‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Season One’ Blu-ray Review

Stars: Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Rebecca Romijn, Celia Rose Gooding, Babs Olusanmokun | Created by Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was a highly anticipated addition to the Star Trek franchise, and the first season of the show has certainly lived up to expectations. The show brings back the iconic characters of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Science Officer Spock (Ethan Peck), and Number One (Rebecca Romijn) from the original series, and explores their adventures aboard the USS Enterprise.

One of the most striking things about Strange New Worlds is its commitment to capturing the spirit of the original Star Trek series. From the opening theme music to the brightly colored uniforms, every aspect of the show feels like a loving tribute to the franchise’s roots. The production design is particularly impressive, with the sets and costumes capturing the aesthetic of the 1960s while also feeling modern and updated.

Anson Mount is outstanding as Captain Pike, bringing a sense of gravitas and authority to the role. He is a worthy successor to the late, great William Shatner, and his portrayal of Pike is both respectful of the character’s history and fresh and new. Ethan Peck also shines as Spock, bringing his own interpretation to the role while still remaining true to the character’s iconic traits. Rebecca Romijn is equally impressive as Number One, a character who was only briefly featured in the original series but who is given more depth and personality in Strange New Worlds.

The supporting cast is also strong, with each character given their own moments to shine. The show features a diverse range of characters, including Lt. Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), who is portrayed as a young and ambitious officer, and Dr. M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), who brings a new perspective to the medical team on board the Enterprise.

The first season of the show consists of ten episodes, each with its own standalone story. This format is reminiscent of the original Star Trek series, where each episode had its own unique plotline, but also balances episodic storytelling with a larger, serialized arc. While each episode tells a self-contained story, there are also overarching plot threads that run through the season and give the show a sense of momentum. This approach allows for a variety of different adventures and storylines, while also building towards a satisfying conclusion.

The show’s writing is consistently strong, with each episode presenting complex moral and ethical dilemmas for the crew to grapple with. These range from questions of personal identity and free will to larger issues of colonialism and imperialism. The show doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult topics, and it’s to the writers’ credit that they’re able to tackle these issues in a thoughtful and nuanced way.

The show’s visual effects are also a major highlight, with stunning space battles and alien landscapes that look like they were ripped straight from the original series. The use of practical effects and miniatures also adds a tangible sense of realism to the show’s visuals, and helps to ground the more fantastical elements.

Overall, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is an excellent addition to the Star Trek franchise, and a worthy successor to the original series. It captures the spirit of the franchise while also updating it for modern audiences, and boasts a strong cast, thoughtful writing, and impressive visual effects. Fans of the franchise will undoubtedly find much to love in this new series, and newcomers may find it a great entry point into the Star Trek universe.

Blu-ray Special Features:

• Pike’s Peek (Exclusive) – Anson Mount takes fans through his journey as Captain Christopher Pike in the first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, providing a glimpse into his portrayal with intimate footage throughout the season.
• World Building – Led by Production Designer Jonathan Lee and his team, the season’s production design utilized cutting-edge technology to create worlds prior to shoots, allowing the actors to fully immerse themselves into scenes rather than imagine the worlds around them in a green room. Through interviews with producers, cast and crew, fans will learn about the expertise involved in the development process and how the powerful technology was seamlessly integrated into the show.
• Exploring New Worlds (Exclusive) – Fans will explore the storylines and characters that bring Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to life with writers, cast and crew.
• Commentary: Anson Mount & Akiva Goldsman – Strange New Worlds (Exclusive)
• Deleted Scenes (Exclusive)
• Gag Reel (Exclusive)

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is available now digitally, on Blu-ray, DVD and limited-edition Blu-Ray Steelbook; and comes to limited-edition 4K Steelbook on May 15th.