The recent musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has left me quite impressed, yet I harbor some concerns that it may lead season 3 down a path that leans too heavily into meta-narratives. As a fan since season 1, I have thoroughly enjoyed the adventures aboard the USS Enterprise prior to Captain James T. Kirk’s (portrayed by William Shatner and Paul Wesley) command. This series has adeptly woven new tales while staying true to the cherished Star Trek canon. “Subspace Rhapsody,”as a musical episode was a pioneering effort, and “Ad Astra Per Aspera”stands as a trial episode that rivals Star Trek: The Next Generation’s acclaimed “The Measure of a Man.”
Recently, in April 2025, Paramount+ debuted the first teaser trailer for season 3 of Strange New Worlds, and it has sparked considerable discussion. With visuals ranging from a Klingon zombie to a noir-inspired murder mystery episode directed by Jonathan Frakes, the upcoming season promises ten genre-defying episodes that will further explore Captain Christopher Pike’s (Anson Mount) journey. However, I confess that some scenes in the teaser left me anxious about the potential for season 3 to become overly self-referential.
Could Season 3’s “Show Within A Show”Episode Go Too Far With Meta Humor?
Captain Proton Was Fun, But SNW Risks Going Beyond The Pale
The teaser trailer showcased a vividly colorful, science fiction bridge, nearly resembling a parody of Star Trek: The Original Series. Notably, it opens with Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) remarking, “We want to give audiences a reflection of their own world through the lens of fantasy. You know, science fiction,”followed by Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) asking, “All of that with weekly space adventures?”This indicates that the creators of Strange New Worlds season 3 are fully aware of their artistic direction and are engaging in an intentional act of self-reference.
However, this does not imply that Star Trek should shy away from self-referential content or acknowledging its significant influence on science fiction. For instance, one of the memorable aspects of Star Trek: Voyager is Lt. Tom Paris’s (Robert Duncan McNeill) escapades as “Captain Proton.”While “Captain Proton”draws inspiration from TOS, its flavor is more akin to the science fiction dramas of the 1950s. I worry that the new episodes of Strange New Worlds might end up being a parody of The Original Series, which could lead the narrative away from its core strengths.
The Dangers of Over-Meta: A Potential Shift Towards Parody
The Core Strength of Strange New Worlds Lies in Its Authenticity
Ultimately, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds must refrain from becoming a mere parody of its own lineage. In today’s streaming landscape, few shows capture the sincerity and optimism exhibited by Strange New Worlds. Compromising that authenticity for the sake of parody would be regrettable. For instance, some moments in Star Trek: Lower Decks, where characters like Ensigns Bradward Boimler (Jack Quaid) or Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) referenced Star Trek lore from the perspective of fans, occasionally detracted from the narrative.
In contrast, Strange New Worlds has effectively balanced drama with a good measure of humor, unlike the comedic approach seen in Lower Decks. I hope the series can continue to capitalize on its distinctive strengths. I remain optimistic about the creative direction underfoot, and I believe the team will find a satisfactory equilibrium between clever humor and the introduction of fresh stories in season 3.