Sophie Allen | The Chronicle
Season review
3.5 stars
We are once again beamed aboard Capt. Pike’s starship Enterprise for a fourth season of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” Packed into 10 exciting episodes, the season does it all, from horror to noir to soap operas to Muppets. While some fans may find the lighthearted episodes gimmicky, they balance the heavier episodes and capture the episodic, often playful tone of “Star Trek: The Original Series.” Standout episodes include “Off-Hour” and “Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” which spotlight supporting cast members such as Scotty and Uhura while bringing them closer to the characters they become in “The Original Series.”
My biggest gripe with the season is the lack of screen time given to Capt. Pike. Despite being the main character, Pike seems sidelined in favor of introducing a new face of Capt. Kirk, receiving far less attention than in previous seasons. While I enjoy Kirk’s character, this shift is especially disappointing considering Anson Mount’s performance is one of the show’s highlights.
Overall, although less polished than previous seasons, season four still delivers the drama, character interactions and experimental fun that fans love about “Star Trek.” The season proves the 60-year-old franchise is still going strong.
