IR TV Review: STAR TREK - STRANGE NEW WORLDS - EPISODE 1 (“Strange New Worlds”) [Paramount+]

The wonder that perhaps had been missing from "Star Trek" finds it texture in the pilot of "Strange New Worlds". The key is of course getting off the ground after revelations on "Discovery" without making any impending doom seem overwhelming. The first episode: "Strange New Worlds" need to show the essence of what Christopher Pike has to be in order to exist before an inevitability. We do get an interesting timeline but the story at hand is more rescue oriented in a way and in texture of the Prime Directive. Without giving too much away, the story is about either helping or being hands off though one specific character motivates this run. The introduction of new characters including one with a very interesting last name hints at a larger though process.

Ethan Peck, who seemed almost too young when he cut off his beard at the end of the "Discovery" run seems to have grown into Spock's veneer no doubt helped by trainers and time. One of his introductory scenes speaks to this while also still making reference to another point in canon with TOS. The episodic element reads true to what the creators said they are trying to do. The last shot also paints to some other recognized elements but also soars in a way that 2009's "Star Trek" aspired to but couldn't really do susequently since the movies needed to been built with too many stakes. "Strange New Worlds" is on its right path and out of the gate feels different because "Star Trek" in its beginnings was all about entertainment and feeling good while still promoting the texture of good in the galaxy and the beauty of exploring. A-

By Tim Wassberg