerful character spotlights amongst the out-there, imaginative episode concepts is one of my favourite things about this show. Based off these two episodes, they’re here to stay for Season 3. I’m very excited to see where next week’s “Shuttle to Kenfori” takes the crew of the Enterprise.
Strange New Worlds Season 3 premiered on July 17th (2025) and will continue weekly on Paramount+ in the US, UK, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Japan. It is also available to stream on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Central and Eastern Europe.
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